Bad Dealer? Am I Making a Mountain Out Of A Molehill?

Getting the air pressure right in the tires IS too much to ask. I'm not sure
why, but this procedure seems to be beyond the capabilities of many
automotive techs ... something in their genes, I suspect. With deference to
Jim Warman, who I am sure is an exception, I see so many cases in which
tires pressure is wrong from dealerships and other shops. My 95 year old
father screams about this all the time. Even when he buys new tires, the
pressure is wrong. (And he tells them ahead of time that he expects the
pressure to be set correctly!!!!!!) My old girlfriend got her new Camry with
something like 12 pounds in the right front tire. I don't think you are
wrong the yell about this. You paid for proper service. You relied on their
expertise and for their interest in giving your vehicle proper care. And
they got it wrong ... not because they don't have the technical know-how,
but because they just don't give a damn. Not checking the tire pressure when
rotating the tires is not a mistake. It's bad, lazy work. Had you not
checked it, you would have been driving around like that. It should have you
wondering what else they don't give a damn about. (Leaving your vehicle wet
was sloppy as well.)

Tire pressure is something you have to check yourself. ((In fact, you should
do most service yourself, including oil changes, if you can. It will save
you money and make you feel good! And most of all, it will be done
right!!!!!!) And now you seriously should be wondering if they properly
torqued the lug nuts when they rotated the tires. I suggest you get yourself
a torque wrench and socket if you don't have them and check the nuts.
Otherwise, in a few months you may well be back in there replacing rotors.
(And recheck them after 500 miles or so anyway.)

Good luck.
--
Regards,
Anthony Giorgianni

The return address for this post is fictitious. Please reply by posting back
to the newsgroup.


"D.D. Palmer" > wrote in message
...
> I took my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer to my local Ford dealer today for
service
> (the L-M dealer is further away so I figured that a Mountaineer is the
same
> thing as an Explorer). When I got there, I told them I wanted the tires
> rotated and the oil changed. I pointed out that the vehicle called for
> synthetic blend oil and that the air pressures had to be adjusted since it
> gets 30F/35R.
>
> When the vehicle was done, the service writer asked me if I wanted the
> vehicle washed while she did the paperwork. It was relatively clean, but I
> figured "what the heck".
>
> 10 minutes later they were done and I paid the $34.95 for "The Works".
When
> I went out to my vehicle, it was sopping wet everywhere. They told me that
> they use a spotless system blah blah blah. I asked them if they delivered
> new and used cars this way and she said "yes, but we put them out a few
> hours a head of time to dry in the sun". I pointed out that this is
> Pittsburgh and we get 52 days of sun here.
>
> When I got home, I decided to check the tire pressure. I found that, yes,
> they HAD rotated the tires...because there was now 35F and 30R. I am
> RELIGIOUS about my tire air since my previous 1999 Explorer/Firestone
tires.
> Anyway, I called the dealership and told them I was they guy unhappy about
> the wet car and that they did not adjust the air pressure. And I wondered
if
> they REALLY used the correct synthetic blend oil (I can see from the
> dipstick that it is at least NEW oil).
>
> The serviced writer credited back my credit card which I was pleased
about.
> But I'd rather PAY and get it right than get a refund and wonder. Should I
> complain further up the Ford food chain? Will someone get a reprimand (or
> worse) for failing to adjust tire pressure with the rotation. Or am I
making
> a mountain out of a molehill? Is THIS why Ford is becoming a second-class
> automotive citizen?
>
>

When my Dad was alive, I could always tell when he'd been to KwikeeLoob.
He'd phone (not collect, thankfully) and ask how many grease nipples his car
had.... Stock answer was "Four, Dad... go back and get them to do the other
two...".

In defference... powder balancing is popular in some areas. In many. not
installing the correct valve stems for powder balanced tires is also "de
riguer"... checking the pressure on these can induce a leak. In other areas,
customer demand is for "cheap" rather than "good".... the QC550 form has
spaces for tire pressure measurements.... if they look round, am I getting
paid enough to check the pressures??? I do... but then, I'm an anal
retentive....

We see two general battle cries.... either "it cost too much" or "it wasn't
good" (sometimes combined).

For my part, I get paid for what I do... I strive to do those things very
well. If you are looking for cheap, it ain't me..... if you are looking for
"cost effective", it probably is me.

Thanks for the lead in, Anthony.

