30,000 Mile Service

[stg2500]

I have my truck scheduled to go in for it's 30,000 mile service. Other than the typical transmission, differential and transfer case fluid changes is there anything else that I should have done. I told the dealer that I would take care of the oil and fuel filter change since i have been doing it reguarly.



Thanks for the input.

 

[chuck3]

Do you have someplace else that can change those fluids for you? The dealer is going to charge you double what anyone else would.

 

[Rob Thomas]

stg2500,



If your going to change yer oil and filter, why don't you do the other fluid changes yerself too? They're simple to do with basic tools. You'll save yerself some $$, and get some better knowedge of yer "RAM", plus it's just plain fun ta' get grease under yer nails now and then.



Later, Rob

 

[pwr2tow]

Check the back of your owners manual it will tell you everything you need to replace by 30,000 miles.



Here is a list of what I done.

--power steering fluid change to synthetic...

--coolant change...

--front and rear differential change to synthetic...

--transmission fluid and band adjustment add lube guard... .

--rear brake adjust...

--flush brake fluid...

--change spark plugs , just seeing if your paying attention



Ron

 

[georgej]

Stg2500





I think your smart to have the dealer change out the transmission oil and so forth while it's still under warrantee in case there's a problem. The transmission tech can read the debris in the pan determine if something is amiss.





Geo.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Originally posted by georgej

Stg2500





I think your smart to have the dealer change out the transmission oil and so forth while it's still under warrantee in case there's a problem. The transmission tech can read the debris in the pan determine if something is amiss.





Geo.

Yea, 'cause they're real good at evaluating(sp?) problems as if they'll even tell 'ya if there is one.



later, Rob

 

[dan_gilson]

If you can do an oil change you can probably do your own 30K service. It is really not too hard. And you will probably give it better care that Dodge will. Why? Because you have a vested interest in keeping things running. Dodge makes no money if things do not break. So, some dealers will cut all the corners they can so that they will get you back in quicker.



I did my own at 60K and saved over $400. It cost me a little over $200 in parts. The expensive stuff being the transmission fluid at $54 and differentials which I bumped up to synthetic. Also my rear diff cover has been changed to a Mag-HyTec which hold 2x the fluid.

 

[K-Man]

Sorry to ask a dumb question here but I've never changed the transmission fluid myself and would like to if it isn't too difficult. I've got a Y2K 6speed. How do you change the fluid in them?

 

[dan_gilson]

Pull the bottom bolt from one of the PTO covers on the transmission. Make sure that you have a pan under it. If you want to get all of the oil out try jacking only 1 side of the truck opposite that of the bolt.



When you reinstall the bolt make sure that you "paint" it with some sealer (black RTV) on some of the threads near the head.



Getting the new oil in is more of a problem. You need either a hand pump or a flex tube that fits in the end of the oil container. I got my oil from www.standardtransmission.com. (Best price and good service too. ) It came in a modified milk jug that had a screw top. This was the correct threads for my hose. I was just able to get the jug above where I needed and was able to pore.



www.griotsgarage.com had some pumps that looked interesting.



You doing the right thing by asking first. I good job is where you have figure out how to do all of what you need to do before doing it. It reduces surprizes.

 

[K-Man]

Thanks Dan.



So when you pour in the new oil, where is the inlet for it?



I think my next purchase might be a service manual...

 

[dan_gilson]

A service manual would be good (but not needed for this). I did not find anything that I needed a manual for on the 30K service. I did ask a few questions here and got all the answers that I needed.



The fill plug is on the side of the case. It should have a colored tag with a # on it. My 5 speed has a allen plug with a blue tag. It is pretty large allen. One of the Dodge mechanics told me that the tag has the proper Dodge fluid # on it. Castrol Syntorq is the right stuff. Standard Transmission charged me 50% of what Dodge wanted.

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by stg2500

I have my truck scheduled to go in for it's 30,000 mile service. Other than the typical transmission, differential and transfer case fluid changes is there anything else that I should have done. I told the dealer that I would take care of the oil and fuel filter change since i have been doing it reguarly.



Thanks for the input.

Do it yourself and take the money that you will save and put it towards Synthetic fluids.

 

[DOWG]

All of the previous comments are appropriate. However, the 30,000 mile service done on my truck was the last time it ever saw the inside of a dealership. DC adjusted my valves but neglected to tighten all the valve covers (oil everywhere), changed the rearend gear lube and those bolts were loose (leaked) also. Turned my front rotors without informing me and took off way to much metal. It really made me wonder if they new what the heck they were doing. Not trying to bash the dealer, but that's just what happened. It really opened my eyes to the fact I did not really understand how operate and care for my vehicle instead of just being a driver. I immediately bought the shop manual and read it. With right at 120,000 miles, the truck runs great. If you want it done right, do it yourself.