Car dealerships lack maintenance experience

When I moved to Marion in 2004, I took my Mercury to a local dealer for servicing every 3,000 miles. The last time I took it there, they checked the air filter and recommended that it be replaced. They also checked the battery and it was down to 8-plus volts. When I got home, I checked the battery with my volt meter and it had 12.65 volts and the air filter was clean. Both were in the car when I traded it in more than two years later after being checked during regular service by a local quick-change place.

I purchased a Ford from a local dealer and had them do the service. After the last oil change, the computer after 2,700 miles advised me that there was only 3 percent of oil life was left. I couldn't get it in there to have it serviced, so I went back to the local quick change. The air filter was filthy, which is unusual because you don't expect that with the absence of dust in the winter. I had the car serviced again at the quick change after 4,000 miles. The air filter was clean and the computer didn't complain. Was the filter checked before? Was the oil changed before or was it bad oil?

I worked on vehicles for three years in the Marine Corps, five years on road construction equipment and 35 years on all golf course equipment. I'm sure that I have more experience than anyone who supposedly worked on my car.

Leon Hartogh

Marion