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'Don't Forget Cabin Filters:' Tech Says These are 5 'Scams' Dealerships Try to Sell You. Here's What You Need to Know

"Keep in mind their service riders and their mechanics, they're on commission."

Tech Says These are 5 ‘Scams’ Dealerships Try to Sell You. Here’s What You Need to Know

Photo by: computech.auto & Jakob Rosen

JT Wilson

By: JT Wilson

Oct 8, 2025 at 8:00pm ET

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A seasoned auto technician has gone viral after exposing what he calls five common service "scams" that car dealerships try to push on unsuspecting customers. The TikTok video has struck a chord with viewers, racking up 1.3 million views since it was posted on June 28.

Tim from Compu-Tech Auto (@computech.auto) delivers his warning over a green screen backdrop of an auto shop interior, explaining that service advisors and mechanics work on commission and have financial incentives to sell unnecessary services. His message was clear: know what you actually need before you walk into a dealership.

"So today I'm going to expose five services that you don't need," Tim says at the top of the 2-minute, 13-second video. "So when you visit a dealership and they write up all these services you need, keep in mind their service riders and their mechanics, they're on commission. They want to make money, I understand."

The Five Services to Decline

According to Tim, these are the services customers should be wary of: fuel injector cleaners, transmission fluid flushes, power steering flushes, power steering flushes, and engine flushes.

Fuel Injector Cleaners: "You do not need fuel injector cleaners," he states firmly. "Most modern gasoline has detergents that will properly clean your fuel system. You don't need this. Decline it."

The claim has merit, particularly for vehicles running on Top Tier gasoline, which contains enhanced detergent packages. However, some automotive experts note the reality is more nuanced. General Motors states in technical bulletins that it "does not endorse, support or acknowledge the need for fuel injector cleaning as a preventative maintenance procedure" for well-maintained vehicles. That said, PEA-based cleaners can help vehicles with deposit-related issues, particularly direct injection engines prone to carbon buildup.

Transmission Fluid Flushes: This is where Tim gets particularly emphatic. "Ask any qualified mechanic that you know. They will not recommend a transmission fluid flush. This can actually cause problems. So you want to decline this service."

Experts largely agree. Many automakers, including Honda, recommend against flush machines, which can force debris through the system and potentially damage modern transmissions with tight tolerances. A former dealership service advisor told Edmunds that dealers often recommend transmission flushes far more frequently than manufacturer guidelines suggest—sometimes every 12,000 miles versus the 60,000-mile intervals in owner's manuals.

Power Steering Flushes: Tim describes this as another unnecessary upsell. "When you change your power steering fluid, it's just drain and top it off. You don't need this. Decline the service."

RepairPal's maintenance guide confirms that "in general, a drain is all your car will need," noting that the simpler gravity-driven process removes most of the fluid without the risks or expense of powered flushing machines.

Engine Flushes: Perhaps the most concerning service on his list, Tim warns that engine flushes "can actually block oil passages, which can lead to complete engine failure. So don't perform any engine flushes. You don't need that."

This warning aligns with documented risks. Automotive repair forums note that engine flushes can loosen debris which can then block oil passages or damage components. More concerning for older vehicles, AMSOIL's technical documentation explains that in high-mileage engines, accumulated sludge may be sealing worn gaskets, and removing it can expose leaks. Modern engines with regular oil changes typically don't need flushes.

Scare Tactics About Oil Leaks: Tim's final point addresses psychological manipulation. "Sir, you have an oil leak. And then immediately you think, ‘Oh my gosh, my engine's going to blow up.’ No, it's not," he explains. "If the oil is gushing out, you would have known it when you went to the dealership. So take your car to a qualified mechanic. Have them look at it. It's probably a small seep."

This is accurate. Automotive technicians classify oil leaks from minor "weeps" to serious leaks requiring immediate attention. CarAdvise notes that small leaks can be monitored and topped off until convenient to service, though they shouldn't be ignored indefinitely.

Do Service Advisors Make Commission?

Tim's point about commissions is spot on.

An Edmunds investigation featuring a former service advisor revealed that "service advisors are basically salesmen" who are "even paid on commission." The former insider explained, "They wanted me to sell more, to recommend service that wasn't needed and to overcharge for the work being done."

Industry analysis shows that most service advisors earn little or no base salary, instead making a percentage of each service sold—creating direct financial incentives to oversell.

Cabin Filter Connection

While Tim's video focused on these five services, many commenters brought up another common dealership upsell: cabin air filters. The comments section became a goldmine of shared experiences about overpriced filter replacements.

"Don't forget cabin filters. Buy one online [and] replace it yourself," commented Daniel Caruso609, to which Tim replied, "Right on, Daniel. Easy and save."

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Marc shared his frustration: "The Nissan dealer tried to get my daughter for $105 to replace the cabin air filter!" Another user reported being quoted $89 at a dealership for a cabin filter they later bought on Amazon for $30.

The cabin filter discussion became part of the broader conversation about dealership markups on simple maintenance items.

Tim did clarify his point about transmission maintenance in the comments.

"All vehicles need transmission fluid changes. They will all fail prematurely if the transmission fluid is not changed per the manufacturer's recommended schedule," he wrote. He emphasized checking the owner's manual for specific requirements, generally recommending changes around 60,000-70,000 miles, then every 30,000 miles thereafter.

Shared Experiences

The video drew stories from viewers who felt they'd been taken advantage of by dealerships. One user wrote, "I got told I needed ALL 5 of these! And I only have 40K miles!" Another shared, "This happened to me. Then when my dad taught me about it, I realized I got scammed."

Some commenters appreciated the gender-specific nature of these tactics. "They do that a lot on women's when taking the car for service, this people is money hungry!!" wrote user3706174377168. Another person responded, "Being a girlie, this helps so much. Thank You."

The pricing examples shared in comments were particularly striking. Hyundai was mentioned charging $50 for cabin filter replacement, while an Australian commenter reported being quoted $150. Toyota dealerships were cited for $95 air filter changes, and various dealerships charged between $89-$105 for cabin filters that customers later found online for $7-$30.

The Big Picture

Tim's video taps into frustrations many car owners feel about dealership service departments. The commission-based structure he mentions creates potential conflicts of interest where service advisors may benefit more from selling additional services than from providing only necessary maintenance.

His advice to get second opinions from trusted mechanics resonated with followers, and several commenters mentioned learning to perform simple maintenance tasks themselves, particularly cabin and engine air filter replacements that can be done with basic tools and YouTube tutorials.

"I created a video on my channel for how to change the cabin air filter so if there's any other car models or brands you want me to create a video I'm happy to do so," Tim offered in response to the community interest.

What do you think?

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Comments

Informed consumers are better equipped to make decisions about their vehicle maintenance. While dealerships do provide legitimate services and have access to specialized tools and training, it's important to understand the difference between necessary maintenance and upselling. The key takeaway is to consult your owner's manual and get a second opinion before agreeing to anything past routine maintenance.

Motor1 attempted to reach Compu-Tech Auto for additional comment via TikTok direct message. We'll be sure to update this if they respond.

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