Tesla originally billed us $35 for checking air pressure

[chargeup]

I took delivery of our second Model 3 three weeks ago. After the delivery agent left my house I took the car for a drive and found the steering wheel binding, emitting a loud squeal when turned. They had me bring the car to the Marina Del Rey delivery center and they could not fix it so they made me an appointment for warranty service at the Van Nuys Service Center.

Tomorrow morning is my appointment and this afternoon I received a service estimate by email that includes diagnosing the steering wheel problem at no cost, but they are hitting me up for a $35 service charge for checking tire air pressure under the heading of California required pressure check.

This law that has been around since 2010, but Tesla appears to now be making this a new profit center. I did not have this fee when I brought my first Model 3 in for a software problem. Anyone else in California been hit up for this fee? This feels like a shakedown. I tried to call the Tesla service, but after being on hold for 15 minutes I gave up and hung up.

Tire Pressure Program

 

[whatthe2]

I’ll do it for $25.

 

[SSedan]

You interacted with someone, at $35 they are not turning a profit.

 

[voip-ninja]

You interacted with someone, at $35 they are not turning a profit.

If a customer just wants them to check air pressure, tying up resources then perhaps... if a customer with a brand new $50-70K car gets the tire pressure checked while it is already in for needed service Tesla would be idiots to charge for it.

 

[xilex]

Buy something like this and do it yourself: https://www.amazon.com/EPAuto-Portable-Compressor-Digital-Inflator/dp/B01L9WSTEG/

Then double-check with a good tire pressure gauge.

 

[Big Dog]

that's ridiculous. I've never had a Cal repair shop charge extra from topping off tires.

Yes, it may have been the only thing MDR did, but they didn't have to since the car was referred to Van Nuys. I'm sure that they would have checked the air as a matter of course for no charge.

Send an e-mail of complaint. that should be a comp service. Hit up Elon on his twitter feed.

 

[SSedan]

I am not saying they should charge for checking pressure, I was saying at $35 no profit is happening.

With the onslaught of 3 owners I can see a $35 charge being implemented to encourage folks to do it themselves.
Also shops(general not Tesla specific) have been known to have variable billing based on interactions with the guy writing the bill.

 

[Daniel in SD]

You can swipe left on the lower left corner of the screen and check air pressure for free
It sounds like you didn't even ask them to check the air pressure.

 

[dragonxt]

They check my tire pressure/top it off every single time my car goes in for a problem. It's on the service report

I just thought it was another courtesy

Edit: Maybe that's not the case with the Model 3. The story above is with my Model X.

 

[brkaus]

Likely a mistake, or gets zeroed out with a paid or warranty item. It is an estimate.

 

[chargeup]

Here is a screen capture of the work order

 

[Fusion]

Haha.. I like that you scratched the VIN but left all your other info. Probably a mistake for that charge. Keep us posted.

 

[Daniel in SD]

Here is a screen capture of the work orderView attachment 356255

You can decline the check:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2009/tirepres09/tirefinalreg.pdf

1. (5) A customer may decline the check and inflate service if the customer affirms one of the following:
   
   1. (A) He or she has performed (or had performed) a tire pressure check and inflate service within the last 30 days, or
      
      
   2. (B) He or she will perform (or will have performed) a tire pressure check and inflate service within the next 7 days.
      

 

[chargeup]

Haha.. I like that you scratched the VIN but left all your other info. Probably a mistake for that charge. Keep us posted.

No biggy my name and email is on there. I would rather not have my VIN associated with my name though so I scratched it out. I suppose you could find my address typing it in google, but heck I scratched it out.

 

[chargeup]

You can decline the check:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2009/tirepres09/tirefinalreg.pdf

1. (5) A customer may decline the check and inflate service if the customer affirms one of the following:
   1. (A) He or she has performed (or had performed) a tire pressure check and inflate service within the last 30 days, or
      
      
   2. (B) He or she will perform (or will have performed) a tire pressure check and inflate service within the next 7 days.

Ok, that is good. I was going to take the morning off from work to deal with this, but I will go back to my wife taking it in with a copy of that. Anyone in California ever have this on a work order?

 

[Daniel in SD]

Ok, that is good. I was going to take the morning off from work to deal with this, but I will go back to my wife taking it in with a copy of that. Anyone in California ever have this on a work order?

Nope. They didn't charge me when I took it in for warranty service and I don't remember seeing it on the work order.

 

[TANGO SUKKA]

Haha.. I like that you scratched the VIN but left all your other info. Probably a mistake for that charge. Keep us posted.

picard.jpg

 

[super20g]

No biggy my name and email is on there. I would rather not have my VIN associated with my name though so I scratched it out. I suppose you could find my address typing it in google, but heck I scratched it out.

I was expecting trainorders.net to be a cool model train website or something... Was disappointed it doesn't load.

 

[brkaus]

I don't doubt you. Just think it is a mistake that they will correct at the appt. Automation gone crazy.

Glad @Daniel in SD quoted the rule and it can be declined if they do try to insist!

 

[fr100]

I think they made a mistake on yours.