Tire Rotate and the Dealer - IT happened

[Eric91Z]

Well, took the car in to the dealership yesterday for an oil change and tire rotate. Figure another rotate could help prolong tire wear for the rest of the year. Car has 27,000 miles on it and about 17,000 miles on the tires and should be able to make through until the winter wheels/tires go on or I get a new commuter car and then 4 new tires in the spring.

Anyway, I specifically told the service advisor to do the following:

1) Make sure to turn the rear air bags off before lifting
2) Rotate side-to-side only - not front to back.

Watched him write it on the service ticket in big writing. Get done waiting for the oil change and rotate, pay, and get on the road. Get a couple blocks away where I am getting on the interstate and the Traction Control, ABS, and E-Brake lights are all on. First thing that comes to mind is front to rear rotate. Notice the handling is a little sluggish and finally noticed that the front end seems to be sitting a little higher.

Get off the next exit and drive back to the dealership (all within about 2 miles round trip). NOT HAPPY AT ALL and made sure they knew it. Sure enough, they did a front to rear swap with the rotate. VERY SLOWLY explained, again, WHY IT CAN NOT BE DONE THAT WAY!!!!

I know, I know. Something I could have done myself. Well, for $9.00 figure I would have some else do it while the car was up in the air on the lift. Very frustrating day to say the least. Service department at the dealership can't even handle a simple oil change and rotate correctly when I specifically told them what to do from the get-go. Blows my mind.

[jgc61sr2002]

You think they would know by now.:( :down: Don't go back again IMO.

[Bluerauder]

Well, took the car in to the dealership yesterday for an oil change and tire rotate.
Oh, you ordered a standard #1 with an order of #2 on the side. :rolleyes: Whenever I have had my MM in for service, I specifically tell them NOT to rotate the tires. Don't touch them --- just leave 'em alone. Before I get in the car, I do a walk around and check for nicks, scrapes and tires sizes just in case.

Personally, I don't think doing the side to side swap really buys you much as long as the alignment is OK. I run 'em til they are down to about 3-4 mm and then replace 'em. 21K (35 psi) rears and 34K (38 psi) fronts is about my average.

[Bradley G]

Who in thier right mind, would design a car with two differ,... oh yeah.:P

[STLR FN]

Hey at least they didn't do it like Sears di mine...rotated the front/rear on the left side and didn't even touch the right side. Oh and on top of that cross threaded a lug nut on the front left. Needless to say 'going ballistic' is an understatement. The techs response,"I didn't know." Managements answer, "He made a mistake." I could understand the not knowing/mistake if it wasn't written twice on the ordere ticket. Just plain ignorance in my eyes.

[Eric91Z]

Hey at least they didn't do it like Sears di mine...rotated the front/rear on the left side and didn't even touch the right side. Oh and on top of that cross threaded a lug nut on the front left. Needless to say 'going ballistic' is an understatement. The techs response,"I didn't know." Managements answer, "He made a mistake." I could understand the not knowing/mistake if it wasn't written twice on the ordere ticket. Just plain ignorance in my eyes.

I agree. The tech then said he didn't completely understand what the Service Advisor meant and just rotated. I mean, come on, pay a little attention. Just a glance and you can tell there are different size tires front to rear. Then when I tried to explain WHY the ABS, TC, and E-Brake lights were on he was TOTALLY LOST!!!

Too bad, as I like this Ford Dealership. Then again, I have been to one L/M Dealership and 2 different Ford Dealerships and have had some kind of issue at each one. Absolutely ridiculous.

[STLR FN]

I agree. The tech then said he didn't completely understand what the Service Advisor meant and just rotated. I mean, come on, pay a little attention. Just a glance and you can tell there are different size tires front to rear. Then when I tried to explain WHY the ABS, TC, and E-Brake lights were on he was TOTALLY LOST!!!

Too bad, as I like this Ford Dealership. Then again, I have been to one L/M Dealership and 2 different Ford Dealerships and have had some kind of issue at each one. Absolutely ridiculous.I actually met the guys that did the alignment at my dealership. All they do is alignments, nothing else. The service advisor show me the shop and explained that they have very few 'Jack-of-All-Trades' techs there. They all are specialized in a certain field. Made me feel much,a lot actually, more comfortable taking my Marauder there.

[duhtroll]

I write down everything my MM is supposed to get, in detail, and WHY if necessary, every time it goes into the dealer for something other than an oil change. Instructions are taped to the steering wheel rather than given to the desk, because things that go to the desk often hit the round file and never make it to the "techs" (term used loosely).

It's obvious they find this annoying, but I don't give a crap. It's my car.

One time they didn't do something the way I asked - I forget what it was and it was minor so it wasn't a big deal but I still brought it to their attention, and the service guy at the desk says, "We're just not used to having people write down what they want us to do."

