Had one pleasant surprise from yesterday's state inspection

I have free state inspections for life from the dealer I purchased the truck from, so I still take advantage of that benefit. (I'm probably one of the 10% that keeps vehicles this long...lol) Like always, they give me a long list ($2774) of things that "need to be addressed," and one was repairing a flashing TPMS sensor ($185.99). I turned it down because I'll probably install new tires before my next state inspection and Costco replaces the TPMS sensor batteries when they install new tires. I had quite the shock driving to the gym this morning when my TPMS sensor light turned off normally after I started the car. No flashing, no staying on the rest of the trip. It was back to normal...and I saved $185.99...lol.

Two of the items they hit me on (Transmission service $425.99 and Brake Fluid Exchange $229.99) I completed last week. Fresh transmission fluid and fresh brake fluid...guess they don't actually check it...lol.

I do have two things to address: supposedly a leaking steering rack and boots torn on the front sway bar links. I'll inspect both latter today and replace the sway bar links when the parts arrive. (They want $307.39 for that easy job...lol) They also want $1351.80 to replace the steering rack, plus another $169.99 for an alignment. Pretty sure that's a job I can do myself and save a chunk of change, but I'll still have to pay for an alignment... If I need to replace the rack, I'll do it before installing new tires.

 

I also live in Va. and when I got my car inspected (new to me daily at the time) the check engine light came on on my way to get it inspected. I ask them about it when I pulled in, they said it doesn't matter in Va. I love living here.

 

"Costco replaces the TPMS sensor batteries when they install new tires"

What?

 

on the steering rack I'd just keep an eye on the PS reservoir -- I replaced my rack several years back and the new rack started leaking 2ish years after that. I top it off from time to time ... I keep Lucas oil PS stop leak in the truck and it's worked for me. I am OK using that in the steering rack b/c it's self contained so that leak is only affecting the rack itself.

 

I know why the TPMS sensor is not a fail. It's because not having them isn't a fail for older vehicles.

 

I call this false as Most ( I've never seen one that had a removable battery) TPMS Sensors are sealed and the batteries are not removable without cutting the housing open.

 

In that case, they replace the sensors.

My truck is 17 years old, and I've only had one TPMS sensor die. Either those are phenomenal batteries or Costco is replacing the sensors.

 

Or "telling" you they are replacing them.

 

Last time my car was at the dealer, it was for a recall. It just needed a simple firmware update on one of the airbag modules or something. They held it for two hours, making sure to come out every fifteen minutes with a different thing that needs absolute urgent attention. "Your wipers look really worn...," they'd say. No they don't.

"You are due for a tune-up..." No I'm not. Its a 2016 with ECU-controlled timing. The only tune-up it needs is downloadable from my laptop.

"You really should get your injectors flushed..." LOL. No thanks.

"You should change the plugs and transmission fluid..." I did those things a month ago. They aren't due yet.

"...-oil? brakes?" No and no. I also do those myself.

"Can we at least give it a complementary wash? We thought we'd ask since you Miata people are soooo particular." Thank you for asking. No.

 

Just check your receipt - they aren't going to do it for free.

 

Yeah, I kept my old TPMS sensors when I had them replaced a couple of years ago (Densos from RockAuto) and took one apart. The batteries in mine were potted in epoxy. Replacing them would cost more than to just replace them.
On the steering rack, I pull the bottom hose on my PS reservoir a couple of times a year and drain the fluid. Refill with fresh Dexron and roll. Do this a couple of times a year and it keeps the fluid pretty fresh. My truck is a 2014 and the fluid looks and smells new.

 

It’s like $40/new sensor at Costco. Great deal relative to most places but surely not free.

You don’t replace TPMS sensor batteries. You replace the whole sensor… I feel like some of you are from the pre-Google era.

 

Damn $40 bucks per sensor is a great price. Discount Tire by me charges $62 per sensor. They do warranty them for 5 years which is good since they tend to fail again within that time period. I am guessing they use the cheapest possible for the most profit.

 

Blows my mind how many shops will give their time away for free, and how many customers will happily go there and then have zero faith in the answers they're getting

The inspection might be free but you can't trust it so what's the value?

 

I also get free lifetime inspection from dealer I bought truck from, along with lifetime free oil changes. When I needed TPMS sensors, I bought Denso online & had dealer sync them. They charged $75 total. I had already paid a tire shop to install them.

 

Check engine light is definitely a fail in VA.

But TPMS sensor light on is not - mine has been on for 8+ years since I deleted my sensors. The bulb will just not burn out

 

Lol just the other day I had my dads van at the Toyota dealer for an alignment. Service advisor came out a couple hours later to come and get me. She said the inspection went well but there were a few things to address. First, the valve covers were leaking, not a problem I already knew this since it's inevitable at 420,000 miles. What was weird was that she claimed both valve covers were leaking and leaking oil into the spark plug tubes. I know for a fact they didn't pull the plugs. Next thing she claimed was the front pads were at 30%, I changed them two years ago with OEM pads so I know they did not wear 70% after 20,000 miles. But the thing that confused me the most was that my rear brake material was apparently also low. I have drums... I have a buddy at this dealer who is a master tech, otherwise I would not give them my business, they've always had a bad reputation around here.