svc schedules???

[wtnhunt]

Seems some auto manufacturers have incorrect owners manuals with improper maintenance schedules, which might leave a lifetime powertrain rendered worthless??? Not sure what to believe. According to the guy standing in for the service advisor at the dodge dealership when he called me our durango is overdue for a few maintenance jobs that it seems he was trying to sell me. For example: owners manual calls for differential fluids to be changed at 102,000 miles and checked with each 30,000 mile svc. Rear diff takes synthetic 75-140 gear oil. Manual says in vehicles used for severe duty purposes(towing, police, taxi)the fluids should be changed more often. Service guy was telling me we needed to change the gear oil in the differentials every 30,000, the actual service manager never said such at the 30,000 mile service, which that very dealership performed. Funny thing is we had just had the same vehicle in for the powertrain inspection just a little over a month earlier and everything checked out.

I questioned the service guy and he said "well your fluids have become contaminated" and you do not want to risk voiding your warranty, this still during the phone conversation. I talked with him face to face when we picked it up despite him trying to avoid me and he told me, oh well I was not trying to say your warranty was going to be voided or anything and downplayed his attempt to sell us service over the phone and said he was just suggesting we need to take care of it.

So after we get it home I pulled the plugs on both diffs and checked them myself and the fluid in both looked good from what I could see, but I am going to change them this weekend anyway. The plug on the back had not even been pulled anytime recently from what I could tell as the gravel dust crusted on the plug matched that on the housing, so something there don't add up. Kinda figure this guy was trying to sell us service. Same dealership at 15,000 miles tried to hook us on a tb cleaning at around $200 if I remember right when we had it in for an oil change and had other factory warranty service being performed.

Sooooo, Lynn or Shaun or anyone else; with full synthetic gear oil in a differential in a vehicle not used for heavy purpose, mainly just commuting how often does the oil really need changed?

[terry264]

I did change fluid/filter in the C4 automatic in my '75 Bronco back in 1994 because the fluid was looking a little brown and stunk. But it's been fine ever since. Both the front and rear ends are always full as is the transfer case. Wonder if it's time to change them yet? LOL

[Shaun_300]

I always recommend generally around 100,000km (62,000 miles) it should be changed, along with a transmission service. Don't forget about the transfer case too. Speaking of which, I should be changing the differential fluid in my truck too. Noticed the posi staying locked on momentairly after the rear wheels slip.

[LETMGROW]

I Like to keep fluids changed probably more than the recommended intervals. Up here we see all types of temperature changes and moisture can play into this. Personally I hate synthetic fluids. We never had trouble with differentials unless they were severely abused before the syn. fluids came into common use. Now it is common for higher mileage trucks to develop bearing noises and leaks as a result of loose bearings. 99 and up Chevrolet pick ups, Chrysler pick ups and SUV's are prone to this especially. I still like good old oil. 80-90 gear oil with an additive for the posi units. transmission fluid changes are always questionable if the vehicle doesn't have a history of periodic changes. A varnish build up in the trans case and on parts may pose no real problem until you change the fluid and the new detergents loosen this residue and starts plugging filters and small passage ways. I never change fluid on a trans unless it still looks good. I do change mine at 25,000 miles but I know the maintenance history. Transfer cases every two years. Be sure to use what the mfg. calls for on this one though. There are some strange named fluids out there for these. GM has one called "Auto-Trac". I don't have a problem with brake fluid changes. I have seen some nasty looking fluid in the resivours and I'm glad to see it out of there. Lynn

[wtnhunt]

Thanks for the replies. Still curious as to why the suggested services at the dealership and the service schedule in the manual do not match. They are not even close.

Over the weekend changed the plugs, cleaned the throttle body, and fluid changed in both diffs. Cannot believe the dealership wanted $200 for that tb svc, a total of less than 1/4 can of carb cleaner and maybe 15 minutes worth of work not counting the brushing to clean off the varnish which I did between working on some other stuff. Plugs in the back on the hemi are a bit of a pain, but not as bad as I expected, read it was a 3 hr job minimum due to access issues on the driver side and it took less than that(shorty ratchet was extremely handy), would have been 2 hr job tops had it not been for dropping sockets and if my big fumbling hands would have fit in those cramped places. Gear oil in the back looked perfectly fine, front diff did not have a magnet? Used to always cleaning the magnet well and there was not one in the front, front definitely needed changed. There is NO way that the service tech at the dealership pulled either plug during the "courtesy" inspection. Used the fluids the manual suggested, 75-90 in the front and synthetic 75-140 in the back.

Transmission and transfer case will get taken care of this coming weekend.

[terry264]

Unfortunately, you probably already voided your warranty since you are not an "approved" repair station or Chrysler dealer. If they don't do it themselves, well, that's how they save money on these "so called" warranties.

[wtnhunt]

Unfortunately, you probably already voided your warranty since you are not an "approved" repair station or Chrysler dealer. If they don't do it themselves, well, that's how they save money on these "so called" warranties.

I hope that is not the case Terry. We were told by the dealership that so long as the services were recorded that they had to honor the warranty. We have documented all service records, and I have receipts for oil and filters.

[LETMGROW]

We deal with these situations on occasion where we put service records together for customers who failed to keep their's. The dealerships will honor them. Do it yourselfer's are required to provide receipts for oil, filters, etc. Some dealers will try to lead you to use them for service but if you have and keep records you won't have a problem. There are certain "Right to repair" laws which apply to this. When we do service on a car which is still under warranty we record it in the customer's owners manual with dates, service performed and repair order numbers. This also makes it easier to find records if we have to make copies. Lynn

[wtnhunt]

Thanks for the re-assurance there Lynn, we should be ok in the event we ever have to have any other warranty service. I looked back in our warranty handbook the other day after Terry posted and it basically says that so long as the inspections are on time and are passed that they have to honor the warranty. Of course it does also say that maintenance related issues are not covered and that genuine mopar parts and approved fluids must be used.

[LETMGROW]

Thanks for the re-assurance there Lynn, we should be ok in the event we ever have to have any other warranty service. I looked back in our warranty handbook the other day after Terry posted and it basically says that so long as the inspections are on time and are passed that they have to honor the warranty. Of course it does also say that maintenance related issues are not covered and that genuine mopar parts and approved fluids must be used.

If you look at the fluid containers they will specify the SAE specs for a particular fluid. As long as your choice meets Mopar standards you will have no problem. Filters are covered the same way. It is the law. They can recommend genuine OEM parts but they can not require it as long as the products you use are OEM quality or as is often the case, better. I worked as a Service Manager for a few years before I went out on my own. We were encouraged to push OEM parts and fluids but were told not to say "had to use". Guess you could say I have been on both sides of the fence. I have dealerships who question customers where service was performed on their vehicle. When they tell them they were at my shop that is usually the end of the questions. I try to retain a good relationship with the dealers in my area. I have to. Most of them are customers of mine anyway. Lynn

[dlriggins]

I believe you are protected by the warranty act of 1974 unless the manufacturer is including the filter and fluid with the cost of the vehicle.