debodun
SF VIP
- Location
- way upstate in New York, USA
I took my car to a garge a few weeks ago and they charged me $75 just to look at it (their term was "diagnostics") and they didn't fix anything.
I learned something about car tires today
- Thread starter debodun
- Start date
Magna-Carta
Senior Member
- Location
- UK
I started life as an apprentice mechanic in the early 80’s at a Vauxhall dealership (then a subsidiary of GM). I now work in engineering for a car manufacture. Back in the 80’s I thought labour costs were reasonable. I usually work on my own cars, only taking them to a garage if I can’t be bothered to work on them, or if it’s inconvenient for me. I’ve never taken my cars to a main dealer; well I say that, unless it was necessary for warranty. I use a local reputable independent garage, and I don’t even ask them what their labour costs are. What they charge me seems reasonable.
However, at work this Tuesday evening I asked a couple of people what main dealers change them. I was shocked when they said £100 an hour ($125)
I have what some might regard as special tools at home, but I get your point. Some special tools I would consider never buying, unnecessarily expensive for something I might only use once. I have at times though borrowed special tools.
I remember having a diag engine code on my BMW. It was as issue to do with the Inlet Manifold Pressure Sensor (can't remember specifically what BMW called it). The engine would sometimes cut out road junctions. I went onto eBay, amazon and some motor factor website to prise up an alleged genuine part. Then I called the BMW dealer; the sensor from BMW was around £5 less than allegedly genuine parts on line. Needless to say I bought it from BMW; took me 10 minutes to fit.
You mentioned the price you paid for 2 TPMS sensors. Spoke with someone at work who used to have a Ford Focus. He said he had to have one TPMS sensor replaced. He seems to remember it being £60 ($75) for the part. I didn't think of asking him what the labour charge was though.
Magna-Carta
Senior Member
- Location
- UK
I think the earlier system required calibrating in the way you mention. Not that I’m too familiar with earlier TPMS systems. The system I’m familiar with is a relatively simple reset via a button.
I could be wrong, but from memory of what I read in the 90’s, I think the reason, or one of the reasons the system was introduced in the US was in part due to the debacle between Ford & Firestone. Some Ford SUV’s turning over. A combination of low tyre pressures, an SUV that had too a high centre of gravity; unsuitable suspension travel for its centre of gravity, and a tyre design that wasn’t as good as it could have been. Over 200 people killed and twice as much again injured. And that was just in the US. More deaths in other countries where this Ford particular SUV was sold, with its Firestone tyres.
Been There
Well-known Member
- Location
- Florida
When any one of the four TPMS modules go bad, a red light comes on the dash warning you to get it fixed. We have mechanical state inspection once a year here in Virginia. They check brakes, shocks or struts, steering linkage parts, etc. If anything does not meet specs, it must be replaced or repaired before the mechanic will put the inspection sticker for that year on your windshield.
If it wasn't required to have the TPMS replaced, most drivers would drive with the red light on forever and never get it replaced. Any time I get a red light on my dash that reads "See Dealer Soon". I make an appointment and they put the vehicle on the analyzer and that tells the mechanic what needs replaced or repaired. I am very fussy about my vehicles. They must be 100% perfect. I spent 3 hours yesterday washing and waxing my new Buick just because I do that ritual twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall. I also detail the inside with leather conditioner and scrub the mats and also steam clean the carpet what there is of it. I also take my vehicles to the car wash and power spray the engine to keep it looking new and no grease or oil showing. That's just me. Not everyone is so meticulous about their vehicles. No smoking is allowed in any of my vehicles and all 3 are kept in the garage.
Here in the U.S., this is pollen season and that stuff from the trees gets all over your vehicles, so I use what is called a "California Duster" to run over it that takes off the pollen before driving it. The head is treated with some kind of spray that collects the dirt and dust.
Magna-Carta
Senior Member
- Location
- UK
The thing with the TPMS light id that many people when seeing it just simply reset it. Not realising that the reason it’s come on is because one or more tyres have dropped by around 5 PSI. They reset it and do nothing else; they are still running around with a tyre presser that’s lower than the others. Some don’t seem to realise that the warning light is telling them to check their tyres, inflate to the correct pressure, and only then reset it. Cars have owner’s manuals for a reason.
It looks as though I need one of those "California Duster" you have in your photo, especially with one of my cars being black. I don’t go to the extent of you in keeping your car clean, but I do put a lot of effort in it all the same. Don’t see the point of spending tens of thousands of pounds on a car not to look after it. I would look after and keep clean something expensive within my house; it makes sense to the same with things outside of my house.
I usually wax my cards just once a year, with what I would call a proper wax, otherwise I use Williams Waterless Car Polish, licenced by Williams F1 Racing Team. This is one of my cars, and the shine from the polish I mention.
