You can probably do a top-off yourself brake fluid from an auto parts store and a paper funnel, just be sure to keep brake fluid off of yourself and your paint. It’s best to keep track of when your brake fluid was last changed, because it’s a full three years before it needs to be done again. Again, today’s fluids have improved quite a lot. ![]() The adviser can ask to do a) a brake fluid top-off b) brake bleeding or c) a brake flush, i.e., all new fluid. If you just need a top-off, it’s easy to do it yourself. So most of the time, you can duck when the mechanic says, “Your coolant hasn’t been changed in a while, and it may not be doing its job.” If your car overheats frequently or you smell coolant, it’s definitely time for attention. ![]() In the old days, your antifreeze life was much shorter, but today it’s good for five years or 100,000 miles for an extended drain coolant (orange) and 30,000 miles for a silicated coolant (green). So if it’s at 50% it has at least another 20,000 miles to do its job. According to Firestone Auto Care, a serpentine belt is good for 60,000 to 100,000 miles. ![]() Should we replace it?” The answer is most likely no. Suppose the guy in overalls comes out and says, “Well, you’re down to 50 percent of useful life on that fan belt. I just want the oil change.” Get the Component Life you Paid For When you first talk to the service advisor, they’re going to say something along the lines of, “We’d like to give your car a thorough going over to make sure it’s roadworthy.” Rehearse your reply, “No, thank you. Take the list home and try to reconcile it with recent service records. You can’t entirely rid yourself of upselling victimization, but here are some tips for making sure it has a minimal impact: Service advisors will often prepare a list of recommended services, but don’t feel pressured to have them all performed immediately. It’s no surprise that, according to a 2021 study by marketing firm Upswell, “Only 34 percent of consumers are always satisfied with their auto service provider.” It got bad enough that in 2012 Jiffy Lube ran a TV commercial that intoned, “Some mechanics are just determined to find something to repair.” ![]() But consumers can and do pay for services they don’t need. Sometimes you really do need a new air filter (after 15,000 to 60,000 miles), and topping up the brake fluid is a good idea when needed. The solution, the site says, is to create a category of “recommended services” on the estimate. A recent survey showed that more than 67 percent of vehicle owners believe their mechanics are overselling them.” That’s a perfect opportunity for you to upsell these auto repair services, but it could be a bit cheesy when you do it straight in front of the client. The story asks, “How many times has a client come to you for ‘just’ an oil change, but you realized that their car also needs a new air filter, maybe a brake fluid top-up, or transmission fluid, engine coolant, etc. Consider, It’s Never Just an Oil Change: How to Upsell Your Auto Repair Services, a how-to from ARI (Automotive Repair Invoicing), a company that develops and sells invoicing and accounting software to automotive repair shops. But auto franchises can be somewhat blatant about the upsell.
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