Idiot car dealership strikes again

[LVSteve]

My diesel Mercedes SUV went in for a huge emissions update the back end of September. While in the shop I also had them do a basic service. When I got the truck back I was pretty concerned about driveability. Some of the diesel fixes at Audi and Jeep have resulted in pretty sad performance and adversly affected refinement and fuel consumption.

Now life has been quiet for us with no trips out of town, just runs to work and the store. I even alternate with another vehicle for the commute. Even so, after less than 300 miles I had become increasingly unhappy with "the fix", which I found odd as owners on the forums out there had been pretty complimentary. I was suffering occasional hard shifts and rough idle off load. Yeah, go figure the latter.

Mentioned all this to a buddy at work. "Have you checked your oil level since the service?" I had to confess I had not. I had let the driveability thing get into my head. So, out to the carpark and we pull the dipstick. Oil is about an inch, maybe inch and an eighth OVER the Full mark. Moved truck to a more level location and the result was a touch better, but not much.

Buddy has a hand operated device for sucking oil out of the dipstick hole, so went over there after work. We pulled out 3.5 quarts before the level got down to the Full mark. Dealer paperwork shows the right amount of oil, but that might be an automatic thing on the printout based on the model. Internet research shows that the same motor in the Sprinter van has a larger sump. See where I am going with this?

So:

#1 We shall see how the truck drives today;
#2 The dealership will be getting the rough edge of my tongue on Monday.
#3 Thank goodness I've only driven <300 miles with the motor in this state.
#4 Don't get distracted. Always check fluids after somebody else has been wrenching on your vehicle.

 

[swsig]

Well, it's your fault. Before they filled it, you should have told them you wanted it drained first.

 

[snubbyfan]

When I worked at Toyota Parts at the back counter.
The service writer prints the repair order. The parts guy gets the parts together and enters them into the computer, including fluids and the tech. gets the oil by pumping it out of a holding tank.
System works well as long as everybody does their job.
The service department should have the name of the tech. that worked on your vehicle.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

If I don't do the service myself I always check the level before driving away from the dealership. The last time I went in for the "Free" service I checked it and it was almost 2 inches over the full mark. Either they didn't change the filter or the Tech (when did grease monkeys become "Techs"?) doesn't know how to count! The worst part is when I showed the Service Manager his comment to me was "As soon as you start the engine the level will drop".

Needless to say I never went back.

 

[LVSteve]

When I worked at Toyota Parts at the back counter.
The service writer prints the repair order. The parts guy gets the parts together and enters them into the computer, including fluids and the tech. gets the oil by pumping it out of a holding tank.
System works well as long as everybody does their job.
The service department should have the name of the tech. that worked on your vehicle.

This assumes that the corporate view is that they can make mistakes. This being the Big City, such an honest attitude can be in short supply. I'll update the hive in due course.

 

[snubbyfan]

This assumes that the corporate view is that they can make mistakes. This being the Big City, such an honest attitude can be in short supply. I'll update the hive in due course.

This was back over 2 decades ago when we usta have pride in our work and the times they are a changin'.

 

[LVSteve]

If I don't do the service myself I always check the level before driving away from the dealership. The last time I went in for the "Free" service I checked it and it was almost 2 inches over the full mark. Either they didn't change the filter or the Tech (when did grease monkeys become "Techs"?) doesn't know how to count! The worst part is when I showed the Service Manager his comment to me was "As soon as you start the engine the level will drop".

Needless to say I never went back.

That's the guy who when you point out the overinflated tires would say, "What's your problem, they are set to what it says on the sidewall!".

Sadly, I run into folk who believe this is the correct way to inflate your tires.

 

[Jessie]

That's the guy who when you point out the overinflated tires would say, "What's your problem, they are set to what it says on the sidewall!".

Sadly, I run into folk who believe this is the correct way to inflate your tires.

I'll play… Other than summer/winter differences, what is the correct way?

 

[GaryS]

There should be a label on the driver's door jamb with the specifications for that specific vehicle.

I'll play… Other than summer/winter differences, what is the correct way?

 

[fiasconva]

Why does something like this always come up on a Saturday or Sunday so you have to wait until Monday to call?

 

[LVSteve]

Why does something like this always come up on a Saturday or Sunday so you have to wait until Monday to call?

To be fair this was discovered Friday PM, but the chances of getting in to get something done either Friday or Saturday morning would have been slim, I think.

