Highly disappointed with Steeda

[jeff711981]

So... I purchased a cold air intake kit and strut tower crossbar from Steeda.

 

When I began looking over the crossbar and papers that came with it, I noticed there were no torque specifications given for the bolts that are used to install the crossbar. So I found contact info for Steeda on their website and asked them. Their response was that they didn't know what the torque spec for those bolts were and something to the effect of "they should be tight, but not too tight" and if I really wanted to know what it should be torqued to, I should put a torque wrench on the bolts when I remove them. Ok... thanks for nothing, I didn't need Steeda's "expert advice" to come up with that as a solution, it would have just been nice if they included the torque spec with the product or had it published online on the product page.

 

After installing my CAI, I noticed I didn't receive the cleaning/oiling kit that I ordered with it, so I contacted them and they sent it. When it arrived I noticed it was from S&B Filters and the instructions on the can of oil said to visit sbfilters.com to get the correct amount of oil to apply to the filter. So I did, and quickly realized I would need to know what model the filter is, because the amount of oil to use depends on the size of the filter.

 

I contacted S&B Filters since they had a "chat now" feature on their page and tried to find out from them if they knew which filter Steeda resells in their kit, and I gave them the Steeda part number of my CAI kit. Understandably, they were unable to find the information and suggested contacting Steeda for the part number of the filter which would not only allow me to find the specification for the proper amount of oil to use, but also allow me to find a replacement dry filter of the same dimensions that I can install for a day or two while I clean and oil the oiled filter.

 

So I asked Steeda via email if they resell S&B dry filters - which they replied that they do not. I started a "chat now" session with Steeda to find out what the manufcturer part number of the filter they do sell is and they couldn't tell me. When I asked what the proper amount of oil to use was, they basically told me to eye-ball it. I called them on this "method" since the instructions on the can indicate a specific amount should be used and that too much or too little would be a bad thing. I also called them on it because S&B Filters publishes exact amounts of oil to use on their filters in grams or mililiters, and I found it unacceptable that Steeda, a reseller of these products just disregards such specific instructions. I'm also aware that specifications are given, oiling kits are even sold for measuring the proper amount of oil due to risk of fouling sensors or poor filtering performance if too much or too little oil is used. One of the suggestions given to me by the person at Steeda I was dealing with was to "get my tape measure" and measure the filter myself and contact S&B with that information.

 

Long story short, Steeda will never get another dollar of mine.

[Big Jim]

May I suggest that you contact them one more time. Chat, email, phone, or whatever it takes and ask them how to go about making a complaint.

 

They say that they are ISO 9001 Certified. They even seem to be very proud of it. One of the requirements of ISO 9001 is that they provide a means for customer feedback including complaints. When you file the complaint, ask for them to open a Corrective Action about your complaint (Corrective Action is another requirement of ISO 9001). If that doesn't get their attention (and it likely will), you can report them to their Certification Body. You will need to ask them who it is unless it is posted on their web site. The Certification Body will ask them for a response. It will be a topic for their next ISO 9001 audit. Failure to respond to customer complaints will either get corrected or they will loose their certification.

 

You actually have a lot of muscle here if you want to exercise it.

[jeff711981]

That's a really good idea, Big Jim. I may just do that.

[Joseph Day]

May I suggest that you contact them one more time. Chat, email, phone, or whatever it takes and ask them how to go about making a complaint.

 

They say that they are ISO 9001 Certified. They even seem to be very proud of it. One of the requirements of ISO 9001 is that they provide a means for customer feedback including complaints. When you file the complaint, ask for them to open a Corrective Action about your complaint (Corrective Action is another requirement of ISO 9001). If that doesn't get their attention (and it likely will), you can report them to their Certification Body. You will need to ask them who it is unless it is posted on their web site. The Certification Body will ask them for a response. It will be a topic for their next ISO 9001 audit. Failure to respond to customer complaints will either get corrected or they will loose their certification.

 

You actually have a lot of muscle here if you want to exercise it.

 

Sounds like a quality engineer there. Good call.

 

Jeff - If you indeed go this route, please let me know how it turns out.

