Adventures at the dealership

[2013blackram]

So just about to hit the road for our summer vacation. I took my truck just to address a few thinks with the dealer.
The brakes are making a groaning sound when doing a slow stop. As well checking if there was an update etc for the computer.
Well went there today and they gave me grief about my vararam intake and my diablo tuner.
They said should any dirt go through the filter damaging the motor I wouldn't be covered under warranty. As well the bottom lip of the intake blocks off part of the radiator which could over heat the truck. They said I should take the whole thing off.
They then said I should get rid of the tuner as it can mess up the computer.
They told me the brakes were fine but discoloured even though the truck has low km's. They said it's probably from "hard stops". I don't recall making any though.
They also forgot to do the computer update so now I have to back and get that done after vacation.
Also when I asked if there were grease fittings on the chassis the advisor said no. The tech on his sheet checked off that he greased the chassis. So that's awesome. I could never find fittings. Wondering if he was just going through the motions.
What's everyone's thoughts here. I'm i getting the run around?
I had brought my truck in a few months ago as the air system wasn't responding quite right. The found a bunch of communication errors and said the diablo tuner must cause it. I'm not too sure.
Thought?

 

[toofart]

The thing is, the dealers must get their fair share of people who do stupid **** to their vehicles then come back for warranty work. Since you put on aftermarket parts, they are covering their asses. Nothing wrong with that, IMO.

As for updating the computer -- I don't get it. You installed a Diablo tune but you want them up check if there's updates?

You have to know you're in for a world of hurt if you install mods and then expect the dealer to work around them. It is what it is. You think you can build it better than the factory, fine. Now it's yours, deal with it.

 

[soapy]

You should always put your stock tune back into the truck before you take it into the dealer. Otherwise you take a chance of loosing your tune.

 

[arod412]

Sounds like they are just looking for a reason to NOT fix your truck instead of trying to fix it.

My first thought is to start putting things back to default and see if it still gives you problems
Start with the tuner and out your factory default settings. Then drive it around.
Then next if you have time, your old air intake to see if that is causing any issues.

I know it's not related to the issue, but if you can take it back to factory specs they might not give you a hard time.

When all else fails, take it to another dealer. When it comes to warranty work, they look for excuses.

 

[BlkXpress]

Please tell me you aren't going to the dealer with your truck tuned?

 

[BoldAdventure]

Should read, Adventures at the Stealership.

The thing is, the dealers must get their fair share of people who do stupid **** to their vehicles then come back for warranty work. Since you put on aftermarket parts, they are covering their asses. Nothing wrong with that, IMO.

Yup. It's kind of a **** move, but it's just business. They're protecting themselves, and they're doing you the favor of pointing out that the fine print in your warranty can pretty much come back to bite you in the ass with your mods. Warranty work costs money, they'd like to do everything to avoid spending money. It's just business, not personal.

Sounds like they are just looking for a reason to NOT fix your truck instead of trying to fix it.

When all else fails, take it to another dealer. When it comes to warranty work, they look for excuses.

See above, it's just business, and you're getting the crap end of it.

It's always best to fully understand your warranty to so you can tell them whats what.

Chevy knows Corvette owners are **** and are going to do certain mods. So they have very very fine print on the previsions of what they'll do. A CAI and exhaust installed by the dealership will still be covered under warranty. Put it on yourself, they will attempt to screw you.

They all do it.

 

[swanny297]

They can't program your vehicle if the stock tune isn't loaded - they would have to prove your vararam was the cause of the damage - they seem to forget the magnuson moss warranty act.

 

[ironhead3fan]

You should not have went to the dealer with anything but a stock tune, and it sounds like you had your Diablo installed in the truck when you went? REALLY? Guess what, I would bet you are on the list now, and if they can find a way to not pay for something, they are going to look even harder now to do it!

 

[arod412]

They can't program your vehicle if the stock tune isn't loaded - they would have to prove your vararam was the cause of the damage - they seem to forget the magnuson moss warranty act.

I know people use the Magnuson moss warranty, but reality is that they are the dealer, and for any mod(depending on the issue), they can say at any time "nope".

For example, like many here, i upgraded my shocks. For whatever reason, if I have suspension issues, they can say it was the shock I installed. I can say that the shocks was fine, prove it..then use the Magnuson moss warranty.

They can come back and say " well did you have any problems with the factory shocks? The fact that you made some mods on the suspension, it would be an issue. "

That's why I'm saying that take it back to stock and replicate the issue. Then you can say, look I'm having issues and I didn't do anything

 

[2013blackram]

Good advise guys.
The update I was getting was for the radio. I read there was an update for the air ride modul.
I will take it back to stock and go from there.
I highly doubt the vararam is going to cause over heating and. For the motor to blow up.
Oh well.

 

[man n black]

Like they've all said....The dealer is just covering his monies spent....Though, I don't see how installing a new manufacturer approved tune (ie: ecu software) over your Diablo tune would make a difference, nor do I think a tuner affects a radio software update either....

