....posted this in the gas mileage thread, but figured it deserved a thread of its own....


Well, I went down to the dealer today..and asked them about the gas TSB. Who would'a thought that would make them mad?? The service guy got all up in a rant about it, asking me where I heard about the TSB, and how I knew my truck needed it. After slowly explaining that I could only get 14 gallons in my tank when it showed empty, he just looked at me like, "whats the problem", then explained that they first needed to diagnose the problem before they could get me an appointment to fix it. ?? This seemed a little odd, (since Toyota put out a TSB on it themselves), but I figured fine, they'll probably just fix it then anyways. So I ask how long they need it for..service writer: "all day". This now brings me to "well, you guys do have loaner cars right?", he says sure, $30 a day! :pat: What is that about? Do you guys get loaner cars? I thought any work covered by Toyota, that takes longer than a couple hours would warrant a loaner??

What do you guys think?

 

Ralph,

A warranty repair *should* get you a free loaner car. I say *should* because not all dealers will tell you the truth about this policy.

If you were charged and you paid for it, call the Service Manager and ask for a refund. If that doesn't work, give Toyota headquarters a call and they'll straighten it out for you or tell you how to do so.

Bob

 

Sounds like the service advisor is an ass . I'm a tech at a dealership and haven't came across any 4Runners needing that TSB, but that doesn't mean that there aren't any needing it of course. Don't let this prick make you feel bitter towards dealerships. As far as the rentals, im pretty sure no matter how long a warranty job takes the customer deserves a rental as long as there are cars available.

 

Ya, I'm going to call around to a few other Toyota dealers here in the valley..I'm sure someone wants my future buisness

 

I had to take my truck in for a day(warranty repair), and it ended up being an overnight job. They set me up with a free loaner, which was a Corrola. I asked if they had any trucks as loaners, and lo and behold I got a Sequioa for a day!:eek: so not all dealerships are bad!

 

The dealerships are independantly owned. A service loaner is up to the individual dealer service dept. It is not Toyota thing. Most these days won't do it for fear of liability. If you are driving their car they are responcible for what you do with it and have to cover your accidents. I can see why they would shy away from it.

Some will let you test drive a new car while yours is in for repair and that is covered under a different part of thier insurance and that is why they may do it that way. It is also good business to do that as it will generate sales for them.

The bottom line is the whole world is getting screwed up by all the damn lawyers trumping up BS cases everywhere.

Of course all of this no excuse for the service guy being a butt head.

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

My dealer always gives me a loaner. They have a fleet (about 20) of brand new loaners. When the loaners get some miles on them they sell them off as demos. The last time I needed one they gave me a 2002 4-Runner.

 

My local dealership used to have a shop full of **sholes, but they changed hands and recently became "Mr. Nice Guys". I must have had my truck in the shop about 4-5 times for a few odds 'n ends over the past few months and they gave me a free loaner each time.

I'd go back to the dealership that gave you the hard time and let him have a piece of your mind. TSB's are not "top secret" info and you're entitled to have the dealer honor them as warranty work.

I had the fuel gauge TSB and the front brake rotor TSB performed on my vehicle after I mentioned them and no questions were asked.

 

FYI.

That TSB has an affected VIN range. And it even splits into two seperate repairs. One being replacement of the fuel guage (complete with odometer) and fuel level sending unit. The other being just the fuel sending unit. This is determined by the VIN of your vehicle and which plant the vehicle was made at.

That said. In the defense of the adviser you spoke to in regards to the loaner. The job only pays 0.7 hr labor to install the sending unit. Simple, quick. Give the customer a loaner car? Hard to justify. Dont think warranty would cover it. Great service history? Sure give em a car.

However, if the vehicle is within the affected VIN range needing the guage, it would require ordering the new part with the correct mileage already burned into the memory. Takes days, and per the law, the vehicle can not be driven during the time the mileage is recorded and the new part is installed to keep it accurate. So, if your vehicle is within warranty, you have a right to a car. If your paying for the repairs or recieving partial assistance from toyota, im sure the rental car is negotiable, maybe yes maybe no.

 

Don't wanna sound stupid but what is TSB? Just wondering.

 

TSB = Transylvanians Suck Blood


Just kidding.

TSB = Technical Service Bulletin

Hope this helps.
Dr. Z

 

Jay,

I believe I was one of the very first people to get this TSB done in CA at Longo...well at least thats what they told me.

Each time they had it for 4 hours total. They told me I had to leave the 4runner there. They should have done both (according to the VIN range chart) but for whatever reason, only did one. I had to return to get the 2nd one done after the first repair didn't work. Thus, I asked for the TSB and they gave it to me.

If it only take less than an hour, then I can understand no loaner. But if they take more than 2 hours or so, then a loaner seems the fair thing to offer.

I wouldn't expect it if it weren't a warranty repair but if it is, I would definitely insist upon it.

Bob

 

I am curious about this, a few of you have mentioned that it no loaner should be given if its not a warranty repair. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but a TSB should be covered forever just like a recall, and thus always warrant a loaner. Not that it matters, but I have a '00 Runner with only 46k on the clock, in no way can I possibly be about of warranty? Not to mention, they said I had to leave it all day, if this is only a .7 hour fix, and I make an appointment, why would I need to leave it all day??? Just seems like they are angry that I found out that a repair was needed.


Sorry to go off on a rant here, but are we all forgetting that these are not honda civic's, they were/are $30k+++ Suv's, reguardless if it only pays .7 hours warranty, that nice fat commission everyone made of the original sale should pretty easily cover the 5 dollars in gas that rental is going to cost them. All this hassle/grief really makes me miss my Lexus GS and the incredible service I recieved from them.(No questions asked, brand new Lexus loaner ANY time you wanted it while your car is in service, no matter how long it was there) I know that is a luxury car, and this is a SUV, but what gives? Still all Toyota isn't it? These dealers really need to step up to the plate and give the service they advertise.


Just my opinion..

 

Hey Phx,

I understand your frustration because I went through the same thing. It all boiled down to the dealer. Toyota of Seattle did not fix the problem correctly, were mad about the TSB and did not give a loaner on top of that. I took it to another dealer and they fixed the problem by ordering all the correct parts and gave a loaner car without me even asking. I was really happy with their customer service as well. Guess where I take my truck now. They even noticed that my water pump was leaking when I took it in for a oil change and fixed it the very next day under warranty with a loaner car. Again, find yourself another dealer and don't give your business to the lame ass dealer that was giving you so much trouble.

 

Doxon Toyota in Auburn WA has always provided a free loaner for me. An appointment is usually required, but that's no problem. The free loaner is a MAJOR reason why I have continued to go there for the last 13 years. That, and the fact that they do good work, keeps me coming back!
Jim

 

Dittos what Jim said about Doxon Toyota of Auburn.
I have no desire to go elsewhere.

I have always gotten a free loaner, and most often it's a brand new car.

I get one whenever the rig has to stay overnight.
And their quality of service also keeps me coming back since '90.

 

Self Edit...

man I was grumpy today after work.

Deleted =P




Anyhow rental cars are a courtesy, provided by each dealership. It all depends on their budget I suppose.

 

I think my dealership where I got my runner says that you're only supposed to get a loner is the work is under warranty, but my salesguy who sold the runner, if I tell him in advance when im' coming down for my oil change or whatever and he has a car, he'll let me use it for the day or even a couple of hours.