Zaire Car Complaint and vent

[ZaireinHD]

Mood: Frustrated
Subject: Sell SUV

It hasn’t been a year! Not one full year – which would be July 2012. I may have to sell the SUV?
The trouble I’m trying to understand is just confusing and frustrating. These sensors are so dam sensitive that they know the difference in brand name tire? That is so fuck’n stupid to me. Makes no since.

So I have three lights on my dash! Traction, wrench and ABS. my Ford agent is telling me that because of the 1 Continental tire (which is fairly new with a tread 8) on driver side front is causing the lights to be on my dash!

Oh please stop the madness! But then he ups the anti and said if I don’t change the tire it can start to rip apart the surrounding parts of the rim. I’m just sitting there shaking my head like how am I expected to believe this? So against my better judgment I got a matching tire Michelin with a thread 9 tire from the salvage yard. All 3 other tires are Michelin with tread 8. The SUV rides extremely smooth – I can give it that. But the lights are still on the dash. Plus if it was this tire that’s causing this problem – why did it take months for the lights to cut on? It’s the same dam tire that came with the SUV!

[Opti]

Mar 5, 2012 10:18:18 GMT -5 TD2K said:

I can easily go over $200 a tire for my car. I think the last set I bought though were Nitto NeoGens (215/45/17) and the total was around $800. So far, about 40,000 miles on the tires, will get another 10 to 15 thousand out of them. These are high performance all seasons. Before that, I used to run Toyo Proxy 4s. Not sure what I will try next time, the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S interest me.

NASIOC has a thread on tires that I thought would help. Everyone is all over the map on what tires they have tried and how much they liked them, it was not much use


ETA: Just went and looked at the paperwork, I've got just over 45,000 on the tires and they were just shy of $600 for a set of 4, installed, mounted and balanced with road hazard insurance.

How'd you like the Toyo's? I had thought about the Toyo Proxes 4s at one time but they are pricey.

[Opti]

Mar 5, 2012 14:00:22 GMT -5 ZaireinHD said:

Mar 3, 2012 19:33:04 GMT -5 Opti said:

If he's tossing tires with significant treadlife prematurely and I'm betting he is, he'd be happier with a high speed rated tire for those long highway trips with the car club folks.

I'm also guessing his tire&wheel combo is a plus 2 from OEM.
You probably drive well-behaved, he's telling us he doesn't. A different type of tire is appropriate. My opinion. In any event, he'll probably choose to do something different than both of us advise anyway.

and you would loose that bet. I would notice performance is slipping when taking off ramps at a faster speed. that's what will catch my attention to check the tread level. Then continue to drive on the tires as they wear down further, just adjust my normal driving habits to something slower, down to much slower.

Mar 3, 2012 19:33:04 GMT -5 Opti said:

In any event, he'll probably choose to do something different than both of us advise anyway.

lastly - I have posted at least three times I've already changed by normal brand of tire. so I'm not sure what you mean.....

I think you wanted to use the word lose as in lose/win, instead of loose as in I have loose change in my pocket. I know you've posted you changed your tire brand yet you've never said what it was. The only thing I saw was a list of Falken tires you had bought for a span of at least three years. You also never said at what tread depth you replace your tires either so perhaps I'm winning anyway.

[ZaireinHD]

Mood: Upset
Subject: Rip off business

<<Zaire ponders the biggest rip off between (New/Used) Car Salesman or Auto Mechanic>>

I would think they both want new and repeat business?
I would think they both want to at least do a good job?
I would think they both want to have a good reputation for their business?

NOPE! bunch of crooks in both fields.

[ZaireinHD]

Mood: Relaxed
Subject: SUV Hold

Decided to stop all plans for the SUV.
Never have I though Ford is a good product.
Never have I spoken highly of a Ford vehicle.
This time just last year - had I been told I would be driving a Ford anything!
I would have said then you don't know me at all. And yet here I am a Ford owner!
pfft - what the hell happened??

Found On Road Dead
Fixed Or Repaired Daily
LOL - That's FORD

NOT gonna get the remote start (though it's soo badly needed)
NOT gonna get the alarm
NOT gonna get the windows tinted
NOT gonna get the black base color matched painted (to make mine different from everyone else)
NOT gonna get the 500 watt amp
NOT gonna get the 10 or 12 inch speaker
NOT gonna get the rims color match painted
NOT gonna get the spinner rims
NOT gonna get the in dash Navigation
NOT gonna get the hitch to tow the show car to shows instead of driving to shows

all plans are on hold until I can figure out what the heck is going on with this thing - I think I'm pretty much stuck with it!

