New Car Checkup (Dealer)?

[wn1998]

My wife and I purchased our first new car (2009 Nissan Versa) in October 2009. I have been doing my own oil changes so we have not been to the dealer since we purchased the car. I know several of my coworkers get their oil changed at our local Nissan dealership and they have had some TSB (technical service bullitins) done while at the dealership.

We have noticed that when the temp drops below 40 degrees and the car is first started it sounds like there is a loose belt and there is some light vibration. Would the dealer charge us anything just to bring our versa in and give check it out without getting a service done (i.e. oil change)?

 

[The Critic]

It depends on the dealer, but most dealers will not charge a diag fee if the car is still under the 3/36.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: wn1998
Would the dealer charge us anything just to bring our versa in and give check it out...
I've never known a dealer to do ANYTHING for free. If you've been a good customer in the past they may want to keep your business, but otherwise expect to pay through the nose unless it's a warranty issue.
Originally Posted By: wn1998
several of my coworkers get their oil changed at our local Nissan dealership and they have had some TSB (technical service bullitins) done while at the dealership.
All a TSB does is inform the dealer of a known issue and explain the proper repair procedure. TSBs are not like recalls...the works isn't done for free, unless the car is under warranty.

 

[demarpaint]

I had a CEL go on in my Jeep, I pulled the code, and accidentally deleted it. I made a phone call into them this morning to speak with a different service writer. I told him the CEL was on and then went out, and told him the code was P0456, he said bring it in when the light comes on again. I explained I had left a dome light on over the weekend and needed a jump so the light might have gone out because of that. This guy couldn't care less! I explained my warranty is up in a few weeks. I asked what happpens if the light stays out until after the warranty is up. He said I'd be SOL. I laughed, I won't be going there, and will make it a point to inform the sales department I won't be buying from them again either.

Someone already mentioned dealerships do nothing for free, and their service departments usually kill future sales.

 

[kb01]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
It depends on the dealer, but most dealers will not charge a diag fee if the car is still under the 3/36.


I'm not sure if they do it because they're corporate vehicles but our Toyota dealer charges to pull codes, even when under warranty.

 

[JTK]

wn1998, can you wait until you need a State inspection, tire rotation or something of that nature? Often they'll do a quick diagnosis for you at no charge in conjunction with those services. It could be an easy warranty job ($$$) for them and they tend to jump right on those.

I know my in-laws had a similar issue with their 2009 Nissan Rogue. It was a busted tensioner for the serp belt. Although my FIL is the type to go to the dealer every 3K mi for expensive oil changes. He still gets flogged on services and takes a bath on every trade-in or new purchase, yet he still feels good about it.

I don't do a whole lot of business with car dealer service departments, but you have to go into it knowing it's going to cost you something. There's a lot of mouths to feed in there.

Joel

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: wn1998
My wife and I purchased our first new car (2009 Nissan Versa) in October 2009. I have been doing my own oil changes so we have not been to the dealer since we purchased the car. I know several of my coworkers get their oil changed at our local Nissan dealership and they have had some TSB (technical service bullitins) done while at the dealership.

We have noticed that when the temp drops below 40 degrees and the car is first started it sounds like there is a loose belt and there is some light vibration. Would the dealer charge us anything just to bring our versa in and give check it out without getting a service done (i.e. oil change)?
No Charge.
Good luck though. I broght my car in for 1 problem to be fixed under warranty and they broke 3 other things. I will never bring a ( non luxury) car to the dealer again for service except to trade it.

 

[EricZoom]

Your car is still under warranty, and they should check the issue your having with it for no charge. I've always brought all my vehicles that were still under warranty in for service, if there was a problem with them, and I was never charged. Don't get me wrong also, I would never go near any dealer for service that wasn't covered, including oil changes.

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I had a CEL go on in my Jeep, I pulled the code, and accidentally deleted it. I made a phone call into them this morning to speak with a different service writer. I told him the CEL was on and then went out, and told him the code was P0456, he said bring it in when the light comes on again. I explained I had left a dome light on over the weekend and needed a jump so the light might have gone out because of that. This guy couldn't care less! I explained my warranty is up in a few weeks. I asked what happpens if the light stays out until after the warranty is up. He said I'd be SOL. I laughed, I won't be going there, and will make it a point to inform the sales department I won't be buying from them again either.

Someone already mentioned dealerships do nothing for free, and their service departments usually kill future sales.


So basically you just want the dealership service department to take your word for it but not be able to verify? Life does not work that way because for every honest person pleading their case, 10 other slugs are trying to scam.

What you have is an unfortunate circumstance that is not really the dealers problem because they will not accept your word on it.

 

[demarpaint]

Goodwill goes a long way my friend. All the guy had to say was, it's best to bring it in when the light is actually on. I'll log that you called sir, and if it happens again bring it in. I didn't need to hear from some young guy that needs some schooling in business skills, that I was SOL if the light came on again after the warranty. His attitude cost them, not me.

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Goodwill goes a long way my friend. All the guy had to say was, it's best to bring it in when the light is actually on. I'll log that you called sir, and if it happens again bring it in. I didn't need to hear from some young guy that needs some schooling in business skills, that I was SOL if the light came on again after the warranty. His attitude cost them, not me.


So run it up the chain of command ask the service manger.

Sometimes those things are not within the realm of the service adviser to make those "Good Will" calls.

The only constant in life is that people will fail you at sometime or another. You sometime have to take charge and "push" people for what you want.

 

[demarpaint]

I realize that, I run a business and have been around the block a few times. I've also worked for car dealerships and know the inner workings. I have a bad feeling about the current crew at my dealership, and have time before the warranty expires to see how things play out. I am currently on good terms with them since I haven't burnt any bridges, but my gut is telling me to wait and see.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: EricZoom
Your car is still under warranty, and they should check the issue your having with it for no charge.


"Should" is the key word. Regardless of the 3/36, there's lots of stuff that won't fall under warranty coverage and they can (and will) charge you.

Joel