Wait, They Fixed What? The Most Random and Unnecessary Car Repairs Ever!
by AutoExpert | 18 September, 2023
Ever taken your car to a mechanic and gotten a quote for a repair that left you utterly puzzled? You’re not alone. We’ve been down that rabbit hole, and boy, is it filled with some strange twists and turns. So today, let's dig into the wildest, most random, and completely unnecessary car repairs ever.
Blinker Fluid: Yes, You Heard That Right!
The infamous blinker fluid "repair" has become something of an automotive joke. A mechanic might tell you it needs changing, but spoiler alert, blinker fluid isn't a thing. Your blinkers work on electrical systems, people!
Did You Know? The joke has been around so long, there are actually gag gift bottles of "blinker fluid" you can buy.
The Muffler Bearing: Say What Now?
You read it right—the mythical muffler bearing. It's another invention of the mechanic's imagination that simply doesn't exist. But let’s be honest, it does sound somewhat plausible, doesn’t it?
Crazy Fact: Some people have actually fallen for this and have paid upwards of $200 for this nonexistent repair. Ouch!
The Flux Capacitor: Not Just For Time Travel
Remember "Back to the Future"? Well, some mechanics will actually claim your car needs a new flux capacitor. Unless your car is a DeLorean and you're heading back to 1985, you don't need one.
Movie Magic: The original flux capacitor from "Back to the Future" was auctioned off for $60,000!
Replacing Air in Tires with Premium Air: Seriously?
Yes, folks. Some repair shops offer to replace the regular air in your tires with "premium air." We still haven’t figured out what makes the air premium, though. Could it be the whiff of a summer breeze?
Oddly True: Believe it or not, there have been reported cases where people shelled out $100 for this.
Cosmic Alignments: When Your Car Needs An Astrologer
We've even heard of mechanics claiming that your car's alignment issues are because Mercury is in retrograde. Yeah, astrology for cars—that's a new one on us too.
Starry-Eyed: Car astrology isn’t mainstream, but there are articles on what type of car suits each zodiac sign. Can’t make this stuff up!
The Turbo-Encabulator: A Glimpse into the Future?
Ever heard of the Turbo-Encabulator? If a mechanic ever tells you this needs replacing, head for the hills. It's a fictional machine engineers have joked about for decades. Despite its mythical status, the Turbo-Encabulator has an amazingly detailed, pseudo-scientific description.
Mind-Boggling: The Turbo-Encabulator even has a "manual" and technical videos explaining its function, all completely fictional, of course.
Reverse Headlights: Seeing Backwards?
Some mechanics with a sense of humor may tell you that your reverse headlights need replacing. Now, unless your car has the ability to light up the road behind you like it’s a spaceship, reverse headlights are not a thing.
Flash of Light: Did you know that some concept cars actually incorporate rear-facing lights for enhanced night-time visibility? But they’re not called "reverse headlights."
Sound-Activated Windshield Wipers: The Clap On, Clap Off Phenomenon
What if you could activate your windshield wipers with just a clap or a whistle? While it sounds like something from a spy movie, some mechanics might insist you need a system update for your “outdated” sound-activated wipers. Just a heads up—these don’t exist. Yet.
Fun Fact: There are, however, wipers that sense rain and activate automatically, but clapping won’t do the trick!
The Verdict: Watch Your Wallet!
So, the next time you're at the mechanic's, keep an ear out for these tall tales. While it's mostly all in good fun, you definitely don’t want to be that person who actually pays for these things. Always get a second opinion, folks, especially if you’re asked to shell out for “premium air” or a fresh batch of “blinker fluid.”