One other factor. I was so incensed on discovering the screw up, it is unlikely that contact with the dealer even by 'phone would have gone well.

 

[LVSteve]

I'll play… Other than summer/winter differences, what is the correct way?

As Gary said, there will be a placard on the driver's door jamb with pressures, usually the full load pressures on an SUV or truck. Mercedes has a "normal load" pressure listed on the inside of the filler door. Sometimes you can find a "normal load" pressure buried in the owner's manual. The difference between the normal and full pressures makes a big difference in ride quality when it's just you in the vehicle.

 

[armorer951]

I recently checked (as always) my Miata after returning home from a service (oil change) appointment at our local Mazda dealership. Nothing was done......nothing. During the theft, the tech even went to the parts counter a asked for a new oil filter, which was still on his bench when I returned to bring this to the attention of the owner.

Hard to believe, even after what I've seen and experienced over the years.

 

[ladder13]

Wanna get a blank stare, tell em' you have a dry sump.

 

[LVSteve]

I recently checked (as always) my Miata after returning home from a service (oil change) appointment at our local Mazda dealership. Nothing was done......nothing. During the theft, the tech even went to the parts counter a asked for a new oil filter, which was still on his bench when I returned to bring this to the attention of the owner.

Hard to believe, even after what I've seen and experienced over the years.

Nice to see it called what it was.

 

[terry_tr6]

had an oil change a my ford dealer (208 F150 4x4) report came back that rear brakes were down to 2/3mm and t needed new pads, at 30.000 miles!. turns out this is now new normal because the rear brakes do a lot of the sway control and such. just to make sure, i pulled a wheel and looked and yep the outside pad was thin.

i asked for them to save the old pads which they did and all was ok. interesting it was the outside pads that were thin, the inner had LOTS of life left. also, there is a "step" in the pads so that once the step wears down there is a larger surface that now makes contact. Kind of a safety step?? BUT, the inner and outer pads are identical and I bet you could flip the pads and keep going for another 10k miles or more. Point is, this time, under this owner, they were honest

 

[meaneyedcatz]

Maybe you should have had it towed to the dealership so they could have seen it.
If they can't see it then it's hearsay.
I have no doubt about what you are saying, but you wouldn't believe the number of liars that visit a dealership.

 

[LVSteve]

Maybe you should have had it towed to the dealership so they could have seen it.
If they can't see it then it's hearsay.
I have no doubt about what you are saying, but you wouldn't believe the number of liars that visit a dealership.

People calling me a liar don't do well. The guy I did the extraction with would be "less than impressed" with that kind of accusation too. As for getting it towed to the shop, who has the time and money for that?

 

[LoboGunLeather]

had an oil change a my ford dealer (208 F150 4x4) report came back that rear brakes were down to 2/3mm and t needed new pads, at 30.000 miles!. turns out this is now new normal because the rear brakes do a lot of the sway control and such. just to make sure, i pulled a wheel and looked and yep the outside pad was thin.

i asked for them to save the old pads which they did and all was ok. interesting it was the outside pads that were thin, the inner had LOTS of life left. also, there is a "step" in the pads so that once the step wears down there is a larger surface that now makes contact. Kind of a safety step?? BUT, the inner and outer pads are identical and I bet you could flip the pads and keep going for another 10k miles or more. Point is, this time, under this owner, they were honest

I once had a dealer service department report my brake pads at 2-3mm and recommend replacement. Took the vehicle to the shop I have used for 30-plus years for brakes and alignment service, they reported the brake pads were at 6-7mm, no work indicated.

Then there is always the $50 labor charge for changing out the cabin air filter, after they pull the old one to show me how dirty it is. If I said no they would have had to reinstall it at no cost. Since I said yes they charged me $35 for a $12 filter and tacked on the $50 labor charge. About a 3 minute job at most.

Same dealer was charging me $25 for tire rotation at regular oil change intervals. When I noticed the tires had not been rotated they argued with me and insisted I was wrong.

Four new vehicles from that dealership in 20 years (2 in the past 5 years). The dealership owner and the national customer service department are now fully aware of why they have lost a customer.

So far no one has tried to sell me on a turn signal fluid change. I'm still waiting.

 

[ladder13]

There's a reason some dealerships keep customers out of sight and far away from the repair bays. Enjoy that free WiFi, bottle of water and bag of chips.