Friday, January 26, 2007

Car Goes Vroom

For the last 4 months, I have been driving my car with the "Req's Maint" light on. No need to worry, I was not taking my life into my own hands (well I was, but my driving skill has nothing to do with this post), this maintenance light is simply triggered by the odometer to remind the driver to get it serviced every 10,000 miles. My last service was right at 80,000 and the service dude never reset the light. Yes I was annoyed but not annoyed enough to pop off little panel to reset it myself, or to take it back to the dealership's service department.

So this week my car rolled into the 90,000's so I took it in for a dreaded major service... and to get that darn light reset. For some reason I continue to take it to the dealership's service department where I know I pay more for it, but I kinda like that I can look up my maintenance records online. Silly I know. I also could change my own oil, but I don't do that either.

My family's mechanic has told my mother to not take it to the dealership I had been going to as they cut corners, and to take it to the dealership in the next town over. So this time I made the switch.

Can I just say that I've never had my car serviced and paid an extraordinary amount of money AND notice my car running better? Of course they also told me that I needed to replace 2 tires, so I knew another couple hundred bucks would be added to my credit card debt this week, but it isn't nearly as painful when I also don't have a car payment.

I swear, I can feel the car run better. It even feels lighter somehow. I didn't really notice it running poorly before, but I really notice that it's smoother now.

I don't know if it just needed the service and even taking it to my old dealership would have done the trick, or if it the service really is that much better at the new place, but for now, I will drive the few extra miles.

Happy Weekend driving all!

7 comments:

ML said...

It's so difficult to find a good, decent place to work on your car. I'm glad you found a place that did a good job.

J said...

Sounds to me like the other place wasn't doing a good job. A major service makes them feel young again! :)

Anonymous said...

Well, at 90K, a major tune up will usually do the trick. Plus, if you bought new tires, that'll make your ride a lot smoother.

Beenzzz said...

It probably needed some a major tune up. I'm glad they did a good job and your car feels better.

Tracy said...

Oooo! Finding a service shop you can trust for your care is a huge find! Good for you! Have a good weekend!

Gina said...

I know what you mean about it almost feeling "lighter." Which is crazy, isn't it?

Love Bears All Things said...

Maybe it was the new tires. I sometimes think mine rides rougher right after service. It seems to have looser steering but maybe that is what you're calling better.
Mama Bear