"Recommended" (but not covered) Wheel Alignment at 15K mile service?

[OldOre]

I took my TRD OR in for 15K service a couple of weeks ago and was surprised when they tried to upsell me (at the outset, as soon as I rolled into the queue and before I stepped out of the pickup) on wheel alignment that wasn't covered by warranty. I've had two other Tacomas and have never had this dealership try to add crap to the covered service program.

This wasn't a big deal, but now I'm getting messages and emails from the dealership saying-

"Your Tacoma still needs maintenance and special attention"

"during your recent service visit, your Toyota Certified Technician identified the following services that are essential to keeping you Tacoma performing at its best..."

"...let us take care of your unfinished service recommendations today".

Under the "following services that are essential" it lists -

Wheel Alignment

This seems like a pretty unethical and aggressive scam selling people unnecessary work. The service tech never looked at my truck before suggesting an alignment, I still had my hands on the wheel when he tried to upsell me. I'm wondering are other Toyota dealerships doing the same? Or is it just the dirtballs at this particular dealership that I happen to be forced to work with?

Thanks.

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[PeceKeepr]

They’re doing the same at my dealerships too. If I didn’t have 3 years of free service I would never go there

 

[Sner]

Here’s the thing. When you drive in for service. You likely drive past some sensors that can diagnose with some lasers if you need a wheel alignment, (Hunter Engineering) is a big and very accurate producers of that sort of equipment. Many dealers have them.

whats needed to be known is that no mass produced car has the steering angles set as well as they could be from the factory, it’s just not possible as a vehicle comes down an assembly line, and your dealer performing an alignment Would be far more accurate than what is set from the factory - it’s a fact. Manufacturing just wants the steering wheel straight and vehicle to go down the road straight, but there’s much more to that when it comes to tire wear.

I’m not here to sell you on an alignment on your new truck, I'm not doing one on mine. But, one of the biggest complaints on a new vehicle is how quickly the OE tires wear out on a new vehicle, well it’s because of what I just explained. Something to think about when your dealer tries to sell you an alignment, of course any new vehicle that drives through those sensors would be flagged as needing an alignment. What the dealer should be doing is explaining why a new vehicle should get an alignment for tire longevity - no it’s not and would never be covered under warranty - by any manufacturer.

 

[Stringburner]

When you drive in for service. You likely drive past some sensors that can diagnose with some lasers if you need a wheel alignment.

I've never heard tell of anything like that in my entire life.

 

[Canufixit]

I took my TRD OR in for 15K service a couple of weeks ago and was surprised when they tried to upsell me (at the outset, as soon as I rolled into the queue and before I stepped out of the pickup) on wheel alignment that wasn't covered by warranty. I've had two other Tacomas and have never had this dealership try to add crap to the covered service program.

This wasn't a big deal, but now I'm getting messages and emails from the dealership saying-

"Your Tacoma still needs maintenance and special attention"

"during your recent service visit, your Toyota Certified Technician identified the following services that are essential to keeping you Tacoma performing at its best..."

"...let us take care of your unfinished service recommendations today".

Under the "following services that are essential" it lists -

Wheel Alignment

This seems like a pretty unethical and aggressive scam selling people unnecessary work. The service tech never looked at my truck before suggesting an alignment, I still had my hands on the wheel when he tried to upsell me. I'm wondering are other Toyota dealerships doing the same? Or is it just the dirtballs at this particular dealership that I happen to be forced to work with?

Thanks.

I'd send a bitch email to Toyota and let them know how they are ruining their reputation and driving away current hard won customers by doing this to their customers......

 

[Canufixit]

I took my TRD OR in for 15K service a couple of weeks ago and was surprised when they tried to upsell me (at the outset, as soon as I rolled into the queue and before I stepped out of the pickup) on wheel alignment that wasn't covered by warranty. I've had two other Tacomas and have never had this dealership try to add crap to the covered service program.

This wasn't a big deal, but now I'm getting messages and emails from the dealership saying-

"Your Tacoma still needs maintenance and special attention"

"during your recent service visit, your Toyota Certified Technician identified the following services that are essential to keeping you Tacoma performing at its best..."