[Big Jim]

I'm an ISO 9001 Consultant and Auditor. I also consult for AS9100 (aerospace). I work with a lot of qualtiy engineers. My main background before getting involved with ISO 9001 was as a dealership technician and service manager. My consulting not only exercises my technical bent, it also allows me to exercise my business school education, something the dealers never appreciated.

[TJ@Steeda]

Hello,

I apologize for the issues you are experiencing with our customer service & the responses that you have received.

Please provide me with your name, phone number & email address and I will get your questions handled immediately.

As far as the oiling of the CAI filter goes ... here is what we have on our webpage ... I will contact our web administrator to get the amount of oil listed on the website:

 

• APPLY CLEANER Remove Air Filter from Vehicle. Liberally spray Air Filter Cleaner onto both sides of filter and allow to soak for 10 minutes to loosen the dirt. Do not allow cleaner to dry on air filter.
• RINSE FILTER Rinse off air filter with cool low-pressure water applied to the clean side out in order to flush the dirt out of the filter. Continue to rinse the filter until all traces of cleaner are gone. It may be necessary to repeat steps 1 and 2.
• DRY FILTER After rinsing, gently shake off excess water and only allow filter to dry naturally. Do not oil until the filter is completely dry. (overnight is ideal)
• OIL FILTER Spray Air Filter Oil evenly along the crown of each pleat holding nozzle about 3" away. Allow oil to wick for approximately 20 minutes. Touch up any light areas on either side of the filter until there is a uniform blue color at all areas. Reinstall Air Filter.
• - See more at: http://www.steeda.com/steeda-air-filter-cleaning-kit-281-6005-01/#sthash.9RxKg8jS.dpuf

 

I look forward to working with you & making this situation right.

 

You can reach me at tim@steeda.com.

 

Best Regards,

TJ

[Big Jim]

Hello,

 

I apologize for the issues you are experiencing with our customer service & the responses that you have received.

 

Please provide me with your name, phone number & email address and I will get your questions handled immediately.

 

As far as the oiling of the CAI filter goes ... here is what we have on our webpage ... I will contact our web administrator to get the amount of oil listed on the website:

 

• APPLY CLEANER Remove Air Filter from Vehicle. Liberally spray Air Filter Cleaner onto both sides of filter and allow to soak for 10 minutes to loosen the dirt. Do not allow cleaner to dry on air filter.
• RINSE FILTER Rinse off air filter with cool low-pressure water applied to the clean side out in order to flush the dirt out of the filter. Continue to rinse the filter until all traces of cleaner are gone. It may be necessary to repeat steps 1 and 2.
• DRY FILTER After rinsing, gently shake off excess water and only allow filter to dry naturally. Do not oil until the filter is completely dry. (overnight is ideal)
• OIL FILTER Spray Air Filter Oil evenly along the crown of each pleat holding nozzle about 3" away. Allow oil to wick for approximately 20 minutes. Touch up any light areas on either side of the filter until there is a uniform blue color at all areas. Reinstall Air Filter.
• - See more at: http://www.steeda.com/steeda-air-filter-cleaning-kit-281-6005-01/#sthash.9RxKg8jS.dpuf

 

I look forward to working with you & making this situation right.

 

You can reach me at tim@steeda.com.

 

Best Regards,

 

TJ

 

 

I think you got their attention!

[indifferent]

Hopefully you get the info you are looking for! The power of the web. If they still leave you hanging just go on FB,twitter what ever you use and post your frustrations and tag them/#tag them. In my experience its amazing how quickly companies respond to this. I was having issues with a garmin GPD type watch wasnt getting any where with customer service one well worded rant and within minutes they had messaged me apologizing they even sent my the highest end model for my problems as long as iposted a positive follow up review.

[Big Jim]

The power of social media.

[jeff711981]

TJ and I have exchanged some messages directly and he's contacted Steeda management to try to make things right.

[indifferent]

Best of Luck!! Let us knwo the end result i am curious how this is "made right" by you.

[junehhan]

I am glad to hear that they are attempting to resolve the issue. I had a situation similar to this with a Borla exhaust that I ordered that was missing some vital components when I had my truck up in Alaska. It took a few messages over on the F150 forums, but sometimes things slip through the cracks even with the best of companies. Keep us up to date!

