Service schedule question

[Rpow]

Hi everyone. I have a question about the service maintenance schedule posted in the owners manual. I bought the lifetime warranty on a 2013 Ram 1500 5.7L (currently at 83,000 mi). The last few oil changes at the dealer, he asks if I want to have the fluids replaced. I point out that in the owners manual the fluids are not recommended to be replaced until after 100K mi for coolant and 120K for transfer and transmission. The manual does say earlier if it is a police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing. The service manager says that Texas is considered severe duty on a vehicle and the earlier replacement of fluids is to be followed or the warranty could be void. He goes on to say how the company is getting strict on warranty service and has been rejecting a lot.

I am pretty sure he is trying to pull a fast one but I do not want to loose the ability to use the lifetime warranty.

1. has anyone run into this with their dealer?
2. has anyone have experience with the service maintenance schedule being dependent on the state you live in?

Thanks

 

[indept]

Call a different dealer and ask them if they go with the severe duty. I wouldn't mention the 1st dealer until they give you the answer so as not to sway their response.

 

[Davidloveshishemi]

I will share what a service advisor at a dealership told me. I asked him about service schedules and how important it was to stick to the directions in the manual. He leaned in and said, look, I am about to quit so I will let you in on a secret. Dont do anything! and I mean anything! Unless your car or truck tells you its time. Vehicles today are much smarter than we are. They are set up to tell you when fluids need replacing, rotations to be done. Dont waste your money, do what your vehicle tells you to.

I was like, WOW! Why does it take someone quitting to get an honest response. Anyway, that is what he told me, that is what I do. Also, save yourself a ton of money and wasted time at the dealership, change your Hemi oil at home in the driveway. Supplies cost about $35 and takes all of 45 minutes.

Hope that helps.

 

[HDGoose]

I will share what a service advisor at a dealership told me. I asked him about service schedules and how important it was to stick to the directions in the manual. He leaned in and said, look, I am about to quit so I will let you in on a secret. Dont do anything! and I mean anything! Unless your car or truck tells you its time. Vehicles today are much smarter than we are. They are set up to tell you when fluids need replacing, rotations to be done. Dont waste your money, do what your vehicle tells you to.

I was like, WOW! Why does it take someone quitting to get an honest response. Anyway, that is what he told me, that is what I do. Also, save yourself a ton of money and wasted time at the dealership, change your Hemi oil at home in the driveway. Supplies cost about $35 and takes all of 45 minutes.

Hope that helps.

Get the any business to put those claims in writing, and watch them back peddle quickly. Californina actually filed a lawsuit against many companies because they said pushing the 3000 mile oil changes was wasting the oil. The state of California finally got something correct.

 

[Sherman Bird]

I will share what a service advisor at a dealership told me. I asked him about service schedules and how important it was to stick to the directions in the manual. He leaned in and said, look, I am about to quit so I will let you in on a secret. Dont do anything! and I mean anything! Unless your car or truck tells you its time. Vehicles today are much smarter than we are. They are set up to tell you when fluids need replacing, rotations to be done. Dont waste your money, do what your vehicle tells you to.

I was like, WOW! Why does it take someone quitting to get an honest response. Anyway, that is what he told me, that is what I do. Also, save yourself a ton of money and wasted time at the dealership, change your Hemi oil at home in the driveway. Supplies cost about $35 and takes all of 45 minutes.

Hope that helps.

I change oil every day on customers' cars and trucks. You really believe the computer for when to change the oil? OK, get this: I know that the computer uses many aspects of an algorithm to determine oil change time, and have seen variances of 3400 miles up to 10000 miles on the same car at different times. The times Ive changed the oil on this car, and several others like it, where the mileage was nearer the 10000 mile mark, the oil drained out frothy and thick and jet black.... nasty!

Cars are not "smart". The marketing and actuarial personnel of the manufacturers are the smart ones. They need their jobs. They make claims that are absolutely false.... like "lifetime coolant"... uh, yeah, sure! They know the average age of a car, they know the lazy side of human nature.... And the manufacturers bet on folks neglecting and/or destroying their cars so the new car market will thrive.

There is no such thing as transmission fluid, coolant, or any other maintenance item that is "lifetime".

So, where's the middle ground (I've digressed slightly)? There have been improvements to many of the products we use in our vehicles, but none are impervious to exposure to temperature extremes, mechanical stress, or humidity/water exposure. How much water condenses inside your engine, transmission, brakes, differential, in high humidity after you've driven your car and gotten everything really hot and dry, then park the car and let it cool off? Not much at a time, but it is cumulative and damaging.

