Hybrid car servicing: Dare to leave the dealership?
Cheaper than the dealership?
Cost effective hybrid repairs
The other day I was out running errands when I noticed a sign in the window of a Pep Boys for repairing hybrids.
Have you had your hybrid repaired outside of your dealership?
Today, there are many new instructional courses for hybrid repair, although the amount of hybrid trained mechanics is still under-supplied. Nonetheless, many independent auto repair shops do have the necessary training and experience for hybrid repairs. In fact, in recent years a few independent, hybrid-only shops have opened up near hybrid hot spots, such as San Francisco.
For most, however, such hybrid garages are not a possibility, but something like a Pep Boys might be, and according to research from the likes of AutoMD, for example, avoiding the dealership servicing department is a good way to save money.
Of course, while taking your old clunker to a Pep Boys garage might seem like no big deal, taking a new hybrid to such a place is certainly a bit more disconcerting. I, for one, have not yet been able to think beyond my dealership.
Have you had any good or bad experiences having your hybrid serviced outside of your dealership?
I see my post was deleted from here. Hmm
I am a two Prius car family.
My latest purchase is a pre-owned 2010.
I have no worries about taking my 2005 to have oil changes outside of the dealership, after all, one must realize that the car really is a gas engine car with a bigger battery & a motor tagged on. It is still a normal gas engine that require gas engine servicing. Now , when it comes to voiding the warranty on the 2010. I will stick with the dealer…..untill the warranty is out.
One of the problems independent shops have even with ICE cars is supporting a different computer interface for each make. All we need is a common connector (usb?) and a computer with small program that interfaces with the car maker to generate a report. Come to think of it, maybe I should make this myself.
Speaking about repair, though, the most common repair and maintenance are not really changed: oil, belts, tune-up, brakes…
One difference is the need for software updates. Eg a patch for managing an older battery.
I’ll be curious to see if a market developes for 3rd party, after market batteries for hybrids whose warranties have expired.
In a couple years this will definitely be an increase in need for such a market….
Sheesh! I just thought, with all the electronics involved in EV tech, it could be your repairman will be more of a computer geek than Mr Goodwrench. Interesting…
What will be interesting is how the EV market will develop “repair” shops. With so few parts compared to an ICE, it won’t be like a Maaco shop on the weekends. It could be hybrid repair people will be simultaneously trained on EV repair issues.
I have no doubts that only a tiny fraction of hybrid owners have ventured outside the dealership.
Still, used hybrid buyers, long term owners, etc. might have tested the waters, and I’d love to hear about their experiences.
I would have to say that the current breed of hybrid owners is not as concerned about the cost, but are more concerned about using less fuel. They’re willing to pay a few bucks more to get a better result.
With that said, I’ll bet most hybrid owners are sticking with the dealership rather than taking chances at lower cost 3rd party repair shops. I know I am.