Dealer trying to add "Pulse Braking"

[earlyhike]

My Maverick just shipped, I went to the dealer to get a price breakdown, he told me they add "Pulse Braking" to 100% of the vehicles that come in, it's $600 and I don't want it. He makes it seem like it's non negotiable, what can I do? He's the General Sales Manager.

I would first ask them why they add it on 100% of their vehicles. Seriously what is the logic? Tell them the entire Maverick Truck Club would like to know.

If not state mandated, necessary for insurance, or part of the company's safety manifesto they owe you an answer as to why the installation is absolute.

Since they would likely be glad for you to walk away you may not be able to stop them. But once you understand their logic (or lack of it) you can minimally tell them of your intent to share your frustration on social media. If reputation matters to them and they have no justification for the addition they might compromise.

Alternatively , if they are your primary dealer for future work you can also tell them that you were hoping to have a good long term relationship with them, but find this unjustified expense frustrating. If they care about having you as a customer they should be willing to compromise.

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[Bj517]

They are legal here.

They're illegal federally. That trumps state law.

https://www.theautopian.com/emergen...lators-are-blocking-the-best-of-these-lights/

 

[Roscop]

Thanks again for all the advice, I will try a couple of those, if I'm unsuccessful, I think I will file a fraud report. When I ordered the Maverick I asked them straight up if there would be any additional add ons, the salesman said no, lesson learned, I will always get it in writing now.

 

[billbillw]

Apparently, after some additional reading, these are legal as long as they only blink a maximum of 4 times before going solid. They are also supposed to include a sensor to disable after dark.

I'd still argue against it

 

[ED302V8]

The flashing brake light modules are illegal for a dealer to install according to the NHTSA. Tell them you are reporting them for the $1,100 per offense.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/interpretations/20288ztv
There are other similar letters available when others have asked about the same thing.

" Our statute provides for a civil penalty of up to $1,100 upon a dealer for each violation of Sec. 30112(a). A dealer who allows a test drive without sale is also in violation of Sec. 30112(a) which prohibits any person from offering for sale a nonconforming motor vehicle. "

" Please note that Federal law also prohibits a dealer from installation of Safe-T-Stop on a vehicle after it is sold. Under 49 U.S.C. 30122, a manufacturer, dealer, distributor, or motor vehicle repair business is forbidden from making inoperative any device or element of design installed on a vehicle pursuant to a Federal motor vehicle safety standard. Because installation of the Safe-T-Stop would create a noncompliance with S5.1.3 by creating confusion and impairing the effectiveness of the steady burning stop lamps, we regard this as a "making inoperative" within the meaning of the statute. "

 

[Roscop]

Unfortunately

The flashing brake light modules are illegal for a dealer to install according to the NHTSA. Tell them you are reporting them for the $1,100 per offense.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/interpretations/20288ztv
There are other similar letters available when others have asked about the same thing.

" Our statute provides for a civil penalty of up to $1,100 upon a dealer for each violation of Sec. 30112(a). A dealer who allows a test drive without sale is also in violation of Sec. 30112(a) which prohibits any person from offering for sale a nonconforming motor vehicle. "

" Please note that Federal law also prohibits a dealer from installation of Safe-T-Stop on a vehicle after it is sold. Under 49 U.S.C. 30122, a manufacturer, dealer, distributor, or motor vehicle repair business is forbidden from making inoperative any device or element of design installed on a vehicle pursuant to a Federal motor vehicle safety standard. Because installation of the Safe-T-Stop would create a noncompliance with S5.1.3 by creating confusion and impairing the effectiveness of the steady burning stop lamps, we regard this as a "making inoperative" within the meaning of the statute. "

I'll give it a shot, thanks for the research and the link!

 

[NextTruck]

Thanks for the advice, I'm concerned that if I refuse it then they might not sell me my Maverick, I initially told him I didn't want it, that's when he told me it's added to 100% of the inventory.

100% of the inventory? Since last month? I would suggest you tell him your council will review the motor vehicle code in your state and determine if the dealership would be legal for making vehicle safety modifications that the customer did not ask for.

 

[pbrox]

My Maverick just shipped, I went to the dealer to get a price breakdown, he told me they add "Pulse Braking" to 100% of the vehicles that come in, it's $600 and I don't want it. He makes it seem like it's non negotiable, what can I do? He's the General Sales Manager.

What dealer?

 

[Roscop]

What dealer?

Sunset Ford, Sumner WA

 

[groovesocket]

Similar situation happened to me. My dealer installed a LoJack device in my truck without telling me, however it didn't cost me anything, because I refused the subscription. Turns out the dealer installs the LoJack unit regardless of whether the buyer purchases the subscription. I found it a week or so later and took truck back to the dealer to have them remove it.

Same BS answer "we install LoJack on all our vehicles."

 

[paneubert]

Sunset Ford, Sumner WA

Which is a large group of "Sunset Family" dealerships across multiple brands. The larger they are, seems the sleezier they are.

"Featuring new vehicles from Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Mitsubishi and over 500 used vehicles every single day, Sunset Auto Family is one of the fastest-growing family-owned auto groups in the Pacific Northwest.

Why?

It's simple. Because people just get more at Sunset."

Yeah, like mandatory blinking third brake lights for $600.

 

[Roscop]

Which is a large group of "Sunset Family" dealerships across multiple brands. The larger they are, seems the sleezier they are.

"Featuring new vehicles from Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Mitsubishi and over 500 used vehicles every single day, Sunset Auto Family is one of the fastest-growing family-owned auto groups in the Pacific Northwest.

Why?

It's simple. Because people just get more at Sunset."

Yeah, like mandatory blinking third brake lights for $600.

They're also trying to charge $ for they "free powertrain warranty for life and free oil changes for life", even though it says it's included at no charge on their website.

 

[LSchicago]

Pulse braking is that annoying add-on that causes the brake lights (or sometimes just the center/high mounted light) to strobe when you first put touch the brake pedal. I hate it. I'd fight it and say you don't want any electrical mods on the vehicle due to warranty concerns and the various electrical issues that have been reported with the hybrid.

And charging $600 for a device that I sell in my store for $15. They are only legal on the 3rd brake light.

 

[pbrox]

Which is a large group of "Sunset Family" dealerships across multiple brands. The larger they are, seems the sleezier they are.

"Featuring new vehicles from Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Mitsubishi and over 500 used vehicles every single day, Sunset Auto Family is one of the fastest-growing family-owned auto groups in the Pacific Northwest.

Why?

It's simple. Because people just get more at Sunset."

Yeah, like mandatory blinking third brake lights for $600.

"and people DO like that!"

 

[paneubert]

"and people DO like that!"

I will admit their radio advertisements are catchy.

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