A customer's 2005 Civic with a misfire turned into a full engine bay detail

They came in for a rough idle, and after I found a bad coil pack, I noticed the engine was absolutely filthy. I spent an extra hour just cleaning it with some Simple Green and a brush, and the customer was so happy they tipped me $50 on top of the repair. Anyone else have a small extra service that customers really appreciate?

3 comments

3 Comments

dianab683mo ago

My shop started wiping down battery terminals and cable ends during any electrical check. It takes maybe two minutes with a wire brush. People notice that little bit of extra care, right?

hunt.rowan2mo ago

That "little bit of extra care" angle is smart, but here's something else. A clean battery terminal also means you're preventing future comebacks. If that corrosion builds up and they end up stranded a month later because of a bad connection, they'll forget all about the nice job you did on their brakes or whatever. You're basically bulletproofing your own work against electrical gremlins that are hard to trace. Plus, a clean connection means their car starts faster on cold mornings, and that's something they'll feel every single time they turn the key.

foster.wade3mo ago

Ever notice how a clean engine bay makes the whole car feel newer? That extra hour you spent is huge because most people never look under there, so when they do, a spotless engine feels like a major upgrade. I always give the wiper blades a quick wipe with alcohol on a rag during oil changes. It clears off the road grime and makes a huge difference in streaking, costs nothing, and people always mention how much better their wipers work. It's those little touches that prove you actually care about the whole car, not just the broken part.