Before taking delivery

According to my dealer, my Taco is being built in a week on 9-29-16, and I should be able to take delivery about the 15th of October. I joined this forum to find pictures and learn about what others are doing with their new Tacos. While here I have learned of the issues some are having. With each new vehicle I get, I slowly learn more about the process and have a desire to protect my money more and more.

What i would like to do is compile a list that I should ensure is completed before I drive off the lot with my new truck. Please list any thing you think one should check before taking delivery of a new vehicle, and particularly the new Tacoma.

Edit: just received a call from my stealership, my build date has moved from 9-29 to 10-3, only a few days, but dam "the waiting is the hardest part"

 

Before Taking Delivery:
If ordered:Tell the salesperson that you don't want any dealer name plates affixed to the vehicle in any way (painted, riveted, or adhesive bonded). The license plate holder is okay. Also inform them if you don't want holes drilled to affix the plates.

Only take delivery during Day light to get the best look at your vehicle (maybe schedule an appointment. Make sure you have time set aside to do this, some say an hour at least.

Known Issue on 2016 Tacoma.) Transmission fluid full (make service check it, both manual and automatic trans)

Walk around:
1.) Check for dings, all body panels line up, bed is on straight, equal gaps between bed and cab. Make sure seams and door lines are straight and true. Remember, a careful inspection is critical because after the car leaves the lot, the dealer could reasonably claim that any body damage was caused by you. Are the trim, rubstrips, decals, chrome, hood ornaments, and other exterior features present, in good shape (defect-free), and properly attached?
Known Issue 2016 Tacoma.) Check hood adhesive https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hood-vibrating.402060/#post-11197379, https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hood-vibrating.402060/#post-11197458, https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hood-vibrating.402060/#post-11198221

2.) Before you do anything else, look at the odometer. It should be as close to zero as possible. The first few hundred miles on a fresh engine are critical, Unless you buy one that's just rolled off the delivery truck, most brand-new vehicles will have 10 or 20 miles on the clock. What you don't want is a car with 100 or 200 miles that's been a demonstrator vehicle to every lead-footed prospective buyer in town.
4.) Lower Control Arm https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lower-control-arms-tsb-is-a-thing.435490/page-3#post-12618102
6.) Zerks greased if it's a 4x4 https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/#post-11507441
7.) Ubolts on leafs to torqued to spec? https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-bolts.397913/#post-11023309
7.) ECU TBS Firmware up to date
8.) Check Paint, No scratches or blemishes, request them to not wash it (no weed smoking dealer monkey touching vehicle), request to leave the wrapping on it
a. Carefully sight along the sides of the car, from front to rear and vice versa, looking for ripples, dimples and dings. Light scratches can be buffed out easily enough. But you certainly don't want a car that's had any repaired body damage.
b. Look for paint over-spray on door ledges or around the edges of the engine compartment that might indicate repairs. Make sure there are no paint swirls from dealer detailing.
10.) Operate and inspect every item on the car:

a. Doors: Do they all work correctly? Do they seal properly? Do the locks work properly -- are they automatic, can they be operated remotely?
b. Cruise control
c. Horn
d. Wipers
e.
f. Does the hood release lever operate from the inside? Do you know the location? Can you open the hood yourself? Does it stay up on its own?
g. Is the engine compartment in perfect shape?
h. Is every dip stick, plastic cover, and wire harness present and properly secured?
i. All the fluids should be at optimal levels: oil, transmission, power steering, brake, windshield wash, and coolant.
j. There should be very little dirt and grime, and not a single sign of fluid leakage of any kind.
k. None of the engine components should show exterior wear or replacement -- things like one spark plug wire that is a completely different shade of black should draw a red flag and a question. They should replace them all with new items if that means you'll drive the vehicle away.
l. Battery: Is it filled properly? Or is it a "no-service" type? (Check the level or sight dot.) No corrosion should be present on the electrodes. It should be properly connected -- fastened to wire leads and properly secured -- tied down in the vehicle. 0 Ask about how to jump it properly. 0 Does it have a special separate warranty?
m. Is the trunk/bed in perfect shape?
i. Is the carpeting properly fastened?
ii. Do the lights work correctly?
iii. Does the internal opening button work correctly?
iv. How about the outside lock?
v. If it has gas shocks to hold up the lid, are they working properly?
vi. Are the extras, such as cargo nets or trunk tray, present as you ordered?
n. Fuel System:
i. Which side is the filler door on?
ii. Can you open it from inside the vehicle?
iii. Does it lock?
iv. What grade of gasoline does the manufacturer recommend?
v. How big is the tank?
vi. At what level does the fuel gauge on the dash register? (Many dealers
Doors open, close and lock and unlock including moon/sun roof
11.) Window go up and down, control lock if available
12.) Interior- No rips or marks, trim is intact and no scratches
13.) Radio/nav system- Check for Bluetooth connectivity, update as required, current Maps
14.) Back up camera operational
15.) check wheels - rims scratched, tires new, no marks on them such as rubbing, lugnuts tight, Tire Pressure
16.) long test drive (35 miles has been suggested), check for squeaks, vibrations, gear issues.


