GM is making it more expensive to repair your car: Buying car parts online or other aftermarket places, and doing the work yourself can save you some money over taking your car to the garage. But if your vehicle was manufactured by GM, this automaker is clamping down on what parts you're actually allowed to use for certain repairs. If your car needs collision repairs involving the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), you must now only use new GM Genuine Parts. For your next collision repair, you don't have the option of using a cheaper aftermarket or used part when an ADAS component needs to be replaced. This includes the cameras, radar units, sensors, control modules, wiring, brackets, and the mounting hardware. You also cannot use recycled, salvaged, reconditioned, or remanufactured parts, as previous exposure to damage could affect reliability, calibration, and safety according to GM. And, GM warns that accessories or modifications, like protective films and covers, stickers, window tint, magnets, hood protectors, light bars, cargo racks, and more, can interfere with ADAS operation. Even non-GM suspension, steering, wheels, tires, lift or lowering kits, and other modifications can also create problems. Any modification that alters ride height, alignment, or handling are also a problem with GM. Welcome to the new world of trying to force us into dealerships and to buy parts from them only! Not cool!

Auto mechanics have a tough job, if you found one you like, be nice. Its not easy being a mechanic especially today. Being an auto mechanic involves heavy physical strain, high personal tool costs, and income volatility from flat-rate pay systems. Technicians also face hazardous work environments, rapid technology changes requiring constant retraining, and stressful working conditions. Mechanics have to supply their own tools. Expensive tools,: costing anywhere from $10,000 to $80,000 and more. And with technology always changing, the tool buying never stops. Flat-rate pay stress: Many shops pay a set number of hours per job (called book hours) rather than hourly. If a repair takes longer than expected or business is slow, pay drops significantly. Slow seasons: Independent and local shops often see a major drop in work during winter months or holidays. Constant training: New high tech vehicles, computer systems, and complex sensors mean continuous learning, often on their own time. Physical toll: Heavy lifting, awkward angles in tight spaces, exposure to fluids and dust, and chronic issues like back or joint pain. Working in hot shops in summer, dealing with cold shops in winter. Auto mechanics face a lower effective pay scale and higher personal costs than many other skilled trades (like plumbing, HVAC, or electrical). Unpaid Labor: Mechanics are not paid for complex diagnostics, waiting for parts, or dealing with factory warranty time cuts. If a repair takes longer due to rust or diagnostics, they lose money, effectively reducing their take-home pay despite high shop labor rates. Burnout: Dealing with angry customers, tough bosses, tight corporate deadlines, and unsupportive shop management and fighting to get paid for what they do, leads many to leave the trade. And more are leaving the industry everyday.

First, the manufacturers took away the transmission dipsticks on many cars. Now many are taking away the engine oil dipstick. Yes, many modern vehicles do not have a traditional physical oil dipstick because manufacturers have replaced them with electronic oil level sensors. Sorry car companies , I will not buy a car that I cannot check my oil with a simple dipstick in the engine. A simple dipstick is far more reliable than an electronic sensor. Its that simple!