Dealer joyride and manual "lessons"

[ATL_Bwing]

I took my 2024 5BW manual to my local Cadillac dealer for an oil change and 7500 mile service (ignore the PGH in my sn, moved to Atlanta a year ago). I was reviewing PDR videos after a fun trip through the mountains today and stumbled upon four videos from the dealership. Two of the techs were trying to teach one of the other employees how to drive a manual using my car. Ten minutes of loops around the parking lot...stalled it out eight times. I'm shocked the professionals at a dealership would do this. This is exactly the reason I avoid cheap oil change joints and valet parking! Heading back to the dealership on Monday. What would you guys do? Advice?

 

[rubberduck]

Change the oil myself. I don’t trust them to put the right oil and amount in just for starters. The guy that’s changing your oil is a high school dropout. Avoid anyone driving my car except me.

BTW, when I first got my 5BW I stalled it out a few times. My other MT vehicle is a Jeep with a heavy clutch and the light clutch and short take up through me off. Don’t think stalling it out is a big issue. Do it all the time with my Jeep off-roading. Riding the clutch is a more common thing with new drivers and that is bad.

 

[Argent86]

Make a backup copy of that SD card

 

[rubberduck]

What’s the end game? Money, free oil change, discount, employees disciplined, a promise of no more shenanigans, personal satisfaction? Check all that apply.

 

[DCV]

Go see the manager, show him the videos. Demand compensation of some sort. They could have scored or damaged the clutch disc.

 

[Champale]

Matches and kerosene.

I would be very upset and I am not a hothead. They definitely owe you something - at least a couple of oil changes or something.

 

[rubberduck]

Go see the manager, show him the videos. Demand compensation of some sort. They could have scored or damaged the clutch disc.

If a couple jackasses screwing around in the parking lot for 10mins fucks up the clutch disk then mine is going to blow up any second now based on how I drive.

 

[jbawden]

This is such a familiar narrative around here. If you can't or wont do basic service at home, you really you need to find an independent shop that you can build a relationship with. There is absolutely zero added benefit of dealer service.

 

[nordique14]

You should definitely show the manager. He will want to know that his employees are F-ups. You should do this to reduce the chance of it happening to other customers in the future. I would not request any compensation, however a good manager will offer you something to keep your business.

 

[beamon]

I would write a well deserved google review and include a pic or video from PDR. That will force change to occur quickly.

 

[rubberduck]

Wouldn’t it be fairer to talk to the manager first? Personally, my life is too occupied with important things to let trivial things rent my head. Let it t go is my advice.

 

[hawk02]

This is such a familiar narrative around here. If you can't or wont do basic service at home, you really you need to find an independent shop that you can build a relationship with. There is absolutely zero added benefit of dealer service.

One big challenge with home or independents is that neither is typically connected electronically to GM. For warranty work, GM relies on documented service history, so unless you’re meticulous about saving receipts and records, it can get tricky.

If I were the OP, I’d definitely show the video to the Service Manager and make it clear this is unacceptable. I’d also let them know, in no uncertain terms, that if it happens again, you’ll be taking your business elsewhere.

 

[flipray]

Somebody I know just went thru this. He took the car in for a switch and a door pad replacement. PDR recorded the techs joy riding the car and doing WOT pulls on atleast 2 occasions, practicing how to drive stick, and just free revving the car. Dealership asked him to not sue or post the videos online. 4 people got fired, lifetime warranty and they did a crap load of things for the car including a new clutch. He noticed his clutch being weird on pick up and thats what made him check his PDR.

 

[dizz81]

Somebody I know just went thru this. He took the car in for a switch and a door pad replacement. PDR recorded the techs joy riding the car and doing WOT pulls on atleast 2 occasions, practicing how to drive stick, and just free revving the car. Dealership asked him to not sue or post the videos online. 4 people got fired, lifetime warranty and they did a crap load of things for the car including a new clutch. He noticed his clutch being weird on pick up and thats what made him check his PDR.

Anytime I take any car to the dealership for service, I always take a picture of the mileage.

This is one of the things I fear most about taking my cars to dealerships. Glad this person had proof of what they did and got taken care of by the dealership.

 

[jbawden]

One big challenge with home or independents is that neither is typically connected electronically to GM. For warranty work, GM relies on documented service history, so unless you’re meticulous about saving receipts and records, it can get tricky.

If I were the OP, I’d definitely show the video to the Service Manager and make it clear this is unacceptable. I’d also let them know, in no uncertain terms, that if it happens again, you’ll be taking your business elsewhere.

That’s true, but there really isn’t much beyond oil changes during the power train warranty period so keeping receipts is basic accounting. Plus dealer shenanigans/unintended damage are way more likely than an actual warranty claim that will be denied by GM solely because DIY oil changes.