After Delivery:
1.) Loosen lug nuts and properly torque
2.) set tire pressures to specs inside door, or do the chalk test for best pressure
3.)Drop your spare and put back up. prep your spare tire kit

Web resources:
Consumer Reports Checklist
Toyota before you drive away checklist
Street Directory How to inspect before Final Delivery

 

Ecu TSB and firmware is up to date. Check ATF level
Check hood adhesive
The other issues seem to have no solutions at this point (vibrations, squeaky springs, rumble strip)

 

I am not very mechanically inclined so don't be afraid to spell it out for me and others that may be in the same boat as myself.

I realize there is something in a manual trans, maybe Hydraulic fluid, but how do you check that? Make the service guys?

 

tell them not to wash it

 

Non-Taco specific, but I always do a walk around and look at every inch of the body.

Make sure there are no scratches, dings, blemishes. Make sure the body panels all line up well. Check all the interior trim and upholstery. Verify that all the doors and windows open and close without difficulty or noises. These visual items are very easy to be blamed on YOU and brushed off by the service department once you leave the lot.

Get down and perform a visual inspection, even if you don't 100% know what you are looking at there should be symmetry between the sides.

 

5.) Zerks if it's a 4x4
6.) Ubolts on leafs to spec?
7.) If it's Black, don't let them wash it.

 

I just put a deposit on a 2017 OR v6, which may or may not be available locally by next week. Hoping to hear verdict today, otherwise I'm being told that it will take 8 weeks to build & deliver.

Thanks for this thread, I want to make sure I do all the right things when I take delivery.

 

Why? Scratches?

 

exactly

 

...^^^... Excellent list.

FWIW ... I never let dealer wash my new vehicle.

 

Yes. The guys that wash your truck are told to do it as quick as possible. They aren't detailers. I picked up my still wrapped in plastic and did everything myself.

Also make sure you pick it up in the daylight and look around it in the sun. There are many vehicles that receive very minor damages during shipment like chips and dings. Before you take delivery is your only chance to have these issues resolved because once you take it off the lot it can easily be blamed on you

 

Yeah dont let them wash it!
Get yourself some adams polishes winter driving kit and visco claybar kit to get a good detail on the truck!

 

Check the wheels too, 2 of mine were damaged and needed replaced.

 

I usually buy 2-3 new cars a year, so I have a pretty good idea, of what to do on my own.

However, these are additional stuff I did on the Tacoma. I flew from CA to OR during early morning to take delivery during the day. As with all my cars, I want the car not waashed/cleaned. I want it delivered to me as they got it, with wrapping on. I don't want some 5.5$/hr weed smoking dealer monkey to touch the car.

When I got there (I requested prior), for them to have a Tacoma V6 4x4 for me to test drive. I requested a 35 mile test drive. Then I drove my car another 35 miles. This is to check for all squeaks, vibration, gear issues. Mine is a 6MT, there was a 6AT. I wanted to check for hesitation, etc.

After the drive was satisfactory, I drove it back to their lot, went over the body, tires, if any scratches, moonroof operation.

Once I was satisfied (I had a 50% deposit), I gave them the check for the other 50%, and drove it home.

Mine has been problem free, till it goes back to the dealer late Oct for our TRD Pro.

 

Have read of loose lug nuts a couple times on here, particularly the locking ones for some reason. I'd check those, at least by hand, just to be sure.

When I got home I'd crack them all and reset all to proper torque. IF they are over torqued, and you had a flat, it prevents a hernia doing the change.

Check/set tire air pressures to door jamb specs. Often severely over inflated. Don't forget the spare.

When you get home, assemble your spare tire kit and lower the tire, then put it back. Just so you are comfortable with how the crank mechanism works before you need to use it.

 

Doing any adoptions?

 

Past that point

 

Me too. Maybe you need a parent though? Brother? Cousin?