Imagine taking your Toyota truck to the dealership for a rough-shifting transmission and a lit-up check engine light, only to be handed an $8,600 repair estimate. That’s exactly what happened to Earl, a Texas musician who wasn’t about to fork over that kind of cash without a second opinion.

Earl, known on TikTok as @earlshreds, shared his experience in a viral video that’s racked up over 555,800 views. He took his truck to a Toyota dealership in Humble, Texas, where they diagnosed the issue and quoted him nearly $8,600 for repairs.

Instead of paying up, Earl decided to tackle the problem himself. He spent $50 on transmission fluid and parts, performed the fluid change, and his truck was back to running smoothly. In his video, Earl didn’t hold back his frustration: “F— Toyota for doing this. F— the dealership model in the automotive industry. It’s the biggest f—ing scam I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” 

Earl’s story raises questions about the dealership’s intentions. Were they quoting the cost of a brand-new transmission, assuming the worst-case scenario? Or were they trying to upsell an unnecessary procedure to pad their profits? Without more information, it’s hard to say.

It’s worth noting that transmission issues can sometimes be resolved in the short term with a simple fluid change, especially if the fluid is old or degraded. Toyota claims the fluid in Earl’s transmission should last as long as the truck. But obviously that was not the case.

While a fluid change solves some problems, more severe problems might require a full transmission replacement, which can be costly. Dealerships often present the most comprehensive (and expensive) repair options to cover all bases and avoid potential liability if a simpler fix doesn’t hold up. It’ll be interesting to see if Earl’s problems come back down the road.

Earl’s experience isn’t isolated. Other customers have reported similar encounters with dealerships. For instance, The Sun reports another woman was quoted $800 for a repair involving an $80 part.

These stories highlight the importance of seeking a second opinion when faced with high repair estimates. Independent mechanics or knowledgeable friends can provide alternative diagnoses and potentially save you thousands.

In the end, Earl’s DIY approach saved him a significant amount of money. But it’s a reminder to all vehicle owners: always question exorbitant repair quotes, consider getting a second opinion, and don’t be afraid to get your hands a little dirty if you have the know-how. You can see Earl’s original video embedded below: