[sylster]

OK, so here goes....sorry if I rant on...I'll try to stay on subject. Are we supposed to do the scheduled maintenance that our user manual lays out for us or am I supposed to believe my dealer and "his version" of what the schedule should be? My dealer's time line is SOOOOO old school....oil change every 5K kms, and they wanted to do my breaks, my diff's transfer case etc that THEY SAY is needed cause they are working with the manufacturer and it's been proven....BLAH BLAH BLAH!!....isn't the owner's manual developed by Dodge? shouldn't they know what's what?

I've been doing my oil changes every 8k kms with Amsoil....and my truck only has 22k KMs on it....should I really have to do brakes, diff maintenance and about another 500$-900$ worth of "maintenance" that they had scheduled at 5, 10, 15, 20 and now 25k kms?

I think they are just trying to gouge me...right? how many people have had their dealers try that crap on them?? Could they deny warranty if I don't follow THEIR maintenance schedule?

Ok....rant over!

Sylster

 

[doug713]

They can't deny your warranty even if you don't do anything or at least keep record of it.. On their books.. I do most of my work myself as I don't much like to spend $70+ for an oil change (full synthetic). I keep track of everything so if it ever comes up I am covered, but as long as you follow the owners manual they can't do anything to your warranty. Hell, my last truck I didn't need brakes till 160,000 miles, never changed the belt (no cracks or dry rot or anything)but I did follow the recomended service as far as the trany, diffs and transfer case, but dodge didn't do it as they are far too expensive... my 2 cents...

 

[GTyankee]

When in doubt, go by the owners manual
That is open to interpretation, like synthetic motor oil is not mentioned in the owners manual & of course the interval then is longer.
I change my 2009 Ram Hemi synthetic motor oil at 5,000 - 6,000 miles, my manual reads 3,000
In 2010 & 2011, i believe the manual reads 5,000 miles
2012 manual reads 8,000 miles
all have the exact same engine, seems like Dodge is finally admitting that todays oils are much better then even 5 years ago

If you have not done it yet, call Dodge Customer Assistance & request a BUILD SHEET for your Ram, you will need to have the VIN # & the mileage handy
they send it for free & fairly quickly, it has a load of information in it, much better than the window sticker has on it
http://www.ramtrucks.com/webselfservice/ramtrucks/index.jsp

 

[2011RamCC]

The manual for my 2011 Ram calls for oil changes at 8,000 mile intervals. Dealer still says every 3,000 miles.

 

[CdnoilRAM]

Dealers will try to get you in more regularly because they do pretty good money on 'regulars' but you only have to follow the user manual as that's put together by the ENGINEERS, they guys that know a LOT more (sometimes) about these vehicles than the 17yr old doing your oil change.

 

[TransEngineer]

Dealers often "recommend" that you follow a maintenance schedule that is much more conservative than your owner's manual.

I'm sure they would also "recommend" that you buy a new vehicle from them every two years.

I would go by the owner's manual, not what your dealer dreams up.

Dealer: "We think it's best that you change your oil every 3000 miles."
You: "Why would that be best for me?"
Dealer: "We're not talking about you...."

 

[dankent]

My dealer told me that my truck would tell me when it was time for a service and sure enough about 6k in it told me Change oil .... and then again at just after 12k .... lol so thats all i have done. Dealer has never mentioned that i should change anything else ... yet.

 

[sylster]

I pretty much figured it was all scamming.....but it never hurts to ask....I'm no mechanic, but been around cars all my life....my dad and 4 uncles are ALL mechanics.....Do people really fall for this? I get it if MAYBE it was a work truck....but this is my baby....I've yet to put anything in the bed still hahaha.......maybe groceries but nothing that would dirty it

and at over 400$ for an oil change (motor, diff's and transfer case) I have to question their motive when my manual says to inspect those at 52k kms haha...

Back to my good Ol' mechanic...screw the dealer

S.

 

[huntergreen]

in answer to ops question, yes the dealer is trying to gouge you.

 

[r1greene]

The Owners Manual is the recommend source for the type of service and intervalls at which it shoul be done to insure vehicle preformance. Beleive me if... a warranty issue should come up the first think Dealers will look at is the vehicle history, jsut gives them wiggle room for their particpation and justifaction for billing Dodge for the warranty work performed. Any work recommended or performed above and beyond that could be benificeal for the vehicle or just adding to their profit line. Buyer be well informed on the benifits of what they are selling and then decided if it's worth your hard earned $!