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I say at least 12.8 volts with the engine off and at least 13.8 volts with the engine running. Anything less than that simply will not run modern vehicles which are essentially rolling computers.
I know it's pointless arguing with idiots. I guess I will see if their service dept. will replace the battery at a reasonable price.
But I have little faith in a service dept. that thinks 170 degrees is the right answer for 'Coolant Test'. Hopefully they can replace a battery without causing more problems.
It's looking like this whole idea of getting a car with no rust was bad OR this particular dealership is riddled with liars and idiots.
I would replace the battery myself. That way I get exactly what I want (a good AGM battery built by East Penn) at a much better price than any dealership would offer.
Ask them if they will knock the price down by $200 because you will be installing your own new battery.
I would replace the battery myself if the car wasn't 3000 miles away !!!!
They seem to think that the only way to charge a battery is by driving the car. A quality charger MIght bring it up enough to make the trip. But I really think the battery is done and the GPS tracker they put on it against my wishes is dragging the battery down even worse since it also uses cell signals. The GPS is how I know the car's voltage.
I'm asking for other peoples opinions because the car is being shipped and it will be difficult to jump start once shoehorned into a car hauler with 5 other cars. I don't think the truck driver is going to deal with that problem for free.
At this time the question is "who has leverage"? If the sale has already happened, [that is yet another legal detail] the only thing you can go by is after sale promised (hopefully in writing) service.
Service department will need to cover parts + labor + disposal. Your sales person/used-sales-department has to absorb the cost or you negotiate something with them. It is all about leverage and then negotiation.
Salim, I agree. I don't think I have much leverage. I've sent the check.
There is no negotiating with someone who is convinced they are right and is unwilling to learn anything or consider things from a different perspective. Freezing temperatures are unknown in San Diego so they don't see any problem.
It would help if the salesman wasn't an idiot who knows nothing about how cars work or if anyone there gave a darn about "customer experience". I'm thinking about contacting the General sales manager and mentioning suitability for purpose or something like that.
It's your call on how you want to proceed. I suggest the following, [keep in mind my learning is limited to Lexus dealership and there is a difference in new and used sales]
Call the sales manager [you can look up the name in the final sales doc].
Be upfront that the sale has been concluded and you are bringing up an issue which impacts the post sales experience. How (s)he handles your concerns will make you a happy/satisfied/un-happy customer and I would like to be a happy customer who gives them a favorable review. [I would not suggest mention of unfavorable as you should keep the conversation positive and would refrain from discussing how wrong his sales person is].
Mention the battery voltage and your concern about not enough charge for the transport guy who would need to do multiple starts without sufficient charge up run time. Transport guy might even refuse initial pickup if the vehicle fails to start. At minimum they should charge the battery for 24 hours. Hopefully (s(he will agree, and then ask if the they charge unattended [which I think they don't].
Salim
again ... the above is my suggestion. You should do what comes natural to you.
Thanks for your suggestions, Salim. I'm really a very shy person and often have a hard time phrasing things the right way. Too often I just give up but I think it will be expensive if the trucker has problems and I just want the car to get here in good condition. Ultimately, I would pay the $207 for a battery ( they have a special going) but don't want to pay for an hour of labor to install it.
I might have bought a luxury car but the choice was based on it being a Toyota based product and cheaper than a similar RAV4 ( I have a '12 RAV and it has some built in faults) and less miles for the money than a Highlander as well as being much better looking in my opinion. Also my neighbor has an RX350 and I love the interior
imho, the salesperson has completed the sale and made his commission. He is not interested in establishing long time relationship with a remote buyer. Any further expense will come out of the used-sales department. So at minimum the vehicle starts and that seems good enough for him. At this time the 'contract' is the legally binding item.
I would not waste my breath in educating him.
I have given up trying to educate the salesman. As Salim says, he just doesn't care.
Update from the GPS yesterday afternoon : They have moved it into a service bay. The GPS shows it's voltage on that short journey. The alternator seems to be ok but the battery only came up to 12.4 in 10 minutes of running and almost immediately dropped back to 12.2. It won't update again for 24 hours if it's not moved. It was probably at less than 12 volts when they went out to get it as it has been dropping point 1 volts per day but the device only reads even number voltage.
The car dealers put these devices on cars to help manage their lots. It not only reports theft but helps them find a car on the lot and know if it has gas and a good battery. The device costs about $20 and they charge the customer $400-$1500. Heck of a gimmick... 'specially if they refuse to remove it.
I've been trying to call the service dept. and see what's up and/or get a new battery. Haven't been able to get a person. ( They do work Sat. mornings)
You're buying a used car from a "shady" used car business. Don't be surprised when you find more issues with this car. They likely deleted any OBD trouble codes. They will show up again. Sounds like it's too late to cancel the purchase. That would've been the best thing to do. Hope it works out for you.
No, I skipped the used car places. It's a new car dealer but not all new car dealers are perfectly honest or fair. Since they did give a third party warranty and since it's a Lexus, I'm not too worried.
After checking the GPS report every day for a week, it seems they have an alarm and don't let it get to 11.8. They have had to start and run it three times.
Today I called the service dept. and inquired about a new battery. They transferred me to parts. That guy wanted to know why I was calling a Chevy dealer for a battery for a Lexus. So I had to explain a little and give the salesman's name. After being on hold for a bit, the parts guy said the salesman would call and he did.
They charged it but it still only showed 43% ( I was seeing 12.2 volts) He said they would put a new battery in and that he had filled it with (premium ! ) gas. So that part has worked out. It only had a quarter tank of gas last I knew and shipper requires more than 1/4.
Now, I just need the finance dept. to answer their phone so I can find out if the Cashier's check has cleared....
11-09-23, 02:51 PM
How low can you go ? voltage
