What's your local dealership's hourly rate?

[CrazyCooter]

back when i was a low skill wrench monkey, they paid/charged .3 for an oil change. draining and refilling the transmission on these is even easier as there's no filter to change and it's all done from under the car instead of under/over like an oil change. Dealer says the book for a trans fluid change is 1.0. Insane.

Honestly, i really only wanted the dealership to do the diffs because mine doesn't have the drain plugs (something jeep changed in 2022, and from what i've heard later 2021s as well) but i figured 'how much more expensive can an easy job be? Well, the answer is $630 is labor for trans and both diffs, plus marked up fluids.

That's what prompted this whole thing.

Oil change/filter pays .6 hours. I bill a full hour because you can't do it right in a half hour.....check all of the fluids on a 4x4, tire pressure, belts/hoses, top off the washer fluid, and any lube that needs done in that little time.

Trans pays 1.5 hours and I think that could be low considering the complex fill process. I'll know for sure when I do mine. I would expect the trans to be $600+ alone? The filter comes with the pan for $184, fluid is at least $15qt?

Diff that doesn't have a drain pays .7-.8 per, but if you have the reusable gasket, I'd lean toward .7.

You are right.....none of this is rocket science if the have the place and desire to learn. It's just not reasonable expect a shop to lower the labor rate based on skill level. It still takes a building, lift, tools, insurance, utilities, and employees to do the job regardless. There's always Jiffylube or Walmart, but you are really taking you chances there?

I'd say $630 is a $teal IF they are doing it right? I don't see how they could for that price though.

Like I said before......If I got to keep the entire $190hr, I would have retired long ago! There is just huge overhead and liability in this business.

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[Rahkmalla]

Oil change/filter pays .6 hours

Like I said, it's been a while for me, but we got .3 for oil changes and .5 for tire rotations, with the package deal paying out .7.

Let me know when you do your manual trans fluid (which is ATF) if you really think the fill procedure is complex.

 

[CrazyCooter]

Like I said, it's been a while for me, but we got .3 for oil changes and .5 for tire rotations, with the package deal paying out .7.

Let me know when you do your manual trans fluid (which is ATF) if you really think the fill procedure is complex.

Oh I missed you had an MT. Simple drain and refill......Only .5 for that! ATF+4 is cheaper than the ZF 8 speed fluid too.

 

[ALT2870]

Local dealer wanted $400 to do the diff fluid. Just draining and refilling nothing fancy and my diffs have the plugs. Took it to Grease Monkey and it was like $120ish I want to say.

This was all after when I took it in for the 30k service they said diff should be fine and I told them to look at it anyway. Needless to say it didn't happen and then when I picked up they were like you were right, when can we schedule to look at it. Whatever scheduled it and surprise, needed changed.

 

[Stan H]

back when i was a low skill wrench monkey, they paid/charged .3 for an oil change. draining and refilling the transmission on these is even easier as there's no filter to change and it's all done from under the car instead of under/over like an oil change. Dealer says the book for a trans fluid change is 1.0. Insane.

Honestly, i really only wanted the dealership to do the diffs because mine doesn't have the drain plugs (something jeep changed in 2022, and from what i've heard later 2021s as well) but i figured 'how much more expensive can an easy job be? Well, the answer is $630 is labor for trans and both diffs, plus marked up fluids.

That's what prompted this whole thing.

I always do diffs and transfer case .
The charge for changing my transmission fluid and filter ( I already had the stuff)
Was $172.30

 

[LostWoods]

Exactly!

My estimator shows .5 per. I would get the .5 for one, but probably do .8 for both at the same time just to be more fair since it's already on the rack? Even then it's still works out to A LOT of money for a low skill job!

Book rate is book rate but not uncommon to cut deals on work that can be done together. You won't see it just for diffs but you have a gravy ticket they're an easy bargaining chip. Nobody gonna turn down eating an easy .5 for a 4-hour service ticket that can all be done together.

 

[CrazyCooter]

Book rate is book rate but not uncommon to cut deals on work that can be done together. You won't see it just for diffs but you have a gravy ticket they're an easy bargaining chip. Nobody gonna turn down eating an easy .5 for a 4-hour service ticket that can all be done together.

Nothing like doing diffs, tcase, trans, oil, coolant, p/s fluid, and a brake flush all at the same time........Even discounted you can do well.

 

[Chris A]

I had my diesel Promaster van in a few months back for some maintenance. They suggested the battery was weak and quoted 1057.00 to replace it. I asked what was their hourly rate and was told 269.00. Needless to say I purchased a 4 yr free replacement battery from Walmart around 200.00 and a coworker and I changed it in about 20 minutes. Won’t be back too soon!
North Dallas suburb.

 

[Rahkmalla]

I had my diesel Promaster van in a few months back for some maintenance. They suggested the battery was weak and quoted 1057.00 to replace it. I asked what was their hourly rate and was told 269.00. Needless to say I purchased a 4 yr free replacement battery from Walmart around 200.00 and a coworker and I changed it in about 20 minutes. Won’t be back too soon!
North Dallas suburb.

Just remember that Car Dealership Owner is in the top5 professions among America's 0.1%. Many are generating over half a million a month in PROFIT. Even your smallest stores in rural areas (that aren't failing) are making over 2mil per year (again, NOT revenue).

The most lucrative PHD you can get in America is the Papa Had a Dealership degree.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

To me, it doesn't matter lol.

It's either low enough I'm more willing to part with my money than do the work, or not.

I, personally, would never ever visit a dealer for any out of warranty work.

 

[Mojave Monkey]

I just had the clutch recall done at 28,000 miles. The service writer asked if I wanted the 30k service done at this time. He quoted $1,080.00 plus tax. I'll do it myself.

 

[Freems]

Dealership advised me $195.00 fee to diagnose my current ESS light on issue that is not under warranty. Keeping it for two days.

 

[Minty JL]

Shitty thing with these labor rates, the techs are getting paid shit. Hence the reason every dealership and shop is struggling to get techs.

Charge $180-220hr, but pay a Master tech $40-50hr......and they buy their tools and shit. It's a fuckin racket

 

[Rahkmalla]

Shitty thing with these labor rates, the techs are getting paid shit. Hence the reason every dealership and shop is struggling to get techs.

Charge $180-220hr, but pay a Master tech $40-50hr......and they buy their tools and shit. It's a fuckin racket

Not to mention the ratio of master techs to oil change jockeys being given too much responsibility is sickening. Charge more, pay the same, employ less volume and less average skill.

 

[Hootbro]

Shitty thing with these labor rates, the techs are getting paid shit. Hence the reason every dealership and shop is struggling to get techs.

Charge $180-220hr, but pay a Master tech $40-50hr......and they buy their tools and shit. It's a fuckin racket

Yeah, but there is a lot of overhead that is sucking on that $200 billed hour tit besides the touch labor tech on the vehicle.

My work bills $1200 per labor hour for doing aircraft modifications and it struggles to make money on that.

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