New Vehicle Inspection Checklist?

[SpeedNeed]

Please help me make a list of items we should look for when inspecting the new vehicle. No need for the obvious, just the Stelantis-Jeep-Gladiator specific stuff.

From reading the Forums, one surprising new item on my list is to look for a GPS tracking device connected to the OBD2 port. I had no idea. And making sure that you got the accessory Bluetooth radio if you ordered it. Are there any other bits and pieces that people were missing when they got home? Anything you wish you had tested before leaving the Dealer’s lot? Thanks!

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[punk'n]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/frame-damage-on-newly-purchased-gladiator.50965/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/ess-not-working.49893/

 

[Medical_Bartender]

I like that you started this thread. I'll be picking up my recently ordered Gladiator in the coming months and plan on going over the following before leaving the dealer:

ensure fuses are seated properly
climb under and glance over all major parts for leaks/isseus (axles, transmission, engine)
make sure fluids are topped off
no dealer advertisement decals
tire pressure

 

[JET_83]

Paint inspection being the main thing, sometimes depending on the time it was delivered the truck driver that delivers can scratch them when they get taken off the truck, mine was and I wasn’t too happy about it.

 

[jac04]

If you got the optional hard top headliner, make sure all the pads are installed. For some reason, only some of mine were installed and the rest were in bags in the back seat.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

tire pressure

For some reason, Jeep dealers and many tire dealers seem to think all Jeep tires should be inflated to 40+ PSI

And making sure that you got the accessory Bluetooth radio if you ordered it.

I assume you mean the speaker - that site behind the right rear seat back?
And assuming they still include it - the "bag" for the freedom panels if you got the hard top.

If you got the optional hard top headliner, make sure all the pads are installed. For some reason, only some of mine were installed and the rest were in bags in the back seat.

Query - does the dealer install those - or the factory? Just wondering who to blame if those are missed - frankly, I guess you'd blame the dealer as they are the final point of inspection.........
The guy who "prepped" mine didn't know how to properly assemble and install the rear seat slush mats.

one surprising new item on my list is to look for a GPS tracking device connected to the OBD2 port. I had no idea.

Not Jeep specific - that could be any vehicle, car, truck or SUV. Some don't seem to do it, others do on every vehicle that crosses their lot, presold or sitting in inventory.

Depending on your Jeep and if you got the slush mats, or not, etc. - front floor drain plugs check.

 

[JET_83]

For some reason, Jeep dealers and many tire dealers seem to think all Jeep tires should be inflated to 40+ PSI




I assume you mean the speaker - that site behind the right rear seat back?
And assuming they still include it - the "bag" for the freedom panels if you got the hard top.


Query - does the dealer install those - or the factory? Just wondering who to blame if those are missed - frankly, I guess you'd blame the dealer as they are the final point of inspection.........
The guy who "prepped" mine didn't know how to properly assemble and install the rear seat slush mats.


Not Jeep specific - that could be any vehicle, car, truck or SUV. Some don't seem to do it, others do on every vehicle that crosses their lot, presold or sitting in inventory.

Depending on your Jeep and if you got the slush mats, or not, etc. - front floor drain plugs check.

No joke, they’re always inflated to 43 from my experience with 3

 

[jac04]

No joke, they’re always inflated to 43 from my experience with 3

Before my pre-acceptance test drive, I checked the pressure and they were all at ... wait for it ... 43 psi.

Everybody in the showroom was looking at me like I had lobsters coming out of my ears when I aired down to 37psi before my test drive.

 

[jac04]

Query - does the dealer install those - or the factory?

Mine were a factory order option and they are listed on my window sticker.

 

[JET_83]

Before my pre-acceptance test drive, I checked the pressure and they were all at ... wait for it ... 43 psi.

Everybody in the showroom was looking at me like I had lobsters coming out of my ears when I aired down to 37psi before my test drive.

lol, I did the same thing, and the finance guy was telling me to hurry up to get this done because it was his daughter’s birthday.

 

[Rahkmalla]

tire pressure definitely. factories over-inflate tires on purpose. They arrive the to dealerships with crazy high PSI, and reducing them to recommended spec is supposed to be part of the PDI process.

While I don't question the intelligence of mechanics as a whole, PDIs are typically assigned to the less experienced or less skillful mechanics. They save their best guys for the hardest jobs that pay the most money.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Mine were a factory order option and they are listed on my window sticker.

So were mine.
The dealer themselves say that even some factory things are installed by them because of possible shipping damage or theft or things falling off in transport.
Maybe it's changed with modern Jeeps.

Before my pre-acceptance test drive, I checked the pressure and they were all at ... wait for it ... 43 psi.

I was lucky- mine were only 41 and it was a cold November day so may have been 43 or more at 60 degrees.

tire pressure definitely. factories over-inflate tires on purpose. They arrive the to dealerships with crazy high PSI, and reducing them to recommended spec is supposed to be part of the PDI process.

Dealers do it, too - not just the factory. When they installed my new tires, I picked up the truck and the tires were at over 40 and these are supposed to run 36. Even the door jamb sticker says 38 for the stock tires.
Tire shops do it, too - had a shop put TPMS sensors in Rubicon take-off wheels and tires, picked my truck up with over 40 psi and the specs for those tires was 36. They sell the dumb things, you'd think they would follow the recommendations of the maker of the tires they sell.
Every time I've taken a vehicle in for work, especially with tires, either repair, new tires, TPMS sensor install, whatever, be it a tire shop or a Jeep dealer, I have to let air out.

 

[SpeedNeed]

So I picked up my new Gladiator at the dealer, armed with my wife and my checklist, my flashlight and my tire gauge. We were 20 mins inspecting paint, rubber seals, locating all the bits and pieces it comes with, all good. (Unless they still come with a hitch cover or plug - that I didn’t have).

My wife asked me about some gaps in the plastic of the rear bumper. I had, embarrassingly, dismissed these as probably being normal. I should have compared it to a similar rear bumper if there was one on the lot, or a photo from the web. On closer inspection, there had clearly been an impact, seemingly a fairly hard one, but most of the exterior bumper plastic had returned to shape. Most. Two fasteners (or plastic bolt covers, dunno) were also at odd angles. It had just been prepped and washed so there were no scuff marks. Dealer was very nice, had a senior guy inspect who immediately promised a new bumper.

Point is, do take a checklist and set aside at least a half hour, probably an hour for inspection PRIOR to test drive or signing papers. You never know.

 

[KoBear]

So I picked up my new Gladiator at the dealer, armed with my wife and my checklist, my flashlight and my tire gauge. We were 20 mins inspecting paint, rubber seals, locating all the bits and pieces it comes with, all good. (Unless they still come with a hitch cover or plug - that I didn’t have).

got a pdf version of that checklist?

 

[SpeedNeed]

I’ll make one this evening

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