How To Talk To a Mechanic If You’re a Woman 

One thing i hear in my shop a lot from ladies is IMA FEMALE I DONT KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MY CAR please ladies STOP saying that. That's how shops take advantage of you.

Years ago a mechanic told my wife her car needed repairs that made no sense and charged her a diagnostic fee. I went back and very calmly just repeated what he told my wife and asked him to explain it to me. He stammered and offered to refund the fee without my even asking him to. I said "that sounds like a good idea" then took it and I left. I don't do a lot of repair work but I used to and just knowing how cars work is the best defense.

I've had many a lady customer tell me she doesn't know much about cars. My reply is usually a chuckle, followed by, "Don't worry, a lot of men don't, either." They usually seem more comfortable after that. In general, treat people with respect and don't talk down to them. Taking the time to show the customer the issue, and why it needs repairing, helps them to process what you've told them and they are more confident in both their understanding and your honesty.

Eric isnt a woman, he's a bearded lady.

thank you for making this video. personally i am a woman who works on her own vehicles and am the shade tree for most of my friends and family. i have been living in the same area since i was four. i am 41 now. i taught myself most of what i know and have learned some from my formerly estranged dad, the last 10 years. he is also the family shadetree. its apparently genetic. i still have not found a reputable shop that will do the job right and not give me issues. i dont trust ANY of them. even the guy my dad trusted when i was time restrained and without my tools 5 hours from home took me for a ride. insisted they could not bleed the brakes and i needed both calipers replaced, but the brakes had been serviced a little more than a year before, shortly before i bought the truck (i have the receipt for it). on the list of things to do (for me) was replace the pads. the new pads were in the truck at the time. my brake line had to be replaced because somehow it was rubbing on the spring and it wore a hole in it. (its a 1995 tahoe btw). $600 later, for 2 $65 calipers and a 24" hardline replacement, pads i already had, and bleeding the system. 🤷‍♀️🤬 all things i could have done myself if i had tools and time. (its a long story) i changed out brakes and calipers before, and when i got home i changed out the tie rod that was going out, so i know exactly how easy those calipers are to change out. having the knowledge i have of vehicles... i dont trust ANYONE with my vehicle. i keep trying and they keep failing. a good example of the penis problem... my exhusbands father was completely ignorant of vehicles. when we purchased the used blazer, he walked around the vehicle pointing out and talking about things that dont actually exist. (my ex was even less mechanical, so he didnt know better) it was all i could do not to laugh in this mans face. within 2 weeks of meeting my ex i changed his brakes. i had not changed a rotor at that point and his dad said he had a "friend" he uses and offered to have him do it. the "friend" charged the dad $400 and never changed the severely gouged out rotor. i discovered this when i changed the oil the next time. of course with the new pads, it was no longer making the grinding sound. and the dad refused to believe either one of us because i was the one who pointed it out. so since i have a vagina, i dont know what im talking about, and his "friend" would never do such a thing. 🤷‍♀️ this has been the story of my life with a very large number of penis havers. i dont know what im talking about because i dont have one. 🤦‍♀️ you have been very helpful with improving my knowledge base. THANK YOU ERIC! ❤❤

As a women i always watch videos on cars so ik the different parts. Ive also fixed minor stuff on my own truck by watching videos. Im also lucky to have uncles that are mechanics that are willing to teach me. Educating yourself on your own vehicle and knowing parts will help you alot! I was also taught how to check oil and other fluids.

I keep a bunch of old parts on the wall. I find people trust you more when you can explain things with a visual aide.

“The modern man” 😂😂😂 spot on

My son-in-law (the school teacher) knows nothing (nor cares) about cars, my daughter diagnosed a bad wheel bearing just based on location of the noise.

Knowledge is power. Once my wife went to a repair facility to have her car repaired $600 later the car made the same noise. she asked me what to do I told her go back to the place you want the used parts that they took off the car. she got the parts I examined them I'm a former mechanic and the parts were completely fine turns out she needed a water pump and they replaced everything but the water pump.