The variable, likely, is time. How long is one committed to keeping a car or truck? What is their motive regarding the extended warranty/maintenance interval? I mean, does one wish to do only the very minimum to stave off a claim denial for the warranty? Or is one thinking in the long term... such as keeping the vehicle for 20+ years? This would be the consideration for whether or not to do maintenance more or less frequently, if at all. I wouldn't want my car to have to have a repair if I could have avoided it with timely maintenance.

As a benchmark, I'd service the automatic transmission every 60K miles. I'd change the oil at no more that 5K miles. I'd flush the coolant, replace the thermostat, and put on a new radiator cap every 60-70K miles. Serpentine belt? Replace it at no more than 60K miles. Brake fluid should be replace every 2-4 years depending on humidity levels. Differential oil should be changed at 60K intervals too. These intervals aren't engraved in stone. Non are. Not doing these things is like jumping over a dollar to pick up a dime. These intervals have kept many of my customers in their cars for over 15 years and over 300 thousand miles.

As a final point, extended warranties used to have a pro rate on them. I've gotten a lot of cash back the few times I had the warranty and either sold the car or the car was totaled.This was not a well known fact, but it was in the fine print. (I actually read it!) It never mattered if claims had been levied against them. And, it pissed the dealer off that I knew it. In one instance, my daughter had totaled her car (A '94 Cavalier) She was in college (1999) and several expensive claims had been honored for repairs. We went back to that same stealership to buy her an newer used car, and I knew that I had $1800.00 Pro rate credit due me. The finance guy's blood absolutely boiled when we went in for final negotiations and I pointed out that I knew it, and insisted it be deducted from the sales price! That was slush that he intended to keep. You must read all your fine print. Read your policy thoroughly and without interruption. That's where you will find your answers. Also, call the extended warranty company with any questions before you need to make a claim. They'll be happy to help.

 

[HDGoose]

I change oil every day on customers' cars and trucks. You really believe the computer for when to change the oil? OK, get this: I know that the computer uses many aspects of an algorithm to determine oil change time, and have seen variances of 3400 miles up to 10000 miles on the same car at different times. The times Ive changed the oil on this car, and several others like it, where the mileage was nearer the 10000 mile mark, the oil drained out frothy and thick and jet black.... nasty!

Cars are not "smart". The marketing and actuarial personnel of the manufacturers are the smart ones. They need their jobs. They make claims that are absolutely false.... like "lifetime coolant"... uh, yeah, sure! They know the average age of a car, they know the lazy side of human nature.... And the manufacturers bet on folks neglecting and/or destroying their cars so the new car market will thrive.

There is no such thing as transmission fluid, coolant, or any other maintenance item that is "lifetime".

So, where's the middle ground (I've digressed slightly)? There have been improvements to many of the products we use in our vehicles, but none are impervious to exposure to temperature extremes, mechanical stress, or humidity/water exposure. How much water condenses inside your engine, transmission, brakes, differential, in high humidity after you've driven your car and gotten everything really hot and dry, then park the car and let it cool off? Not much at a time, but it is cumulative and damaging.

The variable, likely, is time. How long is one committed to keeping a car or truck? What is their motive regarding the extended warranty/maintenance interval? I mean, does one wish to do only the very minimum to stave off a claim denial for the warranty? Or is one thinking in the long term... such as keeping the vehicle for 20+ years? This would be the consideration for whether or not to do maintenance more or less frequently, if at all. I wouldn't want my car to have to have a repair if I could have avoided it with timely maintenance.

As a benchmark, I'd service the automatic transmission every 60K miles. I'd change the oil at no more that 5K miles. I'd flush the coolant, replace the thermostat, and put on a new radiator cap every 60-70K miles. Serpentine belt? Replace it at no more than 60K miles. Brake fluid should be replace every 2-4 years depending on humidity levels. Differential oil should be changed at 60K intervals too. These intervals aren't engraved in stone. Non are. Not doing these things is like jumping over a dollar to pick up a dime. These intervals have kept many of my customers in their cars for over 15 years and over 300 thousand miles.