"Anthony Giorgianni" >
wrote in message
...
> Getting the air pressure right in the tires IS too much to ask. I'm not
sure
> why, but this procedure seems to be beyond the capabilities of many
> automotive techs ... something in their genes, I suspect. With deference
to
> Jim Warman, who I am sure is an exception, I see so many cases in which
> tires pressure is wrong from dealerships and other shops. My 95 year old
> father screams about this all the time. Even when he buys new tires, the
> pressure is wrong. (And he tells them ahead of time that he expects the
> pressure to be set correctly!!!!!!) My old girlfriend got her new Camry
with
> something like 12 pounds in the right front tire. I don't think you are
> wrong the yell about this. You paid for proper service. You relied on
their
> expertise and for their interest in giving your vehicle proper care. And
> they got it wrong ... not because they don't have the technical know-how,
> but because they just don't give a damn. Not checking the tire pressure
when
> rotating the tires is not a mistake. It's bad, lazy work. Had you not
> checked it, you would have been driving around like that. It should have
you
> wondering what else they don't give a damn about. (Leaving your vehicle
wet
> was sloppy as well.)
>
> Tire pressure is something you have to check yourself. ((In fact, you
should
> do most service yourself, including oil changes, if you can. It will save
> you money and make you feel good! And most of all, it will be done
> right!!!!!!) And now you seriously should be wondering if they properly
> torqued the lug nuts when they rotated the tires. I suggest you get
yourself
> a torque wrench and socket if you don't have them and check the nuts.
> Otherwise, in a few months you may well be back in there replacing rotors.
> (And recheck them after 500 miles or so anyway.)
>
> Good luck.
> --
> Regards,
> Anthony Giorgianni
>
> The return address for this post is fictitious. Please reply by posting
back
> to the newsgroup.
>
>
> "D.D. Palmer" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I took my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer to my local Ford dealer today for
> service
> > (the L-M dealer is further away so I figured that a Mountaineer is the
> same
> > thing as an Explorer). When I got there, I told them I wanted the tires
> > rotated and the oil changed. I pointed out that the vehicle called for
> > synthetic blend oil and that the air pressures had to be adjusted since
it
> > gets 30F/35R.
> >
> > When the vehicle was done, the service writer asked me if I wanted the
> > vehicle washed while she did the paperwork. It was relatively clean, but
I
> > figured "what the heck".
> >
> > 10 minutes later they were done and I paid the $34.95 for "The Works".
> When
> > I went out to my vehicle, it was sopping wet everywhere. They told me
that
> > they use a spotless system blah blah blah. I asked them if they
delivered
> > new and used cars this way and she said "yes, but we put them out a few
> > hours a head of time to dry in the sun". I pointed out that this is
> > Pittsburgh and we get 52 days of sun here.
> >
> > When I got home, I decided to check the tire pressure. I found that,
yes,
> > they HAD rotated the tires...because there was now 35F and 30R. I am
> > RELIGIOUS about my tire air since my previous 1999 Explorer/Firestone
> tires.
> > Anyway, I called the dealership and told them I was they guy unhappy
about
> > the wet car and that they did not adjust the air pressure. And I
wondered
> if
> > they REALLY used the correct synthetic blend oil (I can see from the
> > dipstick that it is at least NEW oil).
> >
> > The serviced writer credited back my credit card which I was pleased
> about.
> > But I'd rather PAY and get it right than get a refund and wonder. Should
I
> > complain further up the Ford food chain? Will someone get a reprimand
(or
> > worse) for failing to adjust tire pressure with the rotation. Or am I
> making
> > a mountain out of a molehill? Is THIS why Ford is becoming a
second-class
> > automotive citizen?
> >
> >
>
>

Keep in mind tire pressue goes up while driving.
Depending on how long you drove, Cold 32 PSI could easily change to 35 PSI
by the time you got home since the tires could have warmed considerably.

As an aside, does anyone know what temperature should your tires be at when
trying to match the PSI recommendations on the door sticker?

"Ulysses" > wrote in message
...
>
> > The last time I had my tires rotated I also had a flat due to the tire
> momentarily seperating from the rim while driving through deep mud. I
> generally keep my tires at about 32 psi. When I got home I checked them
> and
> they had filled them to 35 psi. Normally this would be overinflating but
> under the circumstances it seems like it would help prevent my particular
> problem (it happened to me twice within two weeks). Now that it's stopped
> raining I'll lower my tire pressure again. My point is that they should
> have adjusted the tire pressure and they should be required to be able to
> think to keep their job.
>
>

"Captain Coleman" > wrote in message
...
> Keep in mind tire pressue goes up while driving.
> Depending on how long you drove, Cold 32 PSI could easily change to 35 PSI
> by the time you got home since the tires could have warmed considerably.
>
> As an aside, does anyone know what temperature should your tires be at
when
> trying to match the PSI recommendations on the door sticker?

