Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Finding good mechanic for your Tour

To all of you guys who know how to fix your cars yourselves from all of us who love our Tours but know enough to not try to mess with them ourselves: Any suggestions on finding the best qualified mechanics in our areas? Today I went in to have the oil changed on my 95 SE. I took it to the dealership that's been doing all the maintenance since it was new (I bought it only a month ago; it has 39,000 miles. I asked them to change the cabin air filter since it had never been done. Three mechanics and the service manager all told me the car doesn't have a cabin air filter!!!! I told them it does too and they said "How do you know that?" and I told them I read the CEG website. They said I didn't know what I was talking about. I took it to another dealer who changed the filter no problem. Now I'm scared to use the original dealership any more, but want to find one that knows their stuff.

As you know, if anyone should know your vehical it should be the dealer.
Perhaps if you had gone to the parts counter at the dealer, they would have corrected the service department!
I took my car to the 5 minute lube type shop and as they changed my oil they also replaced the cabin air filter.
Believe you me, I was watching them like a hawk but they never screwed up anything and looked like they knew what they were doing. I was charged only for the filter as they were also doing the lube too.
An answer to your question, go back to the dealer and show them the work order and enjoy watching them try to come up with a good reason why they did not know that! :rolleyes:
Remember, the dealer should know more about the car but at any time you are not comfortable with one dealer just go to one you are comfortable with. If they screw up, in my experience, they are better at fixing the misstake than most other shops.

Stephen

DE where abouts NC are you from ?

Pittsboro. The first dealer (I'm going to show the old cabin air filter to) is in Siler City. The second one is in Chapel Hill. I need warranty work done on the car (emissions) and had scheduled to take it to the first dealer. Stephen, you've got a point; the ones I bought it from will probably do more to make things right. But I don't have a lotta faith in the mechanic at this point!

DE wrote: Let us know how it goes.
Some mechanics that make ya go hmmmmm!

I usually keep a close eye on what is being done to my car, no matter who is working on it. At least within ear shot!
Mechanic: "Ooopss, oh well, he will never know! Hey Tony, where is the masking tape?"

Stephen

I went back to dealer and showed them the dirty cabin air filter. "Wow, we didn't know the car had that. Where is it?" Now that inspires confidence! Latest adventure with 95 SE: the push button on the side of the auto gearshifter sprung off! I took it to-well, yeah- the dealer. "We can't just stick it back on. It'll cost $172 for a whole new shifter". Then bc I bought it there used, they said they'd pay for it. Meanwhile I've got a black sock stuck on it to keep it from popping off as I'm cruisin down the road in my Tour. This car is a trip!

if you are doubtful about dealer service centers, then maybe you should look into an independent service center.

Generally a privately owned shop is your best bet, since they need to be more honest since they have to rely on their reputation to bring repeat customers.

I'm sure there is one in your local area, ask people you know where they take their viehicle, or if they know of any shops that have a good reputation.

Yeah, I agree. I thought the Tour was maybe a little high-falutin' for my hometown mechanic who takes care of my other cars, but he is honest and I think I'll trust him with my new baby (exc. warranty work, which I was told HAS to be done at the dealer's). Thanks for the feedback.