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jp_jellyroll t1_iu9a3rz wrote

>Surely the guys at the shop I always take my car to would have said something, right? I also got an oil change at the beginning of September—isn’t that something inspected during oil changes?

Uh, why the hell would you ever assume that? If you bring your vehicle in for a specific problem, they're going to fix it and move on. They're not going to spend the whole day doing a 1,000-point inspection on the rest of your car... for free. That's insanity. If you break your arm and go to the hospital, they're not going to do a friggin' colonoscopy to make sure your ass is good just in case. They're going to cast your arm and send you home. But while you're there, if you say, "Hey, my ass is on fire," then they'll take a look.

And, frankly, if a mechanic came to me saying he found "other problems" besides the ones I asked to be fixed, I would immediately be suspicious. "Oh yeah, we noticed you need new pads... and you definitely need a new framus to connect with the ramistan. We can do that for you!"

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Hollywould_7 t1_iu9aq9s wrote

It wasn’t a specific issue, there was more than one. They had to run a diagnostic, and they always test drive it for a few miles to make sure everything is running smoothly. I trust my guys completely. I’ve taken it in for a specific issue before, and they’ve told me to hold off on fixing it because something more important needed to be fixed.

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The_eldritch_bitch t1_iu9f83c wrote

Then diag picked up what was wrong, it wouldn’t pick up brakes.

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[deleted] OP t1_iu9fl4x wrote

[deleted]

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The_eldritch_bitch t1_iu9hr0e wrote

Brakes don’t have a dash indicator, and it can be hard to tell before they get really loud. I’m sitting here asking my Toyota master tech (for 15 years) husband these questions trying to help you. Next time, it can’t hurt to ask, “check the brakes too if you don’t mind.” But they won’t be doing a 100 point inspection or w/e if they aren’t getting paid for it.

And ask your regular mechanic or dealership this, not Moes Garage or whatever gas station inspection center it was

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Hollywould_7 t1_iu9i9hd wrote

I appreciate it. It’s an ‘08 Jeep Patriot. Of course it’s just shy of the 15-year mark for inspection specifics. I’m tempted to just sell it, honestly. I’ve been going to Long Life Auto in Waltham for the last few years, and they’ve never done me dirty!

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The_eldritch_bitch t1_iu9immo wrote

Yeah so they probably didn’t check for brakes because those wouldn’t trigger check engine. We traded in my 08 highlander a couple months ago and got what we paid for it 6 years ago…might be worth it!!

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Hollywould_7 t1_iu9iytz wrote

That’s what I thought!! Used car market is still relatively hot. Plus, I can easily commute via commuter rail and get my steps in. And no longer risking parking tickets sounds pretty damn good to me!

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SueAnnNivens t1_iu9zwh6 wrote

It's good to trust your people, but I still get a copy of the diagnostic print out. That way I know what is going on with my car so that there aren't any surprises. You can google codes.

A code will not show up on the diagnostic if the system (transmission, engine, exhaust, etc) doesn't send codes to the electronic control unit (ECU). Outside of the ABS, bad brake shoes/pads are not going to be on the diagnostic.

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