Body Shop Joyride

ByeBye4g63t · 12-29-2012, 10:16 PM

It's very rare that I let shops do work to my car, but in this situation I needed the work done professionally. I've always feared that a tech will take the car for a joyride. It's not the fact that they're joy riding the car, it's the notion that they could potentially be mashing on it when the motor is cold, possibly damaging my engine or turbocharger. I dropped my car off at Auto Body World to get a dent fixed on the driver side door. I documented the mileage and the level of gas in the tank. Upon checking my phone after getting home (took pictures), there is 2 more miles on the odometer, noticeably less fuel in the tank, and 2nd gear seems to feel more 'crunchy' when driving around town. I'm pretty upset, but I really don't know what to do. Should I go back and calmly ask for an explaination, or just change my tampon? I would appreciate the feedback. Also, if you have similar stories, let's hear them!

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garudatwo · 12-29-2012, 10:17 PM

When they checked your car in, did you get a receipt with your milage on it? If not, you're SOL, and can only hope that later you'll get a ticket from a speeding camera/red light camera that was cited during the time your car was in shop.

Heedlessone · 12-29-2012, 10:19 PM

You again...

I would be pissed if it happened to me. Go in and talk to a manger and get it sorted out. There is really no reason a body shop needs to drive your car 2 miles.

nhmtns · 12-29-2012, 10:22 PM

Heedlessone · 12-29-2012, 10:23 PM

Great movie scene.

Uncle Scotty · 12-29-2012, 10:24 PM

when i take my car to a shop....i tell them up front that the vehicle is NOT to leave the premisis or be driven anywhere without me in it or it will be reported stolen and prosecuted as such.

i have the above attached to the work order and signed by the mgr on duty and tech. and i tell them that there is gps onboard and i will know if and whenthe vehicle moves.

you must do all this UP FRONT

infinite012 · 12-29-2012, 10:25 PM

2 miles and "noticeably less fuel in the tank?" How do you manage to gauge the level of fuel in your tank?

Chalk it up to taking a sweet ride to a grease monkey.

1BadP71 · 12-29-2012, 10:39 PM

I knew I should have put 2 miles worth of fuel in when i was done..

ByeBye4g63t · 12-29-2012, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heedlessone

You again...

I would be pissed if it happened to me. Go in and talk to a manger and get it sorted out. There is really no reason a body shop needs to drive your car 2 miles.

I missed you too sweetheart!

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinite012

2 miles and "noticeably less fuel in the tank?" How do you manage to gauge the level of fuel in your tank?

Chalk it up to taking a sweet ride to a grease monkey.

Let's see... There's this cool thing in my car that tells me how much gas is in the tank, and it has these nice little F and E marks, and in between those are lines! I know, it's crazy. All kidding aside, I went in there with a half tank, and when I was leaving the gauge had moved down about 1/8 inch, which usualy takes 10-15 miles.

garudatwo · 12-29-2012, 10:43 PM

Regarding the 2 miles of fuel thing, an STI does about 4MPG at WOT, so even if they did drive WOT for 2 miles, you'd be missing only half a gallon of fuel. I feel as though that would be hard to quantify as "noticeably less fuel in the tank" on the fuel gauge. Unless they siphoned gas out of your tank...

madkayaker · 12-29-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garudatwo

Regarding the 2 miles of fuel thing, an STI does about 4MPG at WOT, so even if they did drive WOT for 2 miles, you'd be missing only half a gallon of fuel. I feel as though that would be hard to quantify as "noticeably less fuel in the tank" on the fuel gauge. Unless they siphoned gas out of your tank...

Last I checked, it still burns gas when it is sitting still and running. Maybe they let it warm up for 30 minutes before they drag raced a srt-4 in a school zone.

MD04WRX · 12-29-2012, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garudatwo

Regarding the 2 miles of fuel thing, an STI does about 4MPG at WOT, so even if they did drive WOT for 2 miles, you'd be missing only half a gallon of fuel. I feel as though that would be hard to quantify as "noticeably less fuel in the tank" on the fuel gauge. Unless they siphoned gas out of your tank...

^^^ This. When I managed a shop I would have laughed at a customer that complained about 2 miles added to the car (though it never happened). When a customer signed our work orders it included a clause giving us permission to operate the vehicle for repair purposes which includes a test drive after repairs are done. I don't know what work was done on the door but when we did bodywork on cars we would test drive to check for air leaks or other noises that could be related to the repairs. It's called quality control. If you don't want your car driven off the lot when you take it in for repairs you must tell them up front and write it on the repair order.

garudatwo · 12-29-2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madkayaker

Last I checked, it still burns gas when it is sitting still and running. Maybe they let it warm up for 30 minutes before they drag raced a srt-4 in a school zone.

