Favourite grease?

[SB1500]

You do have to be very careful about who you entrust your vehicle to, but this is not a new situation - ever has it been thus. There are a lot of so called mechanics who have done some very basic qualification, or none at all, and just picked "stuff" up as they've gone along. Depending on who they've been working with this may be good, but often not so good and poor working practices are learnt.

The big problem of course, and this is so difficult for someone with no or little mechanical experience, is how to find the guys - and/or girls - who do know what they are on about. Although not completely infallible, seeking out an organization/workshop which professes to be a specialist in your make of car. Call in and question them, politely, on their claim. A lot of these type of workshop are likely to be small maybe family owned affairs so ask if it's just the owner who has the experience or do they specifically employ manufacturer qualified employees. Our two trusted local Audi independents seem to pay more than the main dealer and "poach" their skilled technical staff from them! Take a good look at the workshop, is it reasonably neat and clean or is there stuff lying all over the place with a filthy floor - it's not going to look like your doctor's surgery but if it's filthy and the equipment, jacks, axle stands, and defective parts etc are just strewn around and the floor is filthy then I'd be wary. What's the welcome like - I like someone I can easily communicate with. Also word of mouth recommendations from friends and work colleagues can be very useful.

That's such sound advice, though I can already see the little smirk on their faces as I ask said questions or look around if I were to do that locally! I suppose it'd take a while to suss out one who 'gets it'. I know I did this at the tyre shop I go to here, did along the lines of what you said and mentioned things like wanting the alloys not damaged and they did "get it". Had a few trouble free experiences there but last year, unknown to me, totally new crew and manager. I had such a good track record with them thought nothing of it. Had the car back a few times, shaky seat from balancing etc. Back again for alignment.. not great. Company head office (got a few across NI but not mainland big) said they did change the team there and had a lot of complaints and assured me they'd all been let go and to please try them again... and back to regular service. But it just shows how likely it can be that even a 'good place' can turn sour fast.

I cut ties with my Toyota dealer recently for them missing the chunk out of my caliper, that and the fact they keep the shutter down over the workshop window to the waiting room... something meant to be a Toyota policy, but seems like it was in the past. Ironically, it was our old Fiat dealer across the way (now closed) who used a former Toyota showroom with the window, who made me aware of that. Multiple mentions / requests and even message to Toyota and it turns out it's up to them if they want to open it. But they don't..

Word of mouth probably is the best idea in reality, though back in 2015 when I stupidly bought a really bad Corsa, I must have wasted nearly a grand between taking it to everybody's 'recommendation' locally. They all had nothing but positive things to say about each of the mechanics saying they're fairly priced.. honest... and whatnot but it turned out really they just weren't car people, weren't into checking anything and victim to the same old tricks they play. They also didn't have brand new or old bangers, so chances are most of the time they never had major repair bills or anything either to get them really sniffing around. Though I learnt a LOT in the years to follow from that poor basis!

Still always saddens me, as last month I did my brakes and was able to find a nearby dealer (across the border) who did know and care to discuss and suggest the greases / parts - the only one who knew the part codes between 'economy' genuine parts and 'factory' genuine parts, the latter of which should be the only parts sold for a CT200.. whereas others didn't know or care to advise. I did this now and that was fine, but someday in the future, if I'm for some reason unable to do the work myself - I'd be screwed. Go to a dealer, pay over the odds, still not get a good proper job done... or go to some local mechanic and pay for a sub-par job. Even my uncle who always helps now and does his own work, still does it but with age, starting to not want to spend much time at all dealing with these issues. The motor trade is crap, but then again... look around, the tech industry, and many other industries I've a bit of knowledge in aren't really much better!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

That's such sound advice, though I can already see the little smirk on their faces as I ask said questions or look around if I were to do that locally! I suppose it'd take a while to suss out one who 'gets it'. I know I did this at the tyre shop I go to here, did along the lines of what you said and mentioned things like wanting the alloys not damaged and they did "get it". Had a few trouble free experiences there but last year, unknown to me, totally new crew and manager. I had such a good track record with them thought nothing of it. Had the car back a few times, shaky seat from balancing etc. Back again for alignment.. not great. Company head office (got a few across NI but not mainland big) said they did change the team there and had a lot of complaints and assured me they'd all been let go and to please try them again... and back to regular service. But it just shows how likely it can be that even a 'good place' can turn sour fast.

