Info - New Vehicle Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Delivering Quality Vehicles and Generating Higher CSi Scores

This bulletin is being revised to add the 2007 model year as well as provide information on the new PDI process and forms for 2007. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-00-89-006C (Section 00 - General Information).

New PDI Process for 2007 (U.S. Only)*

Important: For 2007 model year vehicles, DO NOT use the paper PDI forms that were shipped with the vehicle. Instead, use the new, electronic form found on DealerWorld. For 2006 and prior model year vehicles, use the paper form shipped with the vehicle in the Owner's Information package.

Beginning with the 2007 model year, U.S. dealers will be able to access a model-specific Pre-Delivery Inspection form on DealerWorld. Technicians will need to print the blank forms from the site and complete them with pen or pencil. The Pre-Delivery Inspection Forms link will be found under the Service tab. Current DealerWorld users will need to have their Partner Security Coordinator (PSC) add this link to their DealerWorld profile - otherwise the link will not be available. NewDealerWorld users will see the link automatically.

Important: These new, electronic PDI forms contain a new section titled "Special Inspection Items", which will change periodically. It is important that you use the most current form when performing a PDI.

The order of the PDI steps have changed to more closely match the way a technician performs the inspection. Some steps have been eliminated or clarified and new items have been added to improve vehicle quality.

The majority of the PDI content remains the same for all vehicles and will not change on a regular basis. However, a small portion of the PDI, titled "Special Inspection Items", will be model-specific and will change periodically. These "Special Inspection Items" are issues needing extra attention in order to deliver the highest possible quality vehicle to your customer.

*Canadian Dealers/Retailers: Generic Pre-Delivery Inspection forms are available for download from the GM infoNET.

Delivery Concerns

Most customers consider the condition of a vehicle during delivery as a direct reflection on your dealership and the amount of care and quality your service department delivers. Therefore, providing a vehicle at its best can increase your CSi ratings, and ultimately the number of customers in your showroom and service department. Many times, the pre-delivery process is overlooked as an ordinary task, but it is one of the most important functions performed for the customer. Customers who are delivered vehicles with damage may question the dealership's attention to detail.

The following identifies areas important to a quality PDI that can help improve a customer's perception of your dealership and increase his/her satisfaction.

Tire Pressure

Important:  Tires MUST be set to the recommended inflation pressure during the PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION (including the spare tire).

Improper tire pressures may result in ride, handling and/or noise concerns. Verify and adjust the tire pressures during the pre-delivery inspection to the requested PSI (or kPa) as found on the tire placard, NOT the pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire. The recommended tire pressure placard may be located on the front door jamb, the rear door jamb, the inner trunk lid or the inside of the I/P compartment door depending on the model. Vehicles are not shipped with the tires inflated to recommended pressures. Tire pressures are set higher at the assembly plants to assure proper tire bead seating.

Battery Check and Charge

Check and, if necessary, charge the battery. Testing and maintenance ensures the dealer will begin storage of the stock vehicle with a fully charged battery. It is then the dealer's responsibility to maintain the battery at a full state of charge until delivery to the customer. Refer to General Motors Policy and Procedures Manual Article 2.2.2b (Article 2.3.2b in Canada)/ Saturn Policy and Procedures Article 2.3.2 / Saab Policy and Procedures Manual Article 3.09 for information on battery care. Vehicles stored with partially charged batteries are more likely to result in "walk home" failures during the warranty period.

Interior Glass Cleaning

The interior glass should be cleaned with plain, clean water only applied with a clean terrycloth towel. Water only cleaning eliminates any film or haze on the window and helps prevent fogging, which is a major customer dissatisfier in JD Powers IQS results. Tests indicate that glass cleaners are ineffective at removing the film and can make the situation worse. New vehicles have a tendency to deposit a film on the inside of the glass due to various properties of the interior materials.

Fuel Economy Reset

Vehicles may be run very hard during assembly line testing then driven slowly around the plant and dealership lot. This will affect the fuel economy reading on the DIC/SID. To ensure that the fuel economy displayed is an accurate reading based on the customer's driving habits, it is important to reset the average fuel economy just prior to delivery.

Compass

Important:  Vehicles with an electronic compass display either on the inside rearview mirror or in the driver information center (DIC) MUST have the geographic zone set and be calibrated during the PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION (PDI).

During the new vehicle PDI, it is important the Compass Variance and Calibration Procedure be performed even if a vehicle arrives displaying a compass heading. This will ensure the accuracy of the compass information. Refer to Compass Variance and Compass Calibration procedure in the vehicle's Owner's Manual.

Wiper Blades

Clean the wiper blades with Optikleen®, or equivalent, to reduce windshield wiper chatter concerns.

OnStar® System Function (if equipped)

Check for the green indicator on OnStar® unit. Do NOT push the blue OnStar® button just to verify system function. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 06-08-46-006 for further details.

Steering Wheel, Seats, and Interior Door Panels

Important: 

These components are generally covered in plain or adhesive backed plastic to protect the surfaces during assembly and dealer delivery. One area of concern centers on leather-wrapped steering wheels. The steering wheels come tightly wrapped in multiple layers of plastic with a packaging label instructing specifically not to remove with a knife or sharp object. Many returned steering wheels show razor cuts to the leather.

The removal process is quite easy. Sit in the driver's seat with your hands at the 11 o'clock and 2 o'clock position. Simply pull the plastic from behind, over the wheel toward you and then downward, taking care not to twist the plastic or allow it to bunch up.

Plastic coverings on the seats and the door panels should be removed without the use of knives or razor blades which can cut the seat and/or door panel. Plastic wrap caught behind moldings or bezels may require the removal of those trim pieces to remove the plastic. In NO case should residual or excess adhesive be removed from interior surfaces with a razor blade. Do not expose the interior surfaces to harsh chemicals which may discolor the finish.

Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 06-00-89-029 for recommended cleaning methods and material for use on vehicle interiors.

Exterior Protection/Vehicle Storage Guidelines

The exterior protection devices such as plastic sheeting and foam block door protectors should be left in place up to the time of the customer delivery except for vehicles on prominent display such as the showroom floor. These protective devices help to minimize lot damage, reduce dealer expense and increase customer satisfaction.

General Motors has commonized the use of door edge protection in order to reduce the chance of chips/scratches on the doors of new vehicles. The protectors come in the form of a black foam block that adheres to the painted door panel by a sheet of white, two-sided tape. This foam block is designed to protect not only the painted body panel, but also any body cladding or moldings on the vehicle. The location of the door protection varies, depending on the contours of the door or body cladding. The purpose of this protection is not only to protect the vehicle during transportation from the plant to the dealer, but also while the vehicle is either stored or displayed at the dealership. Refer to the General Motors Service Policy and Procedures Manual, Article 2.2 (Article 2.3 in Canada) / Saturn Policy and Procedures Manual Article 2.3 / Saab Policy and Procedures Manual Article 5.03, for more information and recommendations. GM recommends the door edge protection stay on the doors up until delivery to the customer. By leaving this protection in place, the possibility of door chips, scratches or dents is virtually eliminated.

Truck foam block information - beginning in 2005, General Motors midsize utility vehicles have a foam block installed to the rear trailer hitch to prevent front fascia damage. This block of foam should remain on the hitch until the vehicle is sold.

While all damage and every situation cannot be accounted for, simple thoughtfulness and care should be your guide. There are many opportunities for damage to the finish of vehicles. Please review the following good discussion starters, with porters and technicians: