5K mile checkup - irritating

712 Views 13 Replies 12 Participants Last post by S-Four, Apr 20, 2001

chitownman

Discussion Starter · Apr 19, 2001

I just got my 5k check up last Sat at a local dealer here in Chicago. I waited two hours - instead of the expected one hour to get my car back. The excuse I was given was that the engine was too hot to replace the oil. I only drove 3 miles to the dealer. On top of that they didn't clean the wheels. Now my steering wheel shakes/vibrates at high speeds around 50-60 mph. I'm guessing this is a wheel balancing problem. Isn't tire/rotation - wheel balancing part of the 5k service ? I now have an appointment on Monday evening to let them take a look at this. Does anyone here think this is acceptable service from a Lexus dealership?

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DonCorleone

· #2 · Apr 19, 2001

You'll be getting a survey to fill out shortly. express your dissatisfaction on there.

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merlin3008

· #3 · Apr 19, 2001

the survery is a good idea. service reps really pay attention to them because they get rated on the number on favorable responses they get. the bonus schedule from lexus relies solely on customer feedback ,not voume of cars serviced or dollars taken in. our ES300 had a minor problem with the sunglass holder so we noted it on the survey and before we knew it the service mananger called us to let us know that our part had come in and we could stop by anytime for it to be replaced. we were in and out in 20 minutes and they even cleaned the car ****-and-span for us.

btw, our ES is on lease and the sales manager told us not to worry about the 5K checkup if everything seemed alright with the car. but then again, being a front drive touring car, i guess there is less to go wrong with it.

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SophieSleeps

· #4 · Apr 19, 2001

A wheel straightening company told me that usually when you have shaking and stuff, it's not due to alignment but due to a bent wheel.

Alignment they said usually makes the car pull to a certain direction or miscalibrates the centerline of the steering wheel.

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Bruce

· #5 · Apr 19, 2001

Originally posted by SophieSleeps:
A wheel straightening company told me that usually when you have shaking and stuff, it's not due to alignment but due to a bent wheel.

Alignment they said usually makes the car pull to a certain direction or miscalibrates the centerline of the steering wheel.

Alignment and wheel balancing are 2 different things. If the car wasn't exhibiting a shimmy before going in and they "balanced" the tires or rotated them it could be due to that and not a bent rim. Another possibility is they did a 5 tire rotation and the tire that was in the trunk has a problem.

Of course, the tires could be out round. i had an M roadster that had 3 tires out of round and the other within 0.5mm of being out of round at 1000 miles that caused a shimmy at 60mph. Discount tire replaced the Dunlop-sided tires with Bridgestone Pole Positions and I was much happier (Dunlop tires suck).

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SeattleSheila

· #6 · Apr 19, 2001

I think that "engine too hot" thing is crazy. I drove 10 miles to the dealer and had them perform the 5K check and was out of there in an hour.

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saltedeggman

· #7 · Apr 19, 2001

I just been to McGrath Lexus yesterday for my 5000 mile checkup for my IS, everything went fine.

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is300girl

· #8 · Apr 19, 2001

Originally posted by chitownman:
I just got my 5k check up last Sat at a local dealer here in Chicago. I waited two hours - instead of the expected one hour to get my car back. The excuse I was given was that the engine was too hot to replace the oil. I only drove 3 miles to the dealer. On top of that they didn't clean the wheels. Now my steering wheel shakes/vibrates at high speeds around 50-60 mph. I'm guessing this is a wheel balancing problem. Isn't tire/rotation - wheel balancing part of the 5k service ? I now have an appointment on Monday evening to let them take a look at this. Does anyone here think this is acceptable service from a Lexus dealership?

Just curious...what dealer did you go to? I go to Arlington and I really hate them. I only continue to go there because it's 2 blocks from my house.

You may also want to check the air pressure in your tires. Some people have complained that the dealers are filling the tires to 45-50 PSI when it should only be 33 PSI. I wouldn't think that the tire pressure would make you feel wheel shaking, but it would change the overall ride feel.

Are our tires directional? If so maybe they put them back on going the wrong direction.

Also, I didn't mail my feedback postcard in after the 5K serivce to Lexus called me. That gave me a chance to vent and they said they would communicate my problems to whomever gets the complaints.

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Speed Racer

· #9 · Apr 19, 2001

Originally posted by chitownman:
I just got my 5k check up last Sat at a local dealer here in Chicago. I waited two hours - instead of the expected one hour to get my car back. The excuse I was given was that the engine was too hot to replace the oil. I only drove 3 miles to the dealer. On top of that they didn't clean the wheels. Now my steering wheel shakes/vibrates at high speeds around 50-60 mph. I'm guessing this is a wheel balancing problem. Isn't tire/rotation - wheel balancing part of the 5k service ? I now have an appointment on Monday evening to let them take a look at this. Does anyone here think this is acceptable service from a Lexus dealership?

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Speed Racer

· #10 · Apr 19, 2001

Originally posted by chitownman:
I just got my 5k check up last Sat at a local dealer here in Chicago. I waited two hours - instead of the expected one hour to get my car back. The excuse I was given was that the engine was too hot to replace the oil. I only drove 3 miles to the dealer. On top of that they didn't clean the wheels. Now my steering wheel shakes/vibrates at high speeds around 50-60 mph. I'm guessing this is a wheel balancing problem. Isn't tire/rotation - wheel balancing part of the 5k service ? I now have an appointment on Monday evening to let them take a look at this. Does anyone here think this is acceptable service from a Lexus dealership?

What Dealer did you go to?

Just curious.

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chitownman

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 19, 2001

The dealer was Mcgrath lexus of Chicago. In addition I forgto to mention that the tires on my car are currently 16" Nokian snow tires and I am going to replace them with my Stock 17" summer tires. I think I am going to replace them with the summer tires and see if there is still a problem. Thanks for all of your feedback.

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DownShift

· #12 · Apr 19, 2001

My dealership gives me a call as a survey and I normally haggle them for free stuff like 15,000 mile check ups (which we have to pay for). I've been given many free oil changes probably for the next year!
Don't throw the Service rep under the bus though, you need them as allies for hook ups later. Just let the customer service dept. know that it is unacceptable and you want compensation for your trouble!!!!!!!!

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Zxarkon

· #13 · Apr 19, 2001

If your steering wheel is vibrating it is most definitely a problem with wheel balancing. I once had the same problem. A dealer changing my tire knocked the little weight clipped to the rim on one tire and the car vibrated like hell. Get your wheels balanced for sure.

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S-Four

· #14 · Apr 20, 2001

If tire balancing was included in your 5k service I would definitley have that re-checked/re-balanced. There is a possibility that your rim may be bent as well causing the shaking at higher speeds. About your wheels being dirty- Waxing your wheels will help keep them cleaner and all you have to do when you wash is use soap and water.

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