[ZaireinHD]

Double Post

[ZaireinHD]

Mood: Puzzled
Subject: SUV Battery

at last visit with Ford dealership I went in for an oil change and a complimentary battery terminal cleaning. I told my agent that I had to jump my Accord twice and noticed the positive terminal is corroded. he said is it bad bad? I'm like well it's bad enough it should be cleaned. he said well there could be a leak? I said I didn't notice any wetness on the battery? and took a deeeppp breath! cause I know it's gonna turn into a problem! and I was right.

while waiting he comes in and said we used a solution and the entire top of the battery turned pink - meaning the battery is leaking. pfft ok sure - so how much for a new battery? he said $130.... I laughed and said no way! I can go to Sears and get a battery installed for $70 tops! and it will be a Die Hard battery. which is a major name brand battery!.

so of course he put on his salesman hat and explained why I should buy from him. after his pitch I said thanks for explaining but I'll go to Sears. I know dealership prices are always higher. But I called GF and she actually made since to me. that I could go to Sears and most likely get a cheaper battery - well cheaper than what he just told me. but it may NOT be at the price of $70? because that is a price I'm used to for the Honda. NOW we're talk'n about a 6 cylinder / SUV / all wheel drive which I have no knowledge of and Sears may say OH for that vehicle batteries cost $110!! then I'll be like DANG!!

so I'm puzzled because there is no trouble with starting the SUV. battery didn't look any kind of wet on the top of it. jumped another vehicle twice and still no power issues with the SUV. don't have any external sources connected in the SUV like a sound system or alarm or aftermarket HID kit. it's still all factory settings on this battery and yet I'm told there is a problem. and battery terminals are connected tight.

<<so Zaire since it sounds like you didn't believe your agent. Why didn't you go look for yourself?>>

because mechanics cover their ass. for all I know they could have taken red paint and did a light spray on the battery - then I walk up and see the red/pink color and say oh well look at that! I COULD have just said a cleaning will be fine and I'll wait for the problem (as if) to show itself FIRST before spending this money. which would have been a good decision for a normal person. but since I'm crazy the thought has been planted in my brain there is a problem + I would have saw the colored battery + I'm big into preventative maintenance

when he came back that's when he started explaining the BS tire and sensor situation. when he finished that saga I said ok I'll purchase your battery with 3 year warranty.

[ZaireinHD]

Mood: Amazed
Subject: Change Order

of course I go to my mechanic for a simple free make an appointment, to should have been a quick $30 oil change, which turned out to be a basically $200 FN bill! at the dealership!
BOY mechanics sure do know how to stick it to their customers. not just any customers but return customers.
LOL
SURE come on back so we can continue to up sell your money make'n ass!

[ZaireinHD]

Mood: Normal
Subject: Tires

OH my Ford agent said because different manufacturers tire will spin / grip road at a different rate, which will throw off the sensors and cause the lights on the dash! since I had three Michelin and 1 Continental (though tread 8) it's still spinning at a different rate than the other 3! YEA UHA!
so I was like ok - well then if that's the case when I have all four same name brand tire and replace 1 tire for brand new -say because of a none repair flat - then the traction will be better on that 1 new tire than the other 3! So you're telling me that I can not replace 1 tire for brand new I have to purchase all 4 at once?
He said no not really. depends on the tread depth. if 3 or 2 tires are at 5/ 6 and I got new tire at 10 then that may be a problem. BUT if I got tread 9, 8, 7 then I'm good. PFFT.....ok

[ZaireinHD]

Mood: Happy
Subject: Shop Best Price

Ford dealership wanted....say $109 to check these three codes on the SUV to see why they have not cut off.
I said the same three codes that have been turning off and on for about 3 months now will not cut off? for three months it appeared NOT to be a problem - but now they stay on. Hmmm....
well I'm not paying $109 to turn off the lights off the dash. my friend can clear the codes when he gets back at the end of the month.
HE even agreed! I said well the lights should clear themselves because the problem got fixed. (that's what happens with my Honda) My agent said well still have your friend clear the codes so it will not be stuck in memory.

Called my friend and he said he sure his tool may not clear MY codes. He can clear Check engine codes (like for my Honda). He said he can research and download a program into his tool which would cost about $30. I said sure no problem I'll pay the $30 also - of course he said no I don't have to pay. then when day came around to clear the codes he didn't download and said well lets just see what happens. I told him never mind no need to come by I'll see him after the weekend.

Then I called my Car Care center and asked them to clear the codes. they said $65 and I was about to run there on lunch. But changed my mind again because there is this ....shop - that fixed my Honda for cheap! they are a bit sloppy because they rush but I'm willing to bet I go there asking to clear the codes and he'll say ok $20!

so bet - that's what I did!!

