free multi-point inspection?

22437 Views 12 Replies 5 Participants Last post by wilsonhp, Sep 1, 2012

OldStyle

Discussion Starter · Aug 27, 2012

I got an email for a "free multi-point inspection" from the Subaru dealership. They said it takes about 45mins.

Anything I should be worried about? This dealership has done all the service since it was purchased there in '03 but I am now the 2nd owner and intend to do all the service myself. (never had anyone else work on my vehicles) With the exception of the spark plugs; haven't decided that one yet....

So what say you? :29::28: or....

Thanks! Glenn

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nipper

· #2 · Aug 28, 2012

There is nothing "free" about a multipoint inspection.

The reason for these things (and 9.00 or 19.00 oil changes) is to get the car in on the lift so it can be inspected for any work it needs, weather or not you realize it.

They do this for free everytime they do an oil change (in a real shop). Quicky places don't get the wheels off the ground so sometimes they miss a lot.

If you do all the service yourself and have no complaints, it isnt worth it.

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cardoc

· #3 · Aug 28, 2012

nipper said:
There is nothing "free" about a multipoint inspection.

The reason for these things (and 9.00 or 19.00 oil changes) is to get the car in on the lift so it can be inspected for any work it needs, weather or not you realize it.

They do this for free everytime they do an oil change (in a real shop). Quicky places don't get the wheels off the ground so sometimes they miss a lot.

If you do all the service yourself and have no complaints, it isnt worth it.

I am a Service Manager and chief tech at a shop that does everything. One side is lube and PM, the other repairs. I don't have time for gimmicks. I don't hunt for repair work. I have plenty legitimate, daily work to keep me and my technicians busy.

Your email is a marketing strategy utilized to try and get you in so they can hunt something down. If you go in, don't sweat it. They can't force you to do anything. Make sure the check is free. FREE. When the "adviser" comes to you with his list, ask him to print out the techs findings, with cost estimate of repair so you can budget accordingly. Leave with it, and check it out for yourself.

GRAVY. Maybe they will find something you overlooked.

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nipper

· #4 · Aug 28, 2012

cardoc said:
I am a Service Manager and chief tech at a shop that does everything. One side is lube and PM, the other repairs. I don't have time for gimmicks. I don't hunt for repair work. I have plenty legitimate, daily work to keep me and my technicians busy.

Your email is a marketing strategy utilized to try and get you in so they can hunt something down. If you go in, don't sweat it. They can't force you to do anything. Make sure the check is free. FREE. When the "adviser" comes to you with his list, ask him to print out the techs findings, with cost estimate of repair so you can budget accordingly. Leave with it, and check it out for yourself.

GRAVY. Maybe they will find something you overlooked.

It is good to see you have enough work to keep you busy,, and not every shop does, especially when it is a dealership that sells reliable cars. I get these all the time and I tend to ignore them. My state also has a once a year safety inspection that covers more then what a free inspection does.

Being an Automotive engineer, and having quite a few years in shops and marketing, it is usually done to build up some business.

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OldStyle

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 28, 2012

No horror stories so that's good! Appointment @ 10am so we will see.. I just did a major 90k service minus the brake fluid flush. Will they notice? ha ha ha :29:

Thanks for the suggestions and I will be asking for the printout. With any luck they will wash the car too, lol.

With 45mins of hanging out I'll kick a few tires & maybe take a new one out for a spin; for comparison.:gasp:

.

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OldStyle

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 29, 2012

Well that was relatively painless. Took 1hr and got a good report except a valve cover leak; only $600 for that and the spark plugs....

Small leak at the front drivers side lower corner Looks like it could be the timing cover to valve cover but I will have to pull the "skid cover" to see better. They made it sound worse that it really is but you can't blame them for fishing for $$$.

They washed the car for me! and Free donuts! :29:

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cardoc

· #7 · Aug 29, 2012

OldStyle said:
No horror stories so that's good! Appointment @ 10am so we will see.. I just did a major 90k service minus the brake fluid flush. Will they notice? ha ha ha :29:

Thanks for the suggestions and I will be asking for the printout. With any luck they will wash the car too, lol.

With 45mins of hanging out I'll kick a few tires & maybe take a new one out for a spin; for comparison.:gasp:

.

If you do, you'll be trading up. That 3.6 is an animal.

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OldStyle

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 31, 2012

So here's the semi final report.... :28:

Oil fill cap left loose. Dipstick not fully re-inserted.

