Dealer Multipoint Vehicle Inspection

Discuss any maintenance you've done to your Vibe & Matrix and ask how to perform maintenance on your vehicle
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jake75
Posts: 4792
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:33 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Dealer Multipoint Vehicle Inspection

Post by jake75 »

This is reported n/c as part of LOF at dealer. In the 5,400 miles from 18,100 to 23,500m miles my brakes got better but my tires got a lot worse.
Brakes at 18,100 miles were 6mm front, 8 mm rear.
Brakes at 23,500 miles were 7mm front, 7mm rear.
Tires at 18,100 miles were all 7/32nds.
Tires at 23,500 were 7/32 front, 5/32 rear. Note was "May require attention soon."
I think with this rotation the 5/32nds are now on the front - not sure.
They said the rear wiper was fine. It is OEM. Last time they told me it needed to be replaced.
At 18,100 miles they set the tire pressures at 35 psi; At 23,500 they set the tire pressure at 32 psi.
I went a little too long on this LOF interval as I loaned my son the car for several weeks and he drives a lot of miles.
Battery condition was rated good - OEM battery is 4 yrs 3 months old.
My point - I think these multi-point inspections are pretty much useless. A lot of the recommended routine maintenance is inspect this and inspect that. The cost of that is off the chart. I always thought all of that was also pretty much useless and never had it done.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
circuitsmith
Posts: 242
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:26 pm

Re: Dealer Multipoint Vehicle Inspection

Post by circuitsmith »

It pays to either DIY or find a good independent mechanic. Try yelp.com
I'm sure there are some honest dealers out there, but most have to pad bills because of the high overhead.
My cars only see the dealer for recalls.
2006 Matrix 5-sp
jake75
Posts: 4792
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:33 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: Dealer Multipoint Vehicle Inspection

Post by jake75 »

Mainly commenting on the apparent short rift given to the "27 point inspection" that is part of the dealer's LOF service. I am very cost conscious - still have one LOF left on a 10-LOF Club card I bought there some years ago for $119.95. Didn't use those up very fast for a number of reasons - remember when GM gave us 2 years of free LOF's? Then the Buick dealer who took over the Pontiac franchise gave me a free LOF. My old Pontiac dealer is now Chevy. The 10 LOF card is now $189.95 but still a good deal. I can't justify changing my own oil and filter for $19 even if I was handy enough at age 70 to do that. I trust the dealer mechanics more than a Jiffy Lube. I have gotten hosed at independent shops in my lifetime too. This most recent visit was a $29.95 special (after $10 GM rebate) for LOF and Tire rotation.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
beemerphile1
Posts: 505
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: NE Ohio

Re: Dealer Multipoint Vehicle Inspection

Post by beemerphile1 »

jake75 wrote:This is reported n/c as part of LOF at dealer...My point - I think these multi-point inspections are pretty much useless...
Not useless if you consider the purpose of the free inspections. They are a sales tool and are used to generate business for the dealer. They are promoted as a service for the customer but the only purpose is to increase revenue. For the dealer, they are very useful.

Like in the old full service gas station days. They didn't check your oil to be nice, they did it to sell oil.
NE Ohio - home to the most successful Pontiac drag racing team in history - Bill Knafel's "Tin Indian" and also home to Summit Auto Racing.
2009 Vibe base 1.8L auto towing 2009 Aliner Sport hardsided pop-up
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vibenvy
Posts: 7121
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:38 am
Location: Sandwich, IL

Re: Dealer Multipoint Vehicle Inspection

Post by vibenvy »

jake75 wrote:Brakes at 18,100 miles were 6mm front, 8 mm rear.
Brakes at 23,500 miles were 7mm front, 7mm rear.
I didn't know the Vibe came equipped with brake pads that can regenerate :o!
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