Only as good as the people who work there. Unless the whole operation is driven on the "upselling" sales model with bonus payments to staff who sell more than what's detailed on the job card! Greed then easily overcomes morals. I like the whole idea of these faster fit type organizations, My first "proper" job, once I'd got the racing bug out of my system, was in a Firestone autocare branch - much like Kwik fit - and I ended up workshop manager there after a few years. The whole concept of being able to get your car seen to very quickly is a great one but it all falls apart because, in my time anyway, we just didn't pay enough, and linked it to bonus so guaranteed money was not great, so the more skilled folk would be attracted to the big dealers leaving the less skilled, with lower expectations, to the likes of us.

Something a lot of people don't realize is that a lot of the "faster fit" type workshops, although all carrying the same brand name, are actually franchises and therefore owned by the person/people working it. Find a good one and they can be very good. There's a Farmer Autocare branch near me who I'd classify as pretty good. Unfortunately many are driven by the upselling sales model though.

I cut ties with my Toyota dealer recently for them missing the chunk out of my caliper, that and the fact they keep the shutter down over the workshop window to the waiting room... something meant to be a Toyota policy, but seems like it was in the past. Ironically, it was our old Fiat dealer across the way (now closed) who used a former Toyota showroom with the window, who made me aware of that. Multiple mentions / requests and even message to Toyota and it turns out it's up to them if they want to open it. But they don't..

I think you've got to be able to observe your MOT being done? Used to be that way, we had a waiting area with a window overlooking the MOT bay. Should you be able to watch the general workshop though? From my point of view I think probably not, and I'll tell you why. Sometimes you need to get very violent indeed with a problem job. Big hammers, long levers and hot flames! The average guy in the street would have "kittens" if he was watching some of the things that need to be done. However, although violent, if applied with thought by an experienced worker, the outcome will be satisfactory with no damage to the vehicle. So I can understand why they keep the window shut.

Word of mouth probably is the best idea in reality, though back in 2015 when I stupidly bought a really bad Corsa, I must have wasted nearly a grand between taking it to everybody's 'recommendation' locally. They all had nothing but positive things to say about each of the mechanics saying they're fairly priced.. honest... and whatnot but it turned out really they just weren't car people, weren't into checking anything and victim to the same old tricks they play. They also didn't have brand new or old bangers, so chances are most of the time they never had major repair bills or anything either to get them really sniffing around. Though I learnt a LOT in the years to follow from that poor basis!

If you're talking about checking out a car you're thinking of buying? Taking a knowledgeable friend with you might seem a good idea. However, having done this many times in the past, you can really only check the most obvious stuff on the dealer forecourt or roadside. Then when something goes pear shaped it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth and can seriously sour a relationship with someone who otherwise was a good friend. I don't do it any more except for very close family and especially not for people I want to keep as friends. For not a lot of money, organisations like the AA and RAC do very good pre purchase vehicle inspections and, because they are doing it all the time, get to know the weak points to look out for on all the more common vehicles. In my opinion, it's money well spent.

Still always saddens me, as last month I did my brakes and was able to find a nearby dealer (across the border) who did know and care to discuss and suggest the greases / parts - the only one who knew the part codes between 'economy' genuine parts and 'factory' genuine parts, the latter of which should be the only parts sold for a CT200.. whereas others didn't know or care to advise. I did this now and that was fine, but someday in the future, if I'm for some reason unable to do the work myself - I'd be screwed. Go to a dealer, pay over the odds, still not get a good proper job done... or go to some local mechanic and pay for a sub-par job. Even my uncle who always helps now and does his own work, still does it but with age, starting to not want to spend much time at all dealing with these issues. The motor trade is crap, but then again... look around, the tech industry, and many other industries I've a bit of knowledge in aren't really much better!

