So the computers that are taking over the world have already taken over our cars and they perpetrate their tyranny by a little doodad call the Check Engine Light. This has nothing to do with checking the engine (looking under the hood) and everything to do with hooking computer A (in the car) up to computer B (at the dealership's service center) so that Computer C (at the dealership's cashier's desk) can make a raid on Computer D (at my bank account).
Case in point: Shortly after I filled up with gas, but a thousand miles or so before my car was due in for 60,000 mile service, my evil little light went on. The last time said light blinked on, it turned out to be the gas cap was loose, and the dealership "reset" it as part of my prepaid service. So of course, this time, I immediately checked the gas cap, made sure it was on, and tightened it until it clicked. Check Engine Light still sneered at me. So I did what you're supposed to do and called the dealer, was told "this means there's a problem with your engine" (Note: not "a problem with your computer") and scheduled an appointment ASAP.
When I arrived at the dealer's I told them about the previous event, and they told me that there would be a $145.00 charge to "diagnose" the problem, and them if something needed to be fixed, there might be extra charges for that. It struck me as steep, but naively I assumed that if it were something as minor as a loose gas cap, they would find that so quickly that all those labor charges would not even reach the $145. They said it would take about an hour an a half for the service. I thought that was a bit long to plug in a computer, but I sat around in the waiting room, managed to find a few old newspapers to read and a package of peanuts to eat.
But when 2 1/2 hours had passed, I began to fear something serious had been found, so approached the service manager. He said that the paperwork had just come back, and it was just the gas cap, but of course they had to check all the systems attached to it and were required by law to check the tire pressure! I told him I'd made sure the gas cap had "clicked" but he said I hadn't turned it past the click, which was necessary. I said I thought that was a poor design (on the part of Toyota) and he said, "It's not our design, it's required by all the environmental protection laws of the state of California." (I forgot to ask whether the State of California required them to charge me $145.00). When I paid my bill I remarked to the cashier that I'd be taking my business to Auto Zone if the Check Engine Light ever went on again, because they advertised "Free Diagnosis". No reaction.
I have had good service from Piercey Toyota for the past 13 years, and would hate to see this relationship terminated, but this ticked me off big time. My friends suggested approaching 7 On Your Side, or Yelp, or even making a music video (Piercey Toyota Rips Off Old Ladies), and my anger has spread to the State Legislature. But mainly I'm angry with myself, for being careless or gullible or too lazy to do the research to find a better option. I can think of a lot more things I'd rather spend $145 on!!! I don't know what to do. Boo-hoo. Boo-who?
$145??? You could purchase one of the hand-held diagnostic computer gizmos they used to check your car for $145! In fact, you could probably purchase three. Maybe you SHOULD buy one!
ReplyDeleteThey sell them at AutoZone or similar auto hardware stores. Ask for an "OBD 2" reader/scanner, they cost between $20 and $60 depending on how fancy of a thing you get.
The thing looks like a handheld label maker with a big cord attached to it that plugs in to a fat plug somewhere near your steering wheel. It can tell you for what reason your check engine light is on.
--Jeff (I don't know why my nickname is Bob)