I’m a woman, and I love working on my 97 f150 4.2. Has that real nice 5 spd stick, with an open diff, with 3.08 gears. Just got done doing my rear shocks and woowee what a PITA. That’s that design when ford decided to hide the top shock stud under the bed, and inside the spare tire mount

Great video and topic Eric. As a woman I have fought this problem for years, and did exactly what you said, used education to help me through. Most important to note - My Brother has been a tech for 30 years and so I grew up with a master tech on speed dial. And I was never required to be auto savvy since my job was to bring the car to his shop on time - nothing more. Meaning just because you have a great resource in a girls life, does not mean she gets educated. Then, nothing could be worse once you move (as I did) and he is no longer available to be there for these services. More still, and continuing on with "sexist" items, women can get more male attention with their hood up in a parking lot than with their blouses unbuttoned. So men taking over repairs, even if we are simply filling the windshield washer fluid, makes it hard to feel confidence. Jumping back for a sec, there will always be people (male or female) who don't or won't learn. But I know for sure, if you are like my brother to a woman in your life, please show her more but be easy on her ego. She might not want to spend the day under the hood with you, so instead, show her the worn out parts, tell her to safely record noises or Vibrations in her car so she can associate problems with the solutions. Tell her when she has diagnosed something correctly, or ask her what she thinks is wrong. Give her positive reinforcement. It goes a long way in becoming confident.

I was a mechanic for 8 years before I became disabled. I was called out to talk to customers all the time. I found that I was being called out to explain work that others did. I would take work orders quickly look over them and explain to customers (male or female) in very simple terms what happened and how we need to go about fixing it. I found it was all in the way you explained it and I do remember going to the owner of the dealership a few times saying that I didn't agree with the way it was fixed I worked for the dealer but I stood up against people being taken advantage of. I miss that part of the job.

Every year I look to see if he uploads on my birthday and this year he actually did 😂 I’m sure I’ve been waiting 4+ years for this moment

You hit the nail on the head with the cabin air filter. Honda wants $125. I buy the filter at auto parts store and do it myself. Also as I tend to keep my vehicles a long time I always buy the service manual. I have seen many men that go to a repair shop to change a bulb. Everyone should get familiar with their car. Unfortunately not everyone does. My older son likes to work on cars whereas my younger son has no interest whatsoever even when we try and teach him. He figures we can do that for him 🤬

Female here. I agree education is going to help solve the misunderstandings. If you took it to an auto parts store and had the codes read, go on ahead and google those codes for your vehicle. You might be surprised at the information contained there. Another thing you can do is ask them ahead of time to return the old parts if they replace any. Put a cardboard box in the vehicle for that.

Woman here, i got very lucky early on. I found a good dealership mechanic and simply asked him to explain things to me about the repairs needed. The how and why. If you are genuinely interested you will be surprised how some men will react with respect and a genuine desire to help you learn. He was flattered I cared enough to ask. He was also very good at explaining things, using comparisons to common things not necessarily car related. What he armed me with was confidence to simply ask and not feel intimidated. Ask nicely to gain knowledge and understanding. If you go in expecting a fight or to be patronized your vibe might set them off. Go in friendly in a positive way and treat them as someone who wants to help. If you get the annoyance tone or they are too busy to take the time, perhaps this is the wrong shop for you. Ultimately as Eric said, basic education is the best thing. I dated a gentleman who was very into cars. I watched him work, helped him participated in everything. Bit by bit I began to understand. I joined a car forum for my specific vehicle. I read and searched and researched. If I still could not find an answer I asked. Yes manuals are wonderful, but if you are not graced with a basic understanding, they can serve to simply cause even more confusion. RU-vid is a great source to mesh with forum research and manual info. Once you get a basic understanding about your issue you can search for DIY and how to videos. But there is as much bad info as good, so you need to watch multiple videos. The commonalities are typically what you grab onto. Find something that parallels the manual and forum suggestions. I'm a visual learner, so RU-vid is my best friend. I kept my hondas because there was so much info available for me to use to do my own work. Eric is the number one reason I felt brave enough to start doing my own work. Watch his stuff ladies!!! He is amazing!!! I am someone who grew up without any car knowledge, but I learned. Now I am confident enough to tackle anything except breaking down a motor. My present mechanic has actually tried many times to hire me to work in the shop. If my diagnostics skills were stronger I might consider it. ;) But at the end of the day, he and I have a mutual respect. We have even troubleshooted together some bizarre issues with my vehicles. I know he will never take advantage of me. It takes work on your part, but it can be done.

