Dealer service versus warranty

greiswig · **Posted:** Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:04 pm

Hey, all,

Never having owned a new car before, I'm wondering about something: the 12k service at my local dealer will cost well over $400, "$80 of which is due to having to use synthetic oil." (They must spill a lot, and want me to pay for the excess.)

When I consider that they won't even use the RIGHT synthetic oil (i.e., not one that is CI-4), and the fact that I have already changed the oil and filter, I'm hesitant. But I am also worried that NOT having a dealer do these regular services will give them an excuse to void the warranty.

How do you all handle this?

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:10 pm

I think if you read your warranty you will see that they really can't void your warranty if you do your own service or have it done by a third party. You will need to well document it so you can prove that it was done.

I purchased during the "Miles of Freedom" campaign and so I got 24 Months/12K miles of free service. I was considering switching to the 5/40 synthetic which they didn't carry at the shop but they told me they would use my oil if I brought it in so that might be another option you can work with them on.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:57 pm

At my dealership, when I took it in for 12K service, I told them I'd just changed the oil and the air filter myself, asked them not to do that part. Service writer made a note that "customer has already performed engine oil and air filter, do not change". With that knocked off, the rest of the 12K service ran $290. Call'em up first and ask what the price would be without changing the engine oil, explain the situation. My bet is they'll still be willing to do the rest of the service without the engine oil change as they'll still be making money. :roll:

oldnavy · **Posted:** Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:44 am

Did my own service, airfilter, oil & filer, changed oil in differentials, changed my transfer case fluid and dealer gets $60 for tranny fluid & filters change. Already have agreement to switch to zerk fitted BJ's when that time comes.

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:58 pm

I do my own services. No dealer is going to rake it in off of me. These jeeps are so easy to service, most owners should consider doing it themselves. The hardest part would be the auto tranny, but you can take it to a reputable transmission shop and you will get it done cheaper than a dealer.

All that is needed to maintain warranty is good documentation. Federal law has been in place since the 70's that prevents the manufacturer from voiding warrenty because you didn't have services done by them or a place of their liking.

Now, that being said, if it is proven that you screwed something up, you have no one to blame. But if you chose to do services yourself, they can't refuse to honor warranty.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:28 am

greiswig wrote:

Hey, all,

Never having owned a new car before, I'm wondering about something: the 12k service at my local dealer will cost well over $400, "$80 of which is due to having to use synthetic oil." (They must spill a lot, and want me to pay for the excess.)

When I consider that they won't even use the RIGHT synthetic oil (i.e., not one that is CI-4), and the fact that I have already changed the oil and filter, I'm hesitant. But I am also worried that NOT having a dealer do these regular services will give them an excuse to void the warranty.

How do you all handle this?

Not at all concerned about doing basic fluid changes. Just document your work and keep receipts for your fluids. I got the same $400+ quote for the 12K service (which included me providing the Rotella synthetic for the engine). I chose to take my 2 oil jugs and walk out. Serviced it myself for with all synthetics for @ $250 including the cost of the aftermarket drainable rear diff cover.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sat Jul 22, 2006 10:52 am

RFCRD wrote:

greiswig wrote:

Hey, all,

Never having owned a new car before, I'm wondering about something: the 12k service at my local dealer will cost well over $400, "$80 of which is due to having to use synthetic oil." (They must spill a lot, and want me to pay for the excess.)

When I consider that they won't even use the RIGHT synthetic oil (i.e., not one that is CI-4), and the fact that I have already changed the oil and filter, I'm hesitant. But I am also worried that NOT having a dealer do these regular services will give them an excuse to void the warranty.

How do you all handle this?

Not at all concerned about doing basic fluid changes. Just document your work and keep receipts for your fluids. I got the same $400+ quote for the 12K service (which included me providing the Rotella synthetic for the engine). I chose to take my 2 oil jugs and walk out. Serviced it myself for with all synthetics for @ $250 including the cost of the aftermarket drainable rear diff cover.