As a final point, extended warranties used to have a pro rate on them. I've gotten a lot of cash back the few times I had the warranty and either sold the car or the car was totaled.This was not a well known fact, but it was in the fine print. (I actually read it!) It never mattered if claims had been levied against them. And, it pissed the dealer off that I knew it. In one instance, my daughter had totaled her car (A '94 Cavalier) She was in college (1999) and several expensive claims had been honored for repairs. We went back to that same stealership to buy her an newer used car, and I knew that I had $1800.00 Pro rate credit due me. The finance guy's blood absolutely boiled when we went in for final negotiations and I pointed out that I knew it, and insisted it be deducted from the sales price! That was slush that he intended to keep. You must read all your fine print. Read your policy thoroughly and without interruption. That's where you will find your answers. Also, call the extended warranty company with any questions before you need to make a claim. They'll be happy to help.

When you have sent the oil out of a car to a lab for testing, It will be valid. On my 2013 RAM 2500 diesel I sent off a sample at 5000, and 10000 miles below 40,000 vehicle miles. And again at 50k, 75k and at 100k. The oil was not broken down at 10,000. the lab reports did not show the metals associated with the motor breaking down.

I always changed my oil before 80% according to the EVIC. I use Shell Rotilla. And with this new truck, I will have the dealership do the free oil change at 5000 or before I go to Florida in November. Just now driving much these days.

In 1987 and 1988, I participated in an oil analysis project with a grad student. He collected oil from cars, pickup trucks, and my air cooled motorcycles. Even then, the Havoline 20w50 car oil oil in my carbureted, air cooled motorcycle did not break down at 3000 or 5000 miles. But it did at 7500 miles. Water cooled, injected vehicles today are much cleaner than that 1979 Moto Guzzi with 90,000 miles on it.

 

[Richg87]

I've always been proactive with maintenance because I keep my vehicles a long time. Oil every 5K miles, Trans every 60K, coolant every 3 years, etc.

 

[Sherman Bird]

When you have sent the oil out of a car to a lab for testing, It will be valid. On my 2013 RAM 2500 diesel I sent off a sample at 5000, and 10000 miles below 40,000 vehicle miles. And again at 50k, 75k and at 100k. The oil was not broken down at 10,000. the lab reports did not show the metals associated with the motor breaking down.

I always changed my oil before 80% according to the EVIC. I use Shell Rotilla. And with this new truck, I will have the dealership do the free oil change at 5000 or before I go to Florida in November. Just now driving much these days.

In 1987 and 1988, I participated in an oil analysis project with a grad student. He collected oil from cars, pickup trucks, and my air cooled motorcycles. Even then, the Havoline 20w50 car oil oil in my carbureted, air cooled motorcycle did not break down at 3000 or 5000 miles. But it did at 7500 miles. Water cooled, injected vehicles today are much cleaner than that 1979 Moto Guzzi with 90,000 miles on it.

Those are impressive numbers and a great endorsement for oil analysis. None of my customers give a ******'s damn about that! You and I do. Living in Houston, by God, humid as ****, Texas, I can tell you that our label from GM was SEVERE duty on all of it's fleet. This was back in the early 90's and came directly from one of their engineers who would fly down here from Detroit to instruct classes. We have severe temperature and humidity sweeps frequently and often! Tarmac temps on the Katy Freeway can exceed 160 on a 100 degree day where thousands of cars get stuck in creep and crawl traffic. Think of how severe that is on all of the fluids! Inasmuch as few folks garage their vehicles, the condensation of moisture goes a long way in shortening the life of one's crankcase oil, ATF, differential oil, and brake fluid.

I've been involve in oil tests years ago, and had a now deceased family friend who was a lubrication research engineer for Shell. I also have a son-in-law who spent several years on a ship in the Navy. The oil on that ship was over 20 years old. He told me that oil base stock never goes bad, that the additives break down and contaminants get in. The ship had an on board centrifuge and would separate the garbage from the base stock, and they would put in a new additive package and add base as needed.

As for my customers who are accountants, work for Coca Cola, etc., They look for me to respect their need for a balance between the expense of car repair and frugality. They trust my judgement.

 

[62Blazer]

Regarding the dealer stating that Texas was considered to be severe duty, I would ask them to show me that in writing. Bet you he can't! I think on average most people service their vehicles, especially oil changes, way more than really needed. Auto manufacturers are very conservative when it comes to stating required or recommended service intervals, meaning they will recommend services more frequently than what the testing actually shows to be required. Why you ask? Because they want to make sure nobody comes back at them years down the road with a class action lawsuit or get served with a mandatory recall notice because of this. I was working in the automotive testing industry back when car and truck manufacturers were first working setting up these service and oil change minders in cars and know that a LOT of testing and research went in to this. It's not like they just arbitrarily chose random numbers to use. We would run entire fleets of cars on different strictly controlled test routes/driving conditions and pull engine oil samples every few thousand miles to send for analysis to determine the true oil change interval needed.

