jla@inuxd.UUCP (Joyce Andrews) (12/31/85)
The other day I left my '78 Toyota Celica at the local Firestone
Service facility in the shopping mall. The car is used by my
17-year-old daughter (I'll call it HER car when she pays for it).
I asked for an oil and filter change and a lubrication. We
picked up the car 1 1/2 hours later. She started home. She
noticed that the oil pressure gauge was on "L" and stopped at a
Shell station about 3 miles from the Firestone place. By then
the poor little car was banging like crazy (I'm told), a sound
she didn't hear before stopping because she HAD JOHN COUGER
MELLENCAMP TURNED UP TOO DAMN LOUD (but that's another story).
I passed the station a few minutes later, saw the car there, and
stopped.
The Shell station operator was very helpful. He watched me check
the oil, and agreed that there was no oil on the dipstick. He
then called Firestone. They came out and put in a new filter and
more oil.
The Shell station operator said we should watch for permanent
damage. He also offered to "testify" to the fact that he checked
the oil and the dipstick was clean.
Does anyone know what my rights are if there is permanent damage?
Should I contact a Firestone home office somewhere NOW before I
find out anything, or should I wait. I am concerned because we
left on a three-day trip the next morning and left the Toyota in
the garage. That car has never dripped oil on the floor, and
there's quite a puddle now. That may not be a problem--could be
"pre-spilled" just coming through, since the dipstick shows FULL,
but we haven't started driving it.
So--should I wait to see if there is a problem? Or should I let
them know now that I am less than thrilled with their service and
have the car gone over by a well-qualified mechanic to see if
there is a problem? Summary: Do something now, or wait to see
if doing something is necessary?
Thanks
Joyce Andrews (Indianapolis AT&T)
ihnp4!inuxd!jla
garage. foy@aero.ARPA (Richard Foy) (01/07/86)
I am not a lawyer, however it has been my experience that it is best to go on record as soon as possible. I suggest a letter about your concern about the oil change, including the part about someone else willing to testify, and ask them if they recommend that you have it gone over at their expense to see if there is hidden damage.