Dealer servicing questions

[Turbo Terry]

I’m going to have my dealer service my truck. Oil changes filters etc. I want it in their system so to keep my warranty good. And no more miles than I drive compared to you others it shouldn’t be that much or often. Except they do go by time instead of miles for certain things which seems inconvenient. What kind of oil does mopar use ? Weight and brand and are they using synthetic oils and greases now?And who makes their filters etc. I don’t want to go to jiffy lube etc. I want Dodge to be responsible when something goes wrong .

 

[Turbo Terry]

I was just reading the operators manuel Seems they are pretty brand specific But doesn’t say who makes their oil filters etc

 

[gsbrockman]

Dude.....you are waaaaaaaaaaay overthinking it.

As long as you maintain your own receipts, and use filtration and oils that meet the required specs as outlined in the service schedule, your warranty will be just as intact as if any dealership had performed the work.

If you have it serviced at an actual dealer, they will have OE parts in stock for all routine maintenance. Said OE parts meets and exceeds warranty requirements.

Oil will be 10W30 diesel rated oil for a specified temperature range; if ambient temps deem it necessary, 5W40 synthetic will be used.

And “Dodge” won’t be responsible in the event of a warranty claim, but “RAM” will.

 

[Cummins12V98]

For the money you will spend at the Dealer for an oil change you can buy 100% Synthetic AMZ/OIL and filter and have money left over. As mentioned save the receipts.

 

[Turbo Terry]

First oil change free. So does this new truck have greasable front end Cv joints steering parts etc remember I’m creeper challenged or I would go look. So first time back to dealer will be September 2022 for a free oil and filter change before winter rotate 5 tires and two expensive fuel filters and then I should be good till till the following year. Nice I’m liking it. I may never see the underbelly of this truck . I’m 71.5 and have never had my oil changed by anyone else in my life. Always did it myself

 

[Turbo Terry]

Just watched a front and rear fuel filter change out. Pretty simple but a bit messy. Wonder way this is so expensive from the dealer?

 

[Turbo Terry]

At least there’s not a mess under the truck on the garage floor and the radiator should stay clean from crankcase vent and dirt. The bottom of my old 1999 was a mess

 

[nukegm]

Just watched a front and rear fuel filter change out. Pretty simple but a bit messy. Wonder way this is so expensive from the dealer?

because dealers bend people over for service. its why some call them " stealerships " cheers!

hmmm you cant say s t e a l e r s h ips

 

[JR]

Yes the services are all simple and easily accessible. They will probably use 5w40 given your climate. Mopar oil filters are Fleetguard as is the secondary fuel filter. Primary under the truck is a Parker Racor.

Oil change and tire rotation takes about an hour. 1.5 hrs if I have to pull and lube caliper pins. I do fuel filter changes every other oil change. 2 hrs all in if I have to do everything, assuming my lips don't get hung up on a brown bottle

 

[Cummins12V98]

No grease fittings.

Even free I would not do it.

 

[gsbrockman]

Wonder way this is so expensive from the dealer?

Because dealerships have overhead....like insurance, salaries, equipment, tools, etc.

 

[Turbo Terry]

They want to eat to. Long as they do a good clean job at a fair price right?

 

[gsbrockman]

They want to eat to. Long as they do a good clean job at a fair price right?

Again....you’re overthinking it.

Dealerships are not the only place where one can have their vehicle service performed and still have the warranty intact.

If you have one nearby.....find a good, independent repair shop that you can build a rapport with. Again....save all of your receipts with dates, mileages, etc.

 

[Tuesdak]

Fleetguard (Cummins) Mopar oil filters, standard cellulose. The synthetic media StrataPore would be a upgraded choice. You can hand the dealer the oil filter you want used: most will allow that.

I believe the air filter may be made by someone else for MOPAR now as Fleeguard is still yellow media.

The fuel filters are 2X the cost of $102 for both filters on sale at Genos Garage from the dealer. The bill to have them changed at a RAM Dealer was $323.57. ( Dealer filter cost: $97.65 and $81.74)

My "Free" oil changes from the dealer, well, the UOA indicate they used the thinner Xw-30 2019+ oil in it rather than the 15w-40. The paperwork indicated the proper grade.

I am not sure I would want MOPAR dealer oil in the differentials. Again you can hand them the oil to use and demand they take the covers off to change it as well.

Don't forget the Dealer is a "dealer". You can negotiate a discount if you are doing a lot of service at once.

Other than "Cost" being higher, yes, if the dealer cross threads the oil drain plug, oil filter comes loose, or oil filter is defective and takes out the engine... There is no finger pointing. Any RAM dealer can cover a loose leaking oil filter for example.

Now on the road I have been known to have a "Truck Stop" grease the front end for $12.50 between oil changes. As the dealers here (GM and RAM) are so busy they have you make an appointment a week out for just a ***** oil change... And if you need a rental/loaner for service you are 30 days out. It takes them overnight to warranty a battery.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Not many good idys here . Closet one is 50 miles away but might be worth the drive and make a appointment to get the good filters and lubes once a year in my case

 

[bcbender]

They will probably use 5w40 given your climate.

I live in NC and I run 5w40 syn, just don't see any benefit to run the 10w30 since the 5w40 is all climate...

 

[NIsaacs]

Primary under the truck is a Parker Racor.

Do you have a part# for that? I can't find one. All I found for Parker, using their cross-reference and Mopar FS68436631AA was a Baldwin PF 46152.

Since it looks like filter availability is getting like oil, I have been looking to try and avoid being held hostage

 

[JR]

Nick I only had a few minutes to look but am coming up short. I have not watched the 19+ filters as it does not pertain to me but I am pretty certain someone posted a pic of the primary filter housing when they first came out and the # came back as Parker, like the 13-18 trucks. If you or someone can find and post some info off the cartridge housing we could rehash this.
Someone else may already know.

You mentioned Baldwin, I did find this

They claim first to aftermarket so clearly they are not the OE supplier.

 

[Timd32]

If you have a good dealer, use them.

They have everything you need.

It was one reason you got the truck from what I recall, was to reduce your hands on work. Keep it simple. You can probably work with them to get a base line budget on normal service prices and develop a good schedule for most anything.

Good luck.

 

[Wiredawg]

This is just me, but when dealing with fuel filters, I stay with Mopar or the Fleetgard counterpart. And an interesting occurrence recently: The FIRST Donaldson I installed on my 2017 Ram 5500 developed a very minor leak. Best I could come up with is it was seeping very slightly from what i could tell was the top seam. I changed oil a couple thousand miles early with another Donalson and no problems. Stuff happens. My 09 4500 came with three years free Mopar oil/filter changes. The basic Mopar oil filter did great. After my last free oil change, I went with Fleetgard Stratapore and Rotella full synthetic.

I know there is a world of diversity and even contention about best fluids, filters, and other products. I've used Amzoil p), Valvoline, Rotella, Mobil 1, and Kirkland oils and lube products, all with outstanding results. Mopar, Fleetgard, Amzoil eek and Donaldson wet filters and only Mopar air filters. I guess my unbiased recommendation is pick a brand lubes and filters you recognize and a trusted local service garage or go to the dealer... even the lowly basic Mopar oil filter is still a good filter.

I'm at the edge of stopping doing my own maintenance do to disabilities, and when I do, I'll use my dealer. They've always treated me well in 21 years, same service writer... always superior maintenance, and we trust each other completely. They are really big on driving repeat business and customer satisfaction.

Anyhoo, I wouldn't worry about it too much... you'll figure it out. In the meantime, enjoy your new truck.

Happy Trails, Ron