PPI + Hybrid Battery Test on Used Vehicle?

They told me when I picked up my car for the service BEFORE last month - "you'll need new tyres before next service".

I checked them a few times, and they were still reasonable when I put it in for this last service - as I picked up the car "your tyres should be fine till the next service - they'll probably need replacing then".

 

It took me several years as a young auto owner to learn how to navigate most dealerships.

Whenever I buy a car from a dealership, prior to the sale, I have a sit-down talk with the service director/manager. I can quickly determine his/her competence and can then decide if I want to continue the relationship. I make it clear that I know more than the salesmen, probably as much as most service advisors, and maybe even as much as the average entry-level tech (my particular model, of course, NOT all of them!). Of course, it's mostly "arm chair" knowledge, but most of it is valid.

The guys doing inspections/oil changes are NOT qualified techs, and should never be relied on. I always follow up any visit with tire PSI check, as well as lug torque, if any wheels have been removed. Oil change? I will insist on a tech doing this, and check the oil level in their presence.

My current Toyota service director, who runs a very good service department, tells everyone I'm a real pain in the hind quarters, because I'm his QC guy that always reports back to him! One time, after a veteran tech torqued my wheels to 110lb/ft, he brought him out to the lobby area to apologize to me!

I"m a firm believer in supporting dealership service departments. Keeping them honest helps to sustain this philosophy.

 

My preferred salesman happens to own a Gen 1 Prius. He spent 40 minutes demonstrating car features before the test drive.

The salesman at the local dealer did not even know Trim Two could have an interior other than black. He insisted on full list price too.