How much are you paying for your scheduled maintenance visits? I made an appointment for my first check (3750mi) and the dealer is telling me $31.99 for check or if I go w/ oil change its $39.99. Sucks, cause I was going to do my own oil change, but I can't change the oil for $8 dollars. I just can't believe they want to charge me $32 bucks to basically check the fluids and sign off in my main log >. Is this dealer screwing me over or is this pretty much standard fare for Dodge dealers?- Steve

 

I wouldn't pay anyone $32 to do the five minutes worth of work required for the 3,750 scheduled maintenance. It's not necessary for them to sign off on your maintenance log unless you just want them to. Heck, you can easily do it yourself while you're waiting on the fuel tank to fill up at your next fuel stop.

Your oil changes will cost you around $26 if you go with dino juice and Fleetguard filters and do the work yourself.

 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=20;threadid=21609;start=0#msg202509 date=1067350531]
I wouldn't pay anyone $32 to do the five minutes worth of work required for the 3,750 scheduled maintenance. It's not necessary for them to sign off on your maintenance log unless you just want them to. Heck, you can easily do it yourself while you're waiting on the fuel tank to fill up at your next fuel stop.

Your oil changes will cost you around $26 if you go with dino juice and Fleetguard filters and do the work yourself.
[/quote]

Agreed...That's a rip.

I can get a 6 gallon case of Rotella T for about $35 at BJ's Wholesale Club and some Fleetgaurd filters from Geno's or my local Cummins Shop.

 

You must save your recipts for the oil and filters in case of warranty claims.

 

[quote author=papaduck link=board=20;threadid=21609;start=0#msg202560 date=1067357363]
You must save your recipts for the oil and filters in case of warranty claims.
[/quote]

By law they cannot deny your warranty claims simply because you do not have receipts for oil and filters. I do not keep any of my receipts, but I do keep very good records. I'm not the least bit worried about it...and I don't need to be.

In the same way, they cannot require you to allow them to do all of your maintenance work (or sign off on it) in order to make claims against the warranty.

Check the owner's manual or the warranty. You will not find anything that says you must have receipts for warranty claims.

If they wish to deny a claim because they feel you did not change your oil enough, the burden of proof would be on them to prove it, which they cannot do.

 

[quote author=RamDan03 link=board=20;threadid=21609;start=0#msg202555 date=1067356608]I can get a 6 gallon case of Rotella T for about $35 at BJ's Wholesale Club and some Fleetgaurd filters from Geno's or my local Cummins Shop.
[/quote]

I wouldn't really call that wholesale when you can get the same oil for $5.85 a gallon at Wal-Mart, but your point is made.

 

When you do your own maintenance, be absolutely certain that each and every item called for in the maintenance record has been done and can be checked off. I keep my own records, but also check off each item on the booklet and then put all my receipts and such in a folder. I have done battle with dealers on maintenance, and there is no substitute for good records. Some even post signs in their service lobby that unless you have the dealer stamp on the maintenance log, they will not honor the warranty. Be prepared!

 

Thanks for the replies. RCW- I have heard the same thing(about the stamp), which is why I wanted the dealer to do the check. Maybe I will just by a notebook and start keepin good records of my own maint. I really hate the local dealer >, but the nearest GOOD dodge dealer is 4 hrs away, so I am kinda stuck dealin with these idiots :'(. -Steve

 

Let me say again, the dealer can NOT legally deny your warranty claim because you did not take the vehicle in to them for regular maintenance or because they have not stamped your book. I have NEVER taken any of my vehicles in for maintenance work and I have NEVER had any issues with warranty work being denied. Some dealers may try to tell you this, but unless they issued some form of documentation to you when you purchased the truck stating that all service must be completed by them for the warranty to be honored, then they have no leg to stand on.

They might RECOMMEND it or try to scare people into letting them do the service, but that is because they can do things like charge $32 to put a stamp in your log.

 

Yeah, I will do the maint myself. This is just my first new vehicle and I am a little paranoid :.Your right Hoss (Oh great, I just said Hoss is right... I'm sure I'll hear about that one ;D). Thanks for the reassuring info, cause I did not want to be extorted by the local dealer.-Steve

 

Just be sure you don't change your windshield wipers or you'll void the warranty.

 

Personally, I trust myself more than I do most techs at local lube places.

 

My dealer does my LOF for $24. I installed my exhaust brake, brake controller, nerf bars, rail caps myself. I'm installing my new Reunel bumper tomorrow night myself. As soon as Crutchfield delivers my new CD changer, I'll install that myself. I check my oil and engine compartment fluids every fill-up.

I own well over $5,000 worth of Snap-On tools but, I HATE changing oil! For $24, Mr. 5 Star can impress me with his awesome talent.

100 Proof

(Did I mention that I HATE changing oil!)

 

I continue to be amazed at the crap that dealers try to pull on customers where warranty work is involved. Dealers HATE to do warranty work as it pays less. Your best weapon in fighting the dealer are good records, receipts NOT required, just a log book.

Go here and read about the Magnuson-Moss Act.

http://www.pacchips.com/htm/warranty.htm

and here

http://www.sema.org/content/?id=8124

 

you guys are getting good deals on oil changes. at the local dealer it cost me $104.00 to get the oil change. i think the filter was 30 odd$ and than there was labour at tradesmens rate. and they did'nt do anything else like windshield wash,etc.just the oil change. they only got me once and that was on my 01. i haven't had my 03 back to a dealer yet it has 11000 km on it now and i change my own oil and lube. it does have to go in for some other things that are covered under warranty. but i am going to take it back to the dealership were i bought it from.