Four Oil Changes (diesel) for $220 Worked Out Fine

[JRS___B]

In February I needed my oil changed before heading back to Michigan. The Florida Dodge dealer sold me a plan for four oil changes for $220. And I have 2 years to use up the prepaid services.

Well, I was due for another oil change a couple weeks back and I took my truck to my Michigan dealer. The service shows up as "warranty work". No cost, no tax, no shop materials.

At $55 out the door I will never change my own oil again.

I think they might do this deal for non Dodge products, but I would double check to be sure.

[Wes_Tausend]

...

Someone mentioned to make sure that a chassis lube is included. While that is usually not a time consuming additional task once up on the rack, my old 4x4 F-250 Ford, with Delco ball joints, makes it harder.

Unlike the OEM joints, the replacement Ford ball joints have, and need zerks, or rather would have zerks. Since the top ball joints ride close to the spinning axle u-joints, there appears to be insufficient clearance for a zerk. Therefore the top joints have a small threaded plug in them. To grease them, the plug must be removed (5/16" wrench I think) and the grease somehow injected in the small 3/16" hole.

It takes a special curved/pointed "greaser tip" to get a good seal and force grease to fully surround the ball stud (feeds from the bottom up). All this takes extra time and I've seen service jockeys routinely skip this nuisance before, unless the customer is very insistent.

Has anyone found a low-profile, 90° zerk that clears the u-joint in upper 4x4 Ford ball joints?

Wes
...

[Bionic_Man]

I've seen those deals before, and have purchased them myself. My biggest gripe with the dealer oil changes is that even with their "express lane", the oil changes still take 3 times as long as they would at a quick lube type shop

[JRS___B]

Yep. Shell-Rotella . That is a good price you get. No doubt about it.

[Old-Biscuit]

JRS & B wrote:
I believe most all Dodge dealers use a MOPAR brand of oil. I don't know who makes it for them.

The Dodge Dealer I just got oil change at for $49 used Rotella

[JRS___B]

Shredding some old documents. MOPAR oil appears to be a Shell Oil Product. Found my old receipt from Tarpon Springs Dodge. Oil change and filter, inc. tax, $124.98.

[BurbMan]

Just about every brand/dealer has some sort of oil change special and are almost always cheaper than you can buy the parts/materials yourself. They use this as a loss leader to sell other work. Once the car is in the air they will look for other work to sell you, including the "60,000 mile check up" for $299+.

I don't disagree with the approach because fixing worn parts before they break is always easier than having them break on the road, especially when you are towing. Just be careful of what you're buying...

Also ask if the oil change includes a lube if you have greaseable fittings on ball joins, tie rod ends, etc.

[JRS___B]

I believe most all Dodge dealers use a MOPAR brand of oil. I don't know who makes it for them.

[JRS___B]

I do not have any problem paying $75 for an oil change and filter. It's not worth the extra $20 or so for me to do it myself at my age.

Just hate to pay through the nose. My local, non-dealer, independent shop uses a synthetic blend oil for diesels, which is a good thing, but even there the cost is $110.

[MARKW8]

wintersun wrote:
I would not use the oil used by my GM dealer. If you got Valvoline Premium Blue motor oil then you did get a good deal.

What oil does your dealer use?

Mark

[Bamaman11]

My PowerStroke uses 15 quarts @ $3.00 each (dino) and a $10 filter--$55 total cost. I usually buy Motorcraft oil as three five quart bottles work better. Non-Ford oils will be 3 four quart jugs plus 3 individual quart bottles--and inherently more expensive.

Sometimes changing my own oil is the quietest, most relaxing time of my very busy week--just watching the oil drip.

Four oil changes @ $220 would be great if your truck uses 15 quarts per oil change--like mine.

[wintersun]

I would not use the oil used by my GM dealer. If you got Valvoline Premium Blue motor oil then you did get a good deal.

[2oldman]

JRS & B wrote:
I think I remember seeing 12 quarts mentioned somewhere. Freightliners need not apply.

Nope. My last service was 5 gallons and $350.

[Old-Biscuit]

Local Dodge dealer does oil/filter change on my truck for $49 plus tax

[JRS___B]

retispcsi - The operative word is "usually". Tarpon Springs FL dealer was pretty darn set in their mind that special deals are for special customers who purchased their vehicle from them. If you didn't purchase your vehicle from them, you pay list price.