Which, by the way he said it, I took to mean "our customers are idiots and we know better than they do."

That type of attitude is prevalent in lots of different types of business. The informed customer has no choice but to be pissed off at times because those in the service industry really, REALLY hate to be told how to do something or that they might not know something.

Of course they aren't used to it. Most customers, especially concerning cars or computers, etc., really *don't* have a clue and don't want to deal with the hassle. They just want it fixed.

I remember a good Seinfeld line by George when talking about a mechanic:

"They could just be making stuff up. 'Looks like you need a new Johnson Rod in 'dere.' Well, I gotta get me one of THOSE!"

Sometimes I think it would be easier to be ignorant of all this stuff, just overpay for everything and not know about it. I'd be happier in my ignorance.

[Bigdogjim]

I have a 300A so I put the 245's all the way around, I lke the look and the ride. Nothing worse then a Dealer doing an oil change and then you see a "Service Manager" wiping the hood with a shop rag on a car that was just re-painted days ago........................... ..

[gilby04]

I actually met the guys that did the alignment at my dealership. All they do is alignments, nothing else. The service advisor show me the shop and explained that they have very few 'Jack-of-All-Trades' techs there. They all are specialized in a certain field. Made me feel much,a lot actually, more comfortable taking my Marauder there.

Okay, STLR, I'd very much like to acquire that same comfortable feeling you enjoy with your dealer.
Please advise the name of your dealer.
Thanks in advance.

[STLR FN]

Okay, STLR, I'd very much like to acquire that same comfortable feeling you enjoy with your dealer.
Please advise the name of your dealer.
Thanks in advance.Jack Demmer Ford, Mich. Ave, Wayne. Right across the street from Wayne Assembly and Michigan Truck.

[ckadiddle]

I need to go and kiss my Ford dealer mechanics today. They installed my KDW2s about a year ago, and I recently had them rotated along with other stuff. I do remind the service writer guy each time about the different size tires and need for adapters on the custom wheels each time. So far no scratches, no rears mounted on front.

[michael ward]

Its a shame that 90% of dealers don't know anything about these cars.. its all a guessing game...

[ctrcbob]

Your Fault. See below.

1. Always use a shop where YOU CAN SEE THE CAR. Never let the car out of your sight. This does not mean that you have to stand next to the car, just that you can see the car, to make sure they do what you want.
If the shop is the type that they take the car out back, where there is no place to look, go to another shop.

2. When they write up the RO, always tell the Service Writer that you want to talk with the Tech before he starts the job, then remind the Tech just what you want done.

I never drop off a car in the morning, to be picked up later in the day. I make an appointment, bring in the car early, between 7am and 8am and I always insist that I am a waiter.

None of the above means they are trying to cheat you, but it means that even honest Techs can make a mistake and it's your job to catch it.

I have seen Techs making errors both on my car, and other peoples cars. One time, I made them drain out the oil they put in, and refilled with the oil I told them I wanted. Another time, they used the "wrong brand" of oil filter. (Not a factory brand). Would not do anything about that, so I phoned GM, (it was a GM car) and reported it, but did not do any good, as that whole dealer network here in the Orlando area, still does not use factory oil filters at any of their GM, Ford or Chrysler dealerships. (Yes, Dan Marino should be proud advertising for these people! :censor: ) If I had not been watching, I would not have seen they were not using a Blue (AC) filter but a White (elCheapo) filter.

[wchain]

Did you get your money back?

[jakdad]

Well, took the car in to the dealership yesterday for an oil change and tire rotate. Figure another rotate could help prolong tire wear for the rest of the year. Car has 27,000 miles on it and about 17,000 miles on the tires and should be able to make through until the winter wheels/tires go on or I get a new commuter car and then 4 new tires in the spring.

Anyway, I specifically told the service advisor to do the following:

1) Make sure to turn the rear air bags off before lifting
2) Rotate side-to-side only - not front to back.

Watched him write it on the service ticket in big writing. Get done waiting for the oil change and rotate, pay, and get on the road. Get a couple blocks away where I am getting on the interstate and the Traction Control, ABS, and E-Brake lights are all on. First thing that comes to mind is front to rear rotate. Notice the handling is a little sluggish and finally noticed that the front end seems to be sitting a little higher.

Get off the next exit and drive back to the dealership (all within about 2 miles round trip). NOT HAPPY AT ALL and made sure they knew it. Sure enough, they did a front to rear swap with the rotate. VERY SLOWLY explained, again, WHY IT CAN NOT BE DONE THAT WAY!!!!

I know, I know. Something I could have done myself. Well, for $9.00 figure I would have some else do it while the car was up in the air on the lift. Very frustrating day to say the least. Service department at the dealership can't even handle a simple oil change and rotate correctly when I specifically told them what to do from the get-go. Blows my mind.
Yep, happened to us too........................... ........