2008 4Runner Warranty

I'll run with it.

To illustrate: Let's say you're driving down your favorite girl-watching road. Some knockout jogs by looking like she could float to Hawaii with the built-in waterwings. You swerve to the left, then right, and smack the curb with your front tire. All of a sudden, the car pulls to the left on a level road.

You need an alignment.

The dealer should pay?

I know what you are saying and it makes sense.

However, I wish that had been the scenario.. at least after watching such a babe, it would have been worth paying for it.

But, there was no such thing - just normal driving. In any case, I may just be out of luck.

Take it back to the dealer. Toyota dealership, under warranty should cover basic wheel alignment with only 1K miles on it. I know of one person with a Sienna who had wheel alignment problems and the Toyota dealership checked alignment and rotated the tires too, in order to correct the problem. Don't be bashful, insist, tactfully, even though they may have it covered under their terms of warranty, a good honest dealer will try to make you happy and correct an honest problem you are having with your brand new Toyota.

May the Force be with you.

Adjustments are covered for 90 days, providing that the need for adjustment was not caused by the driver.

This will be outlined in your warranty book, politely point this out to the dealer service advisor if necessary.

Check your warranty booklet. It used to be 1 year 12,000 miles, but looks like it's cost cut time down to 90 days.

The alignment may be off simply from transporting the truck to the dealer. Also, the springs and rubber mounts settle in during break-in and make the alignment go off slightly.

It's best to pay attention to the alignment before the shorter warranty period expires and get it fixed free if it's off!!!

Did you read your warranty carefully? I bought my son a Mazda3 back in December and the salesman was very specific about adjustments and about how to talk to the service department. For instance, the salesman said if we thought the car needed an alignment we should NOT take it to the service department and tell them it needed an alignment. If we did that, we are requesting them to perform a service not covered. However, if we take it in and tell them that the vehicle pulls a little, or that it appears to be wearing the tires strangely, or that it doesn't track properly that they will most likely perform the alignment and that it will be free (at least for the first year or

Why do you think the vehicle needs an alignment? What is the symptom? That is what you should asked to have fixed. Just telling them you think it needs an alignment might not work (unless you want to pay). There has to be a reason why you think it needs an alignment - and that is what you should have them address.

Ed

I would guess your dealer.

The warranty does not cover normal wear and maintenance items. Wheel alignment would be a wear and maintenance item.

However, I could be wrong:

or

However, your warranty may be different. Get out your warranty manual and read it carefully.

If you get no satisfaction, I would call the Toyota costumer service number.on

Jeff

Thanks to all who replied. I am bringing my car to the dealership today - will let you know later how things turned out.

By the way, it is not really pulling left or right. It is just difficult to control especially in the freeway. It seems to go all over the place but straight.

-Joe.

That doesn't sound like an alignment problem. Anyway, just tell the service adviser what problem you are experiencing. Also, suggest going on a road test.

Jeff

Check the tire air pressures and make sure they are set per the vehicle placcard. When I got my first Expedition I could barely drive it a straight line. I checked the tires and found that they were all over inflated to the max pressure listed on the tire seideall, not the correct pressure for the vehicle. Once I dropped the pessures down to the correct values, the truck tracked like it was on a rail.

Ed

I think if the dealer wants the repeat business and considering the vehicle only has 1000 miles -- I would think it'd be in the dealers best interest to do it. Of course, they can refuse and it's likely their right -- and I would probably refuse to visit that dealer ever again. Amazing how word of mouth works. Not like doing a 'Goodwill' alignment will cost them much, anyway.

I think the person who responded that the dealer doesn't just go and gives in warranty wheel alignments, but rather, will repair problems (including doing wheel alignments) was correct. Going into a dealer and asking for a wheel alignment shouldn't work. Going into a dealer and saying, "I have this problem with ...." should work. And, more importantly, it will give the dealer enough information so that he can fix the problem, not do unneeded work.

So the answer is, don't ask the dealer to do a particular service or tell the dealer how to fix the problem. Rather, tell the dealer what the problem is and let him fix it.

Jeff

You're right, of course, about the "good will". But ultimately it isn't their responsibility.

Check your written warranty. It used to say first year all adjustments are included.