What my dashcam recorded when I went in for service...

[HunterGreene]

Finally saw the videos (missed that they were posted)...and I'm underwhelmed.

Video #1--probably the most you had against the guy. Chirping the tires around the service area is a bit much.

Video #2--Never got the impression the tech was "hooning." Driving to ensure that the fuel pump was operating through the whole rev range, yes. He wasn't pulling the e-brake, trying to drift, street-racing, whatever. I drive like that on occasion anyways.

Video #3--Not sure if you got in trouble or something, but I can't view it. Says the video is "private."

I think you're overreacting, bro.

[gily25]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

Finally saw the videos (missed that they were posted)...and I'm underwhelmed.

Video #1--probably the most you had against the guy. Chirping the tires around the service area is a bit much.

Video #2--Never got the impression the tech was "hooning." Driving to ensure that the fuel pump was operating through the whole rev range, yes. He wasn't pulling the e-brake, trying to drift, street-racing, whatever. I drive like that on occasion anyways.

Video #3--Not sure if you got in trouble or something, but I can't view it. Says the video is "private."

I think you're overreacting, bro.

Agree...I watched the videos...then watched them again thinking I must have missed something. The service area chirping...eh my tires chirp in the parking garage going 5 mph...the coating on the floor makes the difference. The tech driving the car takes the time to use signal lights and from most of what you can see, stays in the right hand lane...no weaving, no eratic movements from what I could tell. I think the heavy acceleration is a combination of oversize steel toes and not really knowing how to drive a stick.

That said I don't know if when you complained you told them it happened after a 5 minute drive, or once the engine was up to temp, or at a stop light but if you did then the tech would need to run it through it's paces to decide if the repair fixed the problem.

You always have the option of telling them at drop-off that you'll come back for the road test (want to accompany the tech) so you can point out the noise or if you don't want them to drive the car off the lot you can say that too. Have them put it in the notes section of the service order, signing it is a contract with the dealership. If it was unexpected, we all get it, a greasy fingerprint left of the car makes me grumble but unless you can do your own service, you have to let the little stuff go so you can go back to that dealer if needed.

[n2oinferno]

I watched the videos. The first two, at least, since the third is private now.

As someone who has had their car crashed by a tech on a "test drive" while at a dealership, this kind of thing hits closer to home than most people, I think. However, while I think he was a little excessive, I personally don't see anything in the videos that would have made me go back and complain.

[b.e]

There's this thing I've noticed with ATV riders that may have some bearing on this topic: Folks driving their ATVs like they were family vans. On the trail you find tracks going around a small outcrop of rock; dodging a small hole in the trail, taking a shortcut to avoid an off-camber turn. They don't realize, or yet understand, that their ATV was designed to exactly the thing they are avoiding.

My opinion about test drives: if you suspect any part of a performance car, because the part was replaced or is suspected of failure, the car should be tested by the dealer to its limits. I will take the car to its limits, and if the part is going to fail, I want it to fail in the hands of the dealer, who can diagnose and repair the problem far faster then I can. When they drive my car like they would a Smartfortwo I suspect they fear the part will fail and don't want to be responsible. But they sure better not crash or otherwise damage my car. They need to know the limits.

That said, the videos look just fine to me. They didn't take the car to its design limits, they didn't drive it like a Smartfortwo. I think all you managed to do was alienate your primary dealer. Good luck with plan B.

[wdninja]

I installed a dash cam a while back and brought in my FR-S today for the idle re-flash (which they wouldn't do because no CEL) and an oil change at 950 mi for the break-in period. The shop foreman and a tech both drove the car before/after the oil change. Both of them basically redlined the car twice. Pulling out of the dealership and the last turn before pulling back in. I know that's not going to break the car, but it pissed me off. There's absolutely no need to be gunning the car (especially during the factory-recommended break-in where you aren't supposed to take it over 4k RPM) when checking for an idle issue and changing the oil.

[shaggy]

Originally Posted by wdninja

I installed a dash cam a while back and brought in my FR-S today for the idle re-flash (which they wouldn't do because no CEL) and an oil change at 950 mi for the break-in period. The shop foreman and a tech both drove the car before/after the oil change. Both of them basically redlined the car twice. Pulling out of the dealership and the last turn before pulling back in. I know that's not going to break the car, but it pissed me off. There's absolutely no need to be gunning the car (especially during the factory-recommended break-in where you aren't supposed to take it over 4k RPM) when checking for an idle issue and changing the oil.

Do you plan on taking any action in regards to what the dash cam recorded? Do these guys not notice that there is a camera on the dash when they get in it? Seriously. This has to go against some kind of professionalism policy that they have.

[wdninja]

Originally Posted by shaggy

Do you plan on taking any action in regards to what the dash cam recorded? Do these guys not notice that there is a camera on the dash when they get in it? Seriously. This has to go against some kind of professionalism policy that they have.

I'm editing the worst bits into a single video and bringing it in to show them. The dash cam I got looks a lot like a radar detector, so that's what they thought it was. They even said so in the recording.

[ravenblackfrs]

Originally Posted by carbonBLUE

wow that sucks man, i would get people fired over that... I've been a mechanic before never did i once treat anyone's car like that...

What happened in 3rd video... either way, I'm standing out back while shit is being done to my car, no matter where or by who. Oil change that was done on first service a chick took it in and brought it back out and I was watching the whole time!!!