60k mile service

[Zzed]

My '06 is just about to turn 60k miles, so I've started calling around the local service shops to get their estimate on cost as well as what services they do at 60k. At the same time, I have the Dodge service schedule ("B") in front of me, so I know what "should" be done.



Of the two dealer service centers I've called, both have pushed an "EFI" service where they "clean the injectors, clean the combustion chamber" and so on for $200. I've had issues with dealers tacking on (what I would call) unneeded services before, so I'm skeptical of anything not in the service schedule.



What's your take on it? Also, other than the expected changing of the fluids (motor oil, manual transmission oil, front/rear diff fluid, and transfer case fluid), is there anything else major I shouldn't miss at 60k?

 

[HBarlow]

All I've ever done with three of them is 10k oil and filter service, fuel filter every 15k, air filter about every 15k to 20k but depends on your area and whether it is dirty. I change automatic transmission fluid and filter and differential fluid every 50k. You should drain and replace coolant with the proper Zerox anti-freeze.

Don't let a service writer sell you a bag of hot air for six or eight hundred dollars.

 

[mwilson]

All I've ever done with three of them is 10k oil and filter service, fuel filter every 15k, air filter about every 15k to 20k but depends on your area and whether it is dirty. I change automatic transmission fluid and filter and differential fluid every 50k. You should drain and replace coolant with the proper Zerox anti-freeze.



Don't let a service writer sell you a bag of hot air for six or eight hundred dollars.

Same here with the exception of the fuel filter, I do that at 10,000 miles while changing the oil.



Your "combustion chamber" will be just fine left alone... ...



Mike.

 

[JFought]

grease your frt wheel bearings. it takes time but worth it.
Search it.

 

[MChrist]

To only have 60,000 miles on an '06, you apparently don't drive a lot. So my thought is that since you must do a lot of local driving, those miles are harder than empty (non towing) highway miles.

I would THINK that having them adjust the bands in the transmission would be a good thing. . I've had mine done at 25-30,000 miles at Goerend's recommendation.

I would pass on the injector/combustion chamber cleaning. If it makes you feel better, buy a bottle of injector cleaner.

Harvey, did you ever have the bands adjusted on your automatic transmissions? I've heard pros and cons on whether it's actually needed.

 

[HBarlow]

To only have 60,000 miles on an '06, you apparently don't drive a lot. So my thought is that since you must do a lot of local driving, those miles are harder than empty (non towing) highway miles.

I would THINK that having them adjust the bands in the transmission would be a good thing. . I've had mine done at 25-30,000 miles at Goerend's recommendation.

I would pass on the injector/combustion chamber cleaning. If it makes you feel better, buy a bottle of injector cleaner.

Harvey, did you ever have the bands adjusted on your automatic transmissions? I've heard pros and cons on whether it's actually needed.

I've only owned one MOPAR automatic. It was on my '06 which towed heavy trailers every day of its life. No, I never adjusted the bands. At around 130k a soft metal sleeve around the tailshaft slipped out of place and allowed the tailshaft to wobble and take out the seal. It began leaking ATF and I had to run it down so low it was slipping to get it up the hill into Flagstaff from the west with a very heavy trailer on. I had poured several quarts of ATF in to make it that far and ran out. I figured the transmission was damaged so had a DTT transmission built and installed by James Northrum at Midlothian. I ran it another 100k without adjusting bands and sold it to buy the '08 I have now.

I don't recommend not adjusting bands but I never bothered and never needed to. I have heard the pro and con argument also and don't know which is correct.

 

[MChrist]

Thanks, Harvey. Does anybody else have input on the subject? I take my truck to the dealer for trans service, and have them adjust the bands at that time. I never asked if they needed it, though.

 

[Mark31]

Goerend trans? If so, I would get exact instructions from Dave. If the "technican" at the dealership can't understand them, won't go by them, or knows more than Dave, show him what your back side looks like. Mark

 

[MChrist]

Dave said to adjust them as you would a stock trans. He said it's easy, but I'd rather not do it, so I let the dealer.

 

[S.Morris]

IF second gear band gets too far out of adjustment(loose) you will slip it and take it out. Keeping this adjustment somewhat close to spec will maximize the life span of it.

Stop and go city type driving is most abusive to this band as well as full throttle 1-2nd gear shifts.

The reverse band wear depends on how much reversing you do, especially with heavy load or up hill type.



There is only so much wear material on these bands... ..... when it is gone , it is rebuild time.

 

[Zzed]

Fortunately, I'm running the G56 6-speed, so I don't have to worry about adjusting the bands , just changing the fluid/oil.

I appreciate the comments on the "EFI" injector service, as that was my thought as well.

What about some of the auxiliary fluids like coolant, brake, and power steering. Check? Change? I've got differing opinions from different shops on those, as well.

Thanks again for all your comments!

 

[HBarlow]

I mentioned changing coolant in my post. I think it has a five year service life and should be replaced.

Few of us ever do it but all hydraulic brake fluid should be evacuated and 100% replaced because it absorbs moisture over time. It is rare that anyone does it but power steering fluid should be suctioned out and replaced also.

 

[kscheffler]

What is everyone using for hydraulic PS fluid. I used to use the valvoline synthetic but I don't think they make it anymore?

 

[Zzed]

When I had trouble with my PS pump, I found out the PS fluid is just ATF4+, nothing more.

I'm thinking I'll opt for the coolant flush, too.