I took the Saturn to Sam's Club today for a routine tire rotation and balance. Since the tires were purchased there, it was free. Perhaps the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies to this situation.
First, I noticed that the front and rear tire pressures were listed as 35F/35R on my work order. I asked the technician why those pressures were listed for my vehicle, as the recommended pressures for my Saturn are 30F/26R. He informed me that 35F/35R was the "average" pressure of most vehicle requirements and those were the pressures that they usually filled all tires to.
I politely asked him to fill my tires to the OEM recommended tire pressures and I was given a "those pressures sounded kinda low" line from him. I showed him the owner's manual and informed him that Michelin endorses OEM tire pressure recommendations (I have Michelin Hydroedge) and only then did he change the work order.
Second, they informed me that I needed new lug nuts. Apparently you can no longer thread them on by hand or easily removed them. They were probably slightly stripped. The tires have probably been removed from this car no more than 20 times. Of those 20 times, probably 15 of those times were by Sam's Club. Lug nuts should last longer than that, so I can only suspect that Sam's Club is likely to be a major contributor to my lug nuts being damaged.
Third, Sam's Club's policy (as clearly posted on the wall) is to tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque stick, torque them with a torque wrench, then have a different technician double-check. At this shop, they used torque sticks (which were dropped in front of me, so their accuracy is questionable) only. When he started to reinstall the wheel covers without installing the lug nuts, I asked him why he did not check the lug nuts with a torque wrench. He said that the torque sticks were good enough and that he could check them if I desired. I requested that he please do so.
Fourth, I caught him torquing the lug nuts without following the star pattern. When he finished, I noticed that he did not bother to turn the torque wrench down to the lowest setting, so the accuracy of that torque wrench is probably questionable.
Installing tires correctly is not a difficult task. I understand that Sam's Club does not pay the best wages, but they do train their employees. How hard is it for you to follow your company's policy? What has our society become? Why can't some people show some pride in their work?
First, I noticed that the front and rear tire pressures were listed as 35F/35R on my work order. I asked the technician why those pressures were listed for my vehicle, as the recommended pressures for my Saturn are 30F/26R. He informed me that 35F/35R was the "average" pressure of most vehicle requirements and those were the pressures that they usually filled all tires to.
Second, they informed me that I needed new lug nuts. Apparently you can no longer thread them on by hand or easily removed them. They were probably slightly stripped. The tires have probably been removed from this car no more than 20 times. Of those 20 times, probably 15 of those times were by Sam's Club. Lug nuts should last longer than that, so I can only suspect that Sam's Club is likely to be a major contributor to my lug nuts being damaged.
Third, Sam's Club's policy (as clearly posted on the wall) is to tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque stick, torque them with a torque wrench, then have a different technician double-check. At this shop, they used torque sticks (which were dropped in front of me, so their accuracy is questionable) only. When he started to reinstall the wheel covers without installing the lug nuts, I asked him why he did not check the lug nuts with a torque wrench. He said that the torque sticks were good enough and that he could check them if I desired. I requested that he please do so.
Fourth, I caught him torquing the lug nuts without following the star pattern. When he finished, I noticed that he did not bother to turn the torque wrench down to the lowest setting, so the accuracy of that torque wrench is probably questionable.
Installing tires correctly is not a difficult task. I understand that Sam's Club does not pay the best wages, but they do train their employees. How hard is it for you to follow your company's policy? What has our society become? Why can't some people show some pride in their work?