[ZaireinHD]

Mood: Happy
Subject: SUV Solved

at Shop guy attached his ...quick reader to clear the codes - starts tell'n me about the tires need to be the same and traction and spin ratio - I was like YEA that's what the dealership was saying. he said I can't bull shit around with getting cheap tires or the sensors will get thrown off with these newer vehicles! and again in amazement I'm nodding yes this is what I've been told - just difficult to take in. then detaches and gets a different and bigger reader thick like a PC toughbook with a screen the size of a tablet. then said he has to go on a joy test ride! but drives to the end of the driveway and reverse and tells me the Good news! the good news that makes since to me! the good news that is the actual problem to the sensor lights! AND showing me on his reader screen!
the rear passenger side is NOT showing a reading and he wants to put it on the lift to see if it's an actual part or the sensor is bad!

Deal! SUV gets on the lift - he connects up - sensor went bad! $225 for new sensor, labor, diagnostic. I said sounds good to me thank you. had to wait for 3 and a half hours because the part had to be delivered. so while I waited I answered the phone on the 4th or 5th ring, swept the floor but didn't put in trash cause of the parts in the pile, directed customers backing out the shop, talking to customers, went to sleep and walked around a bit.
Part arrives and like two minutes later part installed!
drives to the end of driveway - reverse - cleared the codes
DONE!!!
;D

[ZaireinHD]

Mood: Happy
Subject: Mechanic Choices

as said eariler
I have more than several places to choose from for auto repair - Thank Goodness
Had I gone to my friend and he would have just cleared the codes – the problem would not have been fixed.

Had I stuck with the dealership I would have paid hundreds more for the repair. MAYBE, because they didn’t tell me about the bad sensor in the first fuck’n place! so they may have fixed something but the problem would have come back!

Got the best deal at a …mechanic shop

I mean I do trust all three choices – I’m just glad I made the right choice!

;D

[Opti]

Mar 13, 2012 20:50:54 GMT -5 ZaireinHD said:

Mood: Normal
Subject: Tires

OH my Ford agent said because different manufacturers tire will spin / grip road at a different rate, which will throw off the sensors and cause the lights on the dash! since I had three Michelin and 1 Continental (though tread 8) it's still spinning at a different rate than the other 3! YEA UHA!
so I was like ok - well then if that's the case when I have all four same name brand tire and replace 1 tire for brand new -say because of a none repair flat - then the traction will be better on that 1 new tire than the other 3! So you're telling me that I can not replace 1 tire for brand new I have to purchase all 4 at once?
He said no not really. depends on the tread depth. if 3 or 2 tires are at 5/ 6 and I got new tire at 10 then that may be a problem. BUT if I got tread 9, 8, 7 then I'm good. PFFT.....ok

I guess the way you phrased your questions Rick and I and probably Rovo didn't post in this thread the obvious. Yes you need to have 4 tires of the same brand and model on your car for the sensors to work correctly. If initial tread depth is 9/16" and you are down to 5/16" on your tires when one gets punctured, yes the smart thing to do is replace all four unless you can find a used one of the exact same tire to put on because a new one at 9/16 will mess with the sensors and performance of your car.

I'm surprised they didn't tell you this when you bought the car. I've had to replace a full set of tires prematurely when a big pothole trashed my rim so it punctured one of the tires with a big shard of metal. Yes I lost several months of treadwear but it wasn't worth screwing my car up to me. I always buy sets of four. I noticed from
your posts from 2007 to 2010 receipts you have a history of doing two at a time. Why?

As a self confessed car guy I'm also wondering why you didn't put your tire information in with the initial complaint? We could have given you a correct answer first thing if you had posted something like I have three Falken ZE512s on the truck and 1 Continental on the
right front passenger side. The tire depths on the Falkens are X and Z on the Continental. Easy Peasy.

You probably should have them clarify the tolerance on tire depth, i.e I expect 1/16" of an inch is not an issue, but you should find out where it is an issue, i.e. 3/16" difference or what. Personally I'd only buy a singleton if one tire got trashed fairly early in its treadlife.

[TD2K]

How'd you like the Toyo's? I had thought about the Toyo Proxes 4s at one time but they are pricey.

Sorry Optimist, missed your post.

I liked the Proxys. Very good handling I thought on both wet and dry roads. Good handling on wet roads is critical for me given the amount of rain we get here. Handling is snow is also not bad. Tread life was good, I think I got about 50k to 60k miles out of a set of 4. The only criticism is their cost (a set of 4 last time would have cost me just over $800) and they are noisy on the road. I think my WRX is always noisy but the Nittos seem somewhat quieter.

In terms of handling, there's little difference between the Toyo's and the Nitto's IMO and the Nittos are a LOT less expensive and so far, the tread life has been pretty good.

