"that's normal"

[j-ten-ner]

I just read another threat where the OP is telling a story about rough idle of his truck and the dealer gave him the standart answer "that's normal".

 

I'm wondering what else is normal?

 

There is the oil consumption: "normal".

 

What does the average GM car buyer have to expect as "normal"?

 

Maybe you guys wanna share some more "normal" stuff about your cars.

 

Thanks.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[07sierra8.1]

"That is Normal" - Anything that the Mechanic or Dealer cannot find a reason for why it is happening nor a solution to the problem.

 

I heard a Mechanic tell a lady at STS Tire while I was there getting my yearly inspection, that her stepping on the brake and the steering wheel shaking is normal...I looked at her and said "No its not, your rotors are warped, have them cut or replaced" The mechanic turned as red as a beet and the lady asked for her car back then asked me for a name of a reputable garage.

[dcheeseman]

"That is Normal" - Anything that the Mechanic or Dealer cannot find a reason for why it is happening nor a solution to the problem.

 

I heard a Mechanic tell a lady at STS Tire while I was there getting my yearly inspection, that her stepping on the brake and the steering wheel shaking is normal...I looked at her and said "No its not, your rotors are warped, have them cut or replaced" The mechanic turned as red as a beet and the lady asked for her car back then asked me for a name of a reputable garage.

 

 

Glad you told her the truth, because we know the mechanics are not usually going to! It is a shame but crap like this happens all the time. Glad I grew up around vehicles and know how to work on them myself. I feel bad for the people who don't and have to trust their mechanic (you would think you would be able to).

 

Daniel

[BlackZ71Silverado]

I just read another threat where the OP is telling a story about rough idle of his truck and the dealer gave him the standart answer "that's normal".

 

I'm wondering what else is normal?

 

There is the oil consumption: "normal".

 

What does the average GM car buyer have to expect as "normal"?

 

Maybe you guys wanna share some more "normal" stuff about your cars.

 

Thanks.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

 

 

 

Rough idle 5.3L = normal, always was a rough engine

 

Oil Consumption = normal, read your owners manual and it will tell you that (not just GM either)

 

Driveline clunk = normal, gm has an update but it will continue to clunk

 

Lifter noise on cold start = normal

 

Low oil pressure = normal, doesn't need to run at 40psi or above all the time

 

AFM shutter = normal, every truck I ever drove with it it can be felt but people get used to it and not notice it after a while.

 

A lot of people think everything is a problem and take no time to do any research or even read the owner's manual for their vehicle. If people would at least do the reading, they would find out the "problem" is not a problem at all and is in fact normal.

[Morgan1986]

Rough idle 5.3L = normal, always was a rough engine

 

Oil Consumption = normal, read your owners manual and it will tell you that (not just GM either)

 

Driveline clunk = normal, gm has an update but it will continue to clunk

 

Lifter noise on cold start = normal

 

Low oil pressure = normal, doesn't need to run at 40psi or above all the time

 

AFM shutter = normal, every truck I ever drove with it it can be felt but people get used to it and not notice it after a while.

 

A lot of people think everything is a problem and take no time to do any research or even read the owner's manual for their vehicle. If people would at least do the reading, they would find out the "problem" is not a problem at all and is in fact normal.

 

I think those are all still problems just GM says there normal and not going to do anything to fix them . A bad design system with flaws will be normal because those systems where built into it like that . Even tho it should not be there . I can put in any manual a problem and say its normal if i am the owner of a company . Hell i would find the flaws with my product and in the manual I would state them as normal.

[j-ten-ner]

Rough idle 5.3L = normal, always was a rough engine

Maybe that's the reason why no competitor offers a 5.3L?

Because it is normal?

How about changing for the better than take it as granted that a 5.3L has always been rough?

 

Oil Consumption = normal, read your owners manual and it will tell you that (not just GM either)

Granted. But not the excessive amount many GM truck owners have experienced.

 

Driveline clunk = normal, gm has an update but it will continue to clunk

The drive line in my F350 work truck does not "clunk". How is that?

Should I get my boss to give the truck back?

 

Lifter noise on cold start = normal.

Not on the 96 Buick my wife used to drive.

 

Low oil pressure = normal, doesn't need to run at 40psi or above all the time

As long as it is within the specs. Is it lower then it is not normal.

