Final Checklist before Signing Paperwork?

[D Fresh]

I only live about five minutes from the dealership, so I'm going to park it in my driveway during the final test drive and give it a once-over without all the dealer eyeballs on me.

Good plan!

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[DukeCanBuildit]

what can be done if the heights of the two sides are different?

Shims in the leaf springs - Ford does this on its own to correct for a slight lean but that doesn’t mean it was done to everyone’s satisfaction….or done at all.

 

[VegasRanger]

During your test drive, stop somewhere and make sure 4HI and 4LO work as well as rear locker if you have these.

 

[Foodieguy]

Thanks to both of you for the quick reply!

Here's my current checklist that I'll be using tomorrow:

Height on each side
Door alignment
Fender alignment
Hood alignment
Tailgate alignment
Transmission fill level
Tire pressure
Drivetrain vibrations at speed
Wiper fluid level
Check for paint imperfections
Upholstery flaws
Check window trim & seals
Rear seat latch
Key for locking lug nuts
Spare tire & jack
Plastic gas filter
Sticker with key code
License plate frame hitting tailgate
Roof damage
Wavy glass lines
Oil level

I only live about five minutes from the dealership, so I'm going to park it in my driveway during the final test drive and give it a once-over without all the dealer eyeballs on me.

I hope maybe this list/thread will be helpful to some of you, too!

I'm headed up to Granger soon to pick up my Ranger and love this list; thanks to all contributors. Unlike the OP I'll be doing this under the watchful dealer eyeballs, that should be fun!

For the items above in bold, what kind of +/- tolerances are acceptable? For instance, for the 'height on each side', how much of a difference would be considered too much?

What do I look for when checking fender alignment?

thx all!

 

[Foodieguy]

I'm headed up to Granger soon to pick up my Ranger and love this list; thanks to all contributors. Unlike the OP I'll be doing this under the watchful dealer eyeballs, that should be fun!

For the items above in bold, what kind of +/- tolerances are acceptable? For instance, for the 'height on each side', how much of a difference would be considered too much?

What do I look for when checking fender alignment?

thx all!

bump. My truck is at the dealership, yay! Any response to my questions appreciated!

 

[Foodieguy]

I'm headed up to Granger soon to pick up my Ranger and love this list; thanks to all contributors. Unlike the OP I'll be doing this under the watchful dealer eyeballs, that should be fun!

For the items above in bold, what kind of +/- tolerances are acceptable? For instance, for the 'height on each side', how much of a difference would be considered too much?

What do I look for when checking fender alignment?

thx all!

Trying to get more info, not sure if these are posting. I dont see anything in 'new threads'. Please forgive if duplicated.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Demand that the tire pressures be adjusted to the door label and have the dealer prove they did it....Likely not performed as part of the the PDI.

best,
Phil

• Be sure that all of the options that are supposed to be in the option package(s) you ordered, plus any dealer installed options, are correct and work.
• If you ordered a factory spray-in bedliner, check for overspray on the lower rear of cab and box. It can be buffed out safely by the dealer.
• Confirm that you receive copies of any dealer installed options' warranties; running boards, extended warranties, paint protection, etc.
• The prep dude, er, Guest Expectations Technician often just checks the TPMS readout and if they read above 30 psi it's good to go. In many cases, somewhere between the factory and the transporters, rail and road, the tires are inflated to 40+psi so that there is no squishing when the truck is strapped down to the carrier. Flexing tires can work the strap binders loose and allow the vehicles to bump each other repeatedly. I worked in a GM rail yard, about the time everybody went from chaining to the frame or bumper brackets to ratchet straps arounds the tires. Even one tire working loose could cause interference as the vehicle spacing is often a 1/2 inch or less.

 

[VTRanger]

You can check your tire pressure once you set the ford app up on your phone, mine was fine.

Within the first few hours of owning my truck, I found out I didn't have folding mirrors, just a blank button, I couldn't latch my rear seat, I was wondering what the heck that crazy noise was coming from the front of the truck when it was shut off, I was checking the window sticker cause I thought I was supposed to have mud guards, I realized it didn't have stake pockets, and I couldn't figure out why my dashcam wasn't going off when the truck was off.

