Who services your Cadillac?

[CRC2362]

I was just wondering if I am wasting my time going to the dealer after my warranty period is over. Do you all think I am better off going to a regular mechanic or continuing with the dealer?

[RonW]

Depends on condition of the car and what the problem is.

Ihave a 99 Eldo that looks like new and have an extended warranty good till Nov 06

[Dasher]

All my car owning life I have had three rules for taking care of my car:

1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

2. If it is broke, get it fixed before the sun goes down.

3. NEVER let anybody touch it but the dealer.

Current models are too complicated to let the corner gas station work on it and always remember, the dealer has more to lose and therefore more interest in keeping you satisfied. Also, if you have to sue, he's more collectible.

Of course, this assumes that there is a good dealer in your area. I have a great one - Young Cadillac in Owosso, Michigan.

[thu]

On my 93, if it was something simple like a water pump replacement, I'd take it to a reputable local guy.

In the end, I did all the work myself - starter replacement, gas tank replacement. But I always went to Grease Monkey for oil changes and Sears for rotate and balance.

[Bill K]

I live in a small town and most of the mechanics rely on repete business. So if its something they are not knowledgable on they will suggest I go to the dealer for some fixes. Although the shop that did the new headgaskets can do most any of the mech. Some elect. problems are shunted to the dealer because they dont want to spend the time on them. The dealership is usually more expensive and not always as good. You just have to look around as "one size doesnt fit all".

[Scotty]

With the help of this board and my own extensive mechanical experience, I do all my own work. I have a basic distrust of dealers and mechanics in general. When I do the job, because I do my own work, I can replace items that would be prohibitive if the dealer did it.

How many times have we heard improper procedures being performed by the dealer, like the fellow who recently found out that his dealer DIDN'T flush his AC system because they don't feel its necessary, but he is replacing his compressor for the second time in 12 months. I research the hell out of something before I perform the repair, Kevin said flush my AC system, it gets flushed, but the dealer doesn't do it? I change my oil because it gets my head under the hood to look around and check fluids. I am constantly in the diagnosis mode when I drive a car. I drove my mother in laws car last week to the store and came back and said, you need a right front axle and front brakes! She said, how do you know that? I said, I can feel and hear it, you can't feel it because YOU are used to it... I don't get used to problems.

I could not afford to pay someone for what I do to my car. Maybe I take what I do for granted, but I believe if you can read the manual, you can do anything.

There is no reason all of us can't do oil changes, tranny fluid changes, coolant flushes, belts, hoses, filters, brakes, stats, wipers, clean EGR, throttle body cleaning, plugs, wires, etc

[Bob*97 SLS]

My 97 Seville has always been dealer maintained. I haven't had no one else repair my car. They also do the oil changes. My car runs like new and I credit that to the dealership.

[winterset]

I had the original warranty from 8/96 to 8/2001, and a great extended warranty from Wynns that covered 100% till sometime in early 2004, so I always took to the Caddy dealer where I purchased the car from. The good thing about dealers was that they found things wrong that I didn't know about. I never had a problem. In Oct 2004, I purchased another extended warranty that will cover me till Oct 2007. Unfortunately, they cover only up to $75 an hour for labor, and the Dealer was more than that, so I shopped around, and found a good local shop. I was pleased because I took it in for a Wheel sensor, and window switch, and they detected it needed a water pump, so I also got that too (At no additional cost to me), I told them I was getting a trouble code, and they told me it was a sensor. 2 days later, was the only time the car left me stranded. As it turns out, the fuel pump failed. After a little investigation, I found out that the sensor was reporting that it wasn't getting enough fuel (even after replacement, it was still reporting trouble). I think the dealer would have known this, and would have replaced the fuel pump, and I wouldn't have got stranded. This was in Nov '04, and I think if I have another problem, I will take it back to my Caddy dealer - hopeing they will give it a good looking over, and "find" things to fix so I will not get stranded again.

I do all the non-warranty stuff (brakes, belts, battery terminal cleaning etc. myself)

[Ranger]

I do all the maintanence, unless it is warranty. A head gasket might be another story.

[STSJohn]

All my work is done by my neighbor who is a Cadillac Mechanic at a local Dealership. But prior to that I have always went to the Dealership except for oil changes. Although My 98 STS has only been to the shop 3 Times in its life time (Seat belt broke, Waterpump and when it was hit in front by an idiot in the parking lot). I gotta say almost 7 years and she never touched her warranty, its amazing on how Cadillac made these cars

[jndnaps]

Since you're in Clearwater, I use a guy named Steve, Owner of C.A.R. (Clearwater Auto Repair) Very good Mech and very honest.. He's at 1750 1/2 N. Hercules in Clearwater.. Believe it or not, I also use a crack head for minor repairs.. He used to work at a Caddy dealer in Jacksonville.. He knows he's stuff but, looks a little shaky..

