Positive experience at the Dealer yesterday

[nomas]

I brought my wife's Pathfinder in for it's first oil change yesterday. It only had 2500 miles on it and the Service Advisor remarked that it wasn't due yet . I told her to do it anyway . It was a freebie so what the heck . She asked about a tire rotation . Well , it came with the oil change so why not ..
There are some big plate glass walls that look out into the service area so I was able to sit about 20 feet away and watch everything they did . After the Tech replaced the drain plug he torqued the plug . They also torqued the lug nuts , I've often wondered if all Dealers actually did that ?
Since most people here love to find fault with everything Dealers do I thought I would go against the grain and be different .

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I have had far more positive experiences than negative at dealers over the years. Harder to say that when I had to deal with some independents or chain stores. Fortunately, lately, I have found a good dealer for Subaru nearby.

 

[fantastic]

After the Tech replaced the drain plug he torqued the plug . They also torqued the lug nuts , I've often wondered if all Dealers actually did that ?

Wonderful experience for your dealer. Unfortunately, there are other experiences. I had my wheel almost come off after a tire rotation at a private company. Completely chewed up my aluminum wheel. They ultimately did the right thing & bought me an old well used wheel after my complaints.

NEVER have I EVER had a problem of torquing my own lug nuts & all my lug nut woes started when I let others do it. Unfortunately, Some can't be bothered w/torquing & it could be the company norm to churn through "repairs".

 

[JeffKeryk]

I've had excellent experiences with Putnam Lexus (last of family owned) in Redwood City. Bought 4 cars there and had services done under plan. They give me a nice loaner, which lets me test drive different vehicles. Their waiting room is pretty plush as well. Now their parts department thinks their parts are made outta gold.

Stevens Creek Lexus is huge and is a mega-dealer. No deals like Putnam but their parts department is stellar.

I have not had as much luck with other local dealerships of various makes.

 

[AZjeff]

OP thanks for posting. Good to know there are some properly run service departments out there.

 

[dogememe]

This should be the norm, not the exception. Sad world we live in.

 

[4wd]

I have mostly good service experiences at my 2 dealerships …
Now, sales ? Let’s wait for another thread

 

[Zee09]

Winner Lincoln in Newark Delaware had the same window setup at their service dept. The mechanics were great on warranty work but the oil changers in and out of warranty were shady.

An older gent next to me paid for an oil change and he came back in 5 minutes later noting the filter was not changed because he marked it.

Of course they tried to lie out of it but he had pictures...

 

[bdcardinal]

Wonderful experience for your dealer. Unfortunately, there are other experiences. I had my wheel almost come off after a tire rotation at a private company. Completely chewed up my aluminum wheel. They ultimately did the right thing & bought me an old well used wheel after my complaints.

NEVER have I EVER had a problem of torquing my own lug nuts & all my lug nut woes started when I let others do it. Unfortunately, Some can't be bothered w/torquing & it could be the company norm to churn through "repairs".

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Interesting fact, on the Super Duty trucks under wheel removal in the Workshop Manual it says to apply 2-3 drops of motor oil to a clean shop towel and apply to the wheel stud threads. Also to apply one drop of oil between the flat washer and nut on the lugnuts.

 

[4wd]

Winner Lincoln in Newark Delaware had the same window setup at their service dept. The mechanics were great on warranty work but the oil changers in and out of warranty were shady.

An older gent next to me paid for an oil change and he came back in 5 minutes later noting the filter was not changed because he marked it.

Of course they tried to lie out of it but he had pictures...

Have only one under a service plan - they number the filters bcs I get 12 oil changes …

 

[4wd]

Interesting fact, on the Super Duty trucks under wheel removal in the Workshop Manual it says to apply 2-3 drops of motor oil to a clean shop towel and apply to the wheel stud threads. Also to apply one drop of oil between the flat washer and nut on the lugnuts.

Wonder what happens with 2 drops

 

[bdcardinal]

Wonder what happens with 2 drops

Well its a Ford so probably catches on fire or something.

 

[4wd]

Well its a Ford so probably catches on fire or something.

Well, if it’s a PSD - that’s easier to put out

 

[74DartSport]

Had new tires installed at BJ’s the 4th. Tech had writer (supervisor?) come out to shop to confirm tire pressures and lug nut torque with a torque wrench. Guessing they don’t want comebacks.

 

[fantastic]

Interesting fact, on the Super Duty trucks under wheel removal in the Workshop Manual it says to apply 2-3 drops of motor oil to a clean shop towel and apply to the wheel stud threads. Also to apply one drop of oil between the flat washer and nut on the lugnuts.

You're ahead of most. I saw that too. Very interesting & I'd imagine at the least to certainly keep the rust away. I spent quite a while cleaning up the rust on the threads while I cleaned the wheels. I ended up putting some on them. Mainly surface rust but still as you know that can affect torque values.

 

[Doc8404]

I brought my wife's Pathfinder in for it's first oil change yesterday. It only had 2500 miles on it and the Service Advisor remarked that it wasn't due yet . I told her to do it anyway . It was a freebie so what the heck . She asked about a tire rotation . Well , it came with the oil change so why not ..
There are some big plate glass walls that look out into the service area so I was able to sit about 20 feet away and watch everything they did . After the Tech replaced the drain plug he torqued the plug . They also torqued the lug nuts , I've often wondered if all Dealers actually did that ?
Since most people here love to find fault with everything Dealers do I thought I would go against the grain and be different .

Similar at our Nissan dealer in Yorkville NY. It is 95% the reason we stuck with Nissan.

 

[bdcardinal]

You're ahead of most. I saw that too. Very interesting & I'd imagine at the least to certainly keep the rust away. I spent quite a while cleaning up the rust on the threads while I cleaned the wheels. I ended up putting some on them. Mainly surface rust but still as you know that can affect torque values.

I only even looked because there was a recall a few years ago on some year Super Duty that isn't ours which involved removing the wheels. In the technician comments it mentioned the oil on the threads so I looked and was so surprised. Then realized that it probably never...ever gets done in real life.