Service department took my car for a joy ride, AGAIN?! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CAMARO_SS_2012 · 03-04-2014, 03:35 PM

First incident: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263410

Second incident:

Took my Camaro in for a standard oil change. I have the extended warranty so oil changes are still free at this point.

When the car was returned, there was:
- 4 extra miles on the odometer. For an oil change, really?? These miles were also unreported on my receipt.
- Before I gave them the keys, I turned the stereo off on my USB drive on a particular track and time. When the car was returned, it was on a completely different song.
- The biggest thing to me was that the MPG dropped from 16.5 to 15.3, meaning they were in sports mode and just gunnin' it. The MPG hadn't been reset in sometime, so it was a pretty robust average.

I frankly do not trust this service department. When confronting them, they said they didn't know what to say, and it's policy to drive the car for 1 mile to ensure the tire pressures are OK and the mechanics are not allowed to turn on the radio. But 4 miles, for an oil change?! And the huge difference in MPG plus the radio being turned on leads me to believe one of the mechanics was having fun in my car.

The only reason I go to this service department is because it's where I bought the car and they can only honor the extended warranty and free oil changes. Has anyone had luck switching extended warranties to a different service department?

And does it sound like a mechanic took a joy ride in my car? Or am I just being paranoid? I am ready to take this up with GM, Yelp, social media etc. I take my car in to be serviced, NOT for someone else to abuse her and take her for a joyride.

Mint · 03-04-2014, 03:41 PM

Install a camera next time, catch them in the act!

jkchambless · 03-04-2014, 03:49 PM

Time to determine if the "free" oil changes are worth the worry.

slick rick · 03-04-2014, 03:56 PM

Sorry OP, I couldn't help but think of this...

nyrfan · 03-04-2014, 03:59 PM

The MPG could just be them running the car in park. Run your car for 10 minutes in park and see how much your MPG's go down, you'd be amazed.

ddunerider · 03-04-2014, 04:01 PM

Change you own oil...

cornerspeed92 · 03-04-2014, 04:02 PM

I was at my dealer for baby's arrival when she was dropped off,i wanted to make sure no one drives my car.I have a working relationship with my service manager,and he is the only one that drives my car.In my paper work it even says the customer doesn't want anyone driving his car.Maybe you can have the same wording put in your file.

1COR.1:18 · 03-04-2014, 04:05 PM

Don't leave the car, wait while they are doing the oil change.
Don't let the car out of your sight.

CAMARO_SS_2012 · 03-04-2014, 04:10 PM

The service manager just called and left a message, ready to chew their heads off!

Good call about putting it in my file that I do not want anyone driving my car. But I'm done with this service department and ready to pay to go else where.

The MPG average was pretty robust and I hadn't reset it in a while. It took me a while driving on the freeways to get it back above 16.0. They must have pushed the throttle hard or used the paddle shifters to get it to drop to 15.3

skirush · 03-04-2014, 04:15 PM

Why would you go back to a place that did this to you already? That's crazy talk.

I agree with the other poster...change your own oil. Paying for an oil change is also crazy.

BLU DUCE · 03-04-2014, 04:22 PM

Make the oil change appointment. Show up 15 min. before do there. You can't be in the mechanics area cause of insurance. Take pic of your mileage. wait for the oil change. Once they get it on the rack should not take over 1/2 hr. including checking all fluid levels &TPMS. Some times allow 4 extra 15 min.

maddoggyusa · 03-04-2014, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1COR.1:18

Don't leave the car, wait while they are doing the oil change.
Don't let the car out of your sight.

ding ding ding! right answer!

justa25thTA · 03-04-2014, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1COR.1:18

Don't leave the car, wait while they are doing the oil change.
Don't let the car out of your sight.

Msmall143 · 03-04-2014, 04:37 PM

You're overreacting, in both instances. A tech drove your car 4 miles not 400. If it's part of the process its part of the process. Mpg probably dropped from siting at idle. As for the radio, maybe he didn't like the song you left it on.

Would you prefer he not enjoy driving your car.

Reactions like this are what makes it difficult to get their attention when there is an ACTUAL issue. They are so used to hearing "I can't believe you did this" for bs reasons it's impossible to get them to listen when they really should be.

