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Honda Cars of McKinney Complaint - Service Scam - Maintenance
Maintenance - Complaint
MCKINNEY, TEXAS -- My wife took her 2008 Accord to Honda Cars of McKinney for it's first oil change.
She mentioned to the service advisor that there was a light displayed on the instrument panel. It turns out that it was the low-pressure warning light for the tires.
The service advisor gave her a hard sell on filling the tires with Nitrogen to reduce the possibility of this happening in the future.
So instead of just checking the tires and adding air, she was sold a $40 procedure to replace all of the air in all the tires with Nitrogen.
What a scam! This is the first time in 20 years of owning Honda cars and having them serviced by Honda dealerships that I feel that my wife was taken advantage of.
So much for getting factory authorized service from a reputable dealership.
I can only guess what the markup on this is and what incentives are given to the service advisors to push this "snake oil" onto customers who are not technical enough to see through it.
She mentioned to the service advisor that there was a light displayed on the instrument panel. It turns out that it was the low-pressure warning light for the tires.
The service advisor gave her a hard sell on filling the tires with Nitrogen to reduce the possibility of this happening in the future.
So instead of just checking the tires and adding air, she was sold a $40 procedure to replace all of the air in all the tires with Nitrogen.
What a scam! This is the first time in 20 years of owning Honda cars and having them serviced by Honda dealerships that I feel that my wife was taken advantage of.
So much for getting factory authorized service from a reputable dealership.
I can only guess what the markup on this is and what incentives are given to the service advisors to push this "snake oil" onto customers who are not technical enough to see through it.
Comments:
Posted by Slimjim on 2008-08-23:
There is a tire place by me that pulls that stuff all the time with the nitro. Last time they didn't ask me and just did it at $8 per. Then the tires get low and they are suppose to refill at no charge, but the wait is half an hour after you drive specifically there for someone to just come and pump back the low one. I won't do business with them anymore just because.
Posted by superbowl on 2008-08-23:
I put Nitrogen in my last set of new tires for my Ford truck. That was six months ago and the pressure is still where it's supposed to be. I paid $6 a tire with free refills for the life of the tires. They have checked them twice now with no fuss. I am getting a little better mileage now too. I think the Nitrogen thing is for real.
Posted by justcuz3993 on 2008-08-23:
What does nitrogen do for tire pressure? Is this something we should take seriously and consider doing? With gas prices as they are, I'm paying more attention to the little things that can help with mileage.
Posted by superbowl on 2008-08-23:
Nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen so they seal better. NASCAR has been using nitrogen in their tires for some time now to keep the tire pressure constant during races. I did pick up a couple miles to the gallon when I started using nitrogen. Some say it's all a bunch of witch craft but it has made a difference for me. I have not had to add any to my tires for six months now.
I think some of the mileage increase has to do with proper inflation more than how the tires run down the road though.
I think some of the mileage increase has to do with proper inflation more than how the tires run down the road though.
Posted by justcuz3993 on 2008-08-24:
Thanks for the info Super!
Posted by mrs1140 on 2008-09-10:
When I purchased tires at Costco, they were filled with nitrogen. They had us return a week later to top off. I have read that you don't have as much air loss.
Posted by b5ster on 2009-02-09:
The only gas you will save with nitrogen is haveing your tires inflated to the proper PSI all the time...Because you don't loose as much nitrogen in the expantion and contraction (hot and cold respectivly)of the tire as with regular old air.
You could do the same thing nitrogen does by checking your tires air presure once a month with a gage and stay with regular old AIR...and skip the over priced nitrogen, that is unless you get it for free of course at your local Costco...if you have one local to you!
Nitrogen is not a magical thing to give you better MPG like some have made it sound like!
You could do the same thing nitrogen does by checking your tires air presure once a month with a gage and stay with regular old AIR...and skip the over priced nitrogen, that is unless you get it for free of course at your local Costco...if you have one local to you!
Nitrogen is not a magical thing to give you better MPG like some have made it sound like!
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-02-09:
I use air from a compressor I have at the house. 2007 van 120,000 miles. Add free air when needed (check at least once a week). Bought new tires @ 90 grand, put free air in when drastic temp change no problems. Just check them regularly. Mileage runs @ 23-27 mpg depending upon city/highway.
Nitro in the tires is a ripoff.
Nitro in the tires is a ripoff.
Posted by MRM on 2009-02-09:
Jkt, I thought you had bought new tires for $90,000 but its 90,000 miles. You almost gave a heart attack!
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-02-09:
LOL! the tires were $600.00
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