2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission First Oil Change

[rchall]

I'M HEADED IN SATURDAY TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED FOR THE FIRST TIME IS THE ANY THING THAT, I SHOULD BE AWARE OF BEFORE THE STEELERS TOUCH MY BABY?? (FREE OIL CHANGE)



ALSO WHAT IS THE BEST OIL TO USE IN IT ON THE FIRST GO ROUND??





CAN I USE SOMETHING LIKE "CASTROL 20 - 50"?? I HAVE USE THIS BRAND FOR MANY YEAR IN MY WIFES CARVAN AND MY FORD EXPLORER?



SHOULD I ALLOW THE DEALER TO USE THE DODGE FILTER OR HAVE THEM PUT ON A CUMMINS FILTER?





THANK YOU !!!!

 

[lschultz]

You can use any oil that you want as long as its rated for a diesel engine. Delco 400,Shell,Vavoline(is what they put in the 03),Amsoil,Mobile there all good oils. I don't think I would put a 20W50 in. If they use a Mopar filter(which is Fleetguard)you will probably pay about 2x as much as you can get it from Genos or most truck shops. If its a free oil change go far it. But I change my own oil.

 

[BFC]

Mopar filters are made by Fleetguard so your OK there. As for oil, they are many many opinions out there. Just use oil that is rated for diesel engines and you'll be fine. 15W40 seems to be the preferded weight, Shell Rotella T or Chevron Delo 400 are the most widely used. I would not used the castrol you mentioned.



Typing in all CAPS is considered shouting in forums like the TDR (and harder to read) just a heads up.



Glenn



edit: lschultz types faster than I do.

 

[TomGolden]

As soon as you get the truck back, and BEFORE you leave the dealers lot, check the following items:



1. What brand of oil filter did they install? If it is a Fram, have it REMOVED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!! They should use either a Mopar or Fleetguard filter... .



2. look under the truck to make sure they tightened the oil drain plug more than finger tight.



3. check for any oil drips anywhere. Don't necessarily crawl all around under the truck, just eyeball for anything major dripping on the ground.



4. while the hood is open (checking on the filter... ) also make sure they fully tightened the oil cap on the valve cover.



5. make sure they properly seated the dipstick.



6. check the oil level yourself via the dipstick, to make sure they actually put [enough] oil in it. Also, check the color of the oil to make sure they actually changed it..... used oil will be coal black, new will be semi-transparent... .



7. before you start the truck that morning, or any time before taking it in, check the dipstick yourself to see where on the dipstick the oil level comes to when it is in a known "full" state. Then, while checking #6 above, you'll know if they put enough new oil in the engine.



Hope these help



Tom

 

[InThinAir]

Well, you will get the mopar filter. And you will get their equivalent to Shell Rotella t 15-40.



Also they WILL and I Repeat WILL over-torque your drain plug. This will in turn warp your oil pan. How long you let them do this before you get a drip drip drip is up to you.



I had the dealer do my first 5. This stopped when I went to pick up the truck and there was a puddle of oil underneath the truck. They had broken the plug into 2 pieces without even knowing it.



The Torque spec on the plug is 44 ft/lbs give or take.



Do yourself a favor and do it yourself.



Then you can get in on all the fun and exciting posts on this board about oils and certifications and Synthetics and drain intervals. Think of the endless fun you will have!

 

[illflem]

To add to Toms good advice:



8) When you drop off your truck do a walk around with the service writer showing him there are no dents or scratches on it. There might be some new ones when you pick it up and they may try to deny it's their fault.

 

[24V-DSL]

I got a freebie too, but I negotiated to be present during the change to see how it was done. I fully expected to never go back for another dealer change, and just wanted to see it done. I also knew from the TDR that, at least back then, the first change was a mother to get the filter off... ... it was. I had also done my TDR homework and knew what to be watching and asking about.



The tech was totally ok with this and was very helpful/careful, especially with me right there. They showed me the Delo 400 and the Mopar filter (fleetguard).



We talked about plug torque specs, prefillling the filter, and putting in exactly 11 qts. total.



The only aspect that I was unhappy about is the drain time. They have to get you in and out, and it takes a little time to completely drain 11 qts. He buttoned up the pan with a slow drip still showing, but after an over night sit, the oil level on the dipstick was ok.



I've done eleven oil changes myself since at 5K intervals. Don't pay someone to do this for you.

 

[rchall]

Thank You for The Help

Thank You for all the help, I have printed the ideas off the computer. and will have the with me on Saturday.



I truly love this web site!!





thank you all again !!