Ambient/cold
H

"Captain Coleman" > wrote in message
...
> Keep in mind tire pressue goes up while driving.
> Depending on how long you drove, Cold 32 PSI could easily change to 35 PSI
> by the time you got home since the tires could have warmed considerably.

I guess I should have said "the next morning" instead of "when I got home."
I always check them cold.

>
> As an aside, does anyone know what temperature should your tires be at
when
> trying to match the PSI recommendations on the door sticker?

Good question. Makes me want to go check my tires early in the morning when
it's still cool outside and then again after they've been sitting in the hot
sun all day just to see what the difference is.

>
> "Ulysses" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > > The last time I had my tires rotated I also had a flat due to the tire
> > momentarily seperating from the rim while driving through deep mud. I
> > generally keep my tires at about 32 psi. When I got home I checked them
> > and
> > they had filled them to 35 psi. Normally this would be overinflating
but
> > under the circumstances it seems like it would help prevent my
particular
> > problem (it happened to me twice within two weeks). Now that it's
stopped
> > raining I'll lower my tire pressure again. My point is that they should
> > have adjusted the tire pressure and they should be required to be able
to
> > think to keep their job.
> >
> >
>
>

D.D. Palmer wrote:
> I took my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer to my local Ford dealer today for service
> (the L-M dealer is further away so I figured that a Mountaineer is the same
> thing as an Explorer). When I got there, I told them I wanted the tires
> rotated and the oil changed. I pointed out that the vehicle called for
> synthetic blend oil and that the air pressures had to be adjusted since it
> gets 30F/35R.
>
> When the vehicle was done, the service writer asked me if I wanted the
> vehicle washed while she did the paperwork. It was relatively clean, but I
> figured "what the heck".
>
> 10 minutes later they were done and I paid the $34.95 for "The Works". When
> I went out to my vehicle, it was sopping wet everywhere. They told me that
> they use a spotless system blah blah blah. I asked them if they delivered
> new and used cars this way and she said "yes, but we put them out a few
> hours a head of time to dry in the sun". I pointed out that this is
> Pittsburgh and we get 52 days of sun here.
>
> When I got home, I decided to check the tire pressure. I found that, yes,
> they HAD rotated the tires...because there was now 35F and 30R. I am
> RELIGIOUS about my tire air since my previous 1999 Explorer/Firestone tires.
> Anyway, I called the dealership and told them I was they guy unhappy about
> the wet car and that they did not adjust the air pressure. And I wondered if
> they REALLY used the correct synthetic blend oil (I can see from the
> dipstick that it is at least NEW oil).
>
> The serviced writer credited back my credit card which I was pleased about.
> But I'd rather PAY and get it right than get a refund and wonder. Should I
> complain further up the Ford food chain? Will someone get a reprimand (or
> worse) for failing to adjust tire pressure with the rotation. Or am I making
> a mountain out of a molehill? Is THIS why Ford is becoming a second-class
> automotive citizen?
>
>
I'd just be happy they refunded your money and never go there again.
Maybe the loss of money will cause them to reprimand the clown who
didn't bother with the correct air pressures.

In my Ranger, I found the difference to be just about one pound increase for
every ten degrees of air temp increase.
Steve
>
> Good question. Makes me want to go check my tires early in the morning
> when
> it's still cool outside and then again after they've been sitting in the
> hot
> sun all day just to see what the difference is.
>

