Stupid Ford Trick (low tire pressure alarm)

[Locoweed]

I quit buying tires from Sams because of the lug nut issue.

 

[TractorGuy]

I think TPMS is a good thing. Like any other system it sometimes needs fiddling with but when it is working properly it probably saves lives.

I only have one vehicle with it and it lets me know when the temperature drops. It is very sensitive to the point it comes on at 29 psi when the set point is supposed to be 33.

The sensors have batteries in them that will fail over time.

I haven't had too much trouble with alloy wheels leaking but once had a Miata that had one tire that always went down. I was cleaning it up and painted the wheels and that solved the problem.

One other thing to be wary about with alloy wheels it re-torquing them after you have had them off. I have to re-tighten my Mustang wheels after driving a few miles every time they are removed or they will come loose.

 

[Soundguy]

I had the truck back to the Ford dealer that I purchased the truck from once for the free oil change that they offered when I bought it. Next time around the drain plug came out stripped when I changed it myself. No way that plug should have been put back in at the dealer. No warranty to worry about so they won't see me again.

Funny you mention that, my dealer did the same thing. On about the 2nd or third oil change, the (not a) mechanic came out with the service writer and the service manager and said that the drain plug was stripped. I said great, let me know when yuo get it fixed. They said that it may not be covered under warranty. I said, no problem, then your insurance can pay for it.. I bought this van brand new here a few months ago, and I have not even opened the hood... you guys, and I pointed at them, have been the only people to touch my van.. if it's stripped.. YOU did it.

The last 4 years have been like that. I bought the extended warranty and the service package, so from 2014 till now ( actually in december sometime ), that dealership has been solely responsible for everything other than putting gas in the tank. The do the belts, the wipers, the hoses, everything.. so when they tell me something bogus, i toss it right back at them.

I remember once, I could not put fuel in the tank, I noticed the little anti syphon valve was gone. I took it in, told them when you tried to put fuel in that it would kick the pump off, and I didn't see the AS valve. I was told that model didn't have an AS valve ( ok... but I remember seeing one i thought.. ). Anyway, I set in the customer lounge for 2 hours and the 3 musketeers walk out and say that the van passed all the emissions test, and they ran them twice. I lost it in the customer lounge. I said in a loud voice.. "you mean youve had that %^*#@!* thing plugged into a computer for 2 hours!?!?!?!

I said.. it won't take gas... that's not a computer or a charcoal tank problem!!!!

So the mechanic said that he would have to see that for himself.

So we drove down tot he station.. sure enough.. wouldn't take gas.

Drove back, pulled right around to the service area .. I asked if he had a bore scope. Yes.

stick it into the tank neck. 2 seconds later as he's looking in the scope. " ah--yes.. there is your anti syphon valve, broke off and lodged in the filler neck blocking gas from going into the tank.

no parts on hand.. so they order parts.

wrong parts come in, so they order more parts.

They are about the worst dealer you can imagine. I've let them know on many occasions. I let the franchise owner know often, and ford corporate.

I KNOW they are glad that my warranty is on it's last couple of days.....

 

[Gary Fowler]

I quit buying tires from Sams because of the lug nut issue.

I had no problem with Sam's club tire installation at the Hot Springs, Ark location. It is the first place I have seen that used a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts. Their procedure was to have a second technician check them after the first tech finished. I have never seen that done even at a dealership.

 

[aczlan]

I had no problem with Sam's club tire installation at the Hot Springs, Ark location. It is the first place I have seen that used a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts. Their procedure was to have a second technician check them after the first tech finished. I have never seen that done even at a dealership.

That is what Walmart does as well. They have a TLE manager use the torque wrench to verify that the lugnuts are on right.

Aaron Z

 

[Soundguy]

Agreed, seen that here at my local wm too.

 

[RandyT]

You all know that the TPMS sensors in the wheels are battery powered with the life of the battery no more than about 5 - 7 years. So, when you buy the extra wheels off of someone or from a junk yard, chances are the sensors are just about shot. I've found a lot of tire sellers who replace the expensive sensors with standard non-TPMS stems and tape over the dash light. Costco has the lowest cost OEM replacement sensors in my area. I've heard about the horror stories from their tire guy.

BTW: The latest 'fad' in the tire shops is to install lug nuts by running them up with the nut in the gun instead of starting them by hand first. They go on but will NEVER come off and the stud snaps off when the next person tries. A little extra profit for the holiday season. "Oh my, that could be very dangerous, those car companies will do anything to make a buck". Sure...

If my low pressure sensors go off on my 2011 Ram it sets off a light, list the issue on the dash mounted message center and also sounds a chime. That is something that can't be taped over. It is also my understanding that the tire sensor will also shut off the MDS on the Hemi engine.

 

[aczlan]

If my low pressure sensors go off on my 2011 Ram it sets off a light, list the issue on the dash mounted message center and also sounds a chime. That is something that can't be taped over. It is also my understanding that the tire sensor will also shut off the MDS on the Hemi engine.

My Ford Taurus X and my wife's Yukon do the same thing. This time of year, the TPMS in my car complains every time I turn the car on and again about 20 minutes later as I dont have sensors in my snowtires.

Aaron Z

 

[deserteagle71]

I think TPMS is a good thing. Like any other system it sometimes needs fiddling with but when it is working properly it probably saves lives.

I only have one vehicle with it and it lets me know when the temperature drops. It is very sensitive to the point it comes on at 29 psi when the set point is supposed to be 33.

Saves not just lives, but tires and rims also. Mostly dirt roads where I live and I can't even remember how many tires I've busted on them. Used to be I didn't know there was a problem until it was too late - tire was ruined and the wheel damaged. With the TPMS warning I can always stop before the tire or wheel is damaged.

 

[ultrarunner]

Maybe the season but I am hearing many dealer issues... much more than previous and I am a Lemon Law Arbitrator...

My first thought is the cars are more complex than ever and those that service are not keeping pace.

Also... a lot more that I know simply no longer will own an out of warranty vehicle... they may lease otherwise trade...

It is just not vehicles... the SF Bay Area received it's first significant rain in many months the day after Thanksgiving... since then the Hospital ATT T-1 voice line has been down... yes... it momentarily came back as things dried out but as soon as the rain came back it was down for the count.

Makes no difference this is a level 3 escalation for a Hospital... sure ATT had guys out and who were crawling in the underground vaults but so far nothing and tomorrow it will be a week...

They tried to redirect calls and sent the call across the country...

Privately... the service guys said this is the new business normal... there was a time when they were sent out and told fix it... now... they hand off when they reach 8 hours and it is like starting over and over again... and no more call outs...

I do miss the old days when factory trained meant they had all the latest and most up to date equipment and knowledge and when a phone line 2 blocks from the Central Office didn't take a week and counting to fix.

One of my friends bought a new F150 and has had many transmission issues... service tickets an inch thick... finally, he took it to an Independent and paid $4,000.... 21,000 miles and zero issues... it is a lawsuit right now... consumer suing Ford in Small Claims... the irony is he loves the truck... paid a lot for it but the transmission has been an issue since the first month...