How to check for Service Shop Joyride Abuse
#1
How to check for Service Shop Joyride Abuse
Can anyone confirm if our cars have an accessible log that would show if the car was pushed to redline or high revving driving over a period of time? Any kind of data logger that tracks date/time/RPM and possibly mileage?
Got my car back with more miles on it than when left and excessively less on fuel level, which sounds like some “let’s see what she will do” moments. Service work did not require any kind of road testing afterwards, cosmetic fix.
Of course shop denies this.
Got my car back with more miles on it than when left and excessively less on fuel level, which sounds like some “let’s see what she will do” moments. Service work did not require any kind of road testing afterwards, cosmetic fix.
Of course shop denies this.
#2
Senior Member
Can anyone confirm if our cars have an accessible log that would show if the car was pushed to redline or high revving driving over a period of time? Any kind of data logger that tracks date/time/RPM and possibly mileage?
Got my car back with more miles on it than when left and excessively less on fuel level, which sounds like some “let’s see what she will do” moments. Service work did not require any kind of road testing afterwards, cosmetic fix.
Of course shop denies this.
Got my car back with more miles on it than when left and excessively less on fuel level, which sounds like some “let’s see what she will do” moments. Service work did not require any kind of road testing afterwards, cosmetic fix.
Of course shop denies this.
Doesn't the SA record the incoming odometer? Should be easy to request that document to prove there were at least excessive miles put on the car.
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Every time I have dropped off mine at Silver Star MB (nearest dealer to me), Car comes back with exactly 2 miles more than I dropped it off with. SA always sends Text to ask about serv. satisfaction. I asked about mileage. No answer. I hate dealer serv.
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#4
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OP: Get a dashcam...hell, get 2. I have 2 in my car, both on the windshield and no one ever even notices them until I point them out. Milage should be documented when the car arrives and when it leaves. Exactly how many miles did they drive it?
#5
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#6
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This place is a joke.
Many dealerships REQUIRE the technicians to road test the vehicle not only after a repair, but also sometimes for that free inspection they perform.
Last edited by E55Greasemonkey; 02-14-2021 at 08:33 PM.
#7
Thanks for replies. I am not disputing the mileage put on the car. It was documented when vehicle was dropped off/picked up.
I want to see if car was thrashed with the extra mileage (beyond 2 miles) and significant gas level drop from when car was left. As we all know with a heavy right foot you can see the gas gauge move south.
I thought for warranty claims there was a way dealer can see if motor was run at redline or near for prolonged periods like trips to drag strip, donuts or street racing etc.?
I want to see if car was thrashed with the extra mileage (beyond 2 miles) and significant gas level drop from when car was left. As we all know with a heavy right foot you can see the gas gauge move south.
I thought for warranty claims there was a way dealer can see if motor was run at redline or near for prolonged periods like trips to drag strip, donuts or street racing etc.?
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#8
Senior Member
I know they can check what the car was doing before a accident and in the case of a engine failure as the computer stores the data for a certain period, in the case of the car still driving around im sure that the data is constantly written over, so unless you had them download the last session before you picked it up, I would say no.
What you are referring to is a event data recorder its a small part of the cars ecu and sometimes airbag module , most modern cars have them and the main use of them is to work out what happened in the circumstances of a major event, mostly crashes, it will give you what everything in the car was doing prior to the incident with the right software, It will have recorded things like engine rpm what speed it was doing what was switched on and what was off (indicators, heater, lights, wipers, steering angle, brakes being applied, whatever, way too much to list) so an investigator can determine the cause of a event without the need for witnesses.
What you are referring to is a event data recorder its a small part of the cars ecu and sometimes airbag module , most modern cars have them and the main use of them is to work out what happened in the circumstances of a major event, mostly crashes, it will give you what everything in the car was doing prior to the incident with the right software, It will have recorded things like engine rpm what speed it was doing what was switched on and what was off (indicators, heater, lights, wipers, steering angle, brakes being applied, whatever, way too much to list) so an investigator can determine the cause of a event without the need for witnesses.
Last edited by prktkljokr; 02-15-2021 at 04:24 AM.
