What does vehicle prep entail?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 72
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From: Las Flores, CA
What does vehicle prep entail?
Ordered '05 F250...It is scheduled to arrive this week...How long does it take for a dealer to prep a new truck and what does it entail? Wash and wax?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
It should include a test-drive (make sure it drives right, listen for rattles and correct them), check to make sure everything (A/C, power goodies, wipers, lights, radio, etc...) works, check tire pressures, inspect under-carriage for damage. There may be more, but that's most of it.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Kansas City, Missouri
I used to do that in my former life at an Oldsmobile dealership and Jeff is correct. Most of the cars we went over were fine, but we did catch many missing bolts, rattles, missing hubcaps, etc. Normally they have a checklist the techs work off of but sometimes things get missed, that is what the warranty is for. They don't normally do a wax unless you asked for one and then they will sell it to you. It should take about an hour or so with test drive. It is the quality control on the dealer's end. 
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 72
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From: Las Flores, CA
Thanks for the input! Since the truck is scheduled to arrive this week, I was hoping the prep work wouldn't take too long so I can maybe pick it up on Friday! It's my first real truck and first diesel! Can't wait to start putting some miles on it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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Well at my dealership prep usually includes: Remove all the protective coverings from shipping, wash the vehicle, test drive it and check for any problems, and finish up the paper work before the customer arrives.
If you rather not wait for them to "prep" your vehicle, you can aske them not to do anything to the truck once it arrives. Then you will pick it up with the plastic still on the seats, no wash, and all the exterior prtoective plastic from shipping.
IMO, i never let a dealer wash my new car. All they do is end up putting fine swirl marks in the paint from using there cheap wash towels. Then i have to go and wax the truck to get them out.
Oh almost forgot, if you dont want the dealer to put one of those annoying vinly stickers with the dealership's name on it, on your tailgate. Make sure to tell them BEFORE the truck arrives. That is usually the first thing they'll do.
Hope this helps.
If you rather not wait for them to "prep" your vehicle, you can aske them not to do anything to the truck once it arrives. Then you will pick it up with the plastic still on the seats, no wash, and all the exterior prtoective plastic from shipping.
IMO, i never let a dealer wash my new car. All they do is end up putting fine swirl marks in the paint from using there cheap wash towels. Then i have to go and wax the truck to get them out.
Oh almost forgot, if you dont want the dealer to put one of those annoying vinly stickers with the dealership's name on it, on your tailgate. Make sure to tell them BEFORE the truck arrives. That is usually the first thing they'll do.
Hope this helps.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 72
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From: Las Flores, CA
Thanks for the info! The trucks on the lot look great so I'm hoping they take the same care with my truck when it comes in.....I'll let them do the work so I can drive it home clean! First things to get for the truck: Window tint and spray-in bed liner!
