Right to repair act ?
 

http://www.righttorepair.org/

Next they will want dealers to supply code readers and mech training to new car buyers..

Truth is, that the auto industry has a really tough time keeping up with emergent technology, even at the manufacturer level. From the drawing board to the showroom for just about anything, even something as simple (or not) as an MP3 linkup takes a good 18 months.

To scramble to meet constantly changing emissions standards and the public demand for this or that, the diagnostic systems aren't even perfected at a dealer level sometimes until a year after the car's been on the road. Pushing too much too fast.

Sign of the times, though.....the small mechanic can either invest in the equipment or go out of business. I see they feature Honda quite prevalently in that ad. Funny thing is, that with a code scanner, updated software, and a subscription to Alldata, there's nothing on a Honda that they can't fix.

Kamakiri,

I've devined that your work in the new car industry, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

To the best of my understanding, they tend to make more on a used car than a new one, but their bread and butter comes from repairs.

BTW, I've been to a dealership ONE time for repairs, and they charged me $100 for a new fuel filter.

I should have known better.
Chas

The one I love is the dumping of a $5 can of solvent into a vacuum hose to "Remove the carbon from the intake manifold" all for a mere $125

Oh believe me I am not in any way defending dealers here. I just don't think its the the gov's job to intervene.

Gubbmitt intervention
 

Can't argue with you there.

Chas

Assumption #1 is correct, and dealers make thousands more on a used car, per.

There used to be a thing called "absorption rate" at a dealership, with the theory that service and parts paid all of the expenses of a dealership, and that the sales provides the profits, and is therefore the "gravy". This hasn't been so since cars started becoming bulletproof and people got used to doing oil changes at 6K rather than 3K, etc.

Autos
 

Interesting. I have no automobile dealers in my tiny circle of friends.

Thank you for your response.

Chas

Used to be that parts and service was the meat and potatoes, now it's seen by many dealerships as a necessary evil. More often than not, parts and service is a break even now that maintenance schedules are stretched to such extremes.

Now, rather than selling the typical things that used to go wrong in cars, most parts managers walk in praying to get a good wreck order to keep them in the black.

Same thing's happening here. Ten years ago, a friend of mine who used to run the local garage invested in £10,000 worth of Bosch diagnostic equipment on the understanding that it could be upgraded every year. Now he finds some manufacturers are restricting updates to main dealers only.

Doesn't this sort of thing fall under "restraint of trade"?

Well, I suppose that if the entire auto industry goes belly up, the manufacturers can start selling narcotics.

They've got the business plan down pat.

Chas

I agree!

The GOVT tries to interfere WAY TOO MUCH!!

That's more or less what it's there for isn't it?

Yep, we should have let GM fail and let the economy fall further.
:rolleyes:

I've never had a car company tell me where to take my car. I don't THINK I have. But, anyways, it's my car I should have the right to take it anywhere I want.

If the dealer or manufacturer has a problem with it; Oh well, tough crap.

But, I guess that's what makes me a Stalinist Minion of Satans Evil Empire.

Dave

If the government hadn't "interfered" this time, with loans and stock purchases by the way, GM and Chrysler would have gone belly up, throwing all of their workers onto the unemployment rolls. There really was no other option.

John

I think a lot of this has to do with the proprietary software used for each company's OBD II onboard diagnostics computer. If all companies were to use generic OBD II software, any competent mechanic could scan the codes when the Check Engine light comes on. As it is now, a complete annual software update (including data from all manufacturers) is necessary for an independent mechanic to read the codes on all models. This update is very expensive, prohibitively so for small shops.

I think that there is a body of opinion that the auto companies deliberately use proprietary software rather than generic OBD II software in an effort to keep small shops from working on their cars. At least this is the story I get from two friends who own small independent repair shops.

that certainly sounds like corporate america

Ya maybe your right Boreas,im not sure........

Another victim of the Boreas conspiracy.:D

Regards,

D-Ray

Soon you'll ALL be in my powaaaaah! Thralls to my great scheme for world domination!

Mmwahahahahaha!

John

Boreas, Greek God of the North Wind, ushers in the cold of winter........

Dave

That's me!

Actually, old habits die hard. I've been using that "handle" on the net for almost 20 years, dating from when I was involved with Borzois (Russian Wolfhounds). I chose Boreas because, as you say, he was the personification of the North Wind in Greek mythology. Borzois represent the northernmost of their type of dog, called either sighthound or, less often but more accurately, windhound.

So, there you go. More useless information courtesy of yours truly.

John

you do know way much, but doesn't it give you a headache? :rolleyes:


:D

Thats an excellent site Dave!!

If 1 could repair your older GOOD car and keep it going wouldnt ya rather do that than settle for the garbage of today?

If I had a car I sure would!!