Ya know, this information is useful across the board, not just women. There are hundreds of millions of people, both men and women....and to be honest, the numbers aren’t that heavily favored in one way or another, that don’t have a clue about their vehicles. For example, there was a couple that had a blown tire just outside of where I live, and they had no clue what to do, other than call their insurance company and have a tow truck guy change the tire for them. Long story short there, I changed the tire, and did the proper recommending of tire facilities around the area to help get them back on the road not only safely, but conveniently, so they wouldn’t get lost in town (they were traveling from out of state). If I wouldn’t have helped them, who knows how they would’ve faired. They could’ve had the same experience I gave them (of course at the cost of whatever the tow-truck driver charged for the tire change), or something different, and possibly far worse. The point is that the tables aren’t as skewed as some would think, but it doesn’t hurt at all to still have this video out, as I know and understand that there are some shops, at least in my area, are known to take advantage of unknowledgeable/uneducated females more than the same for males. The best advice I got from this video, and that I am going to say to anyone else out there who might be hesitant with service shops is this: education of your vehicle and it’s problems is imperative to the service required for it, regardless of your gender! :-) Keep up the good work, Eric, and thank you to all that comment and keep his brain a rollin’ for topic conversations like this one above! =D

Knowledge is power. Firestone told my girlfriend years ago that her 98 Lincoln Continental needed 4 inner tie rods and 4 outer tie rods for the front end alignment and 3 hours or labor. She called me and I said most cars only have two inner and two outer tie rods. There was a lot of stammering and back tracking "oh we entered the wrong year into the computer." Knowledge cost them $500. She took the car back and the check engine light was on P0420. They told her it needed 2 new catalytic converters. $800 each plus labor. I looked at it and the snorkel wasn't attached to the t hrottle body. Check engine light was off before she got home. Lee Jarmon Ford mechanics are the reason I learned about cars and trucks. If I can't do the job I send my friends and family to privately owned shops who survive on word of mouth and honesty.

As an appliance repairman I can tell you this is a two-edged sword. Education is terrific but not necessarily a panacea. I've had dozens of people call me to ask how much I charge to fix a particular problem. After a few questions from me I have to explain what they saw on the internet may or (probably) may not apply to their situation. "I saw a yootoob video of a kenmore dryer that looked just like mine and they were having the same problem as me so this is what's wrong with it!" I had to explain to her that her gas dryer didn't have a burned out heating element. People might watch a video or see a forum post and believe they have a simple vacuum leak when in reality they have a cracked head. You pick which head.

Ignorance is *_extremely_* expensive. And with the Internet, ignorance is a personal choice.

God bless Eric! We're still watching and are blessed with your videos! Have a great '21 bud!

I only know one female mechanic. She has stronger diagnostic skills than most male mechanics that I know.

As a woman who grew up with a single mom and sister, you just have no idea about how much calling the random guy (for us my mom's brother) saves us money. You, Eric the Car Guy, just aren't a dick, and I'm sure that's true of many mechanics, but once you are a little better informed, you do realize how often you've gotten taken for a ride (especially in the pre-review era). I do all my regular service now myself (through necessity), have a scan tool (through necessity), and finally have found a great husband-and-wife mechanic shop I go to for the big stuff I just don't want to buy the tool for/deal with (like clamping the shock spring to change out a seized shock). Some things mechanics have tried to fleece us for (some of which I had to finally just figure out for myself) include: broken gas gauge and having run out of gas (after weeks of exploratory work and the associated fees, quoted a cracked head gasket, which... what? I didn't ever get eyes on the head gasket, but the car ran for ten more years once I figured out the gas gauge didn't change with changed fuel levels), clogged evap cannister making fueling difficult (changed the fuel pump for some reason, charged hundreds, it didn't resolve it, they didn't believe us or address it, another shop diagnosed the problem), broke one of those cylinder air filters in half (literally in two pieces) during an oil change, stuck it back in that way, took no responsibility and claimed we had done it when my sister and I returned 10 mins later to ask why the car sounded so awful having just got it back from them (I mean, not expensive, but still a dick move), told me I had multiple cracked pistons in my 10 year old Tercel "from age" (I'm sure I had one on that occasion, and they just didn't want to go in and do that kind of engine work without replacing a few, but I'd like to make informed decisions). I had a coolant hose burst once when I was about 19 and the guy started quoting all kinds of work that needed to be done under the hood (I had no knowledge at that point, but a friend came and just changed the hose). None of these were the same place, and I have a couple more stories like this. That's on top of all the overcharged quotes. I know it sounds dumb, but having that car clueless guy with us often just means we have someone advocating for us that people feel less comfortable trying to take advantage of.

Ha.... A lady (a teacher) I was buying a Civic with a MT had a heap of receipts from each oil change and told me she would mark each tire , so she would know if the tires were indeed rotated.