License plate bulbs bad: I later replaced

Coolant leak: Nope!

Major Oil leak: Nope, slight; wiped clean, 135mi's later still dry (Pass side lower front of the valve cover)

Tire Air Pressure: HUMMM!!! Checked??? They said that was part of the inspection, but the next day:

This car tracked straight and true; old tires/ new tires. Took a 135mi trip yesterday and it was pulling to the left. I was thinking; What did they do?

Up on ramps; no visible adjustments. Checked tire pressures....

RR/LR both 27psi. RF:23. LF:21. Funny they were all set at 35psi w/nitrogen less than 1000 mi's ago when bought @ Costco.

Going to meet the service manager today and give him an ear full. I mean really? I'm a driver! I rely on the knowledge that my tires are, not only new, but are up to the task with PROPER inflation!

What could have happened if I needed to avoid a collision? Taken a curve and rolled? Because the tires were under inflated?

As far as I am concerned they put my life, and others, in danger during that 135mi trip.

I will never take my vehicle to a dealership again, I can tell you that!

A free car wash.... Certainly not worth it! Oh yea; the bulbs were out....

Damm... (end rant)

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lockmedic

· #9 · Aug 31, 2012

Whoa there Action Jackson.

It was a free inspection. You got what you paid for.

You were driving on underinflated tires before you came in. . . if you'd taken a curve and rolled it would have been your own fault. Don't make this a bigger deal than what it is.

Vote with the dollars you don't spend at that dealership. . .

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OldStyle

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 31, 2012

lockmedic said:
You were driving on underinflated tires before you came in. . .

edit: (unless you meant that is what they would say)

Really? I have been making multi-150mi trips and neither the night before or on the way to the dealership, 30mi, were there ANY ISSUE with pulling to the right. Seriously it will, as it is, change lanes! No input was needed to stay straight for easily 1/4 mi. And the next day it pulls and ALL 4 tires are low? (not parked on the street or available for access)

New tires, less than 1000mi, no potholes, no nails, no curbs; handled perfectly as always. Best handling vehicle I have ever had!

Between the service and my latest trip I only drove locally with a top speed of 35mpg with almost no straights. I didn't notice anything till I spend time on the freeway and then it required input to stay straight.

If they were leaking and that were the case (10psi loss overnight) they would all be flat today....

But that's ok I will have then re-filled and see how they do in a week; just to be sure....

On the "whoa". I don't plan on going in there fuming and spitting nails BUT they certainly are going to hear what I found during MY exam. Which in hindsight, for the tires, I should have done both BEFORE and immediately after.

.

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lockmedic

· #11 · Aug 31, 2012

Lemme play devil's advocate for a minute. . .

You think the dealership tech. . .what. . . let air out of your tires? Or perhaps he was sloppy enough to release up to 14 psi per tire during pressure checking?

What sort of motivation would they have for doing that? Maybe make your tires wear out a few thousand miles sooner so in 3 years when you come back for your next free multipoint inspection they can say "hey, lookit, you need tires!"

I understand your concerns but to an outside observer this sounds like it would be coming from someone who keeps locks on their flour and sugar and wears a tinfoil hat.

Maybe I'm mistaken and some zitfaced, wet-behind-the-ears n00b greasemonkey actually did let some air out of your tires and sent you down the road that way. . . just doesn't sound like the sort of thing any dealership would do any more than they'd drain some oil or trans fluid out on the hopes you'd frag your trans or engine and come limping back in begging for it to be fixed.

Either way, save the nail spitting for the next time you get an IRS audit.

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OldStyle

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 1, 2012

Sure, I'll play....

I went to the dealership with low tires.

They checked the pressures.

I left the dealership with low tires.....

.

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wilsonhp

· #13 · Sep 1, 2012

True story:

Went to my favorite local mechanic, and as part of the service he checked the tires with his brand new tire gauge/inflater. He asked me why I had the pressures so high and if he should reduce them. I agreed, even though I didn't understand how they could be significantly off. Thought my cheap digital gauge must have gone bad.

Went and bought a new (cheap) digital gauge, and check the tires. Guess what? They were all now way too low.

Went back to the mechanic, and checked the tires with another gauge they had there. It agreed with (both of) my digital gauges.

His brand new gauge was defective and because of it, he lowered the pressure in my tires. No malice or incompetence. Just a mistake based on defective equipment.

Don't jump too quickly to conclusions. Try not to assume the worst about people.

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