Taking my car to a dealership for repairs for the first time - what should I know?

[mav1178]

My absolute favorite is when someone walks in with a TSB in hand, and essentially telling the service adviser on how to fix a non-existent problem.

-alex

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by mav1178

My absolute favorite is when someone walks in with a TSB in hand, and essentially telling the service adviser on how to fix a non-existent problem.

-alex

But a TSB is as good as a recall isn't it?


In reality I did that with the window freezing TSB. It was August and I walked in with TSB in hand and said "My VIN is included in this would you please be so kind to do this before it freezes". They read it through, said "Sure thing" and fixed it for me. Mind you I also had a dozen coffees and some doughnuts for them and we sat around and talked cars for 20 minutes before I asked them. They will practically push other people out of the way to take care of my requests now.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

But a TSB is as good as a recall isn't it?

Not quite... officially dealers apply TSB as a fix for a known problem or technical issue.

If your VIN is under the TSB then the dealer may apply the fix and write it up as if you had the problem to begin with... but it is meant as a guideline to fix a problem (in addition to FSM), not a preventive fix. But as I have been saying since day 1, your relationship with the dealer is what will get stuff done, above all else.

I remembered that there was the ECU TSB that adjusted timing to prevent DI seal blowout. I mentioned to my friend at the dealer that there was a newer flash for my car and forgot to check the VIN range. This was weeks after I took delivery of my car...

He replied with "your car already has the ECU updated. If you want me to do it again I will, I'll just have to charge you"

-alex

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Not quite... officially dealers apply TSB as a fix for a known problem or technical issue.

If your VIN is under the TSB then the dealer may apply the fix and write it up as if you had the problem to begin with... but it is meant as a guideline to fix a problem (in addition to FSM), not a preventive fix.

I remembered that there was the ECU TSB that adjusted timing to prevent DI seal blowout. I mentioned to my friend at the dealer that there was a newer flash for my car and forgot to check the VIN range. This was weeks after I took delivery of my car...

He replied with "your car already has the ECU updated. If you want me to do it again I will, I'll just have to charge you"

-alex

LOL
You need to fix your sarcasm detector for that first line!