They came in like many others do—routine oil change, nothing fancy. As I started to write up the order, the customer looked me dead in the eye and said, “Don’t try to upsell me. I don’t want an air filter, cabin filter, transmission flush—none of that useless stuff.”
Fair enough. I’ve heard it before. Some people have had bad experiences with pushy shops, and they come in with their guard up. I get it. Sometimes people just want to be in and out, no questions asked.
But then we put their car on the lift.
One of the tires was chewed to hell. Sidewall damage, wires exposed, the kind of condition that turns a routine drive into a potential highway tragedy. The wheel itself wasn’t much better — cracked in places, with deep gouges and stress points. Frankly, I was surprised they even made it into the shop.
I brought it up as gently as I could, making it clear I wasn’t trying to sell anything they didn’t need. I wasn’t talking about comfort or cosmetic upgrades — I was talking about safety. I told them I was genuinely concerned, and that they should at least come take a look for themselves.
They didn’t even glance at it.
“I only want my oil changed.”
I had no choice but to ask them to sign a release of liability — a formal acknowledgment that they were driving away in a vehicle deemed unsafe to be on the road. It’s not something we do lightly, but it’s there to protect everyone involved.
Out of concern, I even offered to sell them a new steel wheel and tire at cost. No markup. I told them I’d waive labor, too. I just wanted them to be safe.
Still — “I only want my oil changed.”
Look, not all mechanics are out here trying to squeeze every last dollar out of a service. Some of us just want to do right by the people who trust us with their cars. We’re not all crooks or hustlers. Sometimes, we just see something dangerous and feel a responsibility to say something — and do something.
I hope they made it to wherever they were going. I really do.
Because next time, it might not just be a worn-out tire. It might be the moment everything gives out.
And then it’s too late.
