1.5 hours of labor done in 39 minutes?

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Aug 5th, 2020 7:37 pm

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Jul 31st, 2020 12:31 am

ZeroToHero [OP]: Sr. Member; Dec 31, 2010; 903 posts; 418 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Jul 31st, 2020 12:31 am

1.5 hours of labor done in 39 minutes?

I took my Acura for a B1 service, where they are supposed to change oil, filter, service front and rear brakes, rotate tires, and inspect everything etc...
I was charged for 1.5 hours of labor, service advisor told me it was 2 hours of labor needed to complete it, perhaps he was taking into account the wash.
However, my car's dash cam showed that it entered the shop at 10:11 and left just around 10:59, after which point it went for a wash.
The car is fairly new, about a year old, and its a routine service.
I have no evidence really to assume that they did not do something I was charged for, but I am curious if that is reasonable to complete all of B1 service within approximately 40 minutes.
Is it a couple of guys working on my car then? Apologies if it is a stupid question, I am genuinely curious about the dealer's service practices/workflow.
Thanks everyone

40 replies

Jul 31st, 2020 1:04 am

WMPCOT: Deal Addict; Apr 26, 2013; 4001 posts; 3847 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 31st, 2020 1:04 am

You must be new to auto service.

They have a book rate it shows how long it should take and that's what they charge for the job if they can do it faster than that they finish early but still price the job the same. If there is more than one person working on it, sometimes 2 the job will get done faster but you've got to pay both people, the job will be completed in theory in half the time. While one is doing your oil change and fluid check the other is rotating/checking your tires and doing the brake inspection and adjustments (if needed.)

+24

Jul 31st, 2020 1:26 am

rfdyup: Newbie; Jun 30, 2016; 40 posts; 37 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 1:26 am

The dealership has a crazy amount of overhead to cover so that's part of it.
For that kind of job that's a little iffy to take the full two hours though. But does that mean you paid over $200 for the privilege?

The other way to think about it is if you have a super experienced guy who knows everything inside and out then for sure it will be done faster than book time and so you are paying for that experience and expertise.
Or you get a newbie technician who can't always find where the dipstick is right away who will take the full two hours to work on your car ... who would you rather have working on it?

And then there is the odd time when a super difficult job says it takes 5 hours but then things go sideways and it takes them 10 hours where they eat that extra time so it can work both ways ...

+3

Jul 31st, 2020 1:44 am

iHop: Sr. Member; Apr 5, 2010; 929 posts; 203 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 1:44 am

If I was working on it, I might take 2 hours. Does that mean that you would pay 2 hours though?
The specialist tech did it in 39 minutes, which means hes done thousands of them. You're paying for the 1.5 hours which is the book time.
Don't like the price? Go to an indie mechanic.

+5

Jul 31st, 2020 2:21 am

ZeroToHero [OP]: Sr. Member; Dec 31, 2010; 903 posts; 418 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Jul 31st, 2020 2:21 am

Alright, cool that makes sense everyone thanks for clarifying!
I wasnt complaining - I am indeed new to auto service, and thats why I asked the question to learn more about how this works

+11

Jul 31st, 2020 3:28 am

jzmtl: Deal Addict; Jun 14, 2008; 4224 posts; 3054 upvotes; Montreal

Jul 31st, 2020 3:28 am

The book time is calculated by timing someone who does the job with all manual tools, probably not in a hurry, so obviously things will almost always go faster.

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 6:32 am

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 18902 posts; 6110 upvotes; London

Jul 31st, 2020 6:32 am

It’s based on an average time allotted for a particular job- a flat rate. If it was paid by actual hours, it would end up paying more for a less experienced person that took more time, ( the opposite of what should happen). Also, if the inexperienced guy screwed up and had to start over again, should you pay double the labor?

The average time also takes into account the more common problems that could be encountered, for example a rusted/ seized part that has to be heated with a torch to be removed

Last edited by l69norm on Jul 31st, 2020 7:44 am, edited 2 times in total.

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 6:32 am

alanbrenton: Deal Expert; Apr 21, 2004; 56484 posts; 21533 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 6:32 am

What do dealerships do when servicing the brakes? Lube the caliper pins and kinda brush off visible brake dust? Or do they remove the calipers and rotors and do the work?

+3

Jul 31st, 2020 6:52 am

cristianosham: Deal Addict; Sep 6, 2017; 4524 posts; 3003 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 6:52 am

If you find it costly to bring the car back to the dealer then find an indy.

+2

Jul 31st, 2020 8:14 am

Pete_Coach: Deal Expert; May 10, 2005; 36455 posts; 10769 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 31st, 2020 8:14 am

alanbrenton wrote: ↑ What do dealerships do when servicing the brakes? Lube the caliper pins and kinda brush off visible brake dust? Or do they remove the calipers and rotors and do the work?

