Brought my Crossfire in for 3000 mile oil change. Not a good experience. I told the Rep that I was hearing a pinging when accelerating. Seven hours after I left the car, I called to see if I could pick it up. Rep says yes, I ask Did you fix the pinging? Answer "Use better gas, car is running at spec". I blew up, What kind of an answer is that? Drove to the Dealer and asked the Rep to take a ride with me. He heard the pinging, but said it was the spoiler. I figured I'd have to live with the noise. Paid my $75.00 for an oil change and started to drive back to my office. The first corner I took, the pinging returned, loud and clear. It looks like I'm going back today. I know now that I will have this kind of trouble as long as I own this car. Chysler dealers can't fix Mercedes products and don't have the mentality for customer service. There used to working on Jeeps etc. Not real happy with my first visit.
To add insult to injury, as I left there were 5 Crossfires sitting on the lot, I asked the salesman how they were selling. He said "we just lowered them to $34,000 and they are still not selling. Feeling like a sucker right now!

 

Very sorry to hear about the problem. I hope it's nothing serious, or catchy!

About the dealer...try another Chrysler dealer? Don't know what kind of area you live in, but if you're in a relatively urban area there are likely several dealers within driving distance of you. I'd call around, find one that has sold the most Xfires/got the biggest allocation, and literally go interview the service manager.

They don't always appreciate working on cars they didn't sell, but let's face it, in the long run the bread and butter for dealerships are the ongoing service relationships with customers. Those so enlightened will be more than glad to work on your car.

 

Agree--find another dealer. I bought my elsewhere and have it serviced by my local dealer who is great. I think the key is to find a 5 star dealer--they get rated on their performance and actually seem to "some what" care how your experirnce was after the service. My dealer calls me after and I get sent a survey everytime from DC.

 

I get surveys too. Shouldn't the oil changes be free for the first year? I just got mine changed last week and i didn't have to pay anything. Go to another dealer and file a complaint with dcx about that dealer.

 

What octane are you putting in the crossfire?

 

93! This dealer was a problem for me when I purchased a Jeep for my office back in 1998. I was hoping that they'd change theoir ways. A service manager called today and asked if everything was OK, I told her no. Let's see if anything happens from that. The dealership is rated 5 star, I question that too. The next nearest dealer is 30 miles away. They are not rated 5 star. It looks like a trap. Mercedes better get on these mechanics, we aren't dealing with Town and Countrys. Is anyone out there experiencing a noise that sounds like a ping when you press the pedal down at a steady pace?

 

It sounds like it could be a engine ping or exhaust shield rattle.If its a engine ping there's only so much the dealer can do.The engine is controlled by a computer that has no adjustments.There has been pinging problems on other chrysler models that was fixed with a computer flash that changed engine timing.There are some basic checks that the tech can do and a tech hotline they can call.I've seen TSB's for other models that states slight engine ping is normal and will not harm engine.

 

If it was a slight pinging, but this isn't, it's loud. I'm going to get some octane booster, if that doesn't solve the problem, then back to the dealer. You're right, the mechanic sais "it's to spec, that's all I can do". But I'm not going to live with that noise from a new car.

 

Try the octane booster I guess... that seems like such a temporary and silly solution to something that shouldn't be happening in the first place. I don't care what Chrysler says.. the car simply should not be pinging. Slight pinging may not cause horrible engine damage, but it should not be happening from a brand-new $35000 car. No matter whether it is in spec or not. I'm even surprised that ANY pinging is allowed in spec. I would try calling Chrysler and complaining, and if that doesn't help, tell them you are going to contact one of those TV news "Problem Solvers" programs. I bet they will get rid of that ping for you once they are threatened with that kind of exposure on a brand new flagship car.

 

Did you try another gas station? I've had problems with certain brands or stations with other cars in the past, including water in the underground tank.

 

I had a full tank of gas then, I'm going to another station today.

 

I know that a few years ago a major oil company gas station, here in the Virginia Beach area, was convicted of selling 89 octane gas as high test. They had 89 octane gas in both it's middle grade and high grade tanks.

I'm not saying that's what's been happening to you. But, who knows???

I do know that I haven't had any problems with pinging and I drive mine pretty hard.

Good Luck!!!