>>
>>
>
>

"Jim Warman" > wrote in message
news:Mcxge.36440$0X6.29353@edtnps90...
> Daryll.... how many places are you going to kvetch about this???
>
> I stand by my previous answer..... someone neglected, for whatever reason,
> to adjust your tire pressures accordingly. Part of the human condition is
> the overwhelming ability to **** up once in a while. As far as I can see,
> the tire pressure is the only valid complaint. Go beyond that and
> everything
> you say will be discounted.
>
> Heaven forbid that anyone would have the balls to use water to wash your
> car... AND give you a service for FREE!!
>
>
> "D.D. Palmer" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I took my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer to my local Ford dealer today for
> service
>> (the L-M dealer is further away so I figured that a Mountaineer is the
> same
>> thing as an Explorer). When I got there, I told them I wanted the tires
>> rotated and the oil changed. I pointed out that the vehicle called for
>> synthetic blend oil and that the air pressures had to be adjusted since
>> it
>> gets 30F/35R.
>>
>> When the vehicle was done, the service writer asked me if I wanted the
>> vehicle washed while she did the paperwork. It was relatively clean, but
>> I
>> figured "what the heck".
>>
>> 10 minutes later they were done and I paid the $34.95 for "The Works".
> When
>> I went out to my vehicle, it was sopping wet everywhere. They told me
>> that
>> they use a spotless system blah blah blah. I asked them if they delivered
>> new and used cars this way and she said "yes, but we put them out a few
>> hours a head of time to dry in the sun". I pointed out that this is
>> Pittsburgh and we get 52 days of sun here.
>>
>> When I got home, I decided to check the tire pressure. I found that, yes,
>> they HAD rotated the tires...because there was now 35F and 30R. I am
>> RELIGIOUS about my tire air since my previous 1999 Explorer/Firestone
> tires.
>> Anyway, I called the dealership and told them I was they guy unhappy
>> about
>> the wet car and that they did not adjust the air pressure. And I wondered
> if
>> they REALLY used the correct synthetic blend oil (I can see from the
>> dipstick that it is at least NEW oil).
>>
>> The serviced writer credited back my credit card which I was pleased
> about.
>> But I'd rather PAY and get it right than get a refund and wonder. Should
>> I
>> complain further up the Ford food chain? Will someone get a reprimand (or
>> worse) for failing to adjust tire pressure with the rotation. Or am I
> making
>> a mountain out of a molehill? Is THIS why Ford is becoming a second-class
>> automotive citizen?
>>
>>
>
>
Jim, that's pretty harsh. I think he has a complaint about the service that
is valid. If he asked them to do something, and they did not, he has a
reason to question if they did all of it the way he asked. Since the dealer
refunded the money for the service, I would just take it back and have them
change the oil again.

The problem with them refunding the money is that you still don't know if
they put the right oil in. I would have let them keep the money and just
asked that the work be performed again for the piece of mind. After all, he
paid the dealer to do the work, and it should have been right. As for the
cas wash, it really sould have been dried off.

My .02, which don't mean crap.

"D.D. Palmer" > wrote in message
...
> I took my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer to my local Ford dealer today for
service
> (the L-M dealer is further away so I figured that a Mountaineer is the
same
> thing as an Explorer). When I got there, I told them I wanted the tires
> rotated and the oil changed. I pointed out that the vehicle called for
> synthetic blend oil and that the air pressures had to be adjusted since it
> gets 30F/35R.
>
> When the vehicle was done, the service writer asked me if I wanted the
> vehicle washed while she did the paperwork. It was relatively clean, but I
> figured "what the heck".
>
> 10 minutes later they were done and I paid the $34.95 for "The Works".
When
> I went out to my vehicle, it was sopping wet everywhere. They told me that
> they use a spotless system blah blah blah. I asked them if they delivered
> new and used cars this way and she said "yes, but we put them out a few
> hours a head of time to dry in the sun". I pointed out that this is
> Pittsburgh and we get 52 days of sun here.
>
> When I got home, I decided to check the tire pressure. I found that, yes,
> they HAD rotated the tires...because there was now 35F and 30R. I am
> RELIGIOUS about my tire air since my previous 1999 Explorer/Firestone
tires.
> Anyway, I called the dealership and told them I was they guy unhappy about
> the wet car and that they did not adjust the air pressure. And I wondered
if
> they REALLY used the correct synthetic blend oil (I can see from the
> dipstick that it is at least NEW oil).
>
> The serviced writer credited back my credit card which I was pleased
about.
> But I'd rather PAY and get it right than get a refund and wonder.

So what's stopping you? Take it somewhere else and have it done again.

Should I
> complain further up the Ford food chain? Will someone get a reprimand (or
> worse) for failing to adjust tire pressure with the rotation. Or am I
making
> a mountain out of a molehill?

You ended up with a free tire rotation and oil change and you still want to
raise a stink? Have you never made a mistake or forgotten something? Do you
think the consequences should be dire everytime you do? Sheesh....

Concerning the wash job, you got more than you paid for.