1st Tire Rotation by Cadillac dealer

[928S]

Hi all,

My Cadillac dealer recently performed the 1st tire rotation on my '08 CTS w/ 18" polished wheels. A few days later when the weather was warm enough for me to handwash my car, I discovered ...

1. several scratches near the center hub on two wheels, and polished finish on the face of several lug nuts completely removed by deep gouges from a mishandled pneumatic socket wrench. When I asked about it, the Service Mgr said that he could not be held responsible if a socket wrench "slips off a lug nut." I told him that the damage was unacceptable. He reluctantly agreed to replace the damaged lug nuts.

2. the tires were rotated front-to-rear same-side-only, not the rearward-cross rotation recommended in the 2008 CTS Owner's Manual:

The Service Mgr said that his intent was to minimize the chance of off-center steering wheel "pull" that some customers complain about after a tire rotation. BS...I thought. He never admitted that same-side-only rotation is simply the cheapest and least-confusing method for the guy(s) that worked on my car. When pressed, the Service Mgr agreed to complete the GM-recommended (for even tire wear, maximum tire life) rearward-cross rotation. Next time, I will tell my Service Advisor that I want the tires rotated exactly as shown in the diagram on page 5-75 of the 2008 CTS Owner's Manual.

My reason for posting this is two-fold. First, a heads-up to everyone; and now a question - I'm curious, do others agree or disagree with my Service Mgr's contention that polished wheel and lug nut damage is a normal, acceptable consequence of tire rotation? What's been your experience?

Thanks.

[st4422]

I can't decide if you are serious or if this is a kind of "Unofficial Whiners" thread in reverse. I'll assume you are serious.

Lug nut and wheel damage caused by tire rotation is absolutely not normal! In 40 years, I have never had any damage as you have described to chrome or aluminum wheels and lug nuts cause by a dealer or tire store tire rotation.

[Z71]

No, I don't agree its normal, negligence is what it is. Next time tell them you want no power tools used on your wheels and not to use a screwdriver to remove any center caps etc. Everything by hand or walk. I had the tech mar up a center cap on one of my GMC's once. They did not think it was a big deal but I made them replace it, cost nearly $40.

For some reason the dealers service people don't seem to have any respect for the customers cars at times.

[Jimls]

928S, you are justified with your grievance against your dealer. There is no acceptable excuse in causing this damage and then not taking responsibility for it either!
I would be just as upset, you paid good money for this option and they need to make it right.
I have had my 2 rear tires replaced and all 4 road force balaanced and have not had this happen to my vehicle. The responsibility is with the service department.
Jim

[spaceman78]

this is why i do my own oil changes and rotate my own tires. i feel the job gets done right .

[Brooks]

Did they reset your TPMS ? I find that hardly ever gets done.

Mike

[TSS]

Originally Posted by Brooks

Did they reset your TPMS ? I find that hardly ever gets done.

Mike

Good point. My dealer, who is tops, even forgot this once. I forgave them, as it was in connection with warranteeing four new chrome rims on my Lade, which were showing some slight pitting.

[jhschlak]

This is why I asked this question in a previous thread:

Just wondering if anyone can clarify a good method to raise the CTS using jacks for a tire rotation. Do you use the areas that the manual recommends? I checked this area out, and it seems like a rather small space to put a jack. I don't want to do anything to the rocker panels that is running in front of the recommended jack placement areas.

Anything I can do myself I will, since I will take better care of my vehicle then someone else will.

Thanks,
Jeff

[928S]

st4422, Z71, Jimls, spaceman78,

Thanks, guys, you've confirmed my own thoughts. Like you, I do not remember any damage to my many previous vehicles due to tire rotation. It seems that my Cadillac dealer's Service Mgr has morphed from Mr. Nice Guy to Mr. Jerk.

Brooks,

Thanks for reminding me. NO, they did not reset my TPMS. And my car was returned to me with a 4 psi (cold) difference between the front and rear tires.

Originally Posted by st4422

I can't decide if you are serious or if this is a kind of "Unofficial Whiners" thread in reverse...

Oh my gawd, I hope that this thread is not that silly!

[cts2008lover]

Not All But Some,
Charge Highest Service Low(Not My Car)
Cadillac Dealer Never Do, Cadillac & Other GM Car Dealer May Do.
People Can Have A Bad Day!(But Not Everyday)

I am sorry to hear that.

[TSS]

^^ Is this a riddle?

[Ronster]

Haiku.

I also do my own tire rotation. use a floor jack on the lift points with a small piece of 2x4 to spread the load and prevent chipping paint.
most folks will probably not do their own so they should know what to look for.
any damage to the wheel or lug nuts is unacceptable, but by a Cadillac dealer is especially wrong.
rg

[st4422]

Originally Posted by 928S

Oh my gawd, I hope that this thread is not that silly!

I just couldn't believe that a dealer would try and pass off wheel and lug nut damage as normal. Unbelievable!

[fast400@me.com]

Hey 928,
If you have the performance tires, they're directional...so front to back is correct. They definately shouldn't have used an impact though...even though it's common practice.

[ddawson]

I've had my tires rotated twice. Each time they forgot to put air my tires. I always check the tire pressure on the DIC before and after the tire rotation.