Now don't get me wrong...if somebody wants to change their oil every 3,000 mile on the car or truck they drive back and forth to work under normal conditions that's fine with me but I will tell them they are wasting their money. I generally recommend going by the service minder on the dash. I have done that on my personal vehicles for years and years. My last truck was an '03 with 150k before I traded it in and my wife's vehicle was an '07 with 130k, both bought new, and I always went by the service minder or recommend intervals by the manufacturer and neither ever had any issues related to this.

 

[RodeoRam]

I appreciate how you guys are trying to make me feel less guilty. Up until this year, I had religiously changed my oil at 3k miles. I have switched to 4.5k on my current truck just this year, but truth be told I am over 5k right now because I am lazy, it's too hot, and I need a nap...and don't look at my yard.

Thank you for boosting my self-esteem.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Regarding the dealer stating that Texas was considered to be severe duty, I would ask them to show me that in writing. Bet you he can't! I think on average most people service their vehicles, especially oil changes, way more than really needed. Auto manufacturers are very conservative when it comes to stating required or recommended service intervals, meaning they will recommend services more frequently than what the testing actually shows to be required. Why you ask? Because they want to make sure nobody comes back at them years down the road with a class action lawsuit or get served with a mandatory recall notice because of this. I was working in the automotive testing industry back when car and truck manufacturers were first working setting up these service and oil change minders in cars and know that a LOT of testing and research went in to this. It's not like they just arbitrarily chose random numbers to use. We would run entire fleets of cars on different strictly controlled test routes/driving conditions and pull engine oil samples every few thousand miles to send for analysis to determine the true oil change interval needed.

Now don't get me wrong...if somebody wants to change their oil every 3,000 mile on the car or truck they drive back and forth to work under normal conditions that's fine with me but I will tell them they are wasting their money. I generally recommend going by the service minder on the dash. I have done that on my personal vehicles for years and years. My last truck was an '03 with 150k before I traded it in and my wife's vehicle was an '07 with 130k, both bought new, and I always went by the service minder or recommend intervals by the manufacturer and neither ever had any issues related to this.

The statement about Houston's severe rating was part of an off the record discussion. The statement would have to have gone through all sorts of ivory tower approval processes and field tests to become policy, and you know it. This engineer was one of their most senior members and he had clout. I'm a native Houstonian. That said, We have had mid-80's temperatures with temps plummet to the teens in short order during the winter. Our extreme temperatures and stifling humidity have combined to reveal some very oddball issues on new cars/models, according to this fella.

 

[Davidloveshishemi]

I change oil every day on customers' cars and trucks. You really believe the computer for when to change the oil? OK, get this: I know that the computer uses many aspects of an algorithm to determine oil change time, and have seen variances of 3400 miles up to 10000 miles on the same car at different times. The times Ive changed the oil on this car, and several others like it, where the mileage was nearer the 10000 mile mark, the oil drained out frothy and thick and jet black.... nasty!

Cars are not "smart". The marketing and actuarial personnel of the manufacturers are the smart ones. They need their jobs. They make claims that are absolutely false.... like "lifetime coolant"... uh, yeah, sure! They know the average age of a car, they know the lazy side of human nature.... And the manufacturers bet on folks neglecting and/or destroying their cars so the new car market will thrive.

There is no such thing as transmission fluid, coolant, or any other maintenance item that is "lifetime".

So, where's the middle ground (I've digressed slightly)? There have been improvements to many of the products we use in our vehicles, but none are impervious to exposure to temperature extremes, mechanical stress, or humidity/water exposure. How much water condenses inside your engine, transmission, brakes, differential, in high humidity after you've driven your car and gotten everything really hot and dry, then park the car and let it cool off? Not much at a time, but it is cumulative and damaging.

The variable, likely, is time. How long is one committed to keeping a car or truck? What is their motive regarding the extended warranty/maintenance interval? I mean, does one wish to do only the very minimum to stave off a claim denial for the warranty? Or is one thinking in the long term... such as keeping the vehicle for 20+ years? This would be the consideration for whether or not to do maintenance more or less frequently, if at all. I wouldn't want my car to have to have a repair if I could have avoided it with timely maintenance.