Ignorance does create fear. Arming yourself with knowledge gets you 50% there. Actually tackling the job gets you 100% there (sometimes not without failing a few times, gathering more information, and finally getting it accomplished)

Well another piece of useful information!!! The most important thing you mentioned in my opinion was OWNERS MANUAL!!! Which is the most unread piece of literature in the automotive industry!!! :-)

Love the cake bro lol between you fordbossme and south main yall have helped me advance my business by leaps and bounds by helping me teach me scan tool stuff and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart

Wow what a touchy subject and what a tagline. Bravo good sir!

I am a retired mechanic (vehicles 1st then aviation). A few years ago a neighbors wife takes her car into for a oil change and the place did the doom and gloom on the safety of a serpentine belt needing replacement. My neighbor (husband calls me over) and I look at the belt and yeah a few cracks but would likely go another 500 to 1,000 miles without a issue. Neighbor said he stopped in the parts store and picked up the replacement belt and asked me to do the replacement I went home grabbed my tension pulley belt tool and 10 minutes later had the new belt installed. I then asked how much was the shop estimate. I nearly fainted at the $125.00 labor charge and $90.00 part charge. Total expense was less then $30.00 doing it in his driveway and I ended up with a great apple pie. At least the wife told the shop that her husband can do it and then left the place. I had a friend that had a quick oil change place and they do inspections tell you what they saw but would not do any work that took longer then a hour. Oil, transmission services and basic top off is all they do. Funny thing was that was for years the busiest quick change place in town for years. I used to go there for my oil changes as they were fair on price and fast paced. I watch the owner explain very reliably what needed to be done and what could wait to women and never sound like the gloom and doom he just lay out the facts in simple terms and then recommend area shops that were the good ones and the bad ones.

I can remember as a teenager working on my car and being told to go read a Chilton if I did know how to do something. Although it can be a pain in the arse sometimes, I enjoy working on cars & learning new things.

A a professional technician for 40 years, Ladies, Eric is right on the mark with this video. the more you know, the better you can communicate your issue, and the more you will now what to expect. and never ever fear asking the shop to show you what they are going to do. A processional will be more than happy to show you, and answer any of your concerns, if they resist this, now be on guard. Good video Eric.

I've been a tech for over 20 years and Eric is spot on. Education is the key. If a shop is willing to show you your filters are dirty or the torn CV boot, worn brakes etc, and will take the time to explain why they recommend a repair you found the shop you want to stick with. I need you to keep coming back to me for service. I get called out to talk and take a ride with customers all the time and they appreciate you're willing to take the time to listen to their concerns and do your best to fix the problem.

Eric, remember Steve Overbeck on the radio? He often said that women more often get their car fixed the first time because they more often share only the symptoms and not try to diagnose the problem for the mechanic.

Yep, Cameron Park Automotive in Cameron Park, CA is owned by Debbie O’Brian. Excellent service, and they’ll tell you when you DON’T need a particular service.

In my opinion we very much need more female rolemodels in technical professions.

Eric can I quote you on "Education is the cure to fear"

I work part-time at an auto-part store. It definitely helps when a person, not necessarily a female knows, or has knowledge as to what they need. You would be surprised how many males come in and don't know didely-squat about their car. You're 100% right, knowledge is the key. I treat females and males the same, maybe with a bit more compassion towards females because I know how intimidating it can be to go in and ask for parts or help in a world predominately male.

I’m not a woman either, but at least it is my birthday. Thank you, Eric !

"I am not a woman" [citation needed]

Being a car gal, I'll definitely note that it's not so common any more for dudes to actually know about cars or even care much about them. A great number are embarrassed about this cause of cultural ideas that this stuff's supposed to come encoded on a Y chromosome or something, so they're ...sometimes embarrassed to try to learn it. (I've been sheepishly asked by young guys at the parts counter when renting tools ...what they're even for. That's OK, but I suspect the grey hair helps there. ) It's an interesting time in some ways. In the real world, more people are cooler, (When I was younger actually getting a *job* in the field was damn hard, but I did manage to learn a good lot, ) ...though today there's a lot of misogyny on the Internet, mostly kids that seem to have fallen into certain political persuasions and rarely know much more than 'Hell, yeuh, bruther,' about it. (I wouldn't let trolls discourage you, girls, accordingly. )

Reminded me of a joke: A woman has had a successful career as an OB/GYN. She decides to retire early, and like many people try a new career. Considering her options, she picks auto mechanics as something wholly new and different. She goes to classes, studies hard; puts all her professionalism into it. Time comes for the final and she gives it her all. The scores are posted, and she's surprised to see that she's earned a 150% score!!! Certain there must some error, she meets with the teacher. They explain, "That's absolutely correct, you earned it. The first half of the test was tearing down the engine, which you did perfectly, so that was worth 50%. The second half was reassembling the engine and having it run. You did that flawlessly, so that was the second 50%. I gave you the extra 50% because..." "...You did it all through the muffler."

