[quote author=frank link=board=20;threadid=21609;start=0#msg203813 date=1067566182]


you guys are getting good deals on oil changes.
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I agree. I usually change it myself, but had the dealer do my first oil and filter change because they had a coupon for $39.99, and I thought that was fairly reasonable. Oh well... :-

 

'03 has 1500 miles. I figure I'll wait till 3750, and take it back to 5star. Got lifetime oil change for "free". Since only the oil is free, I have no idea what the labor will be. Do you folks think I ought to get the tranny and rear oils changed at the same time? I'm new to the diesel experience (I won't go back to the gasser). BTW, and this is for Hoss, I saw you over on the FTE site trying to explain that Furd owns no part of Cummins. Nice link to Cummins FAQ ;D. This forum is great ;D!

 

This is my third cummins over the last 9 years...always done all my own maint that was feasable..all oils and fluids brakes etc..I've had lots of warranty work done over the years and not once was there any problems..not only that, they never even asked if i had a log book..not a big deal imho..just take good care of the truck and she will take care of you..i'm lucky to have agood dealership close by and anytime i have something they need to look into, they treat me great

 

[quote author=BB6 link=board=20;threadid=21609;start=15#msg204568 date=1067789919]BTW, and this is for Hoss, I saw you over on the FTE site trying to explain that Furd owns no part of Cummins. Nice link to Cummins FAQ ;D. This forum is great ;D!
[/quote]

Now, now, now....that is over there and this is over here. Let's keep them separate. Over HERE I will always INSIST that Ford does indeed own Cummins.

 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=20;threadid=21609;start=0#msg202637 date=1067369834]
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.
[/quote]

Hoss,

In my opinion, if an engine or other component fails and the dealer or DC suspects it is a failure due to lack of scheduled maintenance rather than a "defect in materials and/or workmanship", I'm sure they would be within their right to refuse a warranty claim. Whether they will be successful in court or not is another question - probably depends on whether the plaintiff (the truck owner) can show "on the balance of probabilities" that the failure was due to a defect in "materials and/or workmanship". How would he do this? I think a good start would be to show the court that he had maintained the vehicle to DC's published standards. After all, how can the failure be other than a "defect and/or workmanship" issue if the vehicle was maintained by the plaintiff to the maintenance schedule published in DC's book?

Remember, if you have a failure, your claim is refused and you choose to sue, the onus is on you to prove your claim - in this case that the fault is with DC. All DC has to do is "tip the scales" in their favor, by showing the failure was likely a result of poor maintenance (or no maintenance). All you have to do, is tip the scales in your favor by showing the required or recommended maintenance was done. While a personal log is typically considered "hearsay evidence" and inadmissable in court, the rules are somewhat relaxed in small claims court and would likely be admissable. The receipts for purchases of materials, tools etc. would go a long way towards tipping the scales in your favor.

It is also helpful to remember that while all of this is going on, you will either have to pay for the repairs or park your truck. A small claim matter can take months to be heard and if there was an appeal, could take up to a year or more. Of course DC would likely want to avoid all of this so perhaps some settlement might be reached - after time.

No insult is intended here, but I am always baffled by people who go out of their way to try and prove that the large corporation can't "tell them what to do", even when the corporation is being reasonable. I'm not saying that DC can successfully refuse a warranty claim without receipts (if there is an engine failure) or would even want to, but I wouldn't advise someone to try it just to see if they will be able to take DC on if they are refused.

I think these forums are a good place to gather information and advice, however I think the best advice is to err on the side of caution and keep all receipts if you don't intend to have the dealer service your vehicle. What does it cost you, and what reason is there not to do so? Unless you are waiting for the opportunity to tell DC where to get off if there is an engine failure and you are refused warranty coverage, I'd rather show the receipts and have them fix my truck than end up in court spending time and money on an uncertain outcome.

Just my advice (and I didn't charge my regular $150.00/hour for it either)

 

Good post...and good points.

Just to clarify, I'm not advising anyone NOT to keep receipts...I'm just saying that I don't keep them and I don't think they're necessary.

I keep a detailed log of ALL service done to my truck....including all fuel stops. This goes for both regular scheduled maintenance type service and other types of service that might not be scheduled. The log details what type of work was done, who did it, where they're located, their phone number, what products were used for the service, the odometer reading at the time of service, the date of the service and room for any comments of observations that may be of importance. While I do not keep receipts, I feel pretty confident that my log will give me the backup I need if I ever need it (hopefully I never will need it except for my own personal information).

The whole intent of my posts was to say that it's not necessary to let Dodge do the work for you. If you're qualified to do it, I think you're better off doing it yourself and keeping good records (and receipts if you want to).

Keeping receipts CERTAINLY isn't a BAD idea...and may come in handy for those who keep them...but I don't do it personally and I don't feel it's necessary.

That's just me though.

 

I totally agree with you Hoss. No need to let DC overcharge you for maintenance, especially if you like tinkering yourself - like I do. Keeping a log is a great idea.