Dealer Free oil changes

[Durinsbane]

I bought a used 2018 ram 2500 6.4 The dealer gave me three free oil changes. Its a Chevrolet dealer which I guess they will use their oil so should I take advantage of the free oil changes or should I use the PUP oil I have seen recommended on the forum?

 

[LeeD]

I’d use those free oil changes. Then switch to whatever you like.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Nope.

They use bulk slop to the lowest bidder. Hemi is a drama queen engine with poor oiling. Synthetic oil thread has thousands of posts about it going back decades.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

I bought a used 2018 ram 2500 6.4 The dealer gave me three free oil changes. Its a Chevrolet dealer which I guess they will use their oil so should I take advantage of the free oil changes or should I use the PUP oil I have seen recommended on the forum?

I would do a short OCI of 3K miles on the free oil then alternate with a quality oil change. I would do that to use till the free oil changes are used up.

 

[Grams]

They are not going to do AnyThing that will violate the Owners Manual.

Get the free oil changes (that you really already PAID FOR )…. and if it worries you…TELL THEM what kind of oil to use.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Is it worth saving the cost of an oil change to have the newest and/or dumbest guy at a Chevy dealership touch your Ram? That's who's doing oil changes.

The people who say they won't put the wrong oil in it are optimistic. Maybe they will, maybe they won't.

The last, and I do mean last, time a Chevy dealership touched a vehicle of mine it was at least a Chevy. They put the lid on the air filter housing on wrong and tried to charge me to scan why the check engine light came on. "Passed" the windshield wipers when I knew one was missing half the rubber (I hadn't gotten around to changing it yet and didn't drive it in bad weather).

Ram dealership isn't any better. I used to get their oil change packages for my 2012, cheaper than I could change the oil myself. Then they put the wrong oil in. I looked at the paper work and noted it was not the synthetic the package included. They asked me what I wanted them to do about it. Well, take it back in the shop and do it right this time. Also the last time I bothered with them for anything not warranty work.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Up to you.

I'd ask what oil they plan to use. Pretty sure the recommendation in the book is to use Full Synthetic in the Ram, so verify they will. Or ask if they have a premium synthetic ...maybe they do. Or...maybe the only synthetic they use is a *premium* grade ...on par with PUP.

AFAIK, GM oil (and antifreeze) for their service bay (by the barrel) is supplied by Exxon/Mobil. That's what I saw on the barrels when I've been in their service bays (and Google AI said the same thing just now). So that's what I would expect they'd use. Ask the service guy if they have a "Premium Synthetic grade" like for Corvettes and performance engines. If they do but not included in your package, ask what the "add" would be to have them use that instead. That would probably be as good as PUP. But either way, if it's Exon/Mobil Synthetic I wouldn't be bothered by that. Just a few questions to ask so you are a more informed customer.

If it were my truck, I'd just do the oil change interval you normally do (I go 5k on my vehicles) from the GM dealer with the package. My Ram has = 177k miles and going. But whatever interval suits you. I don't run additives in my oil, but some guys do. Like I say, ask the questions at the dealer... so you'll be informed what you're getting and do what makes sense. Perhaps complement them on your truck (you bought from them) and their good sales/service. A little up-front schmoozing sometimes goes a long way to maybe getting a little better service and extras.

Enjoy your new truck!!



.

 

[Grams]

Is it worth saving the cost of an oil change to have the newest and/or dumbest guy at a Chevy dealership touch your Ram? That's who's doing oil changes.

I’m not critique-ing Doc here…. This is a statement I see posted and reposted over and again…. “ the dumbest guy at the dealership does the oil changes…..’

Hell, that’s true ANYWHERE. Even at HOME.

Let’s stop slamming people just because they are anonymous. Of the millions of oil changes performed by “the dumbest guys” in the world…. the odds of getting a bad job done is probably less than your wife or girlfriend putting the wrong fuel in it.

I’ve had WalMart do their “Pit Stop” oil changes (was $19 for 4 qts and a filter forever….now it’s $24….. using good oil and a filter…. hardly more than what the actual materials retail-cost…. and you don’t even have to haul-away the old oil …or get down on the ground ….or get oily or make a mess.
Do your weekly shopping while they’re at it.

