Dean2
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2021
- Posts
- 4,451
- Reaction score
- 8,913
- Location
- Near Edmonton
- Ram Year
- 2021 2500
- Engine
- 6.4
While this is far from a new or unique topic, thought it was a good reminder.
You have to be careful, even at good dealerships. Took my wife's Jeep GC in for a AC leak, which is covered by warranty. While they were checking it in, service writer hands me a sheet that says they recommend changing the front and rear diff oil, plus the T case oil. Total quote $700, of which 3 hours was labour totalling $400.
So the first thing is, the service schedule in the owners' manual on that vehicle suggests checking the level every 32,000 KLMs and change if needed if the vehicle is used as a Taxi, Police, towing or sees severe duty conditions. The paper the service writer handed me says the same thing but there are two asterisks beside the recommendation to change and in TINY print at the bottom it says only needs to be changed if used as Taxi, Police, or a lot of heavy towing. The owners manual shows those fluids should be changed at 192,000 klms (120,000 miles) for vehicles under normal use. This is used by my wife as a car, grocery getter etc., it never even goes off pavement and has 65,000 klms (37,000 miles) on it in 5 years. So less than 8000 miles a year. It only needs an oil change every 8 or 9 months.
So technically the service writer didn't lie, except he implied failure to change fluids at recommended intervals could affect warranty.This too is accurate, but it glosses over the fact the recommended interval isn't for another 130,000 Klms. The other issue is the ridiculous labour costs. What kind of incompetent would you have to be to take 3 hours to drop fluid and refill the diffs and T-Case. I can do it at home in half an hour.
This is actually a pretty good dealership with a pretty strong service department, but clearly the pressure to up sell, is ever present. Could not be more clear to me about just how important it is to teach kids about vehicles, servicing them, changing flats etc. If you don't know to check the owner's manual for yourself you can spend a LOT on unnecessary service. The customer REALLY needs to know their stuff and not just rely on the Service Writer's recommendations.
You have to be careful, even at good dealerships. Took my wife's Jeep GC in for a AC leak, which is covered by warranty. While they were checking it in, service writer hands me a sheet that says they recommend changing the front and rear diff oil, plus the T case oil. Total quote $700, of which 3 hours was labour totalling $400.
So the first thing is, the service schedule in the owners' manual on that vehicle suggests checking the level every 32,000 KLMs and change if needed if the vehicle is used as a Taxi, Police, towing or sees severe duty conditions. The paper the service writer handed me says the same thing but there are two asterisks beside the recommendation to change and in TINY print at the bottom it says only needs to be changed if used as Taxi, Police, or a lot of heavy towing. The owners manual shows those fluids should be changed at 192,000 klms (120,000 miles) for vehicles under normal use. This is used by my wife as a car, grocery getter etc., it never even goes off pavement and has 65,000 klms (37,000 miles) on it in 5 years. So less than 8000 miles a year. It only needs an oil change every 8 or 9 months.
So technically the service writer didn't lie, except he implied failure to change fluids at recommended intervals could affect warranty.This too is accurate, but it glosses over the fact the recommended interval isn't for another 130,000 Klms. The other issue is the ridiculous labour costs. What kind of incompetent would you have to be to take 3 hours to drop fluid and refill the diffs and T-Case. I can do it at home in half an hour.
This is actually a pretty good dealership with a pretty strong service department, but clearly the pressure to up sell, is ever present. Could not be more clear to me about just how important it is to teach kids about vehicles, servicing them, changing flats etc. If you don't know to check the owner's manual for yourself you can spend a LOT on unnecessary service. The customer REALLY needs to know their stuff and not just rely on the Service Writer's recommendations.
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