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New Vehicle Delivery Question

3K views 16 replies 16 participants last post by  Shannon 
#1 ·
Hello all,

On 4th of July morning I took delivery of a new 2015 JGC Overland EcoDiesel in Max Steel/Indigo Blue-Brown from Tate Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Glen Burnie, MD. Overall it was a good experience, but I did have a few questions.

I'm coming out of a BMW, so I'm used to a very high level of attention to detail from the dealership. When I took delivery of the Jeep, it had only about 1/2 tank of diesel and the DEF fluid indicator was showing less than 1/2 full. I mentioned both items to the salesman and I was told that "Jeep doesn't allow us to fill either tank at delivery anymore". I immediately smelled b&llsh!t, but I took delivery anyway. Has anyone else experienced this at new vehicle delivery?

Second, in the Overland trim, are there any recommendations for treating the leather dash? I love the look of the interior, but I'm concerned about keeping the dash looking nice as it sits in the sun while I'm at work.

Thanks in advance for any responses.
 
#2 ·
I can't speak to the fuel level, but can say that FCA doesn't provide loaners for repairs. It's up to the dealer to provide that. Hopefully yours is better than ours. That was a big change from our former Acura ownership.
 
#3 ·
I remember reading a post from someone awhile back and I am fairly certain about this (not 100% though), but I believe it was stated that DEF is supposed to be completely full upon delivery (according to the Fiat-Chrysler checklist for new vehicle deliveries). I am pretty sure the gas is not supposed to be full (not mentioned). I can understand the gas, but the DEF is just the dealer being lazy. I experienced the same thing on that front. Is what it is I guess they figure as I did no one will make a big stink over a few bucks when purchasing a $50k+ car. Bad customer service IMO, but at the end of the day their only competition is other dealers and when they all pretty much suck, oh well your stuck with it.

Wish I could operate that way (not really, but would be nice to tell my customers no no you don't get it the proper way, but thanks for your $)
 
#4 ·
The dealership *can* do it themselves.

Jeep just doesn't reimburse for it anymore.

So, they lied.
 
#5 · (Edited)
I've never heard of any dealership, (Kia, Suzuki, etc.) who didn't give you a full tank of gas when you bought their new vehicle; this is sort of implied.

As for DEF fluid, this is normal not to be full since Jeep doesn't want a whole, full tank of DEF to get old before the vehicle is sold. I asked my salesman about this the day after I bought the truck and he got approval from his manager for me to come by and pick up two 2.5g jugs of MOPAR DEF, free of charge. Any reputable dealership should offer this as well, we're talking less than $35 of DEF that can be had at Sam's for just less than $11 a 2.5g jug.

Ask your salesman how that Chrysler "survey" works and than ask him again about a full tank of gas and DEF. ;)
 
#13 · (Edited)
I've never heard of any dealership, (Kia, Suzuki, etc.) who didn't give you a full tank of gas when you bought their new vehicle; this is sort of implied.

As for DEF fluid, this is normal not to be full since Jeep doesn't want a whole, full tank of DEF to get old before the vehicle is sold. I asked my salesman about this the day after I bought the truck and he got approval from his manager for me to come by and pick up two 2.5g jugs of MOPAR DEF, free of charge. Any reputable dealership should offer this as well, we're talking less than $35 of DEF that can be had at Sam's for just less than $11 a 2.5g jug.

Ask your salesman how that Chrysler "survey" works and than ask him again about a full tank of gas and DEF. ;)
I have never gotten a full tank on delivery with any of the 8 new vehicles I've purchased, 5 of them top of the line Jeeps from 3 different dealers!
 
#6 ·
I had the same quantities of DEF & fuel too. My invoice mentioned a quantity of fuel on it ( I think it said 8 gallons).

As far as DEF goes, Mopar says their DEF has a 12 month shelf life, (although Peak said 2 years). For me, I think it would be best to keep refilling on occasion to keep it fresh, as I don't expect to pass 10,000 miles in one year.
 
