Wheel Alignment
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Most dealerships won't allow you into a service area, they claim Insurance reasons.
Most dealerships you will never meet the tech that works on your car, you'll meet a $7.00 an hour "Service Writer" that's had 1 day of training on how to smile and fill out forms.
The "Tech" that works on your car gets paid xx hours for an alignment, the faster he does it the more $$ he can make. He will tell you he HAS to set it to the factory specs, not your specs".
His attitude is; " Blue book gives me an hour for this job, I know a short cut so I can do it in 15 minutes and then go on break for 45 minutes".
Rumor has it that GM pays a lower rate for Warranty work than for work the customer is paying for.
Most dealerships you will never meet the tech that works on your car, you'll meet a $7.00 an hour "Service Writer" that's had 1 day of training on how to smile and fill out forms.
The "Tech" that works on your car gets paid xx hours for an alignment, the faster he does it the more $$ he can make. He will tell you he HAS to set it to the factory specs, not your specs".
His attitude is; " Blue book gives me an hour for this job, I know a short cut so I can do it in 15 minutes and then go on break for 45 minutes".
Rumor has it that GM pays a lower rate for Warranty work than for work the customer is paying for.
I would never go to a dealership or business that still does this old practice. Too many go in betweens with what the sales rep writes down to what mechanic finds and then message back to me.
I rather deal direct much better communication.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,977
Likes: 2,691
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Like some others above, my dealership and tech have no problem with my walking into the bay and talking with the tech. I try to stay out of everyone's way and keep my visit brief, don't disturb him when he's in the middle of something. I thank him for his good work, gently correct him if he goofs, and treat them like professionals. I also give them good reviews on the dealership and GM surveys.
All three of our new Corvettes have had at least one alignment number that was outside even the generous factory range. I always take it in with about 1,000 miles and say it handles funny, with a wink. They check it and reset to my numbers, which are nothing extreme.
BTW, I don't do much curb-jumping or off-roading, but the bombed-out roads of northern Illinois can be tough on alignment. Our 2009 was aligned at about 1,200 miles. Now has 24,000 miles; the handling and tire wear remain perfect. I'll probably get an alignment next Spring "just because", but my monthly alignment check is a tread depth gauge. Works for me.
All three of our new Corvettes have had at least one alignment number that was outside even the generous factory range. I always take it in with about 1,000 miles and say it handles funny, with a wink. They check it and reset to my numbers, which are nothing extreme.
BTW, I don't do much curb-jumping or off-roading, but the bombed-out roads of northern Illinois can be tough on alignment. Our 2009 was aligned at about 1,200 miles. Now has 24,000 miles; the handling and tire wear remain perfect. I'll probably get an alignment next Spring "just because", but my monthly alignment check is a tread depth gauge. Works for me.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Nov 8, 2010 at 02:29 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Like some others above, my dealership and tech have no problem with my walking into the bay and talking with the tech. I try to stay out of everyone's way and keep my visit brief, don't disturb him when he's in the middle of something. I thank him for his good work, gently correct him if he goofs, and treat them like professionals. I also give them good reviews on the dealership and GM surveys.
All three of our new Corvettes have had at least one alignment number that was outside even the generous factory range. I always take it in with about 1,000 miles and say it handles funny, with a wink. They check it and reset to my numbers, which are nothing extreme.
BTW, I don't do much curb-jumping or off-roading, but the bombed-out roads of northern Illinois can be tough on alignment. Our 2009 was aligned at about 1,200 miles. Now has 24,000 miles; the handling and tire wear remain perfect. I'll probably get an alignment next Spring "just because", but my monthly alignment check is a tread depth gauge. Works for me.
All three of our new Corvettes have had at least one alignment number that was outside even the generous factory range. I always take it in with about 1,000 miles and say it handles funny, with a wink. They check it and reset to my numbers, which are nothing extreme.
BTW, I don't do much curb-jumping or off-roading, but the bombed-out roads of northern Illinois can be tough on alignment. Our 2009 was aligned at about 1,200 miles. Now has 24,000 miles; the handling and tire wear remain perfect. I'll probably get an alignment next Spring "just because", but my monthly alignment check is a tread depth gauge. Works for me.
The roads here are the worst.
Get alignments at least once a year.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Cadillac use to set up their rear tire alignment so the tires would be gone in about 5k. They then recommended 3k tire rotations.
I think the Vette is set up for max performance. My fronts on my F55 are around 27k with about 3/32 left, rears are at about 5/32s. That is a lot of highway and mountain driving.
I think the Vette is set up for max performance. My fronts on my F55 are around 27k with about 3/32 left, rears are at about 5/32s. That is a lot of highway and mountain driving.
