Car Maintenance

[Gpsma]

Is it safe to bring into maintenance? Mechanics will touch your car. Steering wheel, door, shifter knob and they probably wont clean it off.

Should I defer maintenance until this war is over?

Im so scared

[retiredguy123]

Yes, I would postpone.

[photo1902]

Is it safe to bring into maintenance? Mechanics will touch your car. Steering wheel, door, shifter knob and they probably wont clean it off.

Should I defer maintenance until this war is over?

Im so scared

I agree with RetiredGuy123. If it's causing you this much consternation, simply delay the service. You and your vehicle will be fine!

[Nucky]

Good question. I offered to keep my appointment at The Dealer for the 15000 mile check up and oil change etc provided I pulled the car into the garage and locked it and pulled it out so nobody had to touch the inside. My idea was a epic failure but a good shot I thought. They have every rite to say no because of insurance reasons. I understand.

If it is just an oil change try the 5 minute oil change on 441. I won't go there again. Not because anything happened but the didn't instill that sense of I know what the hell I'm doing. It looked like The Bad News Bears changing oil.

Delaying is the move to make IMHO!

[Number 10 GI]

One of my cars is due an oil change but I've decided it won't hurt anything to delay it for a few weeks until everything has settled down. If your car needs a necessary repair, like a brake job or some other serious problem, wipe down the steering wheel, door handle, gear shift lever, or any thing else in the car a mechanic will have contact with. Use a disinfectant wipe for this.

[Chatbrat]

Word to the wise stay away from any 5 minute oil changes/Jiffy lube--they are known for doing real damage to vehicles--ie: striped drain plugs, wrong oil/ per manufacturers specs--if you have a "good" car stay away from these places--
Go to a real garage with real mechanics--any person with 5 minutes of training can work in a quick oil change place
Don't ask how I know

[Nucky]

Word to the wise stay away from any 5 minute oil changes/Jiffy lube--they are known for doing real damage to vehicles--ie: striped drain plugs, wrong oil/ per manufacturers specs--if you have a "good" car stay away from these places--
Go to a real garage with real mechanics--any person with 5 minutes of training can work in a quick oil change place
Don't ask how I know

Didn't something happen to a poster last year where they forgot one small detail? It was either replace the engine earl (oil) or the Transmission Fluid. I do remember it was quite a mess. The Poster found out about it when they were on the highway. Wait Please. :ohdear:

[dijohnson3]

Clean it yourself or wait for maintenance.

[afecher]

To disinfect my surroundings, I use one part bleach to five parts water to wipe down the car or groceries. Let the mixture air dry - do not wipe it off.

[mrf6969]

Why not just wait. We are not putting miles on our vehicles now anyway as there is no where to go except the grocery store. Play it safe.

[Chatbrat]

A fellow villager took his car {Subaru} to Tire Choice Colony for one of their oil change specials, the following happened:
1) they drained the transmission fluid
2)they over filled the engine,
3)Villager's son took the car right after service to Philadelphia
4) Transmission died on the way
5)mucho litigation, don't know if issue was resolved financially as of now, it happened a couple of years ago
6) the Villager used to post as Bobsburgers

To the original topic sanitize the car etc time you put someone or something different in it

[GaryKoca]

I probably would avoid it if I could. The best place to go for an oil change is Sumter Tire on 301 in Wildwood.

[Bmacs]

Sumter Tire in Wildwood, has a cleaning procedure they've advertised, sounds very thorough. They'll even pick up the car and service and return it sanitized. Very good service.

[rockandroller]

I recently had my exhaust system re-built by Billy, owner of Jiffy Muffler, 206 S. Main, Wildwood. 352-748-5407.

Billy washed his hands several times during the appointment and handed me sanitizing wipes as I wrote him a check.

[nancyre]

If the car is not really being driven, just wait. But everytime my care is serviced, I wet a papertowel with alcohol and wipe my key, the door handle (in and out) the steering wheel, the turn signal, the shifter and the mirror - etc. No matter how clean they are - there is always some dirt from them or left from me. It is a good pattern to follow at all times.

[Stu from NYC]

I am due for an oil change but based on the small amount of miles I have been putting on have decided to wait until this is over

[karostay]

Our Mercedes needed service only a dealer could preform nothing that couldn't have waited
Due to no traffic and they weren't busy..Decided to risk it..
Made the call set up an appointment to drop car off

First of all felt good to get out and what nice ride over to Sanford with no traffic, road to ourselves and yes still few idiots out who think they own the road
Upon arrival we were greeted by 2 techs in full hazmat suites who greeted us and first question they asked may we sterilize your car.
Then they held door open for us to enter dealer ship.
Because I called ahead all the necessary paper work was ready to authorize the work, we signed with a pen which we brought with us .
Then we washed our hands with hand sanitizer and upon exiting the building they again opened the door.
We left with a loaner that was disinfected just prior to our departure
In short felt 100% safe

[Albrita]

Had a call from Key-Scales Ford about 2 overdue recall issues. They offered, came and picked up the car here in the Villages wearing masks and gloves. I went out with gloves and wiped down anything that might be touched , with alcohol. They brought it back and had the paperwork in plastic sleeves and laid it down and backed off. I signed and they went away! I went back to the car with alcohol again! Thanks to them for the excellent service which kept me home!