I had a female customer with 9k miles on her odo. Found her front pads at 1mm. We (ASA and I) showed her her pads...and showed her what it looks like brand new, the actual part. She still called me a thief right after 😒🤷🏻‍♂️

Back in the day there was a local garage that did the service and repairs on the Highway Patrol vehicles. This garage was an independent shop. A young Lady asked me where she should get her car serviced/repaired. I suggested that shop She was satisfied with the repairs. Something to look into. Fleet repair contracts are highly prized and difficult to attain. Be on the look out for those types of facilities.

Great info Eric, hope this makes it to the correct set of ears.

One thing to remember the parts store is there to sell you a part, wether its the correct part isnt much of a worry for them and the repair shop is there to fix your issue

Thank you for sharing your wonderful videos I am going to ask my wife watch your video I always enjoy watching your videos I am from South Africa

A lot of auto part stores will also change wipers, bulbs, and batteries for free.

I am a female and have watched your channels for years just so I know what is going on with my cars. I have fixed thing myself based on what you and the other RU-vid mechanics have taught me. But I know what my limits are to repairs and have gone through a few different shops with my knowledge and have found a few that didn't diagnosis the repair right. I have been able to find a place that knew what they were doing and talk to me knowing I know the basics. And when ever I am told what the repair is I google/RU-vid the shit out of it so I know what is involved with the repair. I have a 96 Tahoe with 206k on it and I want this baby to keep on keeping on. Your channels has help me grow my automotive knowledge and has saved me time and money but also has giving me joy in knowing my cars better. Thank you and keep do what you do.

I am a total zero in plumbing and wiring, but when I learn something it is funny how ignorance make us scared so much

I've become jaded to the point that I know this video was made with only the best intentions in the world. But yet, I also know there's an 'audience' that will immediately be offended and refuse to step down from that gut reaction.

In regard to ignorance v malice; places like Midas are great for general maintenance but if everybody in your town drives Fords and you come in with a VW, mistakes can happen. Most shops, or technicians generally, have a specialty (Like Eric having a background at Honda).

Luckily my wife will never have this issue. Repairs are done in-house.

Thanks for this vid Eric, I'm sure it will be extremely helpful to alot of Women.

I am 57 and self taught DYI'r. I grew up in an analog era and cars were my first hobby. I was fixing my dad's 1977 Grad Prix at 16 with brake jobs and pretty much have done full a full engine rebuild to a recent head off bent valve fix on my wife's 99 Lexus which we bough in 2008 with 125k and she now has 392k so I must be doing something right. My wife says she hit the mechanics lottery since she has never had to wait in a repair facility for car or deal with mechanics. I do not offer my service to anyone else but hearing a few of her friends one where there husband having health issues and she is on their own with repairs it shocks me on how many dishonest mechanics there are. One she had been dealing with a few years where she paid for a replacement catalytic converter due to a clogged error code and they welded in in a straight pipe. He even left the cat O2 hanging in the open tied to the frame with a zip tie. She also paid for a full brake job and got a pad slap. How would anyone with know car knowlege know if they got what they paid for? They wouldn't crawl under neath and they wouldn't know what they are looking for in the first place. Today's men are no better as generations progress more meen are becoming less involved with their own repairs. Hacking the cat off peed me off so much I had to get involved and basically threatened the guy with contacting the EPA and he got the catalytic converter installed ASAP.

I agree couldn't of said it better Eric Well Said Brother and I know a ton of amazing well rounded Female mechanics @ETCG1

Another great video!

Great video Eric @ETCG1

Good video man.

I tell everyone to go buy a Haynes or similar repair manual for their car. It's got basic troubleshooting in the front of it, and one can at least use it to read and count the steps that are needed to do a job. Then, if a shop tells you what they're going to do. Pull it out and have them go to the pages showing what they're going to do. If they get upset about it, take your car elsewhere.

I would also add, if you walk in somewhere as a male or a female, and you get a bad feeling from the employees, it is time to go elsewhere. There are enough repair shops that it is worth visiting a few and find the one that employs good people.