As a benchmark, I'd service the automatic transmission every 60K miles. I'd change the oil at no more that 5K miles. I'd flush the coolant, replace the thermostat, and put on a new radiator cap every 60-70K miles. Serpentine belt? Replace it at no more than 60K miles. Brake fluid should be replace every 2-4 years depending on humidity levels. Differential oil should be changed at 60K intervals too. These intervals aren't engraved in stone. Non are. Not doing these things is like jumping over a dollar to pick up a dime. These intervals have kept many of my customers in their cars for over 15 years and over 300 thousand miles.

As a final point, extended warranties used to have a pro rate on them. I've gotten a lot of cash back the few times I had the warranty and either sold the car or the car was totaled.This was not a well known fact, but it was in the fine print. (I actually read it!) It never mattered if claims had been levied against them. And, it pissed the dealer off that I knew it. In one instance, my daughter had totaled her car (A '94 Cavalier) She was in college (1999) and several expensive claims had been honored for repairs. We went back to that same stealership to buy her an newer used car, and I knew that I had $1800.00 Pro rate credit due me. The finance guy's blood absolutely boiled when we went in for final negotiations and I pointed out that I knew it, and insisted it be deducted from the sales price! That was slush that he intended to keep. You must read all your fine print. Read your policy thoroughly and without interruption. That's where you will find your answers. Also, call the extended warranty company with any questions before you need to make a claim. They'll be happy to help.

I couldnt disagree with you more. But thats what opinions are for. To each their own.

 

[Sherman Bird]

I couldnt disagree with you more. But thats what opinions are for. To each their own.

That's perfectly OK that you disagree. 'Murica!

 

[indept]

I change oil every day on customers' cars and trucks. You really believe the computer for when to change the oil? OK, get this: I know that the computer uses many aspects of an algorithm to determine oil change time, and have seen variances of 3400 miles up to 10000 miles on the same car at different times. The times Ive changed the oil on this car, and several others like it, where the mileage was nearer the 10000 mile mark, the oil drained out frothy and thick and jet black.... nasty!

Cars are not "smart". The marketing and actuarial personnel of the manufacturers are the smart ones. They need their jobs. They make claims that are absolutely false.... like "lifetime coolant"... uh, yeah, sure! They know the average age of a car, they know the lazy side of human nature.... And the manufacturers bet on folks neglecting and/or destroying their cars so the new car market will thrive.

There is no such thing as transmission fluid, coolant, or any other maintenance item that is "lifetime".

So, where's the middle ground (I've digressed slightly)? There have been improvements to many of the products we use in our vehicles, but none are impervious to exposure to temperature extremes, mechanical stress, or humidity/water exposure. How much water condenses inside your engine, transmission, brakes, differential, in high humidity after you've driven your car and gotten everything really hot and dry, then park the car and let it cool off? Not much at a time, but it is cumulative and damaging.

The variable, likely, is time. How long is one committed to keeping a car or truck? What is their motive regarding the extended warranty/maintenance interval? I mean, does one wish to do only the very minimum to stave off a claim denial for the warranty? Or is one thinking in the long term... such as keeping the vehicle for 20+ years? This would be the consideration for whether or not to do maintenance more or less frequently, if at all. I wouldn't want my car to have to have a repair if I could have avoided it with timely maintenance.

As a benchmark, I'd service the automatic transmission every 60K miles. I'd change the oil at no more that 5K miles. I'd flush the coolant, replace the thermostat, and put on a new radiator cap every 60-70K miles. Serpentine belt? Replace it at no more than 60K miles. Brake fluid should be replace every 2-4 years depending on humidity levels. Differential oil should be changed at 60K intervals too. These intervals aren't engraved in stone. Non are. Not doing these things is like jumping over a dollar to pick up a dime. These intervals have kept many of my customers in their cars for over 15 years and over 300 thousand miles.

As a final point, extended warranties used to have a pro rate on them. I've gotten a lot of cash back the few times I had the warranty and either sold the car or the car was totaled.This was not a well known fact, but it was in the fine print. (I actually read it!) It never mattered if claims had been levied against them. And, it pissed the dealer off that I knew it. In one instance, my daughter had totaled her car (A '94 Cavalier) She was in college (1999) and several expensive claims had been honored for repairs. We went back to that same stealership to buy her an newer used car, and I knew that I had $1800.00 Pro rate credit due me. The finance guy's blood absolutely boiled when we went in for final negotiations and I pointed out that I knew it, and insisted it be deducted from the sales price! That was slush that he intended to keep. You must read all your fine print. Read your policy thoroughly and without interruption. That's where you will find your answers. Also, call the extended warranty company with any questions before you need to make a claim. They'll be happy to help.

