So wife took her Prius for "free" service.

The complete alignment specifications and procedures are in Toyota’s Repair Manual, available by subscription to techinfo.toyota.com. For a concise explanation of some of the measurements, see Toyota’s Quick Training Guide: Basic Alignment Geometry.

The reported measurements are all within specification, except right front caster, which at 5.9° is just outside Toyota’s published limits, 6.85° ± 0.75° (for 195/65R15 tires). The difference between left and right, however, is 0.4°, less than the limit of 0.75°. In any case, Toyota doesn’t publish an adjustment procedure for caster; it’s measured to check for damage to the body or suspension parts, and nothing should be done unless it’s badly out of specification or there is a noticeable handling or alignment problem.

If the dealer didn’t make any adjustments, that may be why they didn’t provide a second report.

That’s a fair viewpoint, but ToyotaCare is also meant to encourage people to maintain their vehicles at all—a surprising number don’t—and to get into the habit of returning to dealers for that purpose. Since Toyota reimburses the dealers for the work, the cost is part of the selling price of the car, and I’m inclined to get my money’s worth, while politely but firmly declining any unnecessary extras. I also see nothing wrong with doing the work yourself or having it done by a trusted independent mechanic, if you prefer.

 

These reports are often color-coded to show what is "out" and what is "in".

 

My stealer recommends alignments and you pay the full price whether it is OK or not.

Further, they did a CPO warranty covered bearing replacement on my daughter's Corolla - ran over time. When I finally picked it up, I asked if they did an alignment and they yes. So I asked for the printout, they said oops, forgot to print one, will have to put it back on the machine. Put it back on the machine, said oops, seems to have gotten out of alignment in the last 15 minutes . . . 30 minutes later, good to go (again). Right.

 

Actually, the reason they made a B/W copy to give your wife is because the right caster "window" on the color printout from the machine is RED because it is out of spec. That's why it is a different background shade on the B/W printout. The others are in spec and their background GREEN.

Of course, a (color)blind tech might not catch the difference . . .

 

The text is also white instead of black on the copy. Any colorblind person can see that.

 

total scam in my opinion. it's a marketing ploy by toyota. you'd be surprised how many people think there is value in a couple hundred dollars of 'free' service, when dropping 30 large on a vehicle.
and a spectacular opportunity for dealers to try and make a few hundred every time some poor uninformed soul comes in for their 'freebie'.
don't be too hard on your wife, those clowns are well trained on the best ways to pray on the naive and innocent.

 

Alignments are one of those things that you need to get a lifetime warranty for. To receive this, you'll likely head towards a chain store, and not the dealership. My last Toyota had a lifetime warranty for $170 from a chain. I got around 8-10 alignments done for that price.

 

I think you'll find that warranties don't cover wheel alignments or balancing. And, my experience is that SOME dealers will try to convince you that you need one every year - "it's cheaper than new tyres". I've kept my last 3 cars for 3-4½ yrs, never had an alignment - though would have been suggested 10 times in that period of time - at $80 each would have been $800 wasted.

 

You have the perfect way of telling if you need an alignment - tire wear!

 

I was just at our local dealership parts department, and walking out I notice they were strapping some gizmos on the rims of a car, in the big entrance carport. I asked if it was some sort of wireless wheel alignment, and the guy said it was, and added that it's not that accurate, just a cursory check.

 

BEFORE I bought my Prius, the salesman explicitly described a new machine that checked the alignment of cars (free!) as they drove them into the service area.

AFTER I bought my car, they say they never heard of that . . .

 

This seems rather silly to me.
Just stand in front of a mirror and practice saying NO a few times before going.
It really is easy !!

P.S. The dealership in Ocala has never suggested unnecessary service during the "free" interval......yet.....and I'm on my second one.

 

It's a bit like when you buy a car, and worse if it's new. You sign up for that car, should be the end of the story.

But no, they want you to meet with the upselling person (always been a beautiful lady they've sent me to, but that might be because I'm a guy). She goes through the pressure sales pitch to sell insurance, paint protection, tint, extra warranties. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

Next time I'm going to say no - I'll just take the car without the sales pitch for extras.

 

Be sure to ask for a discount for avoiding the upsales person.

 

I guess I must be lucky then. I've gone to two different dealerships for the free services and never had any attempt to sell me anything other than what I came in for. When I complained to the selling dealership about my chattering wipers (after cleaning them all multiple times and only having 9,000 miles on them), they replaced them all under the 12,000 mile warranty (whatever that is).

Minus the trips to go back to have them installed (which I'm perfectly capable of doing - minus the rear wiper - I can't get it off and even though I've read the instructions in the manual, can't figure out how to get the stupid thing off), the experience has been great.

 

Well, I would blame the dealership. If she paid for a wheel alignment then she's entitled to a print out. When I had an alignment done at Holman Toyota several years ago I looked at the report and thought WTH as the numbers didn't look good. Turns out the V has different specs so the guy had to do it again.

I'd complain to the Service Manager that it looks like the car is out of spec and that you didn't receive any documentation that it was fixed.