Good video as usual ☺️

Auto part stores will sometimes be able to help you change things like wipers, batteries and air filters.. Autopart stores also cant always pull the deeper oem codes (the scanner costs more) Be carefull of knowledge. It is not always accurate. Not always trained or even want to be at that job.

My wife says this all the time. even though she has informtion about stuff to tell them they always just kind of blow her off like she has no idea what she is talking about.

Find a competant and reliable shop and keep going there, they will keep track of what has been done and will be more willing to get you out of an emergency if you're a regular. Cars break, you dont have to rip people off to make a living, you just need to make good inspections on everything coming in and job will keep flowing naturally.

I have to suggest creating an account on Eric the Car Guy's website. He covers just about everything you need to know in such basic terms that virtually anyone can understand. Even if you have no previous knowledge of auto mechanics. Just make sure to check out the FAQ's page if you're having trouble figuring out where to start. 😉

Very well said. This is not only applicable to women...but many men as well. How difficult is it really to go through the vehicle owners manual? I have seen so many not even bother with it. A little knowledge can go a long way when it comes to maintaining a vehicle. Most of the failures occur due to lack of maintenance.

The feminists aren't going to like this video. They're probably the ones that gave it a thumbs down. Great video, Eric! I'm sending a link to this video over to my daughter. She fairly recently moved out and got her own apartment, so she's starting to wade deeper into the ocean of adulthood. She still calls me when she has car trouble - but hopefully this video will give her some self-confidence to know that she can handle things on her own if she needs or has to.

Having worked in a shop in my time, I can attest to females getting taken advantage of. Another shop I tried to seek work at was notorious for doing it. Once tried to charge me $70 for a light bulb. $70. For ONE lightbulb and all because my mom was making a scene and panicking about our taillight being out. Ever since that day, I’ve refused to give them business, even though I knew the owners personally. Word of mouth is the best defense at these unscrupulous shops getting weeded out and that shop isn’t doing all that great. Still makes enough business to keep the lights on but their repair side has been slow. So ladies, as a diesel tech who has some experience, do heed Eric’s advice. We’re only here to help YOU! Doing some research prior, whether it’s about the issue you’re having with your car or it’s about the shop you’re seeking service from, will definitely save you from the fear of being taken advantage of. Also, guys… Don’t think that just because you’re a guy you’re immune from it. Seen too many times where a shop preyed on customers lacking any sort of mechanical knowledge.

How many times have you been told I have 30 years experience? Good video.

Education is important especially in the firearm's world. It takes out so much dear when you have the right information

Had one shop that was absolutely respectful and showed me parts, explained what was broken, and I felt never overcharged or added unneeded repairs. I only stopped going because my boyfriend and I started doing our own maintenance and repairs on our vehicles. Had a different shop after I explicitly expressed interest in how/why something was broken, tell me "oh I'll just explain this all to your Dad you don't want to know about this, hahaha." Never went back to that shop again.

1. get a facebook account. 2. join a local car club or two, for the brand of car you own. 3. mention your auto's issue and ask your fellow members who they take their cars to. 4. expect that a certified tech will be recommended and does side work on their days off.

Thank you Eric 👍

How can I check whether the mechanic has broken the led for the CEL (I have reason to believe this was done due to recent engine misfiring and NO CEL has come on)?

I think the biggest problem today is how complex vehicles are. For example, just one code I can pull off the top of my head - a P0300 random misfire - can be caused by a myriad of different things. I think if you were to ask a shop what would cause that, you'd get 100 different answers ... and they'd all be right! Another problem is, once you fix and clear the 0300, and run a drive cycle, now a P0420 turns the light back on, they're immediately going to coming back pissed off (male or female) that they just spent X amount of dollars and you didn't fix the problem ... but you DID. Sometimes just explaining that can make people think you're trying to pull a fast one on them. I've never personally had this happen since I'll take the time and explain anything and everything they need to know, but I can see how this could happen. Same light, totally different problem, not necessarily unrelated - the misfire torched the catalyst ... and now you're close to a grand to fix that correctly (I never trust aftermarket cats, so I'll only install good ones - good ones = $$$$). These are just TWO codes out of HUNDREDS of possibilities, some related, some unrelated. I guess we can thank automakers and government for creating this conundrum we're now in.