[adallak]

I have been servicing my car myself since I bought it 5.5 years ago for $5.000 with 77.000 miles on the clock. I bought Chilton's repair manual on the same day and replaced ISC motor. I did not know about FSM, caddyinfo.com or Caddies in general anything. Having a used Cadillac is fun! You learn a lot. LOL. Most of repairs were b done on the driveway, on the street, in the parking lot. When I need a hoist I drive to my mechanic (an hour drive), and rent his hoist and some tools too. He is a great man from Wisconsin. He does not fix cars for a living anymore. When I show him what I am going to do he usually says "are you crazy? you cannot do that"! Well... knowing me for three years he got used to my ways to fix cars. The Seville runs great, by the way. Thanks God, GM and caddyinfo.com.

[epricedright]

I do all the work myself. With the help from this board, I have been able to do things I wouldn't have dreamed of doing before. I've learned so much here...Thank You everyone! Now that I've said that, I hope I don't run into a problem I can't handle.

I work on my car not because I can't afford it, but for the challenge, and to know it's getting done right. For example, I wonder if my brake caliper pins (sliders) would have been greased with a petroleum grease instead of the correct silicone grease if I had taken it in to a shop. For all they care, they want your brakes to fail prematurely to get you back in.

Here's a quote from my post last year: "The Pepboys store manager had no clue about silicone grease. He stated he's advised people for years to use regular hi-temp grease for brake jobs. He knew nothing about bushings seizing onto slides with regular petroleum grease."

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3913&st=0

[Regis]

After the dealership failed to change the rear plugs, plug wires, and clean the phenolic spacer plates after an $800 tune up bill, that was enough. I started going to Dave at a mom and pop shop. He didn't know everything about the STS or the Northstar but what he offered was honesty, he was extremely thorough, and never skipped the detail work. I would just tell him what was wrong and how to fix it with all the specs. And where do you think I got all that valuable information? Right here at caddyinfo.com and it's fine members. The great thing about Dave was that he would go out of his way to show me the little things like: "Hey, did you know that the front side light assembly swings out? Here let me show you how it works." We should all be blessed with mechanics like him. Unfortunately he moved to Virginia this past Spring . I swear it was like getting a divorce .

Then I rediscovered (long story) Ken. He saved me from the abbys of bad mechanics. He has all the qualities that Dave had but a whole lot more savvy around the Northstar engine. He's a Master Technician. I checked out his long list of qualifications.....I hit paydirt. Once again I'm back at a mom and pop shop and couldn't be happier. I still do the light things like wheels, egr, serp belt, etc. and will do more of the heavy things once I get this beater pickup truck I'm searching for for a 3rd vehicle so I'm not left stranded.

This is longer than I had expected. I'll end with this little but big advice that I've shared before. In general, I don't really think it matters whether you go to the dealer or a qualified independent shop. What you really want to do is connect with the person doing the work. Make it personal. Request to talk with that technician, shake his hand, look him in the eye, and let him know that you want to build a lasting relationship with HIM. Tell him that you'll want only him working on your car every time you visit. And complete the deal or pact. When the work is finished make sure to tip him. At that point you will have burned yourself into his memory bank because you showed him just how much you value the relationship with him. Trust me you'll notice a difference in the way you're treated on your future visits. I tip Ken after every visit. Last weekend nothing was done to my car at my appointment because I had the wrong control arm.....but I still gave Ken a $30 tip for his time. My wasted appointment ate up a good portion of his morning but he shouldn't be punished for my mistake. I was showing him how much I valued him and his time. Try it once and see how it could become a worthwhile habit.

[growe3]

I do all of the work on my cars, truck,and boat.

The only exceptions are tire mounting and wheel alignments.

ECHO "Scotty's" reply.

-George

[Scotty]

I also use a crack head for minor repairs.. He used to work at a Caddy dealer in Jacksonville.. He knows he's stuff but, looks a little shaky..

[jndnaps]

Scotty, I really do use him.. Works pretty darn cheap when he needs a rock..

[BodybyFisher]

Scotty, I really do use him.. Works pretty darn cheap when he needs a rock..

That's histerical, hey if he knows his stuff, who cares what he does in his free time!

[ByStorm]

I take both Caddys and my wifes Jeep to my non-dealer mechanic, unless its a dealer only item or fix.

I have been doing this for the last eight years or so. My local dealer is the only one in town so you can guess what his prices are.

Peace......

[The_Raven]

Howyadoin,

I'm fortunate to have an excellent mechanic in my extended family; my sister-in-law's husband, the notorious Mark R. He does all the service on my Caddy and Isuzu, and the Caddy stuff comes in handy for his mother's Eldo; sometimes I think I'm the guinea pig but it's all good.

I have the FSM and a alldatadiy.com subscription, plus the wealth of info here makes it pretty straightforward for the most part. I like to come into the shop with all the exploded diagrams, R&R instructions and FYIs in hand to make his life easier...

If I was paying stealership rates for parts & labor, I would probably be into the car for close to what I paid for it. Yikes!

-Rav