Dealership anecdote

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kerbe
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So many have commented about the longevity of their fob batteries - I don't know why mine failed. My car has a December 2018 build date and I purchased it new off-the-lot in August of 2019 - with 59 miles on the odometer. When I test-drove it a month earlier it had an empty battery: The Service Manager confirmed that they had never charged the vehicle so test-drives were given running the engine: The salespeople said the Clarity was "noisy and underpowered" and several asked why I wanted it when the Insight had better mpg...
 
KClark said:
LAF, my battery dying was certainly not from overuse.
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It was from use. This newer tech is low power but works 24/7 searching to connect with the car and vice-versa. Eventually, the car's 12v battery goes down in its continuous search looking for FOB's. In the early days of this tech, Toyota used an on/off button under the dash as a battery saver for long term parking.
 
Jim1960 said:
My Clarity has passed its three-year mark, and I've not seen the FOB warning yet.
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My guess is it depends on how often your key is close enough to be talking to the car (it may be in a low power mode if very far from the car, but getting pings if closer)
Kerbe said:
So many have commented about the longevity of their fob batteries - I don't know why mine failed. My car has a December 2018 build date and I purchased it new off-the-lot in August of 2019 - with 59 miles on the odometer. When I test-drove it a month earlier it had an empty battery: The Service Manager confirmed that they had never charged the vehicle so test-drives were given running the engine: The salespeople said the Clarity was "noisy and underpowered" and several asked why I wanted it when the Insight had better mpg...
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Dealers really had no clue. As with many others, I read about the tech and sought out the Clarity at the dealership. I sold myself the car--the dealer had little to do with it. They just did the paperwork.

Not sure what use the dealer is, really. Tesla has a big advantage here, not dealing with the different incentives that the dealer and manufacturer have.
 
JustAnotherPoorDriver said:
Dealers really had no clue. As with many others, I read about the tech and sought out the Clarity at the dealership. I sold myself the car--the dealer had little to do with it. They just did the paperwork.

Not sure what use the dealer is, really. Tesla has a big advantage here, not dealing with the different incentives that the dealer and manufacturer have.
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This is consistent - across Legacy brands selling EVs. They don't seem to be particularly interested, or necessary, when it comes to what amounts to taking an order for the manufacturer.

They're no longer a justifiable expense to buyers.
 
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