Reciets are not required, only some type of documentation like a log or journal. Receipts alone is not enough however for proof.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:11 am

On mine, the 12K came due just as I was entering the wonderful experience of MAF CEL's and EGR replacement. Figured may as well have them do it while it's in, see if there was anything else going wrong with the beast, given it's history so far.

In the end, if it came down to worst case, a decision to trade the beast off of having to get nasty with DC over warranty work, I wanted as much ammo as possible on my side, and having it documented that all scheduled maintenance had been performed at one of their dealerships seemed a good idea. CYA in other words.

If and when the beast shows itself to be cured of it's teething problems, then yes I'll be doing all my own maintenance on the beast.

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 22, 2006 6:34 pm

In doing your own services, you might want to check out:

www.lubelocker.com

The Chrysler 8.25 gasket they offer fits perfect on the Corporate 8.25 in the Liberty. Sure like not messing with RTV anymore!

I did the rear diff, front diff, and transfer case in about 1.5 hrs, that was with messing with skid plates, stopping to chat, and get a soda. Can only imagine what dealer would have wanted. Now that I got the LubeLocker gasket on the rear, it will go faster. With the Fumoto drain valve on the engine oil pan, oil changes are a breeze.

The Libby is far and away one of the easiest vehicles to do ALL of your own services, barring major things like EGR, Timing Belt, etc. Most Jeep owners like to work on their vehicles anyway. I believe the phrase is.... It's A Jeep Thing.

groucho · **Posted:** Sat Jul 22, 2006 6:58 pm

Cowpie1 wrote:

I do my own services. No dealer is going to rake it in off of me. These jeeps are so easy to service, most owners should consider doing it themselves. The hardest part would be the auto tranny, but you can take it to a reputable transmission shop and you will get it done cheaper than a dealer.

If the dealer "services" the auto transmission by sucking the fluid out through the dipstick, you would do well to do your own work or find a shop that does not suck all the trash through the transmission. The CRD is a snap to service.

Also, Cowpie is right on concerning RTV. I can remember reading a tech posting on the Turbodieselforum that said some folk using RTV got more inside than on the mating surfaces. Gotta love the gaskets.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sat Jul 22, 2006 7:12 pm

groucho wrote:

Cowpie1 wrote:

I do my own services. No dealer is going to rake it in off of me. These jeeps are so easy to service, most owners should consider doing it themselves. The hardest part would be the auto tranny, but you can take it to a reputable transmission shop and you will get it done cheaper than a dealer.

If the dealer "services" the auto transmission by sucking the fluid out through the dipstick, you would do well to do your own work or find a shop that does not suck all the trash through the transmission. The CRD is a snap to service.

Also, Cowpie is right on concerning RTV. I can remember reading a tech posting on the Turbodieselforum that said some folk using RTV got more inside than on the mating surfaces. Gotta love the gaskets.

I just checked that Lubelocker Gasket website and will call Monday due to their website being down till mid Aug for some reason.

I never liked doing RTV gaskets because of the clean-up mess when redoing a RTV seal gasket, feel like I never get them clean enough and always worry about unseen scrapings on inside stopping something up. :shock:

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 22, 2006 7:14 pm

oldnavy wrote:

groucho wrote:

Cowpie1 wrote:

I do my own services. No dealer is going to rake it in off of me. These jeeps are so easy to service, most owners should consider doing it themselves. The hardest part would be the auto tranny, but you can take it to a reputable transmission shop and you will get it done cheaper than a dealer.

If the dealer "services" the auto transmission by sucking the fluid out through the dipstick, you would do well to do your own work or find a shop that does not suck all the trash through the transmission. The CRD is a snap to service.

Also, Cowpie is right on concerning RTV. I can remember reading a tech posting on the Turbodieselforum that said some folk using RTV got more inside than on the mating surfaces. Gotta love the gaskets.

I just checked that Lubelocker Gasket website and will call Monday due to their website being down till mid Aug for some reason.

I never liked doing RTV gaskets because of the clean-up mess when redoing a RTV seal gasket, feel like I never get them clean enough and always worry about unseen scrapings on inside stopping something up. :shock:

I want a tranny pan gasket. Talk about nervous. RTV has its uses - the transmission should not be one of them.

Dealer service versus warranty

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