Sherman Bird

The length of that post would make Cornellius gasp...Just sayin.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Sherman Bird

The length of that post would make Cornellius gasp...Just sayin.

Maybe he would have snored.... who knows. He probably left and went to Peter's house!

 

[Rpow]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. It's great to hear the different points of view and experiences. I also wrote to Ram customer care and they provided the feedback below - the maintenance schedule is the same for all states. It really bothers me how dishonest people can be. I will try to find another dealer but it's hard to beat how close this one is to my home. IF I end up going back, I will request to see the "texas maintenance schedule" in writing as suggested above.




From: RAM Customer Care <[email protected]>
Date: July 21, 2020 at 9:35:11 AM CDT
To: "
Subject: Maintenance Information



Thank you for contacting FCA US LLC.

VIN:

The Owner's Manual for your vehicle covers the entire United States. You should refer to the Owner's Manual for detailed maintenance information for your vehicle and follow the maintenance schedule provided in the Owner's Manual to properly maintain your vehicle. Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or perform repairs and service when necessary could result in more costly repairs, damage to other components, negatively impact vehicle performance or affect or void your warranty.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Hi everyone. I have a question about the service maintenance schedule posted in the owners manual. I bought the lifetime warranty on a 2013 Ram 1500 5.7L (currently at 83,000 mi). The last few oil changes at the dealer, he asks if I want to have the fluids replaced. I point out that in the owners manual the fluids are not recommended to be replaced until after 100K mi for coolant and 120K for transfer and transmission. The manual does say earlier if it is a police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing. The service manager says that Texas is considered severe duty on a vehicle and the earlier replacement of fluids is to be followed or the warranty could be void. He goes on to say how the company is getting strict on warranty service and has been rejecting a lot.

I am pretty sure he is trying to pull a fast one but I do not want to loose the ability to use the lifetime warranty.

1. has anyone run into this with their dealer?
2. has anyone have experience with the service maintenance schedule being dependent on the state you live in?

Thanks

Going with the OP's 5.7 1500
This is from the haynes repair manual not the owners manual

Brake fluid should be Changed every 30,000 or 24 months (Its Hygroscopic which means it absorbs water) I am one of the few that actually does this
Transfer Case and Front and Rear Differential every 60,000 or 48 Months
Trans fluid and filters, Power steering Fluid and coolant all gets changed at 90,000 or 72 months

I actually ordered all fluids for my truck today. My plan is to switch everything out to amsoil except for the transfer case ill get that from the dealer. Im changing all my fluids Just before 60K the last time was done at the dealer at 30K Since then I have changed the brake fluid once.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

I change oil every day on customers' cars and trucks. You really believe the computer for when to change the oil? OK, get this: I know that the computer uses many aspects of an algorithm to determine oil change time, and have seen variances of 3400 miles up to 10000 miles on the same car at different times. The times Ive changed the oil on this car, and several others like it, where the mileage was nearer the 10000 mile mark, the oil drained out frothy and thick and jet black.... nasty!

Cars are not "smart". The marketing and actuarial personnel of the manufacturers are the smart ones. They need their jobs. They make claims that are absolutely false.... like "lifetime coolant"... uh, yeah, sure! They know the average age of a car, they know the lazy side of human nature.... And the manufacturers bet on folks neglecting and/or destroying their cars so the new car market will thrive.

There is no such thing as transmission fluid, coolant, or any other maintenance item that is "lifetime".

So, where's the middle ground (I've digressed slightly)? There have been improvements to many of the products we use in our vehicles, but none are impervious to exposure to temperature extremes, mechanical stress, or humidity/water exposure. How much water condenses inside your engine, transmission, brakes, differential, in high humidity after you've driven your car and gotten everything really hot and dry, then park the car and let it cool off? Not much at a time, but it is cumulative and damaging.

The variable, likely, is time. How long is one committed to keeping a car or truck? What is their motive regarding the extended warranty/maintenance interval? I mean, does one wish to do only the very minimum to stave off a claim denial for the warranty? Or is one thinking in the long term... such as keeping the vehicle for 20+ years? This would be the consideration for whether or not to do maintenance more or less frequently, if at all. I wouldn't want my car to have to have a repair if I could have avoided it with timely maintenance.