 

AFM shutter = normal, every truck I ever drove with it it can be felt but people get used to it and not notice it after a while.

That's what I really don't know. My truck is the first car I've ever driven with AFM.

I can imagine that it is really hard to shut down half of the engine and turn it back on without any vibrations or shutters. Maybe that is something we really have to live with. Just comes with the design.

 

A lot of people think everything is a problem and take no time to do any research or even read the owner's manual for their vehicle. If people would at least do the reading, they would find out the "problem" is not a problem at all and is in fact normal.

That's true. But obviosly many dealers are trying to sell a bag of stupidity to the customers. Especially when it comes to warranty claims.

 

 

I don't want to create a witch hunt.

I'm just curious what else some dealers (or mechanics for that matter) are trying to pull the legs of the customers.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[06pirate]

Some of the "normal" items that caused my to trade in my 2007 Taco after only 6,000 miles:

 

Problem: Extreme exhaust resonance, so loud and annoying I could barely hear the crappy stereo.

Answer: "Yeah, they're all like that."

 

Problem: Extreme acceleration hesitation, so that sometimes the truck would barely get through an intersection without stalling.

Answer: "Yeah, that's how they are set up. It's for pollution control".

 

Problem: Clutch grab that caused the vehicle to jerk and skip. (I have driven manual transmission vehicles for 30 years, yes, Mr. Mechanic, I know how to use a clutch.)

Answer: "You need to practice driving a clutch."

 

Problem: Burning oil, enough that carbon was building up in the exhuast pipe at the tip.

Answer: "Yeah, they're all like that, it's normal."

 

Problem: Brake pedal slowly goes to the floor after about 30 seconds with pressure on the pedal.

Answer: "Yeah, they're all like that, it's normal. It's part of the anti-lock brakes, that's how they work."

 

Problem: The truck was a piece of crap.

Answer: TRADED IT FOR MY 2006 GMC SIERRA. TAKE THAT TOYOTA!!!!

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Bad dealers try to do all kind of crap, far to much to list. IMO the worst one is when they try to scam the customer by telling them any and all aftermarket items installed will force them to void your warranty.

Not all dealers do this, just the bad ones. Find a dealership that actually cares about service after the sale and you are good. My family has been fortunate to have one locally that is great.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone4S

using Tapatalk

[kstruckcountry]

I have a problem with my 2006... Well I don't but the dealer does because they never make any money off of it! Couldn't be happier with this truck. Well maybe if it was an LBZ.

['01LS1]

I just read another threat where the OP is telling a story about rough idle of his truck and the dealer gave him the standart answer "that's normal".

 

What does the average car buyer OF ANY MFG have to expect as "normal"?

 

 

 

Fixed your quote above. Go to any other brand forum & you will read the same things.

[j-ten-ner]

Fixed your quote above. Go to any other brand forum & you will read the same things.

 

 

I thought it is a GM forum, isn't it?

But of course we can handle it like back in high school: "Daddy, the others have the same bad grages...".

 

Service and customer appreciation starts at the basics.

And GM should do better than the competition.

That's all I want.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[RyanbabZ71]

I took my wife's van in for a free oil change (1st mistake I know). Well there was a guy in there with an 09/10 Camry. The service advisor was telling the guy he needed brakes, tires, battery, wipers, air filter, and some other misc items. I looked over at him and said it would be cheaper for him to buy a new car.

 

 

Ryan

['01LS1]

I thought it is a GM forum, isn't it?

But of course we can handle it like back in high school: "Daddy, the others have the same bad grages...".

 

Service and customer appreciation starts at the basics.

And GM should do better than the competition.

That's all I want.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

 

 

 

Then you still need to differentiate.

While one useless GM garage may quote the "That's normal", another may take care of the issue

w/o question. There is a Chevrolet dealer in northern IL that I would not send my worst enemy to &

it stems back to the dirt bag that owns it down through the those he has surrounded himself with.

 

My local Chevrolet dealer has went above & beyond in years past. But that revolves around the staff

behind the desk or counter & the guys I knew a couple years ago in service are gone. In my eyes, that reputation

is gone as well until I get to know the new guys or if mgmt has them locked down to saying that's normal.

All you can do is research the best servicing dealer in your area to purchase from.

 

I also noticed the http://www.dealerrater.com/ now has a segment for rating service, but not all dealers are listed

on that site.