Last week I noticed a rattle in coming from the RPM meter area. It only rattled when I went over a bumpy road. For the most part (decent roads), nothing rattled.

Then today I noticed a rattle from above me. First I thought maybe it was the rear-view mirror, but I held it in place and it still rattled. Then I figured it must be from the area where the overhead front lights are.

A few questions --
Are these rattles familiar to anyone and is there an easy fix?

I've got a "free oil-change" coupon from the dealer and have about 1000 miles on my car. Should I wait until the 3000 mile mark when I get the oil change to bring the rattle to the dealer, or should I go in sooner just for the rattles? Should I call the service manager up now and inform him that I'll be coming in 2 months for oil change/ rattle (I've never met the service manager btw)?

Rattles are covered under warranty correct? What if they can't hear the rattle or claim there is none, can they then charge you for labor since they didn't fix a "warranty" item?

Thanks,
Slink

 

The sad news is that dealers won't be able to pin point and fix all those rattles 50% of times (not to mention they will cause more cosmetic damages to your car). I suggest you to read the 3G Garage's Interior section. I fixed almost all rattles in my car on my own.

Good luck.

 

Slink, get your oil change ASAP. I waited until the MID said 20%, and had the oil analyzed by Blackstone laboratory's. The oil analysis indicated that the oil was "shot" and there were abnormal levels of wear metals in the oil. The MID is a tool, but shouldn't replace connon sense about changing oil. With a new car, the engine is broken in just fine by 1000 miles, and the oil is full of wear medals and other break-in crud that doesn't do the engine any good. Get that oil out NOW!! As for the rattle's, I don't have any, but they are covered under the warranty providing the mechanic can locate and fix the rattle. They won't charge you anything to diagnose or fix any rattles..get them fixed.

 

Slinks,

Your rattle sounds like it's coming from the driver side vanity mirror on the sun visor. The mirror rattles against the light in the headliner. Check that out. I had the same problem, I thought it was coming from the RPM area as well but it wasn't. Let me know what you find.