Idling for 30 mins does not burn enough fuel for it to show a "noticeable decrease" IMO. Assuming you're willing to take my experience being stuck in traffic as evidence/proof LOL.

10splaya22 · 12-29-2012, 11:19 PM

No way you would notice 2 miles on the fuel gauge lol

Nikopotomus · 12-30-2012, 12:18 AM

I would imagine that the shop probably wouldnt have any answers for you, unless you specifically talked to the actual techs that worked on it, but it doesnt hurt to ask. If anything, they'll just look at you funny. I am paranoid when I feel something is broken too. Your car is probably fine.

ByeBye4g63t · 12-30-2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10splaya22

No way you would notice 2 miles on the fuel gauge lol

If those 2 miles consisted of doing 1-4 pulls back to back, yes. The car is on E85 as well, so that doesn't help. Uncle Scotty I looked at the documented mileage and it was like 100 miles different than what my mileage was at the time of me picking up, I'm just going to assume that they used the mileage from when I got the estimate done. But from now on I'm going to do what you said, seems like a great ideer.

Decipher · 12-30-2012, 01:37 AM

I always go a step further and take a pic of the odometer when I drop the car off. I had 10 miles slammed onto my Speed3 once and boy did that dealership pay dearly for their bull****. No one should ever do that. I can only imagine what the porters did to it. The only reason they had the keys was because I bought a second car from them and drove the new car home in the snow rather than the MS3. They needed the keys "in case they had to move it."

neilperry · 12-30-2012, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhmtns

That guy on the right was the first drummer for which now famous band??? Anyone, anyone?

Gallo2011 · 12-30-2012, 02:28 AM

I'm curious why they needed to drive the car at all, when the repair was for a door ding?

Oh! Wait...it's a Subaru. They had to drop the engine first.

CrazyOC949 · 12-30-2012, 06:53 AM

And that's why I have a camera hooked up to my car that automatically goes on when the car is started along with a sigh that reads "Smile for the camera".

equiraptor · 12-30-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD04WRX

^^^ This. When I managed a shop I would have laughed at a customer that complained about 2 miles added to the car (though it never happened). When a customer signed our work orders it included a clause giving us permission to operate the vehicle for repair purposes which includes a test drive after repairs are done. I don't know what work was done on the door but when we did bodywork on cars we would test drive to check for air leaks or other noises that could be related to the repairs. It's called quality control. If you don't want your car driven off the lot when you take it in for repairs you must tell them up front and write it on the repair order.

They may have needed to take it to a highway to be able to safely get it up to speed to test for wind noises well.

Once upon a time, a window was broken in one of our cars by a thief. We had the window repaired and picked up the car. Not long after, we noticed wind noise from that window that started around 80mph. The freeways around the shop that repaired the car have a 65mph speed limit (or maybe it's 60 - not anywhere near 80). They had, of course, tested the car, but didn't take it up to 80, as they didn't have a legal place they could do so in a reasonable distance. Putting two miles on the car is reasonable to find a place for a higher speed test. The 10 to 20 miles they'd have had to go (20 to 40+ miles on the car) wouldn't have been reasonable.

nhmtns · 12-30-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilperry

That guy on the right was the first drummer for which now famous band??? Anyone, anyone?

Well, he's got two arms, so it's not Def Leppard.

J-hop · 12-30-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilperry

That guy on the right was the first drummer for which now famous band??? Anyone, anyone?

Sonic youth.

FaastLegacy · 12-30-2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heedlessone

You again...

I would be pissed if it happened to me. Go in and talk to a manger and get it sorted out. There is really no reason a body shop needs to drive your car 2 miles.

FWIW, the body shop that I take my cars has the cars detailed after they've finished their work, so there is a plausible explanation. Two miles? Build a bridge and get over it. It's not that big of a deal.

enjoi1968 · 12-30-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-hop

Sonic youth.

Ding ding ding.

12-29-2012, 10:16 PM	#1
ByeBye4g63t Scooby Newbie Member#: 290896 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Phoenix, Az Vehicle: 2004 STi, FOR SALE PSM	Body Shop Joyride It's very rare that I let shops do work to my car, but in this situation I needed the work done professionally. I've always feared that a tech will take the car for a joyride. It's not the fact that they're joy riding the car, it's the notion that they could potentially be mashing on it when the motor is cold, possibly damaging my engine or turbocharger. I dropped my car off at Auto Body World to get a dent fixed on the driver side door. I documented the mileage and the level of gas in the tank. Upon checking my phone after getting home (took pictures), there is 2 more miles on the odometer, noticeably less fuel in the tank, and 2nd gear seems to feel more 'crunchy' when driving around town. I'm pretty upset, but I really don't know what to do. Should I go back and calmly ask for an explaination, or just change my tampon? I would appreciate the feedback. Also, if you have similar stories, let's hear them! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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12-29-2012, 10:17 PM	#2
garudatwo Scooby Specialist Member#: 322385 Join Date: Jun 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Vehicle: 2006 Civic LX Stage a lot 140BHP	When they checked your car in, did you get a receipt with your milage on it? If not, you're SOL, and can only hope that later you'll get a ticket from a speeding camera/red light camera that was cited during the time your car was in shop.