 

[Pit Bull]

I've done my own when the weather is nice and when it is cold I let the dealer do it. Since you have a 5 year 100K warranty on the engine, if you are not going to void it by modifing it then you are safe letting the dealer do the changes. If they mess it up they are going to have to pay for it. I would check things and watch them since you don't want your truck messed up. The dealer will alway use a Mopar filter and all of them around here use Rotella T 15W40 (good oil). You have a different type of oil plug on your 2002, it's like the older style plugs. The idea is if you do it yourself and screw it up you have no one to blame but yourself.

 

[aviatorman]

:--) I asked my truck stealer about the cost of the first oil change and what brand of oil they used. They answered with a straight face "castrol" 10W-30". I asked if they were sure, and again they gave the same answer. Trouble is,, while castrol is excellent oil,, its not rated for a deisel, and the weight was contrary to DC recommendations. Sooooo,,, the point is axe em the questions, , then make up your mind/

 

[Phil Stuart]

That's fine but.........

Originally posted by Pit Bull

Since you have a 5 year 100K warranty on the engine, if you are not going to void it by modifing it then you are safe letting the dealer do the changes. If they mess it up they are going to have to pay for it. I would check things and watch them since you don't want your truck messed up. The dealer will alway use a Mopar filter and all of them around here use Rotella T 15W40 (good oil). You have a different type of oil plug on your 2002, it's like the older style plugs. The idea is if you do it yourself and screw it up you have no one to blame but yourself.

If you CAN do it yourself, why on earth would you give the dealer the slightest chance of screwing something up on your truck I will never take mine to the dealer for a oil/filter change! JMO



Phil

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: That's fine but.........

Originally posted by Phil Stuart

If you CAN do it yourself, why on earth would you give the dealer the slightest chance of screwing something up on your truck I will never take mine to the dealer for a oil/filter change! JMO



Phil

I agree and disagree From some of the horror stories I have read on the TDR about Dodge not honoring warranty coverage by blaming the owner for not doing servicing work correctly on there truck you can look at it several different ways. If you have faith in your truck (quality)/dealer/self then do it all yourself and if you have a problem in the 5 year/100K mile warranty period then you are covered (good luck). Have the dealer do all of the service by the book, keep records and if anything goes wrong during the 5 year/100K mile warranty period you are covered, no ifs ands or buts Ownership costs will increase by $8. 00 per month if you have the dealer do all of your oil and filter changes for the first 5 years/100K miles. Called cost of covering your butt

 

[Phil Stuart]

I'm not flaming anyone here, but......

the way I see it is :

If you do all the required maintenance yourself at the proper intervals according to the owners manual and keep a good log book of all the service performed, I don't see how the dealer could not honor the warranty if you were to have a problem.



I enjoy doing oil changes and maintenance on my own vehicles,

and if there is a project I don't feel comfortable tackling myself, I will then ask members of the TDR and then make an informed decision.



Then I MIGHT think about referring it to a dealer.



Just my 1/2 cent



Phil

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: I'm not flaming anyone here, but......

Originally posted by Phil Stuart

the way I see it is :

If you do all the required maintenance yourself at the proper intervals according to the owners manual and keep a good log book of all the service performed, I don't see how the dealer could not honor the warranty if you were to have a problem.

Phil

I agree with you 100% except on the "I don't see how the dealer could not honor the warranty" just one of the many examples is WhiteKnights Dad and the crap he went through. I'm just saying for some it might be easier to pay the dealer to do it and never have that "possible" hassle (other than your truck being down while they fix it under warranty). We have members that have purchased the "special" oil plugs and they fell out . We hear about how the Fram oil filter can ruin your engine. Some after market air filters can cause all kinds of internal damage to your engine by flowing more air (AND DIRT). Trust me you start getting paranoid after reading all of this stuff.

 

[Ron Bissett]

First oil change by dealer ? I would and did let them do the fires change as the truck was a demo and had 8000 on it and just as soon as I put 100 miles on the truck I drained it and put a new filter and Rotella 15/40 and that is what I use now . I know that some people fall for the dealer propaganda that said if you do not have proper records that we will void your warranty that is B. S as it would hake a tare down and proof of neglect caused the failure of the motor . Dealer here in KY charge about 80 to 90 to change oil and filter . That times every 5000 mi is 16 to 18 hundred dollars just to change oil and filter 16oo dollars will keep me in oil and filters until the truck is long gone . Ron in Louisville KY P. S if you let some one take a suspected filter off the truck and you and a witness is not present to mark said filter shame on you .

 

[Pit Bull]

My dealer charges $45. 00 Mopar filter and 15W40 Rotella T. Includes greasing the 3 zerts and topping off the fluids If I buy the Filters from Geno's and the Rotella T form Walmart I can do a change myself for a little under $25. 00, at 5K mile changes it works out to $400 more out of my pocket over the next 5 years and 100K miles, about $8. 00 per month. No big deal, and no hassle about who did what. To each his own, I just don't want to go through what Whitenights Dad went through