(First, my terminology and grammar might not be perfect because English is not my native language) I have always fixed my cars myself, but now and then relatives and friends have contacted me for recommendations. And my recommendation is always the same, try to find a small shop with good reputation, and why are they likely to rip you off? because it might cost them there reputation and business. A couple of years ago my friend took his old car to the "OEM-shop/producers own shops) to replace his clutch, he also had a leaking rear main seal. And he showed me what it would cost. They where planning to charge him for the labor for both a full clutch replacement and a the full price for replacing the rear main seal. So I called them and asked them, and they said they charge for their jobs based on the time it takes according to their software. So I asked them if they plan to remove the transmission and replace the clutch, assemble it again, and remove it again to replace the seal. And they said "No" And I told them that's what they are charging for. The end of the story was that I gave him a recommendation for another shop. A large shop can get away with ripping of that customer and tell them they need to replace braka pads even even they have meat left for a couple of years. If you (ETCG1) would do things like that, which you wouldn't. It could quickly destroy your reputation. My guess is that you would say something like "You haven't been driving a lot the last year, and if you don't plan to use the car a lot more this coming year, we can have a look at your break pads again when we do the oil service next year" Good channel btw, I enjoy watching your videos.

I think everybody that has a car should have a code scanner. I am not a mechanic, but I know enough if shops are trying to rip me off. I ALWAYS do research before I even go to the shop if I have to, and 90 percent of the time, I do figure out what the issue is. From there I buy the part and if I go to the shop, I tell them install this Please, and that's it.

Eric you missed an important thing when having a part store read codes compaired to ur local mechanic. That is most mechanics charge a low fee, but because they do this is because of having a better scan tool. Where it can get a better answer then more then a code. So a female could think that of they found more they are trying to find more so they can charge more. So as i know this is not the case can you update, that video so others know. Thx and love all ur videos. Only can say wish u where my mechanic. Lol

Happy Birthday to me. Thanks for the cake Eric.

Never met a woman who is willing to do basic youtube research for DIY issues other than my sister, but she grew up with me.

I knew someone that was taken advantage of at a American tire depot and charged $1400 for blacklion tires on a prius. When I looked at her receipt it says that all 4 were perelli Xe and they were filled with nitrogen

"Strong man, fix my car and take your time." ^^

I do all my own work. I understand every system of a car. Lack of knowledge is not the heart of the problem. Proprietary systems are. How many modules are in your 2017 Honda Pilot? How can you be sure that your voltage regulator is the problem if it can only be understood by the computer your dealer plugs into your car and your local mechanic can't afford the monthly software license fees to get the same info? Everything is blinker fluid. And every trip to a shop is a $600 minimum (or they can't stay in business). Guys and girls doomed. Right to Repair laws are a needed. Hang on to your pre-2002 whatever and learn how to fix it. Otherwise it is all "$600 blinker fluid". Or just take a trip to the stealership for a new lease. Rise up! ✊

One thing id add is that if you aren't feeling comfortable about the situation, do not ever tell them you're taking it somewhere else. Just thank them for what they did do, and tell them you just don't have that much money right now. Im not saying they're going to do something to the car, but if it turns out your gut feeling was right, and they were trying to take advantage of you, that could happen.

Hey Eric it's finally my birthday woohooo

This mechanic would like the general public to do better with the statement "my car won't start." We mechanics want to know if the engine is "cranking normally." In mechanic speak, yes we have "no start" condition but you need to be able to determine if it is a "crank no start" (meaning the engine cranks normally but does not start) or "no crank" condition (meaning nothing happens when you turn the key.) Mechanics also like to know what you see on the dash (in the cluster) when you simply turn the key to "ON." Are you seeing all the lights you normally do? I usually ask one question after the cluster light question. That question would be "is the symbol that looks like a battery illuminated with the key turned to "ON" (it should be.) For a "no crank" condition (these questions are additional) combined with no dash lights (suspect dead battery) you can start to ask if is possible something was left on (like an interior light,vanity mirror light.) In closing. We mechanics ask that you do not fill the tank (how this is done to a car that doesn't start is a mystery but it happens) to try and diagnose a no start condition. If we drop the tank to put a fuel pump in it is so much harder if the tank is full. Problem with advice from a "grandfather." At times the advice the grandfather gives is based on an experience he had with his 1950 Chevrolet. Yes many things do apply but many don't. Cars and the maintenance required and the parts that routinely fail are different than what happened in 1950. If you want to pi** someone off tell them grandpa does not know what he is talking about. Things will probably go bad after that.

