Inexperienced Dealers

1983FJ60 · 06-26-2006, 04:14 PM

Yes, I am aware that the FJC is a new truck, and that it may seem unusual to the dealership staff, but that's no excuse not to know about its technical bits. Before I obtained my A-TRAC switch online, I tried to get one from my local Toyota dealer.

The parts guy told me he has been working with Toyota parts for 10 years and had no idea what "eight track" was.

The dealership also shipped me a trailer hitch without the wiring kit.

When I wanted to ask the service guy a technical question about whether I can leave the A-TRAC switch engaged when I'm in not in Low Range, he stared at me like I was high and babbling in another language--the instruction manual is vague about this, like on many things 4WD.

Now I understand that a small minority of people in my area take their Toyotas off road, and when they do they're 2WD PreRunners, but they should be able to field simple questions regarding the FJC and its computer systems.

They essentially know the guts of what makes it similar to its platform sharing cousins, but the off-road lingo seems to be off limits. It appears that Hummer and Land Rover dealerships are better trained in those respects.

Toyota needs more 4WD pros giving advice on their off road trucks.

FJ #8 · 06-26-2006, 04:18 PM

It's a good thing that you have this forum to rely on....

1983FJ60 · 06-26-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

FJ Cruiser #8 previously said:

It's a good thing that you have this forum to rely on....

It is.

I've learned all sorts of useful stuff.

JLam · 06-26-2006, 05:01 PM

As for the ATRAC switch, yes you can leave it engaged when you're not in 4wd.

1983FJ60 · 06-26-2006, 05:02 PM

Quote:

JLam previously said:

As for the ATRAC switch, yes you can leave it engaged when you're not in 4wd.

Yep.

Sucks that my dealer didn't know this.

The manual says that you can leave it on if you may need it... but I wasn't sure if that extended onto the highway.

Tony5150RN · 06-26-2006, 05:25 PM

My wife actually does better when she pleads stupidity when such questions are asked while she's trying to sell a 4WD Yota. Still not sure why.

Noisycow · 06-26-2006, 06:07 PM

Stealerships = worthless

1983FJ60 · 06-26-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Tony5150RN previously said:

My wife actually does better when she pleads stupidity when such questions are asked while she's trying to sell a 4WD Yota. Still not sure why.

Haha.

Funny you should mention that.

My dealer told me he's going to run out to get me a full tank of gas. First he can't start it (doesn't realize the significance of the left pedal).

Then he stalls it (doesn't realize the significance of the left pedal).

Finally he starts it to a jumpy jerky crawl...

SKRAAAAAK.

Stall.

I told him that I can do without a full tank of gas if it can save me a transmission repair.

**RoverGGM** · 06-26-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Noisycow previously said:

Stealerships = worthless

picking the wrong dealership can be waaaaay worse than worthless!

Tony5150RN · 06-26-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

RoverGGM previously said:

picking the wrong dealership can be waaaaay worse than worthless!

True dat, or the wrong salesperson.

Or trying to deal with 5 dealerships and two salespeople at each.