#9
Member
If you have a good relationship with your SA - you shouldn't have to worry. I always tell my SA to make sure the tech drives it like its meant to be. The same tech has been working on my cars for the past 7 years.
#10
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so, you're okay with the dealer driving your car hard...cool...
#11
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When I was going to the dealer I always wanted a hidden camera so I knew what they were up too.......but since I got tired of them I only go to an indy now and hope it's never anything warranty related. But I used to do the 'walk around' like a fawking lunatic so they would always know I was particular about the car. I always requested to speak with the tech too so they knew I was/am an oddball when it comes to my car care. GL to you OP.
#12
Ideally was hoping this data was accessible buy the OBD port but that would be too easy and to one of the poster’s reply here, it probably does get overwritten due to space constraints.
Yeah, I am very particular about my car. Unnerves me when going into driveways and panoramic roof creeks, like is it going to crack this time? The car is made to drive fast but most people don’t treat someone else’s car like they do their own eg. Rental cars or even dealer loaners.
Bottom line you are selective and pick a high-end shop, you shouldn’t have to worry about this stuff, especially dealerships.
Yeah, I am very particular about my car. Unnerves me when going into driveways and panoramic roof creeks, like is it going to crack this time? The car is made to drive fast but most people don’t treat someone else’s car like they do their own eg. Rental cars or even dealer loaners.
Bottom line you are selective and pick a high-end shop, you shouldn’t have to worry about this stuff, especially dealerships.
#14
Senior Member
Also I think it's just showing basic respect for other people's things - if I borrow a tool from you and it comes back beat to ***** I wouldn't say "it's just a tool bro". There's using something and then there's abusing something.
But I appreciate your perspective as well, life would be a lot easier if we didn't worry about stuff so much.
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#15
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#17
Member
I would be more worried about what does " not " show up on a computer. Pot holes, hard cornering , excessive braking etc.
I could care less if the throttle gets mashed. The E63s is made for that.
I could care less if the throttle gets mashed. The E63s is made for that.
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#18
My parents dropped off a car at a mechanic, picked it up with a dent in it. Couldn't say too much because they were a client of my parents firm. I had some tough questions and words with them. Really good service is important. And I don't think just anyone will work on your car like you'd want them to.
Dropped a toyota avalon off once for some weird noise. my sun glasses were scratched up, soda all over the seats. Another time the key fob broke while they were using it, and they tried to deny the claim, worked that one out with the dealer. Toyota low level customer service was horrible to me, finally got them to give me some money back, as that thing was leaking water and the navi never worked, but they never actually let me use the cash. /rant over
Dropped a toyota avalon off once for some weird noise. my sun glasses were scratched up, soda all over the seats. Another time the key fob broke while they were using it, and they tried to deny the claim, worked that one out with the dealer. Toyota low level customer service was horrible to me, finally got them to give me some money back, as that thing was leaking water and the navi never worked, but they never actually let me use the cash. /rant over
#19
Junior Member
How about a good story?
Given the bad experiences here, thought I’d put in a good one. Bought the E63 with only one key. Had it at dealer for AT service and they lost the only key. SA called me, said keep their loaner while they ordered me 2 new keys, both free to compensate for inconvenience. Plus the price for the AT service was fair. That’s why I bought the wife’s car from them (I have 3 dealers within 10 mile radius to choose from).
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#21
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You need to tighten the bolts in the pano roof. I had an indy do it on mine, took less than an hour. Full procedure at MB is to drop the entire headliner, but you don't need to do that, only the back half and there's only 6 bolts to tighten and use loctite on. Mine still quiet after the repair.
Search youtube for DIY FIX Mercedes E350 Sky View Cracking Noise if the link doesn't work.
Search youtube for DIY FIX Mercedes E350 Sky View Cracking Noise if the link doesn't work.
#22
Given the bad experiences here, thought I’d put in a good one. Bought the E63 with only one key. Had it at dealer for AT service and they lost the only key. SA called me, said keep their loaner while they ordered me 2 new keys, both free to compensate for inconvenience. Plus the price for the AT service was fair. That’s why I bought the wife’s car from them (I have 3 dealers within 10 mile radius to choose from).