[jeff711981]

TJ's been really nice and obviously understands what customer service means. He's gotten a discount approved if I wish to give Steeda another chance and purchase something else from them. He's also submitted the issues I had with their support staff as well as their products to management.

 

At this point, I will probably take him/them up on the discount and purchase from them again when I can fit it into my budget. But more importantly, I really hope Steeda takes my comments on their product documentation seriously. When a manufacturer believes it important enough to publish specifications for their products, resellers of those products at the very least shouldn't tell you that those specifications don't matter. What they should do is pass those specifications along to the customer. Hell... I see torque specs for clamps on CAT back exhaust systems, and Steeda doesn't think it's necessary to publish torque specs for suspension components? Come on...

[indifferent]

^ they also advertise CAI when it is truly a WAI, i wouldn't pin your hopes to high.

 

Now years ago when i went to college siting Wiki was not kocer. I hear all the kids do it now so here yah go http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warm_air_intake

Edited October 7, 2014 by indifferent

[jeff711981]

^ they also advertise CAI when it is truly a WAI, i wouldn't pin your hopes to high.

 

Now years ago when i went to college siting Wiki was not kocer. I hear all the kids do it now so here yah go http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warm_air_intake

No, it's really not WAI. It seals against the hood so it's not sucking air from the engine compartment and the inlet to the air box is fed by the stock ducting as well as any air that comes in through the small gap that remains when the hood is closed.

[indifferent]

^^ you dont really believe that bent metal and foam seal keeps that snall portion of the engine bay significantly cooler than the rest of the engine?? Metal is a great conducter of heat so it may delay the hot air from getting to that area but its inevitable. A TRUE CAI will be located away fromt eh engine compartment. More often then not in the bumper. Shooot im sure steeda can give us some accurate stats on the temp of the engine bay compared to the area they seal off with metal and foam weather stripping... They have been so good abotu giving you exact info on everything else you looked for.

 

TJ how much cooler does your CAI compartment stay then the rest of the engine?

 

This is why i refered to it as more of a WAI. i have no doubt it staying cooler than the rest of the egnine but it is nto drawing in the cooler air directly from outside of the engine bay.

Edited October 7, 2014 by indifferent

[jeff711981]

^^ you dont really believe that bent metal and foam seal keeps that snall portion of the engine bay significantly cooler than the rest of the engine?? Metal is a great conducter of heat so it may delay the hot air from getting to that area but its inevitable. A TRUE CAI will be located away fromt eh engine compartment. More often then not in the bumper. Shooot im sure steeda can give us some accurate stats on the temp of the engine bay compared to the area they seal off with metal and foam weather stripping... They have been so good abotu giving you exact info on everything else you looked for.

 

TJ how much cooler does your CAI compartment stay then the rest of the engine?

 

This is why i refered to it as more of a WAI. i have no doubt it staying cooler than the rest of the egnine but it is nto drawing in the cooler air directly from outside of the engine bay.

First, it's plastic, not metal. Second, it doesn't have to keep that portion of the engine bay significantly cooler, all it has to do is provide an avenue for cooler outside air to enter the intake system.

 

You're being extremely picky about what you consider a cold air intake - by your definition it's impossible to have a cold air intake unless the entire intake system from air filter to intake valve is located outside the engine compartment. That's ridiculous. A cold air intake is a system in which cooler outside air is drawn in rather than simply ingesting air from under the hood.

 

And finally, I can give you exact temperature stats from my SCT tuner datalogs as far as how temps are affected. (I'm grabbing them off my laptop from my drive in this morning as I post this...)

[indifferent]

Slow your roll brother your going to believe what you want so am i.

 

i found u a handy youtube video..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiod1c2Py70 Point being the temperature of the air will heat up in you bay i do not have a 1.6l i do not knwo where this "avenue" for cooler air will be i am assuming behind and or next to headlihgt? im just saying that the air in that pocket u try to create with the plastic housing will still warm up. unless you pop out a headlight or whatever is directly infront of the filter.

 

And a CAI where the filter is placed outside of the engine bay will bring in colder air then one placed in the engine bay not much debating that. So much air moves through it that the metal piping would still cooler as well. I'm really not trying to get into a online debate just stating how i have always understood the difference between a WAI and a CAI.

