We just took our Wrangler to Moothart Chrysler/Jeep in Cerritos, CA for its 6k mile service. In addition to the standard oil and filter change, our dealer performed a host of inspections. This included adjusting tire pressure, chassis lube, and fluid top-off.
Normally we're not fond of being charged just for inspecting stuff but given the fact that we actually take our Jeep off-road quite a bit we were happy to have steering, driveline and suspension components checked...
Our only issue outside of the regular service was that some editors reported squeaking brakes. The problem is far from chronic and our tech said he could not duplicate the problem. Still, they deglazed the pads and applied some extra anti-squeak. We've used this dealership before and would happliy return.
Brian Moody, Road Test Editor @ 5,700 miles.
ewilfong says:
10:47 AM, 08/31/07
$20? How'd you manage such a great deal? Was there a special going on? It's nice to hear a positive experience and value from dealership service.
tackepj says:
10:48 AM, 08/31/07
Now THAT'S a good price. Sounds like an honest and reliable dealer.
stovt001 says:
12:01 PM, 08/31/07
Wow, first report of a service visit I've read on this blog that has actually gone very well. Congrats!
briancam says:
12:07 PM, 08/31/07
We've had good service visits with our Chevy Tahoe as well.
gmusic7 says:
01:40 PM, 08/31/07
20.00? i wish all chrysler/jeep dealer services were like that. i will assume that all brakes glaze. but why is it that when the brakes of a chrysler vehicle glaze, they become noisy or squeal? the same thing happened with my parents' 1997 caravan after around 4,000 miles. the dealer charged $50.00 for deglazing the brakes. aftermarket brake pads and shoes were the choice when the originals needed to be replaced.
desmolicious says:
02:42 PM, 08/31/07
Thanks for the tip! I now know where I'll be taking my Wrangler. I live in Venice and let's just say my local Jeep dealer experience was horrendous.
actualsize says:
01:58 PM, 09/ 1/07
I don't buy the glaze answer. They probably couldn't duplicate the problem because brake noises are highly temperature sensitive. It was most likely "morning sickness" or low speed cold squeal, something that happens for the first couple of brake applications after sitting all night.
Brake squeal is something that most brake engineers lose sleep over. Squeak or squeal is almost never indicative of a serious problem with new-car brakes (unless they're old and worn down to the indicators - bbut then the car isn't new) but many customers dislike hearing anything from their binders.
All sorts of brake design elements have to be just right to keep them silent: pad material, caliper stiffness, caliper mounting bracket stiffness, pad chamfers, pad slots, etc. But with the wide range of driving conditions and environments in the USA, quiet brakes for everyone is darn near impossible.
Some of the noise countermeasures increase dust or reduce stopping distance. Brake engineering is a balance of these trade-off issues. Some carmakers go after the minimum possible stopping distance while others worry about quashing noise complaints.
SubyTrojan says:
08:08 PM, 09/ 1/07
That was a neat comment, Dan! If definitely provides some insight into OEM brake design.
I saw so many brake squeal complaints while I was working as a warranty administrator at a BMW and Acura dealerships. At the later, our techs would usually record "NFF" (no fault found) because BMWNA warranty would not usually cover work (such as chamfering the brake pads) to remedy the noise. A big exception to this was the situation with the brake pad wear sensors of the 7, 5, and 6 Series vehicles that were in contact with the rotors.
At the Acura dealerships, American Honda had TSBs for vehicles with squeaking/squealing front brakes, most notably the RL. Unlike BMWNA, American Honda would often allow for brake pad replacement and the resurfacing of the brake discs.
It also isn't uncommon for brake squeal to come from aftermarket brake pads, especially those of a high-performance nature, as well.
chryslertech says:
12:07 PM, 10/12/08
I'M SORRY, BUT IF YOUR JEEP BRAKES SQUEAK AT 6000 MILES ALL THEY DID WAS SAND PAPER YOUR ROTORS. THAT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MOOTHART IS A VERY POORLY RAN DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NO ASE MASTER TECHS. THEY USE THAT OIL CHANGE TO PREY ON PEOPLE TO UPSELL REPAIRS THAT ARE NOT NEEDED!! I KNOW, I WORK THERE!! HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE GM. HE IS INSANE! BUT HE IS FAMILY, HOW ELSE WOULD HE SURVIVE? PLEASE GET A SECOND OPINION BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR WALLET. I THINK THERE ARE ONLY 3 FULLY QUALIFIED TECHS. THINGS ARE SLOW FOR DEALERS,TECHNICIANS ARE PAID ON WORK THEY DO(FLAT RATE). WHAT DO YOU THINK THEIR GOING TO DO. I AM A MASTERTECH WITH A STATE SMOG LICENSE. TRUST ME, GO TO PEP BOYS AND ASK FOR BENDIX BRAKE PRODUCTS(SAME AS FACTORY HIGH END) SAVE SOME CASH.