[buzzy]

Our Mercedes needed service only a dealer could preform nothing that couldn't have waited
Due to no traffic and they weren't busy..Decided to risk it..
Made the call set up an appointment to drop car off

First of all felt good to get out and what nice ride over to Sanford with no traffic, road to ourselves and yes still few idiots out who think they own the road
Upon arrival we were greeted by 2 techs in full hazmat suites who greeted us and first question they asked may we sterilize your car.
Then they held door open for us to enter dealer ship.
Because I called ahead all the necessary paper work was ready to authorize the work, we signed with a pen which we brought with us .
Then we washed our hands with hand sanitizer and upon exiting the building they again opened the door.
We left with a loaner that was disinfected just prior to our departure
In short felt 100% safe

Do you know what they did to disinfect the loaner?

[tedquick]

I probably would avoid it if I could. The best place to go for an oil change is Sumter Tire on 301 in Wildwood.
Amen. I love those guys and use them exclusively.

[airstreamingypsy]

Our Mercedes needed service only a dealer could preform nothing that couldn't have waited
Due to no traffic and they weren't busy..Decided to risk it..
Made the call set up an appointment to drop car off>

Mercedes of Gainesville picks mine up, and leaves me a loaner. I never have to take it there.

[merrymini]

Doesn’t everybody touch your car in service any other time you have it done? The regular flue death rate is 24,000 to 62,000 for 2019-2020 year (quite a range). Just wipe it down with wipes when you pick it up.

[davem4616]

I brought my car in for service almost a month ago...before driving to the dealership I pondered over whether to bail or go ahead

I ultimately decided to go ahead and take a loner vs. stay in the waiting room

At the time we thought that we'd be driving up to Savannah and SC's low country for a weeks escape....that didn't happen due to covid-19

that was over a month ago...everything was still open in TV...if it were today I would postpone

heck, I don't think that I've put 150 miles on the car all month

[Michael A. David]

Take a sanitize wipe with you and wipe it off your self. You should do it daily anyway.
!/3 cup of bleach to a gallon of water.

[Chatbrat]

Been using MB of Gainesville for years, have never set food in their store for car purchase or service, they're a first class operation, my car came back totally sanitized--told them to leave their loaner in my driveway, take the keys back to the shop & pickup their loaner when they returned my car--gave Ralph one of their valets whom we have seen for years a bottle of wine thanking him for past & present service

[karostay]

Do you know what they did to disinfect the loaner?

Fogged the interior
Wiped down steering wheel and door handles knobs buttons

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Sumter Tire in Wildwood, has a cleaning procedure they've advertised, sounds very thorough. They'll even pick up the car and service and return it sanitized. Very good service.
You go interested in thinking you need service they tell you not yet , they are the best

[Topspinmo]

Is it safe to bring into maintenance? Mechanics will touch your car. Steering wheel, door, shifter knob and they probably wont clean it off.

Should I defer maintenance until this war is over?

Im so scared

If you’re taking oil change I sure oil kills virus on contact. If mechanic getting grease all over you’re car I would find another shop that takes pride in there work.

Just have wipe or rage wear with alcohol wipe down the door handles, door latch, steering wheel, gear shift, controls on dash and where ever you put you’re hand when you get in if you have to bend down to get I .

I Do this every time we are out and go in stores. The virus only lives on for few hours. Most likely the mechanic is just as cautious as you working on unknown persons car

[Topspinmo]

Been using MB of Gainesville for years, have never set food in their store for car purchase or service, they're a first class operation, my car came back totally sanitized--told them to leave their loaner in my driveway, take the keys back to the shop & pickup their loaner when they returned my car--gave Ralph one of their valets whom we have seen for years a bottle of wine thanking him for past & present service

And you’re paying dearly for that service.

[Topspinmo]

Do you know what they did to disinfect the loaner?

No, some can’t even fill oil back up to proper level. 95% don’t follow up and some don’t know what dip stick is. I would trust anything dealerships employees says, but sometimes you have no choice. I would think MB dealership are top notch, but only verification (follow up) of service only way to know.

[Topspinmo]

I agree with RetiredGuy123. If it's causing you this much consternation, simply delay the service. You and your vehicle will be fine!

Depends if you know what the oil level is?

[Chatbrat]

No dipstick on a MB, and if you have to worry about cost of service with a MB, wait till something goes wrong when its out of warranty
$4k, for rear air shocks and air springs

[kar guy]

I needed my Chrysler 300 oil changed and went to Bill Bryan in Fruitland Park.
Pulled up. They inspected the car and wrote down what needed to be done. A man
came out and wiped down my side doors and covered my steering wheel and seats with
the proper plastic. Once it was done about 30 minutes later the car was pulled up, then
the inside of the car doors were wiped and the plastic they had on the steering wheel and seats were removed. Great job and no one within 10 feet.:bigbow:

[BlackhawksFan]

Is it safe to bring into maintenance? Mechanics will touch your car. Steering wheel, door, shifter knob and trhey probably wont clean it off.

