Dealer Preparation: What to Allow
Team Mustang Source
Joined: June 19, 2004
Posts: 6,840
Likes: 2
From: Phoenixville, PA
This is an interesting thread and I wanted to add in. For those who don't want their dealer to even PDI or Pre-Delivery Inspect the car, or Prep it, can be a mistake and here's why. I just asked my service manager about this. The dealer is legally responsible to prep the car, and it has to be done. By that I mean the wheels have to be checked for torque, fluids filled, etc. No inspection stickers can be not applied, but those items MUST be done for liability sake. If you tell your dealer you don't want the car touched and you'll do it can open up lawsuits if anything arrises from the drive home in the car.
What happens if you drive off with the car, without it being prepped, and the wheel falls off because the lug nut wasn't torqued down. The dealer is then responsible for that, as they were supposed to do it. And you can sue them. So for legality, you should let a dealer do the PDI (fluids, torque wheels down to spec, etc). Detailing and removing stickers can be left to the customer, but the basic PDI should be done and needs to be done for everyone's safety and CYA!
What happens if you drive off with the car, without it being prepped, and the wheel falls off because the lug nut wasn't torqued down. The dealer is then responsible for that, as they were supposed to do it. And you can sue them. So for legality, you should let a dealer do the PDI (fluids, torque wheels down to spec, etc). Detailing and removing stickers can be left to the customer, but the basic PDI should be done and needs to be done for everyone's safety and CYA!
Last edited by 05fordgt; May 30, 2012 at 08:24 AM.
Member
Joined: May 4, 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield, CA
I've been a tech at a dealer for 7 years and this is spot on. Ford requires fluids checked and a road test. They only require us to torque dual wheel super duty trucks but its a good idea to do all. The plates and stuff don't matter and I don't put them on any mustangs anyway unless the customer request. But they don't leave without the minimum pdi
Cobra Member
Joined: December 4, 2011
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 3
From: Central Florida
Why would anyone NOT want the PDI done??? I don't get it. If you're that scared that a dealership is going to damage something, then go locate another dealer.
Don't you get to do a "walk araound" the car before you sign papers? If they do something wrong on a simple PDI, then I would not want to do business with them ever again; this would be the time to "test" them.
Don't you get to do a "walk araound" the car before you sign papers? If they do something wrong on a simple PDI, then I would not want to do business with them ever again; this would be the time to "test" them.
V6 Member
Joined: March 2, 2012
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I think the screws they (Ford) supplies are self tapping. Apply a small amount of pressure while screwing in.
Just be sure to watch the prep person as they do it if you're having them put on the plate. When my son went to pick up his first brand new Dodge Neon SRT-4, the sales person screwed the rear plate on about 1 inch lower on the right side. We made them order a new painted rear plastic bumper because of it!
Just be sure to watch the prep person as they do it if you're having them put on the plate. When my son went to pick up his first brand new Dodge Neon SRT-4, the sales person screwed the rear plate on about 1 inch lower on the right side. We made them order a new painted rear plastic bumper because of it!
I already have the car so no worry about the prep person - I'll be attaching the rear plate myself.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: March 19, 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Don't we all man! 
Thanks everyone for the feedback!
I've seen references to a Mustang-specific inspection checklist similar to this one for the Escape:
http://www.escape-central.com/6checklist.htm
A lot of dead links, but I found this one:
https://themustangsource.com/f637/ne...3/#post4660815
...but it doesn't seem to incorporate many (if any) Mustang-specific items. For example, the Escape checklist has "Check roof for rubber strips and tie down grommets. {four}, most only receive 2". That's kind of the detail I'm looking for -- with some items that are known issues with our cars.
As always, suggestions welcome!
Thanks everyone for the feedback!
I've seen references to a Mustang-specific inspection checklist similar to this one for the Escape:
http://www.escape-central.com/6checklist.htm
A lot of dead links, but I found this one:
https://themustangsource.com/f637/ne...3/#post4660815
...but it doesn't seem to incorporate many (if any) Mustang-specific items. For example, the Escape checklist has "Check roof for rubber strips and tie down grommets. {four}, most only receive 2". That's kind of the detail I'm looking for -- with some items that are known issues with our cars.
As always, suggestions welcome!
GT Member
Joined: June 10, 2010
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Western US
1 and 2. I told everyone at my dealer that they would buy me a new front bumper if they drilled it. On the other hand, they told me they don't put dealer stickers on Mustangs. I didn't know enough to ask for 3, but you are smart to do so. I wanted to be there when mine came off the truck, but my dealer just called me out of the blue 
after they had prepped it and staged it in the showroom.
after they had prepped it and staged it in the showroom.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: July 4, 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by 05fordgt
This is an interesting thread and I wanted to add in. For those who don't want their dealer to even PDI or Pre-Delivery Inspect the car, or Prep it, can be a mistake and here's why. I just asked my service manager about this. The dealer is legally responsible to prep the car, and it has to be done. By that I mean the wheels have to be checked for torque, fluids filled, etc. No inspection stickers can be not applied, but those items MUST be done for liability sake. If you tell your dealer you don't want the car touched and you'll do it can open up lawsuits if anything arrises from the drive home in the car.
What happens if you drive off with the car, without it being prepped, and the wheel falls off because the lug nut wasn't torqued down. The dealer is then responsible for that, as they were supposed to do it. And you can sue them. So for legality, you should let a dealer do the PDI (fluids, torque wheels down to spec, etc). Detailing and removing stickers can be left to the customer, but the basic PDI should be done and needs to be done for everyone's safety and CYA!
What happens if you drive off with the car, without it being prepped, and the wheel falls off because the lug nut wasn't torqued down. The dealer is then responsible for that, as they were supposed to do it. And you can sue them. So for legality, you should let a dealer do the PDI (fluids, torque wheels down to spec, etc). Detailing and removing stickers can be left to the customer, but the basic PDI should be done and needs to be done for everyone's safety and CYA!
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