#7 ·
The fuel is up to the dealer, the DEF is reimbursable, or at least used to be. There was a warranty code the dealer could use to get reimbursed for filling the DEF.

My dealer delivered it with a full tank of fuel but not DEF. Since the dealer was 200+ miles from my house, I didn't bother with bugging them when I realized it wasn't full and spent $10 at the truck stop. I only buy $10 at a time so it stays fresh. Never have filled it all the way.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for all of the replies. The dealership is about 60 miles from my home (they were the only dealership that had my preferred configuration), so going back to them to remedy this would not be convenient.

When/if they do a follow up or survey I'll make a point of noting it there.

Thanks again


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#9 · (Edited)
Congrats on the new ride!
I clean the interior with a damp cloth and occasionally use Meguiar's G13616 Quik Interior Detailer. 15 months living outside in the North East, everything still looks new except for the dog scratches on the hard plastic trim.

PS: ours arrived with both tanks full.
 
#10 ·
With the so called "administrative fees" added on to the cost of a new vehicle, you would think they could provide a full tank of fuel. I've never owned a diesel, but every new car I've purchased came with a full tank of gas.
 
#11 ·
To OP: The important distinction that your dealer didn't understand is PDI vs retail delivery.

Full tank of diesel at retail delivery is cheap goodwill, but not required.

Filling DEF, on the other hand, should not be done until just prior to retail delivery. Your build sheet should list something like "6 additional gallons of diesel". Poorly worded, but that's the DEF. DEF has an 8 gallon tank and comes with 2 gallons from the factory.

My dealer goofed this, so I had them cut me a check to cover the cost of the DEF.
 
#12 ·
...Second, in the Overland trim, are there any recommendations for treating the leather dash? I love the look of the interior, but I'm concerned about keeping the dash looking nice as it sits in the sun while I'm at work.

Thanks in advance for any responses.
My 25 cents :D

Be wary of cleaners and conditioners especially on the dash as it is glued down. Many use various "products" and have no issues, so far, but the manual says:

Interior Care - MOPAR® Total Clean is specifically recommended for
leather upholstery.

Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth and MOPAR® Total Clean. Care should be taken to avoid soaking your leather upholstery with any liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, detergents, or ammonia-based cleaners to clean your leather
upholstery. Application of a leather conditioner is not required to maintain the original condition.

I hear ya on the sun thing...the sun, just like water, always wins so I have this for the longer outside parks and I follow the manual cleaning instructions to be safe...

Covercraft Sun Shade - Best Price on Covercraft Car Sun Shade - Covercraft Custom Windshield Sun Shade
 
#14 ·
My '15 overland was delivered with a full tank of diesel, but less than 1/3 DEF. I noticed it once I got home and was playing around with the dash settings. I had to go back anyway to deal with purchasing cross rails so I enquired about it. They were very apologetic for overlooking it and topped it up immediately. I too have never had a new car without a full tank of gas (I think it's about 10 vehicles, 7 different brands over 28 years)
 
#16 ·
North of the border, deal always includes full tank if fuel but then again it's a line item of 75 bucks on the sale. When the deal is agreed upon the dealer works the numbers back to show that as an expense, including all the other BS they throw on just to reduce their margin (like admin fee) Does not change the agreed upon price at all but breaks it all out to more "loss" including fuel/def to the dealer and is a tax benefit.


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#17 ·
The dealer is required to top off the DEF tank. If they refuse, ask them to see the PDI check list for your Jeep. It is listed as topping off the DEF. Chrysler/Jeep pays your dealer to do this. It is required. If they still refuse, ask to speak to the regional Jeep rep and watch how quickly they top off the DEF. Just remind them they are paid by Jeep to do this.
As far as fuel goes, that is up to you, but I wild tell the dealership that is a make it or break it over the sale. They are not going to let you walk over a tank of gas, and if they do, I probably wouldn't want to work the that dealership in the first place.
 
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