I just let my brother driving my car for a couple days, and started rattling off some pre-cautionary items when dealing with this car. Here is what I told him (some of which my dealer told me about, but most came from experience, from other owners, or from this forum):
UPDATED 10/04/06: I created a NEW version of this list below (the original version can be found quoted further down in this thread).
Anyone?
UPDATED 10/04/06: I created a NEW version of this list below (the original version can be found quoted further down in this thread).
OK, that's my list. There are probably way more that I should have told him, but I would love to hear from you so I am better prepared next time I lend the car to someone.1. The Convertible Roof:
- Lift and raise the roof from the center, or you will bend the roof frame, and it will leak and cost $3500 to replace.
- Don't lift the roof UP when you unlatch it, or you will tear the windshield gasket and your roof will leak. Instead, unlatch it and push it straight back.
- Make sure the pins are not under the supports when you latch the roof.
- Make sure the windows are down when you bring up the roof, or you will damage the gasket between the roof and windows.
- Leave the latch fully OPEN when put the roof in the trunk.
- After washing, pop the trunk and remove soap & water from under the roof buttresses.
- If you leave your car out in the sun a lot, the top will grey over time, so protect it with a coat of 303 fabric guard.
2. Body & Interior:
- Don't close the hood with the doors partially open or it will scratch the paint.
- Close the trunk from the center or it will bend the hinges and not latch fully.
- Slam the trunk harder than you think you should, or it will not close. Over time, it will get easier to close.
- Be gentle with the passenger side cup holder, or you will break it.
- If you drive through water or dirt a lot, buy the mud flaps, at least for the front. Otherwise, mud and rocks WILL spray up and hit the side of your car.
- Don't jam the seat all the way back with your weight. If you do, it will put stress on the seatback latch, and it may be very difficult to unlatch your seat.
- If you leave the car parked with the top down, lock the glove compartment, or anyone will be able to reach over and pop the trunk.
3. Electronics:
- Don't even both trying OnStar while driving with the top down -- too much background noise.
- Press the unlock button TWICE to unlock the passenger door. Press lock ONCE to activate the alarm, and twice only if you want a horn "confirmation." You can also program the lock button to beep the horn on the first press if you want.
4. Drive Train:
- If the automatic transmission downshifts and your engine RPMs suddenly increase going down hill, don't think something is broken. This the Grade Logic Control kicking in to save your brakes by using the engine to brake for you.
- Use premium gas only, or your performance will suffer, especially in hotter climates.
- The oil stick is very difficult to find or get your hands in there to pull it, and especially difficult to get it back in (impossible at night). So, if you don't check your oil, get it changed or serviced often so that "someone" checks it.
- Don't let anybody but the dealer service the engine, or even change the oil, because it is a new car and they will screw it up.
- With a manual transmission, the clutch may clatter when coming to a stop, even if fully depressed.
5. Aftermarket Products:
- If you buy a windscreen that fits in the slot between the trunk and the butresses, do not leave it in place with the top up, or it will (1) scratch the back window (glass, film, or defroster), (2) cause damage to the back of your cloth roof when you close the trunk, and/or (3) warp in the sun under pressure from the back window.
- If you buy a cold air intake, make sure that it is not in violation of city noise ordinances.
6. Good Advice for New Sports Car Owners:
- If you leave the top down to go into a store in 100+ degree heat, lean the seat forward while you are gone or you will be losing skin when you return.
- Before you leave on a trip make sure that the top still goes down with all that stuff you packed in the trunk, or you will be holding it on your lap.
- Stay far away from islands and side curbs, because a scrape could cost $2500 in rims & tires.
- Park far back from cement blocks at end of parking spaces, and warn any Valet you may give the car to about the low clearance in front.
- When driving through a parking lot, remember that you are lower than the rear window of some SUVs, so watch for reverse lights.
- Do not leave anything in plain sight in your car, as thieves will just cut open the top with a knife, and the cost of replacing the roof is probably far more than just about anything they might steal.
7. Fixed on Newer Models:
- Don't throw away those foam squares in the folds of the roof inside the trunk. They are not shipping materials. They are designed to help with drainage.
- Check for a leak of the differential pinion seal.
Anyone?