03-04-2014, 03:35 PM	#1
CAMARO_SS_2012 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orange County Posts: 42	Service department took my car for a joy ride, AGAIN?! First incident: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263410 Second incident: Took my Camaro in for a standard oil change. I have the extended warranty so oil changes are still free at this point. When the car was returned, there was: - 4 extra miles on the odometer. For an oil change, really?? These miles were also unreported on my receipt. - Before I gave them the keys, I turned the stereo off on my USB drive on a particular track and time. When the car was returned, it was on a completely different song. - The biggest thing to me was that the MPG dropped from 16.5 to 15.3, meaning they were in sports mode and just gunnin' it. The MPG hadn't been reset in sometime, so it was a pretty robust average. I frankly do not trust this service department. When confronting them, they said they didn't know what to say, and it's policy to drive the car for 1 mile to ensure the tire pressures are OK and the mechanics are not allowed to turn on the radio. But 4 miles, for an oil change?! And the huge difference in MPG plus the radio being turned on leads me to believe one of the mechanics was having fun in my car. The only reason I go to this service department is because it's where I bought the car and they can only honor the extended warranty and free oil changes. Has anyone had luck switching extended warranties to a different service department? And does it sound like a mechanic took a joy ride in my car? Or am I just being paranoid? I am ready to take this up with GM, Yelp, social media etc. I take my car in to be serviced, NOT for someone else to abuse her and take her for a joyride. __________________ 2012 2SSRS Camaro Ashen Grey Metallic

03-04-2014, 03:56 PM	#4
slick rick SoCal Mayhem Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Foothill Ranch, CA Posts: 5,488 View My Garage	Sorry OP, I couldn't help but think of this... __________________

03-04-2014, 03:59 PM	#5
nyrfan Let's go Rangers! Drives: 13' AGM 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 10,742 View My Garage	The MPG could just be them running the car in park. Run your car for 10 minutes in park and see how much your MPG's go down, you'd be amazed. __________________ Soprano 4/1/00-6/14/11, Gone but NEVER forgotten! FSP tuned: 377/389

03-04-2014, 04:01 PM	#6
ddunerider So-Cal Race team!! Drives: Tahoe LTZ,2010 2SS/M6 Camaro Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Phillips Ranch ca. So-Cal Posts: 5,973 View My Garage	Change you own oil... __________________ WE RACE DEEP!! BBK Intake, Flowmaster AT cat back Barton shifter,Painted stripes,,Heritage grill,LED DRLs, Smokin Tires!!

03-04-2014, 04:02 PM	#7
cornerspeed92 Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,188 View My Garage	I was at my dealer for baby's arrival when she was dropped off,i wanted to make sure no one drives my car.I have a working relationship with my service manager,and he is the only one that drives my car.In my paper work it even says the customer doesn't want anyone driving his car.Maybe you can have the same wording put in your file. __________________

03-04-2014, 03:41 PM	#2
Mint Drives: 2013 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jersey Posts: 343 View My Garage	Install a camera next time, catch them in the act!

03-04-2014, 03:49 PM	#3
jkchambless Austin LT Drives: 1LT - Airaid,JBA Axleback,VMax PTB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 546	Time to determine if the "free" oil changes are worth the worry.

03-04-2014, 04:05 PM	#8
1COR.1:18 Whosoever Will Drives: 2010 1LT Victory Red Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eastpointe Posts: 950 View My Garage	Don't leave the car, wait while they are doing the oil change. Don't let the car out of your sight.

03-04-2014, 04:10 PM	#9
CAMARO_SS_2012 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orange County Posts: 42	The service manager just called and left a message, ready to chew their heads off! Good call about putting it in my file that I do not want anyone driving my car. But I'm done with this service department and ready to pay to go else where. The MPG average was pretty robust and I hadn't reset it in a while. It took me a while driving on the freeways to get it back above 16.0. They must have pushed the throttle hard or used the paddle shifters to get it to drop to 15.3 __________________ 2012 2SSRS Camaro Ashen Grey Metallic

03-04-2014, 04:15 PM	#10
skirush Drives: 2013 1LS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nowhere Posts: 255 View My Garage	Why would you go back to a place that did this to you already? That's crazy talk. I agree with the other poster...change your own oil. Paying for an oil change is also crazy.

03-04-2014, 04:22 PM	#11
BLU DUCE Drives: 2011 1SS/RS IBM Camaro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chittenango, NY, USA Posts: 7,219 View My Garage	Make the oil change appointment. Show up 15 min. before do there. You can't be in the mechanics area cause of insurance. Take pic of your mileage. wait for the oil change. Once they get it on the rack should not take over 1/2 hr. including checking all fluid levels &TPMS. Some times allow 4 extra 15 min. __________________

03-04-2014, 04:37 PM	#14
Msmall143 Drives: Camaro Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NOVA Posts: 1,718	You're overreacting, in both instances. A tech drove your car 4 miles not 400. If it's part of the process its part of the process. Mpg probably dropped from siting at idle. As for the radio, maybe he didn't like the song you left it on. Would you prefer he not enjoy driving your car. Reactions like this are what makes it difficult to get their attention when there is an ACTUAL issue. They are so used to hearing "I can't believe you did this" for bs reasons it's impossible to get them to listen when they really should be.