Local shop ok?

[chupapi]

For those in california, is it okay to have spark plug replacement done in a local shop instead of a dealer service center? They charge $500-$600 for parts and labor. Is local shop cheaper? Dont get mad at me, i know yall do it yourselves. Hate to admit but im not an expert and i fear i do it incorrectly and damage my baby ranger

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[AzScorpion]

It'll be fine having a local shop do it. Just save the receipt for proof that to was done. I have my local shop do everything they can and avoid going to the dealer when possible. $500-$600 is robbery for a dealership to charge this for just changing out 4 plugs!

 

[Grumpaw]

Since my Expedition is no longer under warranty....a dealer is a biggie NO !!!
Local shop just did a front and rear axle fluid swap, transfer case fluid swap, brake fluid swap and a four wheel alignment, all for just over $400 bucks.
Had this all done, along with coolant flush/change and thermostat so I know when and with what all fluids are currant.
Priced the same at Ford dealer where I bought it...quoted over $850.
Only way I would go to a dealer now would be a break down while on the road and no alternative available.....

 

[TxOTRRanger]

It'll be fine having a local shop do it. Just save the receipt for proof that to was done. I have my local shop do everything they can and avoid going to the dealer when possible. $500-$600 is robbery for a dealership to charge this for just changing out 4 plugs!

Yeah, if I remember correctly. Bo and Luke Duke called it highway robbery.

 

[JimG_AZ]

I'm no mechanic and I changed all 4 plugs in 20 to 30 minutes. A Ford tech can probably do it in close to 10 minutes. Just have the private garage do it.

 

[Motorpsychology]

For those in california, is it okay to have spark plug replacement done in a local shop instead of a dealer service center? They charge $500-$600 for parts and labor. Is local shop cheaper? Dont get mad at me, i know yall do it yourselves. Hate to admit but im not an expert and i fear i do it incorrectly and damage my baby ranger

10-4. California is a Right to Repair state; repair any type vehicle with any parts at any shop or DIY.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

10-4. California is a Right to Repair state; repair any type vehicle with any parts at any shop or DIY.

“Right to Repair” sounds like something that came about because manufacturers were denying claims if customers didn’t have their dealer do the work. Is this the case?

 

[Trustable]

“Right to Repair” sounds like something that came about because manufacturers were denying claims if customers didn’t have their dealer do the work. Is this the case?

Yes and it is really a huge deal in tech, things like those warranty void if seal broken you see on prebuilt pcs are technically illegal in all 50 states. But most states don’t do a great job of enforcing it. Or not supplying parts because you arnt in their dealer/sales network. Razer does this with their laptops, unlike most laptop manufacturers, they won’t let you buy a battery, you would have to take it to an approved shop to have them swap out the battery. That would be like if ford refused to sell a battery for the ranger from their parts counter to you, it would be insane, but because so many people treat tech as throw away objects, the government hasn’t really cared until recently.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Screw the dealership. My mechanic installed my plugs for $40.

 

[Tom_C]

I have a local guy I've dealt with for 35 years. They are now 'hooked up' with all the record service info, like carfax, etc, so it all gets captured in the vehicle history reports. Probably not in Fords records, but in the vehicle history in the cloud.

As said, keep your receipts.

 

[ScarzRanger21]

That’s crazy for spark plugs… BUT as we all know, dealership prices for parts and labor are usually ridiculous. Oddly enough, when I had the trans and differential fluid done on my truck, the dealership was actually less expensive than several local shops quoted me. I was shocked! I almost didn’t even call the dealership because I figured their price would be through the roof. In the end, I’m glad I checked around first and got quotes before taking it somewhere else.

For local shops to change just the trans fluid and filter, I was quoted $900-1000. For the dealership to do trans fluid/filter AND differential fluid, it came out to $1200. I got more work done for basically same price. They also topped off all the fluids, inspected brakes, did a battery check, updated all the software, and detailed it for me. For once, I was actually pleased with my experience at a dealership lol

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