while I am thinking about my braking, I also noticed two other things.

One - I just checked the fluid and I was shocked to find that it is really dark. Suprising after 1800 miles. I wonder if this could be related to the fact that intermittently my brakes feel squishy OR hard. Could it mean air in the lines or a problem w/one of the brake cylinders?

Two - my alignment pulls to the right. Sometimes worse than others. Occasionally hardly at all. Could this be a sticking caliper in the rear? Also sometimes it takes 9 clicks to engage that e-brake, sometimes up to 12.

thanks for all of your advice, folks

 

I would say get the brake system flushed out soon...it should be arguable, and you just might be able to get them to do it for free...just make sure that you talk to the service manager himself...that way he can get strings pulled for you, and get it done fast. They should also be able to adjust your emergrncy brake and get the sticking sorted out...if it IS in-fact a sticking caliper, you will be able to see excesive wear on one of the outside pads...just take a peek in there with a flashlight

 

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Thanks, Roadswimmer it seems like that is the case. I'm thinking leaky brake cylinder, too. Plus, I'm sure I toast the brakes thoroughly often and it happens worst when I start the car.

Looks like the shop is going to get to do a little brake fluid changey changey during its first oil change tomorrow.

My appointment is at 8am. We'll see.

 

It's covered by the warranty, except the pads, so take it in and make them make it right.

 

hello again,

Well - I went to my dealership today for the oil change I scheduled early and to have them check the brakes and alignment and boy am I dissapointed[:@].

They basically blew off my appointment altogether! I insisted that the service writer inspect my very obviously dark, cloudy fluid and he said that it is the normal color.(curious, when the same fluid next to it in the clutch res. looks completely different) then he continued to tell me that "there is nothing wrong - just drive your car" "you just don't know how this car works yet" and "The brakes are acting up because you drive it hard and they will do this for anyone who drives like you." Furthermore - he told me that I would have to wait all day for an oil change and an alignment(i made an appointment to do this while I wait at 8am) and that I shouldn't bother anyway since it only has 1900 miles on it.[:@]

Sorry about the long description of my experience.

I really appreciate your advice.

Do you think that I should go to a different dealer? Or call my salesman?

From your post on the other subject - you know how hard I drive. After killing a Civic engine recently in the past I am a little concerned and maybe overly attentive(but proactive is good, right). And I don't know how to proceed with the situation.

Additionally, do you or anyone reading this have any suggestions on a good dealer in the phila area?

thanks again, all

 

On my first visit to my dealer for an oil change, he "blew off" my complaint about the exhaust tips being crooked by saying there was no way to fix them because of the "rubber pads". Everything else on the car was OK, but I know for a fact they never even looked at the tips to see what the reason could be.

I fired off a rather curt e-mail to the dealership when I got home and was contacted the next day by the owner's secretary. She asked me to bring the car back to have the tips looked at, but by then I had already decided to go with the Mopar/Borla exhaust.

Personally, I'd document any complaints I had with the dealer and put copies in a safe place....you never know when you might need them.

 

Just got done speaking to their service manager - she seemed really helpful.
She offered that i could come in right now to do the work and that she was very sorry and would take care of everything. I couldn't make it today so she made an appointment for next tuesday at 8am.

It's all been documented now and i feel a lot better - thanks

we'll see what happens tuesday.

 

Cool, let us know how it goes.....

 

You must deal strictly with the service manager, because the mechanics are going to blow you off and they don't want to do any work or spend any more time then necessary on your car. Why? Because it is warranty work and doesn't pay anything near what a non-warranty repair does. If you have ever noticed, they will be more than happy to spend 300+ hours putting a new lightbulb in if it isn't a warranty issue, but a warranty head replacement only takes an hour or two.[sm=smiley36.gif]