 

[jeff711981]

Slow your roll brother your going to believe what you want so am i.

 

i found u a handy youtube video..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiod1c2Py70 Point being the temperature of the air will heat up in you bay i do not have a 1.6l i do not knwo where this "avenue" for cooler air will be i am assuming behind and or next to headlihgt? im just saying that the air in that pocket u try to create with the plastic housing will still warm up. unless you pop out a headlight or whatever is directly infront of the filter.

 

And a CAI where the filter is placed outside of the engine bay will bring in colder air then one placed in the engine bay not much debating that. So much air moves through it that the metal piping would still cooler as well. I'm really not trying to get into a online debate just stating how i have always understood the difference between a WAI and a CAI.

 

I think intent is what you're failing to understand. The intention of WAI is to bring warmer air into the engine. The intention of CAI is to bring cooler air into the engine. How effective a particular system is depends what you're comparing it against.

 

It also doesn't matter where the filter is placed as filtering the air doesn't affect the temperature of the air. If I place the filter outside the engine compartment and have 10 feet of hot tubing inside the engine compartment leading to the engine we haven't really gained anything, have we?

 

This type of "debate" is sparked when people don't bother to understand how or why any of these things work. It's not a "cold air intake" if you expect that a cold air intake delivers an intake charge with a temperature matching that of the ambient outside air temp to the combustion chamber. These cold air kits are as much about removing restrictive air boxes/filters and turbulence as they are about providing coolER air to the engine.

Edited October 7, 2014 by jeff711981

[akirby]

Slow your roll brother your going to believe what you want so am i.

 

i found u a handy youtube video..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiod1c2Py70 Point being the temperature of the air will heat up in you bay i do not have a 1.6l i do not knwo where this "avenue" for cooler air will be i am assuming behind and or next to headlihgt? im just saying that the air in that pocket u try to create with the plastic housing will still warm up. unless you pop out a headlight or whatever is directly infront of the filter.

 

And a CAI where the filter is placed outside of the engine bay will bring in colder air then one placed in the engine bay not much debating that. So much air moves through it that the metal piping would still cooler as well. I'm really not trying to get into a online debate just stating how i have always understood the difference between a WAI and a CAI.

 

 

I think you're being somewhat overzealous about the definition of cold air. If there is an open filter inside the engine compartment then I would consider that to be a WAI. If the filter is drawing cooler air from outside the engine bay whether it's completely sealed and insulated or not would still be a CAI.

[indifferent]

I agree completly removing the obstrucvie plastic intake and a larger cone filter is a majority of what benefits you will see with yours. To assume i "don't understand how or why things work" is ignorance. 10 feet of hot tubing, we aren't talkign about a 88 Lincoln. If you are constantly moving high volumes of MUCH coller air through the tubing it will help keep that "10 feet" at a cooler temparature. Moving air is a great convector of heat and will help to keep all that piping nice and cool. I'm done, Enjoy your $250 investment on a 8" cone filter and some molded plastic we cna go back on forth for hours on this and each have our reason all that matters is you are happy. Please don't foget to add the stickers that come with it fir additional HP gains.

[akirby]

Please don't foget to add the stickers that come with it fir additional HP gains.

 

Lighten up Francis. You're the one that started the whole CAI vs. WAI argument in the first place. And this is definitely not even close to a WAI. If you're going to start an argument at least have your facts correct first.

[jeff711981]

I agree completly removing the obstrucvie plastic intake and a larger cone filter is a majority of what benefits you will see with yours. To assume i "don't understand how or why things work" is ignorance. 10 feet of hot tubing, we aren't talkign about a 88 Lincoln. If you are constantly moving high volumes of MUCH coller air through the tubing it will help keep that "10 feet" at a cooler temparature. Moving air is a great convector of heat and will help to keep all that piping nice and cool. I'm done, Enjoy your $250 investment on a 8" cone filter and some molded plastic we cna go back on forth for hours on this and each have our reason all that matters is you are happy. Please don't foget to add the stickers that come with it fir additional HP gains.

Thank you!