Dealer Oil Changes

[Parshal]

Since I end up changing my oil so frequently and I'm lazy, I usually have my oil changed at the dealer. I've had free oil change up until now.



Should I be concerned that if I have my oil changed at the dealer (or any quickie-type place) that they don't put the proper oil in the truck? My dealer has a drive-thru type service and doesn't employ very technical people in that area. I'm concerned that they may just grab the oil hose and not even look to see that it's a diesel.

 

[Rosco]

I will never let anyone do an oil change on my Cummins. Also, it seems that you have some reservations about it so follow your gut. I like to do it because it gives me a chance to get under my truck and check things out. Also, I know what brand of filter's and oil I like to use.



However, if you must have someone do your oil go to the dealer. DO NOT go to a fast lube chain. They like to hire automotive moron's and they also use inferior filters that are not recommended for our Cummins.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Going to a quick-lube outfit for service - dealership or otherwise - is like going to a part-time veterinarian to get yer heart transplant...

 

[bighammer]

If you HAVE to do the quickie lube oil change thing, I would take the oil and filter (and maybe even a preset torque wrench) and ask how much for the labor to change it. I asked at the place where I dispose of my used oil and they said like 6 bucks would cover it. If I really had to change it and couldn't do it myself, I might do it that way.

 

[Tagalong]

Dealer oil and filter change

First and only time I had the dealer change my oil and filter was the first oil change (freebee). I happened to get into the shop area after the Tech(?) put the filter on and was filling the oil... I asked him if he had put a quart into the oil filter, he said "naw, that's not necessary, it pumps right up!":--) Well, that was the last time for that!!!! I reported him to the Service Writer. All I can say is, you NEVER know what's going on unless you're standing right next to the Mechanic. Of course, the dealer says, for "insurance purposes we can't let anyone on the shop floor!"

Tagalong

 

[Doubleclutch]

Good point Tagalong! If nobody's watching... especially when it comes to filling the oil filter.

Greg

 

[DPKetchum]

Hate to rain on your parade but in 25 years in auto service i haven't seen anybody fill oil filter up first. I do on my own at home but from heavy equipment to tractors,motorcycles and cars I've never seen it done in a shop!Seems they just don't. Watched owner of a tow service yesterday service his own Mack wrecker and He did'nt eaither.

 

[Fireman]

IMO

Oil changes on the '03 are too easy to perform, so don't trust someone else. The filter is easier than ever to change, and my truck requires a dead even 3 gal of oil. This is about a 10 min job at home and you know it was done right.



Fireman

 

[Dean Upson]

I change my own oil nearly all the time. When I have been caught on the road and need a change, I have gone to Chrysler dealers and have specified the priming of the filter, in all cases from Alberta to Alabama they have told me that is the standard proceedure with the Cummins. I have had my local dealer change the oil a couple of times and they have done as good a job as I would have. It is a small dealership and the techs do the oil changes. I would not buy from a dealership that I could not trust to do such a simple task. If they couldn't do that right, I'd hate to think of what they could screw up doing a major job.



Dean

 

[Prairie Dog]

I have a Friend who owns his own field service company - they do repair and maintenance on heavy equipment in the field. He and his employees have always prefilled filters. Some filters can hold 2 -3 quarts and the time spent idling the engine at no oil pressure just to fill them would certainly do some small damage each oil change.

I agree, don't let anybody else do this job.

 

[Pit Bull]

I'm having my Dealer do the oil changes on my new truck. They use Rotella T 15w40 and the correct Mopar filter. They do a quality job for a great price. The way they are setup I can stand and watch them do the work. I have commented to the service writer and manager what quality work they do and posted it on the Fritz web site. Just a suggestion. When I have the Dealer do the work I check everything before I drive away. The other nice part is if you have a warranty problem you have all of the documentation of service and a good relationship with your Dealership. My truck is stock and will stay that way until the warranty is up. I would not have a Jiffy lube, or anyone but myself or the Dealer service my engine while it is under warranty. Just another opinion.

 

[Scooby]

Re: IMO

Originally posted by Fireman

Oil changes on the '03 are too easy to perform, so don't trust someone else. The filter is easier than ever to change, and my truck requires a dead even 3 gal of oil. This is about a 10 min job at home and you know it was done right.



Fireman

3 gallons?! Have they increased the oil capacity to 12 quarts on the '03s?

 

[Dean Upson]

The service manual states 11 quarts with the filter.



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

Interesting, the Shop Manual says 11 quarts and the Owners Manual says 12. Are we supposed to split the difference?



Casey

 

[Parshal]

It is one ore quart than last year's engine.

 

[DHess]

1 qt. in the filter + 11 qt. in crankcase = full mark on dipstick (just like the owners manual says)

 

[navyramman]

Just ordered my filters from Geno's place and when they get here i will do my first oil change on my truck. I do them all of the time on my gas eatters. I always fill the filters up on them too.

Greg

 

[Casey Balvert]

The folks at Cummins have confirmed the oil capacity of the new engine. It is 12 quarts including the filter. Not the first time I have found the Service Manual in error.



Casey

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by DPKetchum

Hate to rain on your parade but in 25 years in auto service i haven't seen anybody fill oil filter up first. I do on my own at home but from heavy equipment to tractors,motorcycles and cars I've never seen it done in a shop!Seems they just don't. Watched owner of a tow service yesterday service his own Mack wrecker and He did'nt eaither.

CAT had a service memo for technicicans to NOT prefill the filters. reason being... .



... . they had had a slew of engine failures, which were all traced down to contaminets getting onto the bearings. it was due to technicians prefilling the filters with a dirty bucket/dripcan/hose into the center of the filter. the center is the clean part. the outer ring of holes is the dirty side. they stated if it can't be 100% sure no dirt can get into the clean side, don't pre fill it. it caused less damage to have a dry[er] start after an oilchange than having the dirt get pushed through the clean system.



i have yet to prefill a filter on my tahoe, but my tahoe's filter is mounted to a 90° adapter so pre filling is not an option. where i can prefill, i do, and only through the outer holes

 

[Pit Bull]

Nick I agree I don't think pre-filling the oil filter is that big of a deal. I have alway done it myself but I was real careful. I alway change oil on a warm engine so all of the bearings are lubed, a dry filter oil change won't cause any engine damage.