Free Dealer Oilchanges

[seemore]

Where I bought my truck, the dealer does ALL the routine maintenance per schedule A in the owners manual. So I can get my oil & filter changed every 6000 miles free.

I have been changing it every 3000 & take it to them every 6000.



NOW, my question is... ... ..... They use Castrol 15-40 oil, I have priced the Castrol 15w40 at AutoZone @ $2. 79 a quart=$67 a case. I can get Rotella 15w40 at Samsclub for $48 a case of 6 gallons. My dilemma is to use cheaper Rotella, when I change it & let them use Castrol. I hate to use different oils between changes. e. g. The dealer using Castrol oil & me using Rotella or something else.



Should I just buy the Castrol Or would you guys just mix oil between changes, with whatever is on sale?

I am 57 with bad knees & back, I can change my own oil, but it's kinda hard on me. Also I can find Rotella anywhere, Castrol 15w40 is hard to find!!

 

[JThiessen]

Is there a reason (ie. , driving habit?) that you feel the need to cut the recommended service interval in half? I'd just let them do the 6K changes and call it good. Or if you dont feel comfortable with that, start doing an oil analysis, that will tell you if and when you need to change it.

 

[CB HUNTER]

let the truck run 6000 milkes and don't cut it in half... i have a 2003 with 135,000

miles and I change my oil at around 6 or sometimes closer to 7,000 and oil still looks good. still running like new. your call, but i would take advanatage of not crawling under the truck.

 

[MStaggs]

I have the same type of service deal but you WILL pay for it in the end.

The agreement is only applicable if you have the dealer do ALL services (fuel filters, trans service, diff service, etc) there.

Guess what they nail you for for a fuel filter for example - $200. 00 etc etc etc. Thos free oil changes are not so cheap in the long run.

 

[mtnrambo]

There is always some kind of " fine print " associated with anything a dealership will offer you, " tires for life " is one example if you bring your vehicle in at every scheduled maintenance thing the book says, but, don't expect new tires until yours are completely shot to hell and you hydroplane cause of dampness on the road...



I agree with you, I do my oil changes at 3K and I use Rotella 15w40 with K&N Oil Filters... I do my 6 speed transmission, transfer case, and front and rear ends every 12K... Fuel filter at 9K... I wash my K&N Air Filter every 9K and re-oil it...



I'm 45, my truck WILL last me the rest of my life, easily...

 

[DieselFiend]

I don't think there's any good reason to change your oil every 3,000 unless you're running in some seriously severe conditions. 6,000 miles is just fine. I'm running AMSOIL and I'm going 10,000 between changes and sampling. So far so good with 33k. Let the dealer screw up their knees.

 

[seemore]

J Thiessen, I only drive 6-8k miles a year, alot of less than 5 mile trips. I figured 3k oil changes wouldn't hurt. But I don't enjoy changing hot oil & filters if I don't have too!!



MStaggs & mtnrambo, My dealer actually does ALL the routine maintenance per Schedule A in the owners manual for free, oil changes, Filters, fuel & oil, transmission & even coolant changes. The problem is: I'm not sure how good of job they do!!



I can & have done my own oil & fuel filter changes, it is just getting a little harder.

 

[klenger]

I thought schedule A was 15k and schedule B was 7500 miles? In any case, 3000 mile is way too often. Keep in mind that there is 12 qts of oil in the engine, not 4 or 5 like a small car.

 

[seemore]

Klenger in my 2006 maintenance logbook, Schedule A is 15k, but my dealer does it every 6k. I'm not gonna tell 'em! And I know 12qts= a lot of oil.



Hey if you guys think 6k is ok, that works for me!!

 

[DieselFiend]

6 K is better than ok, it's great. You'll be fine.

 

[JThiessen]

I'd still suggest getting an analysis done every once in a while - if nothing else, it will put your mind at ease.

 

[CAW440]

On my wifes Durango I took them up on the years worth of free oil changes. After the year was up I started changing it myself and realized the original filter was still on the SUV,when I brought it the service mgrs. attention he asked me to show him on my paperwork where it said "oil AND filter changes", I just shook my head and again confirmed why dealers have the rep that they have , because they deserve it, thats why!

 

[JRMora]

I have the "Diesel Essential Care" service coupons I got with the truck. I think it was 15 changes (Lube, oil and filter). I have the dealer do it every 7500 miles (I drive 20-25k miles per year) and do the rest (fuel filter changes, diffs, and transmission/transfer case) myself.



I now have 58,000 miles with no problems.



I'm lucky enough to have a good dealer (actually a good service advisor who knows me and takes care of me!)



Juan

 

[BStoecker]

6,000 mile intervals is overkill, but if they are doing it for free, why not... I'm running my Rotella about 12,500 with a Blackstone analysis every change. Each time it comes back with great numbers. I thought about switching to Amsoil, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I still wouldn't trust most dealers to do even an oil change properly though.

 

[DMork]

I would have to agree with the 3K change interval, only because of the short trips you drive and time interval between changes. I would not discount the 7K changes people are talking about, but to do that, it should be comprised of longer trips so you do not have moisture contamination buildup. In regards to different oils, I would try to make sure each time the oil is changed in the truck, you are using the same brand. An occasional brand change is OK, but continually swapping can do funny things to seals. This is my 2 cents worth.

 

[BTighe]

wouldnt every 3 months be the alternative if you dont drive much. i had a dealer package doing it every 3k but i find it inconvienent to get the truck in. most of my changes are on weekends or past 9 pm. :-laf

 

[HowardC]

Where can we get an oil analysis done? And how much do they cost?

 

[DieselFiend]

I don't think it matter whether you make short trips or long trips with it, 3,000 mile oil changes are way too often.

CAW440, your story is absolutely appauling. That would be grounds for a beating.

 

[brownc1]

another 40 years? I doubt it. You should be good to 85 anyway.