Here is a concise summary of the provided text:
**Title:** Avoiding Common Car Repair Scams
**Summary:**
A seasoned mechanic with 52 years of experience shares tips to avoid common car repair scams. Key takeaways:
1. **Use a scan tool** to diagnose issues and prevent misdiagnosis scams. (~ $20-$200)
2. **Check for tampering** by comparing scan results before and after repairs.
3. **Inspect struts yourself** with a flashlight to avoid unnecessary replacement claims.
4. **Perform simple tasks** like replacing air filters and spark plugs to prevent overcharging.
5. **Beware of "free lifetime oil changes"** as they might lead to unnecessary repairs.
6. **Be cautious with state inspections**, as some mechanics may use them to sell unnecessary repairs.
7. **Watch out for parking lot scams**, where individuals may deliberately cause damage (e.g., flat tires) to offer fake repairs.
**Goal:** Empower car owners to make informed decisions, avoid scams, and save money on car repairs.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, excluding opinions, with each fact numbered and in short sentence form:
**Facts about Scan Tools and Car Diagnostics**
1. Scan tools can be used on phones or as standalone devices.
2. Standalone scan tools can cost between $20 and $5,000.
3. A scan tool can access hundreds of different error codes stored in a car's system.
4. Scan tools can provide freeze frame data, depending on the tool's quality.
5. Cheap scan tools (e.g., $20-$30) may not memorize data, but users can take photos for record-keeping.
**Facts about Car Maintenance and Scams**
6. Air filters can be easily replaced by car owners themselves.
7. Spark plugs can also be replaced by car owners with some basic knowledge.
8. Clogged air filters and worn-out spark plugs are common issues that can cause cars to fail emissions tests.
**Facts about Free Services and Inspections**
9. Some dealers and shops offer "free lifetime oil changes" as a loss leader to get customers into their shop.
10. Car dealerships often make more profit from repairing cars than from selling them.
11. In some states, like Florida, vehicle inspections are no longer mandatory due to complaints of scams targeting elderly people.
**Facts about Scam Tactics**
12. Some mechanics may squirt oil around parts (e.g., struts) to fake leaks.
13. Inspectors might tamper with sensors (e.g., exhaust gas analyzers) to fail vehicles unnecessarily.
14. Scammers may let air out of tires and then offer to "fix" the issue for a fee.
15. There have been reports in Houston of scammers following drivers, claiming their tires are loose, and offering to "fix" them.