Hey bro i have miss fire i replace everything icm all 3 coil plugs and wire it still has miss fire once wale not sure what look for i drive 08 grand prix gtx v6 3800 series 3 only code i have po420 but cat not clog would lite clog cause miss fire this one guy has same motor he said it was cam lob it only has 153xxx

I find that a lot of mechanics either want to or are told to quote perfection. If its not perfect, it needs to be replaced. If a caliper is hanging up, a total $1,200 brake job is required. If there's a little bit of oil seepage, replace the main seal. If they think its "time" for all struts to be replaced, do it. These mechanics can do this with a straight face.

"Let me introduce your new defense against the dark arts teacher."

How do you determine if the hours being charged are fair? Even knowing basics on how to fix something, i feel that it is hard to know if the hours charged are fair or padded... For example flaring and fitting 12 inches of brake line will take Eric the car guy 30 minutes, but the shop says it took them 3 hrs because they had to also bleed the brakes and deal with rusty bleeders and rusty bolts, etc.

@etcg1 I will say one thing, Eric. I enjoy working on cars, but when it comes to diagnostics, sometimes Even I’m confoundered, if that’s even a word? I always said being a mechanic is 50% diagnosing, 50% actual grabbing a wrench and repairing

Part of the issue is I have seen dealers give estimates on a car in the thousands with the sole purpose of getting someone into a new car. Everything is leaking or broken and give a value twice the value of the car.

Some of the parts stores hire people with no knowledge of cars, so they have no clue as to operation of a code reader. I bought a basic reader so that I could also clear a code to see if the code returned. Dealers also hire from off the street it seems. They replaced seals on the rear end of my truck(warranty) and forgot to refill the oil or lock down the parking brake cable. Oil change shops, grrrr. I think most mechs are good, but it sucks to find those that aren't.

The auto parts store will NOT erase the codes. I believe there is a law or something written about this. At least for Massachusetts.

That Cobra kit car sure has some strange wheels and tires. Hope they’re temporary rollers.

I think the problem is that many mechanics still think of women in terms of being less knowledgable about cars, and also not wanting to know anything about them, or maybe some even think they were unable to educate themselves (or impossible to be educated by others). And another part of the problem is that many women still have that in their own self-image, and that way this mistake gets perpetuated, although it has no real basis in fact.

The reason I suppose I might get taken advantage of is because I have been. Numerous times. I've had good, fair, honest mechanics, too. I know the difference. Me: How much is this going to cost? Him: How much money you got? Another time took vehicle in for tune-up. Walked my 3 little children to Grandma's house to wait. Guy calls me and states thst he's going to need to add this and that part, as well. I said, Ok, if that's what it needs. He says, Oh, you have lors of money do you? I said, No, I don't, but you said it needs this and that. I go to pick up the car and it turns out he did nothing to it. I could tell by how it drove, but had bro-in-law check it out and he said, Nothing has been changed out. Because the mechanic was a huge hairy dude and I was a tiny young woman, I was too scared to say anything to the gut. $186 lesson. (Early 90s) I could go on. Guess I will. I've been yelled at in a customer-crowded space twice. Once for asking if I could buy one inexpensive tire for my old van. It was so humiliating. The other employees sheepishly shrugged their shoulders and turned away. I had my husband go in the next morning to ask the same thing, and he got one tire just fine. It was all just weird. And so on. My daughter also will not take her car in. She has her husband do it. But he got ripped off recently, and won't do anything about it either. So their children roast in the black car in 100 degree heat. No big deal, but $600 down the drain. Daughter said the A/C had a leak, but car guy said it just needed coolant. So they put in coolant and it leaked out. Apparently. This is a touchy subject, but it's a lot like going to a doctor. You trust them because they're educated in an area you're not. Right now my car needs attention, but I'm afraid to take it in. I've done a ton of research into what could be the issue, but how do I explain that to someone who will likely look down at me for trying to be knowledgeable. Meh. So I just don't go anywhere unless I absolutely have to. Like for food. It feels like my car will break. I sit in my little house day after day, NOT going to the beach for my walk; NOT going to see friends; NOT going for drives...feeling like a ninny for being intimidated.

But, other than that, I love your channel, Eric👍

My advice for women would be to know when to walk away. It's ok to not know something but it shouldn't be on your business card, so to speak. For example, I went to a Volvo specialty repair shop today with a relatively simple question, do you have the ability to program my keys to my CEM? If so, can I bring them to you or is this something you can do in my driveway? All he would say is that he would have to see what the problem is first. I said I just told you what I was wanting you to do, I just prefer not to get it done by mail, which I have the option of doing. Again he said he would have to find out what's going on with the car first. I politely thanked him for his time, got in my car and left. As the Kenny Rogers song says "you got to know when to hold 'em and when to fold them".