SAN DIEGO -- Mark Dodge drives a 2001 Ford Ranger. He went to an EZ Lube shop on Midway Drive for an oil change, but he was told he needed much more.

"They wanted me to do all these other things," said Dodge.

Dodge said an EZ Lube employee suggested several services, including a new fuel filter.

Dodge said he was surprised because he had just replaced the fuel filter two weeks earlier at another shop.

"It seemed fishy to me," Dodge said.

The 10News Investigations team was surprised, too.

Last September, the California Bureau of Automotive Repair accused 76 EZ Lube shops throughout Southern California of "numerous violations of the Automotive Repair Act," including charging for parts and services not needed, making false or misleading statements and departure from accepted trade standards.

Under the settlement, EZ Lube paid out $5 million to the state. They promised to create a quality assurance plan and they said they would even have an undercover car program to monitor their own shops.

10News decided to do their own undercover car program. Using hidden cameras and three cars, 10News put EZ Lube's "promise to behave" to the test.

Before starting, 10News had their cars checked out at Greg's Automotive in El Cajon by veteran mechanic Henry Martinez. He gave each car a thorough inspection.

Martinze looked at the Honda Accord and said, "Everything looks good."

The Honda Accord had only 2,500 miles on it, and it received a clean bill of health.

The Honda Civic, Martinez said, had an oil leak under it.

10News knew the Civic needed work, and it was checked for what is and is not needed. It had 109,400 miles.

Martinez said 10News' Buick Park Avenue's transmission was good.

The Park Avenue was in pretty good shape at almost 35,000.

EZ Lube advertised a special -- $21.99 for a 14-point full service oil change -- that 10News wanted for the test cars.

The low-mileage Honda Accord was taken to the Carmel Valley EZ Lube. The 10News tester was in and out of the shop quickly, paying the sale price as advertised. The store passed 10News' test with flying colors.

10News tester Casey Lo said, "They had several people working on it (the Accord) at one time."

At the Midway location -- the same shop Dodge took his Ford Ranger -- 10News brought in the Civic, and based on what Martinez said the car did need some service.

EZ Lube employees did the oil change, however they recommended some services Martinez said was not needed. For example, a power-steering flush that EZ Lube said was preventive maintenance and would lengthen the life of the car.

"They might be up-selling us on that one," said producer Kristen Castillo.

EZ Lube did not break down the cost of the flush, as it's lumped in with the transmission and radiator service they recommended at $300 total.

The Bureau of Automotive Repair said the recommendation was vague and could have been written better. Because it's only a recommendation, there is no requirement for a specific estimate.

At the Jamacha Road EZ Lube, 10News' Buick driver is told the car needed a power-steering flush, a new fuel filter and new air filter.

Before the Buick driver gets the work done, 10News contacted Martinez and asked him if the work is really needed even though he had checked the car an hour ago.

"They don't know if it's bad or not, probably just going by mileage," said Martinez.

It is legal for shops to sell by mileage. They don't have to know the condition of a car's parts. In the case of the Buick, the cost was $150.

"(They said) the gas filter was what I should replace," said 10News' JW August.

Auto shops are allowed to sell customers services based on mileage alone.

So, customers need to know their car and its history. This way, garages can't sell something a car may not need.

EZ Lube said they have done a lot of work to improve their company. They said they feel "a strong obligation" to customers and the role they "accept in protecting the life and the investment in vehicles."