I've also seen good reviews on some of Continential's latest offerings.

ETA: I've never feel uneasy with either set of tires wondering if they are going to hold. Neither the Nitto or the Proxy's hardly ever even whimpers much less squeal in a corner, the grip is just great.

[TD2K]

You probably should have them clarify the tolerance on tire depth, i.e I expect 1/16" of an inch is not an issue, but you should find out where it is an issue, i.e. 3/16" difference or what. Personally I'd only buy a singleton if one tire got trashed fairly early in its treadlife.

This is definitely true on the Subaru also with AWD, you can muck up the viscous coupling if there is too much difference and the tolerance is not large.

www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=18

[TD2K]

Swapped out my winter tires for my summer tires. 5/32" left on them so I'll get this summer out of them and maybe have to start thinking about a new set for next year.

[Trongersoll]

I got about half way through this thread and started skimming. I don't think anyone asked this yet, when you "show" your car, are you Drifting?

[ZaireinHD]

no drifting in the show car.
LOL
front wheel drive

[ZaireinHD]

however now that drifting has been mentioned!

WHY THE HELL are commercials for cars showing so much drifting???

why is there a commercial showing a factory Mercedes, guy driving, sleeves partially up, and he's DRIFTING around a corner, left turn, and I think there are some leaves on the ground!!

There is also a Mazda commercial, driver NOT seen and they show a little Mazda something drifting!!

I know dam well Factory cars are NOT designed off the line to handle drifting. just in case auto-makers are trying to sell sure for your occasional drifting our suspension at factory settings can handle your kids weekend stealing the car for street racing adventures!!

pfft - LOL

[Opti]

I have no idea where the sport of drifting is now in practice, but when it started standard factory built cars were used. Road & Track had a great article back then with an engineer showing how to make a car drift.

Z, are you think perhaps of Rally cars instead? Like the Lancer and the WRX?

[ZaireinHD]

this is NOT exactly drifing - more like burnouts!
or doing donuts in a open space.

looking for the commercials I consider as drifting

[ZaireinHD]

HA! found the commercial!

what's frustrating about these commercials is people don't use what they are paying for STANDARD options. it's shows like Top Gear that show me the luxury, exotic, and over priced cars CAN do these ....tricks! however they break! and break fast!

[ZaireinHD]

Apr 28, 2012 18:49:58 GMT -5 @rj said:

I can drift with a factory set up no problem

your little Ford Focus couldn't even burn out!!!

[ZaireinHD]

Feb 21, 2012 12:12:39 GMT -5 @rj said:

Hell no, Focus

Feb 21, 2012 12:14:23 GMT -5 @rj said:

As in Ford

[wvugurl26]

Someone's not reading the commercial disclaimer.

[wvugurl26]

Apr 30, 2012 6:19:50 GMT -5 @rj said:

Apr 30, 2012 6:15:35 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Someone's not reading the commercial disclaimer.

LOL he isnt reading at all

Its much more fun to not read and blame someone else for all of your problems.

[Opti]

Z, I don't see the issue. The driver has the wheel cranked. You even see it in the commercial. Any car can do that, just some better than others depending on its tendency to over steer or under steer, tires on it, etc.

Commercials are to make the car look cool, desirable. Compared to a few others I remember this at least isn't false advertising. Remember the one with the VW SUV doing a tow it wasn't rated for and therefore couldn't perform in the real world?

[ZaireinHD]

Apr 30, 2012 6:07:34 GMT -5 @rj said:

LOL you are unbelieveable, You went through a lot of work to Be WRONG lol

There was no trouble at all Agent Smith - I didn't cut and leave out anything - that's what you posted

[Trongersoll]

Actually, people have been drifting long before it was called Drifting. When you broke the rear end loose on a rear wheel drive car (weren't many front wheel drives back then) it was call fish tailing, because the rear end tended to wag back and forth. Then racers started kicking the rear end out on turns as a way to get through the turns a little faster. This was called Controlled Drift. Eventually the sport of drifting evolved from this practice because, lets face it, its fun to do.

I remember doing this on dirt roads with my stock '75 Formula Firebird. I could break the rear end loose on paved roads too, but there were these people called Police who didn't exactly approve or the action. Just about any rear wheel drive car can drift, although not at competition levels. I love breaking the rear loose on my stock '08 MX-5 Miata.

[ZaireinHD]

there were these people called Police....

oh my! YEA those guys have no humor for some fun!!

Fish Tailing - YEA I remember seeing that in the classic movies with their muscle cars of course.

and here I thought Drifting started in Japan
LOL is there anything original in my era?
movies, driving, cars, - a bunch of remakes