12-29-2012, 10:19 PM	#3
Heedlessone Scooby Specialist Member#: 254130 Join Date: Aug 2010 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Bozeman, MT Vehicle: 2004 STI Hurr hurr	You again... I would be pissed if it happened to me. Go in and talk to a manger and get it sorted out. There is really no reason a body shop needs to drive your car 2 miles.

12-29-2012, 10:22 PM	#4
nhmtns Scooby Guru Member#: 94283 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Mt. Washington Valley, NH Vehicle: '05 OBXT Stage 2 Min bil är svart

12-29-2012, 10:23 PM	#5
Heedlessone Scooby Specialist Member#: 254130 Join Date: Aug 2010 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Bozeman, MT Vehicle: 2004 STI Hurr hurr	Great movie scene.

12-29-2012, 10:24 PM	#6
Uncle Scotty NASIOC Supporter Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: OK Houston we have an Uncle	when i take my car to a shop....i tell them up front that the vehicle is NOT to leave the premisis or be driven anywhere without me in it or it will be reported stolen and prosecuted as such. i have the above attached to the work order and signed by the mgr on duty and tech. and i tell them that there is gps onboard and i will know if and whenthe vehicle moves. you must do all this UP FRONT

12-29-2012, 10:25 PM	#7
infinite012 Scooby Specialist Member#: 74392 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Virginia Vehicle: 2013 BRZ DGM	2 miles and "noticeably less fuel in the tank?" How do you manage to gauge the level of fuel in your tank? Chalk it up to taking a sweet ride to a grease monkey.

12-29-2012, 10:39 PM	#8
1BadP71 Scooby Newbie Member#: 289883 Join Date: Jul 2011 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Plant City Florida Vehicle: WRX '03 + '06 WAGON White and Blue Limited	I knew I should have put 2 miles worth of fuel in when i was done..

12-29-2012, 10:43 PM	#10
garudatwo Scooby Specialist Member#: 322385 Join Date: Jun 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Vehicle: 2006 Civic LX Stage a lot 140BHP	Regarding the 2 miles of fuel thing, an STI does about 4MPG at WOT, so even if they did drive WOT for 2 miles, you'd be missing only half a gallon of fuel. I feel as though that would be hard to quantify as "noticeably less fuel in the tank" on the fuel gauge. Unless they siphoned gas out of your tank...

12-29-2012, 11:19 PM	#14
10splaya22 NASIOC Supporter Member#: 283020 Join Date: May 2011 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Blacksburg, Va Vehicle: 2004 Mustang Cobra Torch Red	No way you would notice 2 miles on the fuel gauge lol

12-30-2012, 12:18 AM	#15
Nikopotomus Scooby Newbie Member#: 297499 Join Date: Oct 2011 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Orange County / La Mirada Vehicle: 2011 WRX Black	I would imagine that the shop probably wouldnt have any answers for you, unless you specifically talked to the actual techs that worked on it, but it doesnt hurt to ask. If anything, they'll just look at you funny. I am paranoid when I feel something is broken too. Your car is probably fine.

12-30-2012, 01:37 AM	#17
Decipher Scooby Specialist Member#: 262760 Join Date: Nov 2010 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lake in the Hills, ILLnoise Vehicle: 2011 WRX Hatch Limtd Satin White Pearl	I always go a step further and take a pic of the odometer when I drop the car off. I had 10 miles slammed onto my Speed3 once and boy did that dealership pay dearly for their bull****. No one should ever do that. I can only imagine what the porters did to it. The only reason they had the keys was because I bought a second car from them and drove the new car home in the snow rather than the MS3. They needed the keys "in case they had to move it."

12-30-2012, 02:28 AM	#19
Gallo2011 Scooby Specialist Member#: 268310 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Native Californian Vehicle: 2011 STi SSM saloon Church!	I'm curious why they needed to drive the car at all, when the repair was for a door ding? Oh! Wait...it's a Subaru. They had to drop the engine first.

12-30-2012, 06:53 AM	#20
CrazyOC949 Scooby Newbie Member#: 330460 Join Date: Aug 2012 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Mssion Viejo, Orange County Vehicle: 2012 WRX Hatch Satin White Pearl	And that's why I have a camera hooked up to my car that automatically goes on when the car is started along with a sigh that reads "Smile for the camera".