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So we got our first 6.7 yesterday. I've already been to class, and we got to test drive the classroom trainer, so the vehicle was no surprise to me. Of course, we had our fair share of gawkers, and several test drives were performed prior to the PDI. I finally got the vehicle late in the day yesterday.

 

I didn't finish the inspections before the end of the day yesterday, so I left it in my bay with the hood up overnight.

 

Guess what - the vehicle was gone this morning when I got to work. It was in the washrack being cleaned up - already sold.

 

So, lets overlook the absolute lack of respect for me, the technician, by closing the hood and removing a vehicle from the bay...

 

After I got the vehicle back from cleanup, I finished my inspections. The transmission fluid was 5 quarts low. Yah, that wasn't a typo. 5 quarts.

 

I made sure the service manager was aware that this vehicle went through 50 miles of test drives by various gawkers berfore an actual technician completed the inspection process.

 

Too bad the tranny didn't burn up - that would have been a hoot.

 

Production date was 2/25. Anyone else seeing lack of fluid fill on these?

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We check fluid levels on everything we PDI... cheap insurance when we regard the "human factor"... If Gregs unit had gotten to a customer and then had a failure or the customer had found out that he got a truck that had a low fluid level, it would be the dealer and the tech in the direct line of fire from the customer. The customer, with his confidence in his new truck shattered, could likely make somebodies life a living hell as he showed up on the service departments doorstep over every last little squeek or hiccup.... perceived or real.

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Excellent point as usual Jim. Regardless of whether Ford cut the labor times and dropped the fluid checks from the PDI list it only takes a few short minutes to check everything. There is too much at stake here. Fixing it right the first time includes DOING it right the very first time.

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We would also do PDIs (Post Delivery Inspection) on our customer's new trucks after delivery. It's a shame how much stuff is pencil whipped at our local dealers. On MDs it was common to see the diff a couple of gallons low due to being shipped with the axles out, and the axle flanges were rarely torqued properly, too. I think the delivery driver put the axles back in with a crescent wrench.

 

 

Posted Image

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Ooooooh, I hate it when the memory fails...

 

Recently there was a special service message regarding yet another version of "shipping mode". As I recall (Danger , Will Robinson, danger!! Sorry if some of you young guys don't remember that...) it is in the instrument cluster, I can't remember the specifics but it is a strategy designed to alleviate some of the new car storage problems we've encountered. It will turn off on it's own but until it turns off, it will display some sort of message (ain't the memory a wonderful thing?). They recommend turning it off 'manually' just before delivery.

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We have done a few 2011 PDI's now. I just finished up a delivery going out this morning where the Transportation Mode Deactivation Process did not immediately deactivate. The procedure actually starts the TPMS learn process. This particular truck is a diesel with every electrical do-dad possible. This may have contributed to the delay. I contacted the Hot-Line and by the time I got my response the message disappeared from the cluster. Keep that in mind.

 

April 21, 2010

 

To: All Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers

Subject: 2011 Super Duty Transportation Mode Deactivation Process

 

During the inventory and transport phase, vehicles are not driven for long periods of time, resulting in weakened or dead batteries. The Transport Mode is designed to deactivate or modify certain vehicle functions in order to reduce battery discharge before a vehicle is delivered to the customer.

 

2011 SUPERDUTY TRANSPORT MODE BEHAVIORS

 

Instrument cluster message center will display TRANSPORT MODE – CONTACT DEALER

Battery Saver and Delayed Accessory timers are reduced to 1min (from 10 min in Normal Mode)

Remote Start will not function

TRANSPORT MODE DEACTIVATION PROCEDURE

The Transport Mode will automatically deactivate when the vehicle's odometer reaches 50 miles (80 km) or when the following steps are performed:

 

Turn ignition to Run – Engine Off

PRESS BRAKE PEDAL 5 TIMES AND PRESS HAZARD SWITCH 4 TIMES (ON, OFF, ON, OFF) WITHIN 10 SECONDS

Note: Transport Mode should be deactivated just prior to the customer taking delivery.

