On approximately, May 3, 2018, while driving on a surface street, taking off from a stop, I notice of grinding feeling coming from my clutch pedal accompanied by a similar but slight noise. Over the next two weeks I was able to determine that the feeling/noise would only happen while shifting from first to second gear. Approx. 3 weeks later I took my car to a mechanic that was suggested to me. He drove my car and determined that it may be the driver’s side wheel bearing. After returning to his shop he removed the driver’s side tire, came to me and said, “it’s not your wheel bearing, your transmission fluid distribution unit is bone dry. There is absolutely no transmission fluid in your car". He said he would fix it for $130 including labor, and that this should fix the problem. After filled, he drove the car once again, returned and after further investigation told me that the problem was not fixed, I needed: SHOCK ABSORBERS: BEARINGS: LOWER CONTROL ARMS: LABOR:

4/$120. = $480.00 2/NC $200.00 2/$138. = $276.00 $170.00 TOTAL: $ 1,126.00

WOOOOOW………OMG…………….. I don’t have that kind of money. SO, I paid the $130 and told him that I needed time to get the money for the rest of the repairs. Upon returning home and checking with AutoZone and O’Rielly’s I found the parts that he said I needed @:

SHOCK ABSORBERS: BEARINGS: LOWER CONTROL ARMS: 4/$50. = $200.00 2/$24.=$48. 2/$108.00 = $216.00 (lifetime warranty) (1 year war.) (2 year warranty) (w/tax) TOTAL (rounded up): $502.00 (w/labor) TOTAL: $872.00 SAVING ME: $254.00

I wondered if he would allow me to buy my own parts? But then I started to wonder, maybe he’s trying to take advantage of me, he’s a Hispanic Mechanic with knowledge, I am an older Caucasian woman that he, I’m sure, believes to have no knowledge of cars in general. I’ve called him a number of times to find out which is the most important thing I replace first because of my inability to pay for all repairs at one time, and the grinding feel/noise scares me, I want to get it fixed. It doesn’t appear to be getting worse but I know, over time, it will. I may be a woman but my grandfather taught me quite a few things about cars, so one wouldn’t have to depend on a man. But…his training only went so far, telling me to “Leave the major repairs to the Professionals”.

However, being a professional doesn’t mean the Mechanic won’t try to take advantage of you, I know they try to take advantage of men also. I do a lot of my own car repairs/maintenance, I’m pretty much self- sufficient but I need help with a diagnosis. If I can do it myself and save $250.00, believe me, I WILL. I have the tools and the time as I am retired.

I don’t care who has my name/e-mail address, I need help and would greatly appreciate any information offered.

Dawn be4day@gmail.com

I thank anyone/all very much for your time, your know how and hope that the problem I’m having, entered in script, is easily understood.

I bought this car brand new in 2007 and because I know nothing of vehicle maintenance I also purchased the pre-paid maintenance and extended warranty. I have owned a Toyota Corolla previously and it was an excellant vehicle that I had absolutely no issues with. I needed a more fuel efficient car and thought this was the way to go. Of course I took my Yaris in for all of the maintenance and expected to have no issues at all. This is NOT what has happened. I am not a race car driver or do anything radical with it. I take it to and from work and the grocery store, and yet I have to put in a new clutch with the warranty still in tact.

I have never been let down so much by a company in my whole life. I can't believe I'm having this problem with my car with so few miles. I should have went with a Honda. At least I wouldn't be putting in a clutch right now. I will never buy another Toyota again.