I just took my truck in for an oil change at Jiffy Lube. The "mechanic" there told me I had carbon build up on my air filter and I needed a tranny flush as well as a fuel injector flush also consisting of adding a fuel additive as well as an additive to the oil. Now correct me if I am wrong...but what does the air filter have to do with the fuel injector?
2007-07-30 09:17:23 · 9 answers · asked by akitamommy2 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
LOL....yeh....AND he tried to sell me a new air filter which I bought cheaper and put in myself. I may be due for a tranny flush but the dealer can do that under my maintenance program. I just brought the truck in for its scheduled oil change to Jiffy Lube because it was closer than the dealer and I was in a rush, time wise. I added a fuel additive before gassing up afterwards. I know they are famous for trying to sell stuff you don't need. What I want to know is how couold he tell I needed a tranny flush the whole 15 mins my truck was sitting there? just by the dip stick?
2007-07-30 09:26:48 · update #1
These are great answers everyone, THANKS!....just as I suspected......trying to get over on the female. I thought they just went after people with older model cars....it made me feel a bit better though..they tried to pull that on a man there too...telling him he needed wiper blades...you know...easy stuff you can change yourself..maybe they have swamp land they can sell me too, LOL
2007-07-30 09:38:29 · update #2
ahhhh..service techs you say? not mechanics...good thing to know...maybe he should go to mechanic school......hmmmm.....maybe I should go to mechanic school...
2007-07-30 09:40:59 · update #3
OH!...and I only got an oil change and drove away...daddy didn't raise a fool, LOL
2007-07-30 09:43:09 · update #4
I'm guessing the "carbon" build up is due to intake from other cars, and road grime like you suggested. I have had no problems starting my truck (yes..4 door), my truck dying on me either.
2007-07-31 00:00:34 · update #5
A few things...
The air filter ideally should be replaced about every year, or 15,000 miles.
There's no such thing as carbon build up on air filters.
You can do your own "flush" of the injectors by getting a bottle of fuel system cleaner at Wal-Mart for less than 10 bucks. It will be just as effective as their $100.00 procedure.
If you regularly change your oil every 3-4 thousand miles with a good quality motor oil, additives are not necessary, and in some cases harmful.
A fluid and filter change for an automatic transmission might not be a bad idea about every 40,000 miles, and will extend the life of your transmission.
The guy at Jiffy Lube gets paid for selling you stuff, not for helping you. Keep that in mind the next time they try to "help" you.
2007-07-30 09:29:14 · answer #1 · answered by Galaxie500XL 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
SVO, I thought service technicians is what most people called the mechanics of now who actually know how to work on a car, not the "lubrication" specialists they have a jiffy lube...
but as others have said, Jiffy lube and others are in the business to upsell... get you in with the cheapie oil change and make the profit on the other services you may or may not need.
Those flushes are good, only if actually used for a reason and done properly... most of them I find got trained by the manager the day they got started and I get to see the burnt up aftermath sometimes...
I'm not knocking all quick lubes (As I've seen some who are honest and sell honestly to the people)
fuel injector flushes are best done if you suspect you have major issues with the injectors.. most people runnign quality gas won't have that.. just a bottle occasionally of fuel injector cleaner will take care of that.
Ford actually doesn't recommend transmission service on that transmission (if it's a 4 door suv) till about 100k miles... Usually I recommend earlier at 50k or so as the heat breaks down the fluid quicker and these transmissions are sensitive I find to the fluid...
The air filter... I've found the way the factory designed the box and air intake, it has a habit of picking up and filter a black mess which I haven't figured out yet... I'm thinking road grime, as it's definitely not from the engine the way it's designed.
But hopefully between everyone, you have been educated about this, and we'd be glad to see you if you do want to pick up a wrench and become a automotive service technician (as there are many out there including Ford Girl)
2007-07-30 15:39:18 · answer #2 · answered by gearbox 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any Jiffy lube employee will always tell you that, especially if your a women. Trust me. I use to work for them. And how you get carbon build up on a air filter is a complete mystery to me. Unless your engine back fires a lot. And Jiffy Lube is not suppose to tell you the you need those kind of things. At least not in Arizona.
2007-07-30 09:26:49 · answer #3 · answered by Takarie K 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If that is what he said, I'd go down there, pick up my car and drive away.
Carbon build up is usually due to left over particulate and typically builds up on exhaust components. For your air filter, the most they can say is it's dirty. If they are saying carbon deposits on the air filter, I'd be very hesistant to believe them.
Transmissions should be serviced yearly (recommended by most manufacturer, and a simple drain and fill will satisfy most of their requirements) You don't need a full flush unless you really want one. A Drain and fill removes 60%-70% of the old fluid, a full flush removes 95% of the old fluid, but typically is a lot more costly. I do recommend getting a trans drain and fill. Typically costing about $40-$50 for this service..
The other stuff sounds like he's just trying to sell you a bunch of stuff that isn't necessary.
2007-07-30 09:20:34 · answer #4 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the air filter filters the air that is used for the combustion in your cylinders. It should be replaced according to your owner's manual. Judging by your avatar, your a female, and the person at jiffy lube felt that he could get one over on you. This is standard practice with that company. The employees are expected to sell services to customers beyond what the customer asked for initially. The person made up some stuff (I think) and had a good laugh at your expense. don't go back, and wherever you go, get what you asked for and nothing more!
2007-07-30 09:27:01 · answer #5 · answered by homert1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there lying to you. the only thing that can build up on your filter that would mean a problem would be motor oil. that would mean your engine was going bad. I'm sure this is not the case with your vehicle. another thing if this place is trying these kind of selling practices how do you know they won't sabotage anything. oh and buy the way. your tranny fluid is probably good for 100,000 miles. i would consider a different place. it's one thing if you have a legitimate problem they tell you about but myself i hate getting lied to. good luck
2007-07-30 09:27:39 · answer #6 · answered by doug h 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't buy into any of their extras, make sure it has oil pressure and isn't leaking when you drive away and if your smart you'll never go back.
Ps, there are no mechanics at Jiffy Lube, they're just service techs
2007-07-30 09:26:28 · answer #7 · answered by ClassicMustang 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
exactly why I do my own maintenance. next time they tell you stuff like that have them write it down so you can fax it to the bbb and their company headquarters its usually good for something
2007-07-31 00:03:09 · answer #8 · answered by 51 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
take it to a ford dealer just like i take my 06montana sv6 to my gm dealer i think the dealer does good work
2007-07-30 16:05:23 · answer #9 · answered by kristin t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