A day at the Audi Service Department...

Dave, you wouldn't be the first person i know who has done something like that. Service department workers . . . . more so the techs can be very careless. I had a issue a couple weeks ago when doing a walk around my car i had to call in the Service Department Manager to inform him of a scratch that was not there upon dropping off my vehicle.

I assured him that i could turn my back and walk away from the car and tell him where every mark was and that i knew for a fact that wasn't there. Without arguing he told me we would like to pay to get it fixed (customer service is great at honda here).

Went got a estimate and got it fixed and it's a done deal. I commend you for owning black though especially a flat black like that with no metallic in it.

What's your trade secret to keeping it marr free?

 

Dangler,
You mentioned the fsi motors ripping synthetic oil to shreds..what oil do you recommend? I'm about to turn 5k miles and was going to switch to mobil 1 full synthetic. Recommended oil change interval is supposed to be 10k, but I just can't get myself to go that far! Especially with crappy dealer conventional oil

 

Yup I have felt the pain prior with dealers washing the car (not my current one though).....t with my new one, the sales guy was awesome, he got his most mature driver to drive it when required and the best detailer who did the preparation. I must say that the paint was flawless.

Went in for my first service...and right away they said "Mr. xxxx, we have on file that your car will not be washed". Now that's what I wanna hear. Even have a couple of signs. Maybe I should have more though...4 should do it

 

:headbang:

 

what kind of car are you driving? i'd be surprised if you're dealer used regular non-synth oil if the motor calls for full synthetic. i have the choice of mobile 1 or castrol synth from my vw/audi/porsche dealer. i switched to mobile 1 for my first oil change, as my GTI comes from factory with castrol. the oil cap is actually even marked with a castrol logo, but i've always run mobile 1 in my cars.

 

2010 gti. Dealer told me that synthetic is not included in my free scheduled maintenance for three years thing. Probably a load of bs though

 

I also type up and print out a sign that says "Do not wash this car!" and then also tell the service advisor. It has worked so far for me.

 

Mobil 1 happens to be okay, but there are better oils out there. Most of the oils designed for our motors from Europe, can't handle the high sulphur content of our US fuels. Dilution happens more often with direct injection motors. So you get a little gas in the oil. So what happens with the oils like Lubro Moly Top Tec 4200 which is designed for FSI and diesel motors, breaks down easy once exposed to our fuels.

I run Shell Rotella T6 Synth 5w-40. It isn't vw/audi approved, but contains high level of additives that protect the oil, and act as a sacrificial coating to reduce metal wear on engine components. There is a thread on Vwvortex that talks about oils for out car. Rotella is the top choice right now. As it has been analyzed by blackstone before and after use in a 2.0T by a member on the vwvortex.

 

Dave did you see this Detailing World
?

 

I have a fsi Fri and use Renewable Lubricans 5w40 and after oil analysis every 5k only stuff to really hold up to fuel dilution and keep wear down.


I also have the DW no wash sign printed but do 95% of my own service so don't use it often.

Sent from my HERO200 using Tapatalk

 

I've done this a couple times at my dealership with my 2008 VW Rabbit (non-metallic black).

I wrote 'NO WASH' on a paper and hung it around the rear view mirror.

Needless to say, they didn't wash it; the service manager understood where I was coming from too (Fladeboe VW in Irvine, CA).

 

I can understand no wash signs, but is it understandable to put up "do not touch paint"? I mean they have to open doors and hoods... not sure if they would be too happy making that extra effort, even though I'm sure we all open our doors in such a way to avoid finger prints.

I've had my car loaded with black oily smudges on the interior of the fabric A-pillar and steering wheel. They were also not very careful with the oil change and left traces all over the engine. To top it off they washed it once when I asked them not to which was entirely pointless as I always bring my car in clean. You would think they would take extra care when they see a fully clean engine bay, no way...

 

I was looking for it...Thanks!

 

If I was servcing Dave's car

• Check the car exterior/interior before any service to protect myself and inform Dave anythin I found before any service is done
• put on a clean latex gloves, open the door, put seat covers, floor mat covers, get info etc about the car
• drive slow through the shop
• put wooden blocks on the post preventing lift touching lower panel paint
• using a clean pair of gloves to open the hood.
• do the oil change n throw away that pair of gloves
• wear a new pair of gloves, open the door...scan the car...
• after scanning is done, do the pollen filter.
• new pair of gloves and drive it back to him

I don't know if thats good enough. but it only takes 5 min extra for me to do all that. I never touch the car with dirty fingers or dirty gloves....

 

Ha ha, you should also add that you would take 5 pictures of each of those steps, including some 50/50s and some before/afters...:applause2:
Also, there should be some IPA wipes in there too.
j/k, nothing but respect for Dave!

 

Bad idea, as I dunno what IPA mixture I need not to mar Dave's paint LOL:giggle:

 

Great idea to safe-guard your vehicle's paint, dsms.

On the subject of "dealer installed swirl options" (as Mike Philips calls them ), I had an interesting experience this summer getting a routine oil change. When I purchased the car from the original owner, I made sure that the free-oil-change-for-life card transferred over to me. However, since the oil, oil filters and labour are free, the service adviser tries to add on any extra service for a charge (e.g. car washes, wipers, etc.). Of course I always make a point of declining the optional car wash. I figured my car's paint would be safe...

And here comes the "but"...

While the lube technician was pouring the new oil into the engine (no gun, a funnel and 5 quarts) he lost his grip on the quart of oil and dumped a fair bit down the passenger side fender. Which he then proceeded to wipe up with a dirty shop rag, which may as well have been a burlap sack. I believe at this point my palms hit my face and I muttered something like "for f.... sake". Anyways, his shop rag smeared the oil over the entire fender and scratched/marred the paint pretty good.

To rectify the "oil spill" they were prepared to offer a free car wash...needless to say, I respectfully declined and went home to correct the issue myself. Thankfully the paint corrected just fine.

 

I do the same thing. People think im weird. I always wait for my car. I take it to West Chester, PA for services and I live in West Orange, NJ because a great friend works on my car at the dealer.

He understands how I am. I dont blame you for the signs.

Did you pace the waiting room waiting for her to re-surface after service? LOL. I do.

 

I waited in the service center in front of the sign that said "No unauthorized persons beyond this point" until I was politely asked to leave and wait in the showroom. They gave me a sprite, I drank it, then proceeded to pace back and fourth. Lol true story

 

I do the same. I believe I had 6 cups of shitty coffee last time I was there.
Every time the service door opened I was peeking in.