I don't have a magic wand to advise on how to find someone who really knows what he's doing but I would argue that if you're going to always insist on genuine manufacturer parts then I hope you've got deeper pockets than I have. Most of my life I've fitted parts from factoring organisations with complete success and at a substantial saving - I always lookout for "big names" which are known to me though and only reverted to genuine manufacturer parts when not available after market. Works for me!

 

[The Panda Nut]

Ah, now I "get" it. Have to give it some thought.

Im still working my way through a can of Elf standard grease I came across at work 50 years ago. I will bequeath it to the nation in my will. Its brown. I have 6 other types at least on the shelf. I do l like the copper grease thats like a lip stick best nice colour and not even slightly messy.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Only as good as the people who work there. Unless the whole operation is driven on the "upselling" sales model with bonus payments to staff who sell more than what's detailed on the job card! Greed then easily overcomes morals. I like the whole idea of these faster fit type organizations, My first "proper" job, once I'd got the racing bug out of my system, was in a Firestone autocare branch - much like Kwik fit - and I ended up workshop manager there after a few years. The whole concept of being able to get your car seen to very quickly is a great one but it all falls apart because, in my time anyway, we just didn't pay enough, and linked it to bonus so guaranteed money was not great, so the more skilled folk would be attracted to the big dealers leaving the less skilled, with lower expectations, to the likes of us.

Something a lot of people don't realize is that a lot of the "faster fit" type workshops, although all carrying the same brand name, are actually franchises and therefore owned by the person/people working it. Find a good one and they can be very good. There's a Farmer Autocare branch near me who I'd classify as pretty good. Unfortunately many are driven by the upselling sales model though.

I think you've got to be able to observe your MOT being done? Used to be that way, we had a waiting area with a window overlooking the MOT bay. Should you be able to watch the general workshop though? From my point of view I think probably not, and I'll tell you why. Sometimes you need to get very violent indeed with a problem job. Big hammers, long levers and hot flames! The average guy in the street would have "kittens" if he was watching some of the things that need to be done. However, although violent, if applied with thought by an experienced worker, the outcome will be satisfactory with no damage to the vehicle. So I can understand why they keep the window shut.

If you're talking about checking out a car you're thinking of buying? Taking a knowledgeable friend with you might seem a good idea. However, having done this many times in the past, you can really only check the most obvious stuff on the dealer forecourt or roadside. Then when something goes pear shaped it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth and can seriously sour a relationship with someone who otherwise was a good friend. I don't do it any more except for very close family and especially not for people I want to keep as friends. For not a lot of money, organisations like the AA and RAC do very good pre purchase vehicle inspections and, because they are doing it all the time, get to know the weak points to look out for on all the more common vehicles. In my opinion, it's money well spent.

I don't have a magic wand to advise on how to find someone who really knows what he's doing but I would argue that if you're going to always insist on genuine manufacturer parts then I hope you've got deeper pockets than I have. Most of my life I've fitted parts from factoring organisations with complete success and at a substantial saving - I always lookout for "big names" which are known to me though and only reverted to genuine manufacturer parts when not available after market. Works for me!

I find you do need to have a chat with someone and its usually very obvious if they are any good. For instance the Fiat Dealer Motorpoint in Norwich made so many cras and moronic comments about 4x4 Pandas in a two minute converstation booking a service that I wouldn't set foot in there ever again. They dint get that job and I seriously wouldnt trust them to put the lid on a kettle. We do have tow small independent gaages 1 in Norfolk and 1 in Manchester who are open, straightforward, knowledgeable and honest thank heavens. Both have been recommended on here in the garages section.

 

[ZaphodB]

If you could only use one kind/colour grease and nothing else which would it be? And why?

I'm sure Diddy is pondering the same question today ,,,

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Im still working my way through a can of Elf standard grease I came across at work 50 years ago. I will bequeath it to the nation in my will. Its brown. I have 6 other types at least on the shelf. I do l like the copper grease thats like a lip stick best nice colour and not even slightly messy.

I've got a can of the original Castrol LM which is actually separating into a solid with about half an inch of oily residue on top. If you mix it up very vigorously it does seem to recombine but I think it's really had it and I wouldn't trust it in a wheel bearing etc. For what a tin of HMP grease costs I just bought a new one. The Castrol is in one of their old green tins though, maybe a "collectors" item now?