Not sure what your question is.
On a brake service, they do all you say but also ensure that the brakes are safe and fully functioning. It is not just dusting and brushing off dirt, it is to make sure that all parts of the braking system are within specs. The brakes are then declared safe as required by law. The mechanic's license is on the line if he says the brakes are in spec and safe if something bad happens with them.

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 8:25 am

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 32050 posts; 19243 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 31st, 2020 8:25 am

when the service survey is sent to you, be sure to give this dealer the ultimate score for being super fast and efficient.

Someone from the dealer will surely call you up and say thanks and more service coupons will be mailed to you

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 8:45 am

alanbrenton: Deal Expert; Apr 21, 2004; 56484 posts; 21533 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 8:45 am

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑ Not sure what your question is.
On a brake service, they do all you say but also ensure that the brakes are safe and fully functioning. It is not just dusting and brushing off dirt, it is to make sure that all parts of the braking system are within specs. The brakes are then declared safe as required by law. The mechanic's license is on the line if he says the brakes are in spec and safe if something bad happens with them.

Good to know Pete.

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 9:20 am

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 19649 posts; 23000 upvotes; GTA

Jul 31st, 2020 9:20 am

First off these "service inspections" are a rip off and there's a good chance that the technician, who may be some teenager, did a shoddy inspection anyways.
That said, you agreed to the service cost so it doesn't really matter how long they took. 1 hour or 2 hours, it's still a rip off that any person with above average intelligence could do themselves with a little investment in time and a few tools the first time.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

+4

Jul 31st, 2020 9:49 am

Kkhan15: Deal Addict; Jan 1, 2013; 2078 posts; 1375 upvotes; Durham

Jul 31st, 2020 9:49 am

Yup, nothing new. Just did my fuel pump, by Book Nissan is 3hrs labour. Took my Indy an hour to do

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 9:57 am

RSXPrem: Sr. Member; May 6, 2013; 896 posts; 442 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 31st, 2020 9:57 am

I can do this B service myself in 1 hour without a lift. Cant image it taking any longer with a lift.

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 10:12 am

ADRiiAN`: Deal Addict; Aug 7, 2007; 4362 posts; 3130 upvotes; GTA

Jul 31st, 2020 10:12 am

jackrabbit000 wrote: ↑ Whatever you do, don’t let them talk you into changing your cabin air filter. I was at my Honda dealer for an oil change and they charged the lady in front of me $99 to change it. It’s a $30 Honda part and less than a 5 minute job.

Ugh...tell me about it! The wife took her Rogue to Nissan for an oil change and they told her they needed to change her cabin air filter and charged her $100.
Worst part of it all, she KNOWS I can do it. I change her damn tires every season!

Jul 31st, 2020 10:46 am

sickcars: Deal Guru; Mar 13, 2004; 13208 posts; 4818 upvotes; Ontario

Jul 31st, 2020 10:46 am

40min to change oil/filter
Rotate Tires
Service Brakes ( remove caliper, clean metal to metal parts, lube everything)
Full inspection
top up fluids

Doubt they did everything, since its a new car, they likely changed the oil/filter, quick inspection and Maybe rotated the tires but I doubt they serviced all the brakes in such a short time it would take longer to do it properly. Dealers regularly do this sort of thing on new cars because there is likely nothing wrong with it at such low mileage.

0_o
<_<
>_>
New Furnace/AC Time?

+6

Jul 31st, 2020 11:54 am

Webhead: Deal Fanatic; Sep 7, 2004; 8000 posts; 4861 upvotes; West GTEH!

Jul 31st, 2020 11:54 am

sickcars wrote: ↑ 40min to change oil/filter
Rotate Tires
Service Brakes ( remove caliper, clean metal to metal parts, lube everything)
Full inspection
top up fluids

Doubt they did everything, since its a new car, they likely changed the oil/filter, quick inspection and Maybe rotated the tires but I doubt they serviced all the brakes in such a short time it would take longer to do it properly. Dealers regularly do this sort of thing on new cars because there is likely nothing wrong with it at such low mileage.

And that's why some people call them "Stealerships".

+5

Jul 31st, 2020 12:01 pm

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 19649 posts; 23000 upvotes; GTA

Jul 31st, 2020 12:01 pm

sickcars wrote: ↑ 40min to change oil/filter
Rotate Tires
Service Brakes ( remove caliper, clean metal to metal parts, lube everything)
Full inspection
top up fluids

Doubt they did everything, since its a new car, they likely changed the oil/filter, quick inspection and Maybe rotated the tires but I doubt they serviced all the brakes in such a short time it would take longer to do it properly. Dealers regularly do this sort of thing on new cars because there is likely nothing wrong with it at such low mileage.

And if your brakes wear out due to lack of service, they charge you to replace it.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

+2

Jul 31st, 2020 1:14 pm

Alligatorclip: Jr. Member; Apr 25, 2018; 199 posts; 225 upvotes; Ottawa, ON

Jul 31st, 2020 1:14 pm

maybe two people worked on your car at the same time?

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