Good luck

Ch

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[BlownGP]

They can't program your vehicle if the stock tune isn't loaded - they would have to prove your vararam was the cause of the damage - they seem to forget the magnuson moss warranty act.

You guys can keep saying that, but the dealership can still void your warranty if they want. Unless you got money to take them to court.

If you guys are worried about warrantys, don't mod your truck. Plain and simple.
Most dealerships aint playing around anymore and they even have people monitor car forums.

 

[Graygoose]

You guys can keep saying that, but the dealership can still void your warranty if they want. Unless you got money to take them to court.

If you guys are worried about warrantys, don't mod your truck. Plain and simple.
Most dealerships aint playing around anymore and they even have people monitor car forums.

Amen.

 

[2013blackram]

I was more cheesed that they didn't do do the update but gave me grief over a cai.
At the end of the day my vehicle is almost off warranty. Canada has a worse warranty then the us does.
Oh well.

 

[GM Enthusiast]

You guys can keep saying that, but the dealership can still void your warranty if they want. Unless you got money to take them to court.

No, a dealer can not in fact void your warranty. A dealer is just the servicer, all they can do is provide evidence to the warrantor. Only the warrantor can invalidate your warranty, and even then there are strict rules that they must abide by (they can not void an entire warranty, however they can deny coverage when a modification causes a failure). The courts and the government are generally on the consumer's side when it comes to warranties. "Taking them to court" is not a bad thing. I have generally seen dealers refuse to service a warranty, and make claims that modifications have invalidated a warranty. However they can be on thin ice if they do this on their own, without officially involving the warrantor. I have in multiple situations seen EECBs lead to very favorable outcomes in these cases.

If you guys are worried about warrantys, don't mod your truck. Plain and simple.

It is not necessary to go to such extremes. There are still modifications that can be done that do not affect warranties. For example Mopar makes a number of products, including an intake and exhaust, which particularly if installed by a dealer, will not interfere with your warranty. Bottom line is there is a lot you can do, it just takes time and research, and avoiding cheap parts and eBay in general.

 

[BlownGP]

No, a dealer can not in fact void your warranty. A dealer is just the servicer, all they can do is provide evidence to the warrantor. Only the warrantor can invalidate your warranty, and even then there are strict rules that they must abide by (they can not void an entire warranty, however they can deny coverage when a modification causes a failure). The courts and the government are generally on the consumer's side when it comes to warranties. "Taking them to court" is not a bad thing. I have generally seen dealers refuse to service a warranty, and make claims that modifications have invalidated a warranty. However they can be on thin ice if they do this on their own, without officially involving the warrantor. I have in multiple situations seen EECBs lead to very favorable outcomes in these cases.

So you essentially repeated what I said but it took you a paragraph.

It is not necessary to go to such extremes. There are still modifications that can be done that do not affect warranties. For example Mopar makes a number of products, including an intake and exhaust, which particularly if installed by a dealer, will not interfere with your warranty. Bottom line is there is a lot you can do, it just takes time and research, and avoiding cheap parts and eBay in general.

Of course there is, but most people go straight for the tune. It's probably the best bang for buck mod..

And having Mopar products doesn't mean anything I guess
Chrysler will void your engine warranty if you use their mopar cold air intake!!

Also, there's nothing wrong with ebay parts. I have plenty off my truck and just because there cheaper then most places doesn't mean there cheap.

There is nothing wrong with ebay. I was beginning to think you might be knowledgeable on the topic, but after that last sentence I'm not too sure.. lol

 

[GM Enthusiast]

So you essentially repeated what I said but it took you a paragraph.

Perhaps, but what I really wanted to say is that dealers (aka stealers) will always try to find ways to screw you for the sake of a dollar, but the law is generally on your side. Sure getting the law involved can be a pain, but unfortunately that is the world that we live in now. Its getting to the point that every individual should probably have a lawyer that they trust and can consult with.

That was an interesting post about the intake, but its just yet another case of being dicked around by a corporation, and I have seen hundreds of them. In those cases, it is a good idea to get a lawyer involved early on. And threatening to report them to the BBB does exactly nothing.

Also, there's nothing wrong with ebay parts. I have plenty off my truck and just because there cheaper then most places doesn't mean there cheap.

There is nothing wrong with ebay. I was beginning to think you might be knowledgeable on the topic, but after that last sentence I'm not too sure.. lol

The ebay comment was a joke. I didn't mean to imply that you can't get good stuff for cheap on ebay. You definitely can. Its just that there's so much crap on there (just search for "electric supercharger" or "fuel saver"). Ebay can be a good place to shop for some things, but its also a noob trap.

 

[BoldAdventure]

Ebay can be a good place to shop for some things, but its also a noob trap.

Replace eBay with internet. Same rules apply.

 

[GM Enthusiast]

Touche.

 

[2013blackram]

Than for the responses guys. I was mostly pissed because I took my truck down there for a few things and got hassled about my tuner and intake. Some of the work wasn't done.
I see a new shop in my future. My truck will be off warranty soon so I don't care about. I highly doubt its going to blow up too.