The above procedure is step number 7 of the PDI Service Record. The PDI Service Record is attached, or can be found on FMCDealer.com/Sales/Customer Satisfaction/Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) or from the PTS site/SLTS tab/Pre-Delivery Labor Time from the SLTS menu page.

 

QUESTIONS

Contact Jerimy Moreau at jmoreau@ford.com or 313-248-8865

 

 

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Found out this morning - transmission fluid is not reimbursable if found low during PDI because, as Alex said, those fluid level checks are no longer required.

 

I think if it's got a dipstick, it should be checked on every vehicle - regardless.

 

What is reimbursable? Washer fluid.

 

Oh, it takes 16 gallons of washer fluid to offset 5 quarts of Mercon LV. Amazing how many of our new vehicles will be requiring a whole gallon of washer fluid in the future...

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There was a broadcast message recently regarding add blue (DEF - I like the term add blue because it reminds me of soylent green) and how it shouldn't be topped off at PDI.

 

My own take? Fuck Ford.... I want my customer to have a painless introduction to his new (and vastly expensive) vehicle. If it costs my store a few bucks... well, what can I say? We need to place OURSELVES in the customers shoes....

 

Let's say you own a restauraunt..... Would you feed shit to your customers that you wouldn't eat?

 

The idea is to make the customer have an experience he will remember as being "good". The idea is to have the customer coming back to you because he WANTS to.... not because he has to.... has to until he has the opportunity to become someone elses customer.

 

On another venue, someone asked why customers seem to be "being chased" from dealer shops..... hmmmmm

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21304 2011 F-SUPER DUTY - 6.7L - DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) TANK FILL

6.7L DIESEL EQUIPPED VEHICLES USE A SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION (SCR) SYSTEM DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE VEHICLES EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) TANK IS FILLED TO SPECIFICATION AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT. DEALERS ARE NOT INSTRUCTED TO CHECK THE DEF FLUID ON THE PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION (PDI) SERVICE RECORD (CHECK SHEET) AND ARE THEREFORE NOT AUTHORIZED TO TOP-OFF THE TANKS DURING PDI. THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MESSAGE CENTER IS DESIGNED TO INDICATE WHEN THE DEF IS LOW. IF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MESSAGE CENTER INDICATES THAT THE DEF IS LOW AT PDI THIS MAY INDICATE AN ISSUE WITH THE SCR SYSTEM THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR REPAIR.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/23/2010

 

So I had a PDI this morning as well. I decided to contact the Hot-Line to clarify exactly what "filled to specification" meant. I didn't want to assume that this means a full DEF tank. Apparently it means "nearly full." Posted Image I sincerely hope that they didn't think I am joking with them. I am letting this one rest. The tanks are full.

 

 

Originally Posted By: Ford Technical Service Hot-Line
Tech's question:

 

Concerning SSM #21304 which states that the DEF tank is filled to specification. Experience has proven that this type of dialog does not always represent what we find in the field. This begs the question as to whether or not the tanks are actually FILLED TO CAPACITY at the factory. We want to ensure that the DEF tanks are filled for the customer at delivery. If a customer has to return to the dealer for DEF before the estimated service interval he will not be happy with Ford Motor Company and the dealership. Customer satisfaction is our goal. Also, can the DEF be claimed on a PDI repair order if additional fluid is required?

 

 

Hotline response:

 

Keith, As stated in the SSM you have referenced, the DEF tanks are filled to specification; this does not indicate that the tank is completely full. Each vehicle's DEF tank comes nearly full from the factory. As a result, top-off is not authorized during PDI. The DEF level on arrival should be sufficient to provide the customer with normal vehicle operation within the estimated DEF service interval. Please note that DEF consumption will vary depending on customer driving habits and vehicle usage.

 

Also there apparently is a coupon or something to that effect that provides one free DEF fill up provided before 10,000 miles.

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I was told at training that the DEF was 3/4 full.

 

Which leads me to believe if the owner uses the IOLM, the truck may display the "DEF LOW" message, or run out completely before the first LOF.

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