"...let us take care of your unfinished service recommendations today".

Under the "following services that are essential" it lists -

Wheel Alignment

This seems like a pretty unethical and aggressive scam selling people unnecessary work. The service tech never looked at my truck before suggesting an alignment, I still had my hands on the wheel when he tried to upsell me. I'm wondering are other Toyota dealerships doing the same? Or is it just the dirtballs at this particular dealership that I happen to be forced to work with?

Thanks.

In the Past my dealer, once a year or so, send out "specials" for service deals - including "Free Alignment check" which included minor adjustments. I always use this - since the truck is under warranty so I get it for free .... Note, if it needs parts under warranty - they still get paid from Toyota ...

 

[TacoFreak]

Dealers trying to sell you service your truck does not need has been going on forever. One time I left my 2nd gen with my dealer and told them to do the services required at that mileage interval. When I picked it up the bill was huge, because they added all kinds of crap. Lesson learned, check your manual and only have them do what Toyota calls for.

Now it is getting more aggressive with texts and emails about stuff you don't need but will make them money. If your truck needed an alignment check at 15k miles it would be listed in Toyota's maintenance recommendations and covered by the included services.

 

[Starman202]

FYI for those wondering, I found that on Page 13 of the 2024-2025 Toyota Tacoma Warranty handbook, unfortunately, mentions that Wheel Alignment warranty is only for the first 12 months or 12,000miles (whichever comes first).

That said, my toe was actually out of spec within warranty period that was taken care of https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/threads/trd-pro-impossible-to-align-properly.12538/post-158279

 

[Longpatterned]

I've never heard tell of anything like that in my entire life.

My Stealership has them in the intake lanes. Big screens show tire wear and alignment for each vehicle as it crosses.

 

[Stringburner]

My Stealership has them in the intake lanes. Big screens show tire wear and alignment for each vehicle as it crosses.

I assumed it's possible, I've just never heard of it. It sounds like an upsell tactic more than anything. It seems like there would be way too many variables if the vehicle was not positioned on an alignment machine with the appropriate sensors attached and the specific parameters for the vehicle being analyzed.

 

[chasea1989]

I assumed it's possible, I've just never heard of it. It sounds like an upsell tactic more than anything. It seems like there would be way too many variables if the vehicle was not positioned on an alignment machine with the appropriate sensors attached and the specific parameters for the vehicle being analyzed.

They don't give you exact alignment measurements in the lane. It basically reads the tread depth of your tires and if it sees any uneven wear or abnormal patterning in the tires, it'll automatically say you need an alignment

 

[Sner]

I've never heard tell of anything like that in my entire life.

Educate yourself - can’t know everything.

 

[OldOre]

Interesting thoughts, much appreciated. I'll check for the Hunter equipment the next time I drive into the intake lanes at the dealership. I'll be back there to address my third recall soon.

 

[Slappy]

I added new wheels & tires (after a flat on oem)
drove for another week or two , noticed a vibration at 72mph & since i've owned the truck i felt a very very slight vibration in the steering wheel.
as I had Big O tires i took it back to them about the 72mph issue & figured might as well have them do a alignment as they use the new laser setup as i always think a alignment is just prudent way to protect my investment of new tires

so one of the tires was out of balance & the alignment was out as well
the front was very slightly scrubbing hence the steering wheel vibration
now it is smooth as silk strait down the freeway

edit alignment was $125.oo i see that as insurance

 

[Canufixit]

Dealers trying to sell you service your truck does not need has been going on forever. One time I left my 2nd gen with my dealer and told them to do the services required at that mileage interval. When I picked it up the bill was huge, because they added all kinds of crap. Lesson learned, check your manual and only have them do what Toyota calls for.

Now it is getting more aggressive with texts and emails about stuff you don't need but will make them money. If your truck needed an alignment check at 15k miles it would be listed in Toyota's maintenance recommendations and covered by the included services.

Good Point. I'd tell the dealer to put it in writing that Toyota "Requires" Alignment at 15K for warranty coverage .... Of course they will not ..

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