As a benchmark, I'd service the automatic transmission every 60K miles. I'd change the oil at no more that 5K miles. I'd flush the coolant, replace the thermostat, and put on a new radiator cap every 60-70K miles. Serpentine belt? Replace it at no more than 60K miles. Brake fluid should be replace every 2-4 years depending on humidity levels. Differential oil should be changed at 60K intervals too. These intervals aren't engraved in stone. Non are. Not doing these things is like jumping over a dollar to pick up a dime. These intervals have kept many of my customers in their cars for over 15 years and over 300 thousand miles.

As a final point, extended warranties used to have a pro rate on them. I've gotten a lot of cash back the few times I had the warranty and either sold the car or the car was totaled.This was not a well known fact, but it was in the fine print. (I actually read it!) It never mattered if claims had been levied against them. And, it pissed the dealer off that I knew it. In one instance, my daughter had totaled her car (A '94 Cavalier) She was in college (1999) and several expensive claims had been honored for repairs. We went back to that same stealership to buy her an newer used car, and I knew that I had $1800.00 Pro rate credit due me. The finance guy's blood absolutely boiled when we went in for final negotiations and I pointed out that I knew it, and insisted it be deducted from the sales price! That was slush that he intended to keep. You must read all your fine print. Read your policy thoroughly and without interruption. That's where you will find your answers. Also, call the extended warranty company with any questions before you need to make a claim. They'll be happy to help.

LOL if these vehicles are so smart why do we have to reset the oil change reminder convenience light? Shouldn't it know when it has new oil? (SARCASM) I was scrolling down to write a similar rant and then saw yours, You are spot on sir. Warranties never lean in favor of the consumer and always leave fine print loop holes in everything. Of course a service writer is going to tell you not to do anything he makes commission when you come back with your car all jacked up.

 

[KC5TGQ]

LOL!

 

[Sherman Bird]

Now don't get me wrong...if somebody wants to change their oil every 3,000 mile on the car or truck they drive back and forth to work under normal conditions that's fine with me but I will tell them they are wasting their money. I generally recommend going by the service minder on the dash. I have done that on my personal vehicles for years and years. My last truck was an '03 with 150k before I traded it in and my wife's vehicle was an '07 with 130k, both bought new, and I always went by the service minder or recommend intervals by the manufacturer and neither ever had any issues related to this.[/QUOTE]

Nobody ever wasted money to prevent breaking down in the future.... I'd prefer to think that my family's welfare is worth FAR more than the bit of coin I might have spent in the concept of possible excessive maintenance. I'd like to think that United Airlines might have spent a bit extra to insure that the 767 I flew on didn't crash.

Nobody said what you did in following the reminder indicator was wrong. But, I noticed you traded them BOTH, LONG before their time in terms of mechanical limits. Why's that? Let's be fair in the big picture, shall we? My 2002 Sequoia has 267,000 miles on it, doesn't burn a drop of oil between 5000 mile change periods, doesn't leak a drop of any fluid, Runs perfectly, and my wife recently drove across Texas in it... no problems. Could it have reached this point with longer intervals between services? Maybe. But I won't bet my family's life or well being on it. Money WELL spent for peace of mind! But my car is now nearing 20 years of age. Yes, the paint has faults in it, there are scratches, the driver's seat bottom is tattering, and it doesn't have the new car "Aura"..... nor the debt load nor the loss of money due to depreciation.
But I will keep until the 500,000 mile mark has come and gone.

Life changes sometimes play a part in the decision to replace a car... accidents which total the vehicle.... Hurricane Harvey did a big number on nearly half a million vehicles in Texas!

This might not suit everyone. Lord knows that my philosophy isn't for everyone. My customers, like myself do not fit the "Madison Avenue" mold. We clearly see the long game picture as far as owning an asset that bores a hole in one's lifetime estate. We've done the math and we have consulted the "Gurus" who make a living telling people how to enhance their best chances of retiring with as much in the retirement fund as possible. (Dave Ramsey, Suzie Orman, Jonathon Pond) A truck/suv/car is a huge expense. At today's ridiculous prices, One might consider ownership beyond the next "itch" one gets after the NFL game has shown ads laced with testosterone touting things like "Ram Tough, Texas Tough, Like a Rock", et. al.