Stealership strikes again!

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Unfortunately it was Daniels - been in business since the 30s and a dealership and service department I trust.

I won't even take any of our cars to Al Serra. They are TOTALLY incompetent, and their BBB shows it.
 
Originally Posted By: Johnny
Is Phil Long Ford still in business? I worked there back in the early 70's.


Yup! I believe they have the biggest market share in CO as they are also in Denver, and they sell a variety of brands.

What did you do there?
 
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Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: Billy007
If she is planning to keep the car for a long time, it is always a good idea to have fresh ATF fluid at the 30K mark. Don't sweat the $160.


Dexron VI is a proven fluid and is lifetime fill on some GM models.


+1 75,000 would be an early flush.
 
My '06 Monte came with Dexron VI and, IIRC specs a 100K change for normal service and 50K for severe service. Next time I'm flipping through the manual I'll check for sure.

I'm on the cusp of 40K now and plan to change it soon, anyway. I think that lifetime fluid fills are [censored], and even though the powertrain is covered until 100K, I'd rather just not have any problems.
 
You got my curiosity so I checked the manual. For severe service, change fluid every 50K miles, for normal service, every 100K.

Is it the same for your 07 Impala (basically the same LZ9/4T65E powertrain), or did they ease up on the severe service schedule.
 
mstrjon, I in fact just checked the manual and it specs 50,000 for severe service just like your Monte. Nice timing!
LOL.gif


I also just got off the phone with the service manager and while I expressed my displeasure for such an early trans service, he indicated that no matter what the manual says, the first flush is the most important and the more often it's done, the longer a trans will last from their experience. He indicated the same thing for the cooling system and I laughed and told him I'm fully aware of the Dexcool fiasco and he chuckled and said bring it back in around 50,000 miles and they'll flush the cooling system for half price. I told him he's got a deal. Nice guy, but like any service department, especially at GM dealerships, they're simply scraping by on pennies to try and stay afloat since sales are in the toilet. So they're pushing sales in the service department.

Hey, they REALLY could have taken my mom for a ride with flushes of everything, tire rotations etc. etc. etc., so thankfully they didn't do that.
 
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Yeah, it sucks you paid $160, but I think changing the fluid was the right move. I'm sorry I didn't do mine at 30K, to be honest. Next time I've got the car in the shop, I'm going to change the transmission fluid, filter, and the coolant. I think with only 40K I should be able to just drain and refill the cooling system and have it be pretty effective.

The service writers are my local dealer are really nice guys actually, it's the incompetent work that the tech's do that I have a problem with. I've been there 4 times for an under-warranty alignment and it still isn't correct. I'll probably never be back there again now that the warranty is out, so it doesn't matter anymore anyway.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
mstrjon, I in fact just checked the manual and it specs 50,000 for severe service just like your Monte. Nice timing!
LOL.gif


I also just got off the phone with the service manager and while I expressed my displeasure for such an early trans service, he indicated that no matter what the manual says, the first flush is the most important and the more often it's done, the longer a trans will last from their experience. He indicated the same thing for the cooling system and I laughed and told him I'm fully aware of the Dexcool fiasco and he chuckled and said bring it back in around 50,000 miles and they'll flush the cooling system for half price. I told him he's got a deal. Nice guy, but like any service department, especially at GM dealerships, they're simply scraping by on pennies to try and stay afloat since sales are in the toilet. So they're pushing sales in the service department.

Hey, they REALLY could have taken my mom for a ride with flushes of everything, tire rotations etc. etc. etc., so thankfully they didn't do that.


Glad that worked out for you and your Mom. Now you can have a relaxing evening in Colorado Springs.
 
One more off topic question for you Drew, is the Mission Bell Inn still open in Manitou Springs? That was my all time favorite place to eat good Mexican food.
 
Originally Posted By: Johnny
One more off topic question for you Drew, is the Mission Bell Inn still open in Manitou Springs? That was my all time favorite place to eat good Mexican food.


I believe it is. We haven't been there in a long time though since both I and my parents live in the far north side of town. Our favorite Mexican restaurant is Senior Manuels. Their chili rellenos are to die for. They make an egg souffle wrapped around a pablano chili. My doctor has recommended that I just stay clear of the place, but I digress. I eat there a minimum of once a week!
 
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Well, changing fluids is good. However, dealership bullying is far too prevalent.

Them "Oh, I see you're not following the recommended service schedule"
Me "Every 5k OCI, per manual"
Them "Oh we recommend 3k intervals for severe driving"
Me "5k is the severe driving interval per manual"
Them "Well, I'll just note it here in the *computer* that you're not following our recommendations, you know, I drive the same car, and I want mine to run forever, so I don't skimp on service"
Me "I'm very confident in my 5k oil changes, UOA helps"
Them "Oh, used oil analysis are too expensive, 3k oil changes are better"
Me "Can I just get my oil change now?"

I let the dealership change my oil until the price got to $25. Now that I DIY, they've increased their prices up to $38.95.
 
Drew--

On the bright side, at least it sounds like you got the dealership to DO the warranty work. My Chevy warranty experience was a bunch of fairytales from service writers but no satisfaction. Oh, except for a new radio with a dead bulb.
 
There is no excuse for stealing from people. We aggressively pursue fraud, or deceptive practices by any company, corporation, individual, entity, government agency, or official, that uses tactics to do so. We believe the best way to to curb abuse is to relentlessly expose it to the fullest. When that is done, it will send a message that it will not be tolerated at all, and "we are watching you". Some suggestions:

1. Write the dealership a letter explaining all issues you believe warrant attention.

2. Ask for a credit for the amounts for future work or parts.

3. Include a copy to service advisor, service manager, operations manager, general manager, and any other at the dealership.

4. Follow up with a phone call the day they will receive the letter.

5. The end of the phone call explain that you will be there in the next hour to rectify the issue, since you need to get something anyway.

6. If the dealer appropriately handles the situation, you thank them kindly, and mention that you appreciate good customer service.

If they do nothing, you move up the chain, and aggressively pursue all available options.
 
Originally Posted By: ajchien

Them "Well, I'll just note it here in the *computer* that you're not following our recommendations,


That is the point where because the implied threat...I am done with that dealership.
 
Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: Billy007
If she is planning to keep the car for a long time, it is always a good idea to have fresh ATF fluid at the 30K mark. Don't sweat the $160.


That's like saying don't sweat a pickpocket stealing $160. There was no reason for the flush except to flush some money into the stealership.


Thats like saying people don't need to watch what they eat until they have heart problems. Every 30k is an excellent time to change transmission fluid, regardless of what a manufacturer claims.
 
I am so paranoid about automatic transmissions, ever after I had a Ford transmission fail in a Mazda that I think changing the fluid every 30k is a good idea.

The price was a bit high however.
 
Well, changing fluid often is good however, with that Mazda it was a genetic issue, all the fluid changes in the world would not have helped poor engineering. It may extend the doom some but most poorly engineered transmissions with a high early failure rate cannot be cured by changing the fluid every 30,000 miles. I actually did that every year, regardless of mileage on a Mer Mystique, extend the life to 140,000 then it crashed. Just poor transmission to start with.
 
Originally Posted By: Spector
I actually did that every year, regardless of mileage on a Mer Mystique, extend the life to 140,000 then it crashed. Just poor transmission to start with.


How is 140,000 a poor life for a transmission? That's fairly acceptable to me, especially if the vehicle was used under severe service.
 
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