Only ONCE in 20 years did I have a problem when they Lock-Tite’d the drain-plug without my permission. (because they almost universally “extract” the oil these days….. and despite common belief…extraction usually pulls out More Oil than draining does because most drain plugs are not really at the lowest point of the sump…but the dip-stick Does check the level at that point… so the extractor sucks it out lower than 90% of drain plugs.)
I was on a travel-trailer trip and passing thru TXK the WM did an oil change while we stocked-up on stuff for the camper. I actually discovered the Lock-tite a year later, and thought the local WM did it. However WM researched it and found the TXK store did it, and They paid the $600 Invoice the dealer charged to install a new oil pan.

Bottom Line: I’d trust the dealerships to do a proper oil change WAAY more than I’d trust them to do a transmission repair.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Free = 5w20 and Small OEM filter . If you dont like your truck go ahead.

 

[Grams]

Those WM oil changes = ‘12 Ram 220K miles, no problems. ‘92 Jeep Cherokee 330K miles, no problems, ‘05 Buick 170K miles, no problems, ‘90 Honda Civic, 279K miles, no problems, ‘78 Ford F150, 230K miles, no problems….

 

[HEMIMANN]

Is it worth saving the cost of an oil change to have the newest and/or dumbest guy at a Chevy dealership touch your Ram? That's who's doing oil changes.

The people who say they won't put the wrong oil in it are optimistic. Maybe they will, maybe they won't.

The last, and I do mean last, time a Chevy dealership touched a vehicle of mine it was at least a Chevy. They put the lid on the air filter housing on wrong and tried to charge me to scan why the check engine light came on. "Passed" the windshield wipers when I knew one was missing half the rubber (I hadn't gotten around to changing it yet and didn't drive it in bad weather).

Ram dealership isn't any better. I used to get their oil change packages for my 2012, cheaper than I could change the oil myself. Then they put the wrong oil in. I looked at the paper work and noted it was not the synthetic the package included. They asked me what I wanted them to do about it. Well, take it back in the shop and do it right this time. Also the last time I bothered with them for anything not warranty work.

That's insulting - ask the customer what he wants the people he paid to do about doing their job incorrectly. Same thing happened to me at a Chevy Dealer. Never again.

If I get to the point where I can't change my own oil but can still drive, I'll go to my local excellent indie shop.

 

[Gary Fields]

Well it has been getting oil changes for seven years with unknown oils. Like most shops that dealer uses bulk oils. Most are just fine, just change them at a proper interval.

 

[HEMIMANN]

That's not the point here in the Ram Forum - the Hemi has had issues with just any oil. The statistical probability goes up for major failure.

So it's not fine. It's important to comprehend this is a Ram Forum - not just any old engine.

 

[caulk04]

Do you plan to do your own oil changes moving forward? Skip the free ones.

Do you plan to pay someone to change your oil? Use them.

That's my opinion.

I will continue to do as much of my own maintenance as possible, I have control and trust issues with shops/people of an unknown quantity.

 

[JJEH]

Depends on what oil they use. If it's full synthetic and compatible with Mopar you'd be dumb not to do it.

Maybe you can bring your own oil and filter, and they just do the labor?

Everything is negotiable.

 

[madtrucker2016]

Look, if it is the correct oil for your year truck, see nothing wrong with it because I paid mopar for 3 oil changes, 183 bucks with tire rotation. confirm the oil type and that the oil filter is a good filter brand.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

Depends on what oil they use. If it's full synthetic and compatible with Mopar you'd be dumb not to do it.

Maybe you can bring your own oil and filter, and they just do the labor?

Everything is negotiable.

If you’re that worried about the oil quality, you could always throw a bottle of lube guard in it. I would be more concerned about the viscosity if it was me. I’m sure there’d been worse oil poured in a Hemi before.

 

[Daw14]

I do my wife’s and my oil changes .
I know what I am installing, and how the job was done.
If that makes me dumb , I am happy .

 

[JJEH]

I do my wife’s and my oil changes .
I know what I am installing, and how the job was done.
If that makes me dumb , I am happy .

Talk about overreacting.... no one calls you dumb.

When we bought our RAM we got six free engine oil changes.
You bet your @$$ I took that offer. Why wouldn't I?!

Even if it wasn't a CDJR dealership, if the oil is MOPAR spec, or perhaps you can even bring your own, why not do it?! It's already paid for...