So I take my Mustang in for regular service -- oil change, tire rotation, etc. -- and the service adviser comes to me after the car is just about done and says, "I want to talk to you about something."
Me: "so the car's done?"
Him: "well, not quite."
Me: "Oh?"
Him: "Your tires need to be replaced pretty soon."
Me: (Odd, they only have about 15k on them.) "Really, why?"
Him: "They're down to 2-3mm of tread."
Me: "Are you SURE? I just put those tires on around 31k?"
Him: (pauses) "I can go check personally."
Me: "OK, you do that."
(Time passes)
(More time passes)
(Even more time passes... about 20 minutes at this point.)
After noticing the car was now outside, I went to the service adviser and asked if my car was ready. Of course it was.
Me: "So... how about that tread depth?"
Him: "Um... yeah, the tech's gauge was mis-calibrated. We used a different one. They're actually at 4-5mm."
Me: "So what do they come as new? 6-7mm?"
Him: "Yes"
Me: "So... you're saying they're about half gone then?" (Controlling my laughter)
Him: "Well, probably."
Me: "OK, thanks."

I'll talk to the service manager about their tread depth "calibration" this week.

I just wonder how many unsuspecting people spent $600-$1000 on tires for a bad $3 gauge... or worse... a quarter.

 

What bad gauge? The only bad gauge I'm sensing is the bull**** detector of unsuspecting customers.

 

That's what tread wear indicator bands are for. I doubt that there is a tire you would put on your Mustang that doesn't have them.

 

I use one of these and I've never had to replace a battery or have it calibrated

I thought most tires start out with 10 to 11 32's

 

No, this is a misconception. The calibration isn't with the tool, it's with the tool's firmware. The miscalibration comes when the tool is used on the tread indicator of the tire, which would in fact produce the discrepancy. Thwacking the tool's actuation system with a firm slap to the back of the head unit usually corrects the problem, causing a recalibration, and the full tread depth can be correctly measured. This should be done every few days to ensure accuracy of the measurements.

We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion regarding our tread measurement tool, and thank you for choosing Acme Tools!

 

Lol here take 2 smacks upside the head and call me in the morning.

 

corvettedreamin, that's one place I would never return to. Just when you think things get better, they revert right back to their old ways.

 

experienced this once at a local Dealer (going to a different Ford shop for the next service interval) and I "fixed" the issue of bad gauges by buying the Ford shop tire gauges (mechanical types) and said here is your fix, so you have no more "bad" gauges...and never went back...

 

He accidentally checked the tread on the side of the tires. OOPS!

 

LOL thats one thought that did enter my head!

 

Hello corvettedreamin,

I am a concerned with the dealer visit mentioned. I’d like to get this documented for you. Please PM me with your VIN, dealer, mileage, full name, and best daytime number.

Deysha

 

For an out of warranty item visit?

Above and beyond, Deysha!

Now... about those hood paint issues...



Ok, ok, geez, just kiddin'... sorta... mostly...



Ow, ok, I'm leavin'... geez...

 

Don’t hate because I’m the bomb, houtex!!

Deysha

 

The other thing I've had to do to help "calibrate" the tool is to teach the operator how to be smarter than the inanimate object he is using.

 

wow...can't say I'm surprised though. I worked at a gm dealership as a lube tech for 7 months and they made us look for anything and everything we could. We'd write down that their tires were at 4-5/32 (half the life of the tire) and they'd be out there trying to sell them new tires, it was ridiculous. And sometimes people would do it I also know they'll hire just about anyone to work the lube rack. They hired one guy while I was there who had never even done stuff like that before and he even started a truck once without oil when he forgot to put it in

 

I had the opposite experience, I have the Ford premium service contract and took my 13 in for oil change etc., so after a wait of about 40 minutes, they say my car is ready and I owe them some money for the oil change, news to me since it's still under contract and I say so, the service writer hem haws around and says oh Ill re check your contract. So I say do that and by the way, how bout the air filter?, it has never been replaced, car has 19000 miles, He says, oh it's good
At that point I'm a little concerned so I say are you sure he actually checked it and he gets a little miffed and says yes but we can pull it for you and show you. I say, Let's do
Lube tech walks with my air filter, black on one side and dirt visible the other. I ask him Do you think that is clean? He shook his head no, the service guy says well we can replace it but it will cost you, I say not under THE PREMIUM SERVICE PLAN, it is covered. HE says no it isn't, I say pu it back in Ill do it myself. Left the dealer, didn't owe for the extra oil after all,HMMM
Drove directly to another Ford dealer asked him to look up my vin and service plan, he does, I ask if air filters are covered, he says absolutely, but he can't help me since I just had the recommended service done. SO I go by my own filter and replace it.

So I totally agree, don't trust the lube tech to even look at your air filter .

I am extremely disappointed in this dealer and will not go back.

 

Really sucks this still goes on, Duane, Jerry, Jim, & Kyle. I'm lucky I have a good Ford dealer/service. Although, some of the service 'advisors' don't know a tailpipe from a crack pipe...how'd they get/keep that title, anyways? The techs are good, and the managers are very good. (Nevada)

 

well im just thankful that when I get told "theres an issue" with your car I say "ok, show me" they usually look at me like im nuts and even have asked why I would want to go into the shop where its dirty while wearing nice clothing (was in a suit at the time) and I said "because I want to see proof of the issue before I authorize any repairs to the vehicle, or before I authorize it to be removed from the lift, and I get up and personial with the under side of the vehicle and have them show me the proof and even explain why and how they found the issue(s) and what the recomended replacement procedures are and I inspect it as they redo the inspection with me there so I can see what they did to discover the issue.


Yes it annoys the guys that I take my cars to but they know that I not only know about cars but they also realize that I am not afraid to ask the questions and get dirty while learning and understanding what ever the issue is, and its my way to ensure things are done correctly....I suppose you could say I am a "the proof is in the pudding" type of person...

 

I'm happy to get this documented for you as well, Mustang259. If you'd like me to, PM me with your VIN, dealer, mileage, full name, and best daytime number as well.

Deysha

 

thanks Deysha, I have already called Ford Corporate and advised them of the issue, they were going to contact the dealer. I am a little disappointed that I have not heard of any resolution in the form of a response from the dealer, but with this dealer Im no longer surprised. I reported the incident the day it occurred and while I am not looking for any monetary or freebie for my trouble, I would like a simple apology from the dealer and confirmation that they will train their employees to actually do their jobs.
My concern that this same type of misleading and incompetent work is being done to other Ford customers cars, especially to older folks who may not understand their options.
By the way, since i changed the air filter I've gotten 1.5 more MPG on average.