That is how I found this forum

 

[Megawatt]

Trying to get more info, not sure if these are posting. I dont see anything in 'new threads'. Please forgive if duplicated.

They are visible. Alignment of panels has more to do with the space between panels having the same clearance at one end vs the other end. If the door on the top is 1mm wide and at the bottom is 4 mm wide that is an align,ent issue. I do more of an eyeball exam not a measure the width of two ends with a micrometer to see if they are equal.

When I picked up my ranger I opened the fuse box in the engine compartment and pushed down every single fuse to make sure they are fully seated. I couple clicked when I pushed them, cheap insurance for all these computers and sensors.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Trying to get more info, not sure if these are posting. I dont see anything in 'new threads'. Please forgive if duplicated.

Eyeball the panel gaps. They should be acceptably even all around. Some here on the forum have had the bottom edge of front doors especially, stick out at the bottom edge. the creases of the box and body should line up. Doors, hood and tailgate should close with light effort.

 

[Motorpsychology]

You can check your tire pressure once you set the ford app up on your phone, mine was fine.

The TPMS readout is a handy quick reference, but I like to check mine with an accurate tire gauge.

 

[remtv]

I honestly did not do a great pre purchase inspection, just a walk around, quick look underneath, quick look at the engine bay and bed. I should have been more thorough like I am with used cars, but I was tired and stressed out after a pretty bad week automotive wise (half it my fault turning wrenches) that led to me buying the truck.

Based on my experience, Mind you this is the first new vehicle I have bought this is what I encountered.

1. Front left fender liner improperly secured, rubbed against the wheel with any kind of right turn making a grinding noise, now that I think about it I heard it faintly during the test drive but though it was just the turbo(never sat in a turbo car before, besides a cayenne, so not much to compare to). By the time I took it back it was missing some of the push pins and had worn through. I ended up having to drive it back the 78 miles after 2 days and then come back the next day to get it, no loaner was provided (total of 315 miles over 2 days), I could have taken it to my local dealer but felt I would get better service on a day old truck from the place that sold it ( that and my local dealer seemed to be booked out for a month).
2. Windshield wiper fluid was just high enough to not trip the sensor ( didn't check that either)
3. Tires were at 42 PSI

So just go there calm, take your time to look it over and maybe if possible as them to drive some where over 50 mph, and not just around the block.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Windshield wiper fluid was just high enough to not trip the sensor ( didn't check that either)

1. Tires were at 42 PSI

So just go there calm, take your time to look it over and maybe if possible as them to drive some where over 50 mph, and not just around the block.

In the northern climes, not having the washer fluid filled at the dealer might be a blessing. When I picked up my then new 2018 Escape, the washer fluid froze overnight. I took it back the next day to the dealership and they thawed and purged the washer fluid out and replaced it with undiluted washer fluid. The car was a dealer trade from across town and apparently that store dilutes their washer fluid.
Overinflated tires seem to be an ubiquitous fault with new Fords, maybe other brands, too.
I described one reason why this happens in post #24:

The prep dude, er, Guest Expectations Technician often just checks the TPMS readout and if they read above 30 psi it's good to go. In many cases, somewhere between the factory and the transporters, rail and road, the tires are inflated to 40+psi so that there is no squishing when the truck is strapped down to the carrier. Flexing tires can work the strap binders loose and allow the vehicles to bump each other repeatedly. I worked in a GM rail yard, about the time everybody went from chaining to the frame or bumper brackets to ratchet straps arounds the tires. Even one tire working loose could cause interference as the vehicle spacing is often a 1/2 inch or less.

 

[VTRanger]

The TPMS readout is a handy quick reference, but I like to check mine with an accurate tire gauge.

Is it not very accurate?

 

[Radioman]

Is it not very accurate?

From the manual:
When Inflating Your Tires
WARNING: Do not use the tire
pressure displayed in the information
display as a tire pressure gauge. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in
personal injury or death.
When putting air into your tires (such as at
a gas station or in your garage), the tire
pressure monitoring system will not
respond immediately to the air added to
your tires.
It could take up to two minutes of driving
over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the light to turn
off after you have filled your tires to the
recommended inflation pressure.

Some report their display is accurate, others such as myself found the display is close but not totally accurate.

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