Rip Off at Meineke in El Cajon Ca

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2012-06-11:

When I took my car for a tune-up at one time, my mechanic asked me why. He said tune ups does nothing for cars anymore. They used to do tune ups in older cars but now that everything is pretty much electronics or whatever, tune ups are a thing of the past and doesn't have anything to do with improving the car's performance. I told him I see coupons all the time for tune ups and he said tune ups now a days is just a way to fix something that isn't even a problem and it's like a healthy person going to the doctor for medication that isn't needed for anything nor prevent anything. He said any garage that offers to do a tune up is ripping people off unless they have a pretty old car.

Posted by MRM on 2012-06-11:

But DB, I thought tune ups is for preventative maintenance. My mother has a 1998 Dodge Caravan, and I would do tune ups such as changing air filter, oil change, and other stuff as preventative maintenance.

I respectfully disagree with your mechanic.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2012-06-11:

That's what he said, it's like a healthy person going to a doctor for medication they don't need. We all get oil changes and spark plugs checked, etc...One machanic told me it would be over $300 for a tune up, WITH his coupon, that's why I took it to my own mechanic. My own mechanic could have charged me up for one, but instead told me tune ups are a thing of the past and it would not make my car run any better than it already was.

Posted by BigAl on 2012-06-11:

I have to side with DBs mechanic on this one. To MRM you are including things that do not constitute a tuneup. Air filters and oil changes comes under maintenance.It would take a whole chapter to list why tuneups are not valid anymore and I would do it but nobody would read it. lol Short answer--computers have eliminated the need for tuneups to be considered mandatory maintenance. If your car has a problem get it fixed. Tuneups for the sake of preventing future problems are indeed a thing of the past.

Posted by BigAl on 2012-06-11:

I forgot to mention never get work done at Meineke. I could write a book on that.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2012-06-11:

:p @ Mr. Mike...but, I still love you!!!

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2012-06-11:

I agree Big Al...never get an oil change at a place that specializes in oil changes...never get a brake job done in a place that specializes in brake jobs, never buy accoressories from those places either (Wiper blades, especially) they will charge you up just for thier 'speicality'...I take my car to a family run Mom and Pop place that never advertises, they've been in business for years and all of their business are through word of mouth from happy customers...that's better than any advertising a place can pay for.

Posted by MRM on 2012-06-11:

BigAl and DebtorBasher, thanks for the enlightenment, as I learn something interesting.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2012-06-11:

Anytime Mr. Mike...and if you ever need any BBQ tips, you know where to find me!!!

Posted by GenuineNerd on 2012-06-11:

Any more, a tune up on a modern, computerized car, involves just replacing the spark plugs...usually that time comes if your "check engine" light comes on, and gives off a code meaning a "misfire". Platinum tipped spark plugs can last for more than 100,000 miles. Used to be, on old fashioned, carburetor-equipped cars with breaker point ignitions, a tune-up involved replacing the spark plugs and wires, the rotor, points, and distributor cap, and adjusting the carburetor and ignition timing. Now, the computer pretty much does everything, but spark plugs still can wear out.