Should I defer maintenance until this war is over?

Im so scared

I work at a large dealership in the area and service is open but not overly busy. It is safe to bring your car in. The dealership is constantly cleaned and service is taking extra steps to protect you and them with steering wheel wraps, seat covers, etc and then they wipe the car down when it's ready to be returned.

I suggest you call who ever you take your car to and ask them what extra precautions they're taking to protect you if you have your vehicle serviced now.

[retiredguy123]

Many places that change the oil will put a sticker on the windshield that says you need another oil change in 3000 miles. But, you really don't need an oil change for at least 5000 miles or longer, especially if you use synthetic oil. With respect to transmission fluid, I have never replaced the transmission fluid in a car, or other fluids either, except the oil.

[drbobw]

[QUOTE=Gpsma;1744651]Is it safe to bring into maintenance? Mechanics will touch your car. Steering wheel, door, shifter knob and they probably wont clean it off.

Should I defer maintenance until this war is over?

You can wait a long time, because most of us get 3 weeks to the gallon of gas now! lol:bigbow:

[Chatbrat]

3000 miles is so old school, my cars hold close to 9 qts and with a full synthetic motor oil, you should be good to go for 10K mile or 1 year; however, its always good to get any car on a lift every 6months for a visual inspection, this happens during a tire rotation

[SusanKD]

Because car dealer ship garages are considered necessary. They have to comply to cleaning and distances rules. So just to be safe take a baggie if wipes and your mask with you.

[Carlsondm]

I took my 2014 CRV into Leesburg Honda for maintenance (oil, tire rotation, etc) and discovered brakes needed attention. Wore gloves and brought a mask and wipes. Made morning appt so fewer people around. Went home. They did maintenance and brakes and called when done. I saw the cashier, paid and used my own pen. Took keys, paperwork, and happy car home. Bring a bag for their 'protective coverings'. Used gloves to drive home. Wiped handles and steering wheel and parked the car in the sun for two days.

The mechanic did not wear a face mask so I kept distance and talked on the phone. Be aware that the virus lives on metal for days. Closest contact was with cashier.

My daughter is a covid19 ICU nurse in Michigan and we are ready to rescue the young grandchildren, if needed. It is a long walk, so the car is a priority.

[croughwell]

Is TOTV really the place you want to solicit health and safety advice???

[4557Spahr]

Bill Bryan Jeep dealer in Leesburg, called us to see if we needed a new car. My husband said, “No, but we could use an oil change!” They came and picked up our car, did the oil change, brought the car back and disinfected the inside when they dropped it off. Wonderful service with no worries!

[retiredguy123]

Bill Bryan Jeep dealer in Leesburg, called us to see if we needed a new car. My husband said, “No, but we could use an oil change!” They came and picked up our car, did the oil change, brought the car back and disinfected the inside when they dropped it off. Wonderful service with no worries!
That reminds me of the joke where the guy takes his car to a mechanic for an oil change. The mechanic tells him to keep the oil and change the car.

[rmd2]

I needed my Chrysler 300 oil changed and went to Bill Bryan in Fruitland Park.
Pulled up. They inspected the car and wrote down what needed to be done. A man
came out and wiped down my side doors and covered my steering wheel and seats with
the proper plastic. Once it was done about 30 minutes later the car was pulled up, then
the inside of the car doors were wiped and the plastic they had on the steering wheel and seats were removed. Great job and no one within 10 feet.:bigbow:

I go there too. I like their service.

[Topspinmo]

No dipstick on a MB, and if you have to worry about cost of service with a MB, wait till something goes wrong when its out of warranty
$4k, for rear air shocks and air springs

Sounds like the prefect car for you.

[Topspinmo]

Many places that change the oil will put a sticker on the windshield that says you need another oil change in 3000 miles. But, you really don't need an oil change for at least 5000 miles or longer, especially if you use synthetic oil. With respect to transmission fluid, I have never replaced the transmission fluid in a car, or other fluids either, except the oil.

IMO True in most cases

Usually it’s the second or third owner that suffers for lack of maintenance on vehicles. Usually the first owners don’t keep car long enough to experience problems. Time and seasonal changes ( course here if Florida mostly one season) IMO more important than miles.

If you have mostly short trips it could take 2 or 3 years to put 3K or 5 miles on car. Short trips are harder on oil than Highway driving. I change transmission fluid per owners manual. Some can go 100K and other little as 60K or calendar event. Course lot of new cars now don’t have fluid level check devise.

Most new cars now have variable valve timing. VVT. It’s critical to keep up on oil changes. Same with turbo and supercharged cars.

[billethkid]

With all the precautions we have to take while staying home.....
the oil change or service on the car is the last item on the last page of things to be done.
And is not on the list of what "needs" to be done.
It can wait.