I changed my oil @ 1800 miles & they charged me [undecided] :

 

A couple of weeks after I brought my truck home, I received a large packet in the mail entitled "Your Passport To An Exciting Ownership Experience". Inside, was a copy of "DODGE The Magazine", an accessories catalog and a brochure entitled "Drive Life To The Fullest - Dodge". The first page in that brochure was a letter from my dealer that included a coupon for "One FREE Oil and Mopar Filter Change".

 

Unfortuately ( broken record) the ******* that I purchased my truck from is not on the up & up. You really have to ask around about who is a good dealer or not. Just last night I purchased furniture from a gentleman who said he purchased his new work van from the same ******* and said that the service has been a nightmare too. >

 

Mine did the first one for free. About 2 weeks later, I managed to get all the cooling fins on the front of my AC condensor straightened back out. Plus, I had to load the dumba$$ tech my filter wrench to get the filter off. Except for the cost of the oil and filter, I wish I'd have maintained my philosophy of "do it myself".

 

[quote author=Smoke Dog link=board=17;threadid=9186;start=0#88308 date=1041706145]<br>About 2 weeks later, I managed to get all the cooling fins on the front of my AC condensor straightened back out. [/quote]<br><br>So, that's where that knee sized &quot;dent&quot; came from. <br><br>I still take mine to the dealer, it's just too cold to attempt it myself.<br><br>phox

 

;D Trust but verify - that's my motto in dealing with the dealer's shop. ;D<br><br>I got a free oil/filter change coupon as well. First service at 5,000 miles for me. I mark the old filter with a permanent marker so I can see it's been changed out. I also check to make sure they tightened the pan plug too. The rest of the oil changes I'll do myself.<br><br>Best to y'all<br>Bill

 

&gt; The F%$king I got from georgtown dodge still is like a wound that will not close. I'm reminded on how they suck everytime I open the door of my Ram and see the sratches on my entry sill from their 5 scratch mechanics. It wasn't my trucks fault but theirs. My mistake was to impulsive purchase at a dealer i did not know. I saw a new 03 and had to have it. I'm not content but will live on, life is too short -man I F$%kin hate that saying .... :

 

The 1st oil change should be free, 'cuz it takes 3 strong men, a trained 400 lb gorilla, and a 30 foot cheater bar to break the factory oil filter loose.
I use a Sharpie marker and write the date and milage of the change on the side of the filter before installing, then I always have a reference for when the next change is due.

 

Not sure how early you mean, but my dealer asked me to bring it in at 3000 miles for the first oil change, for free.<br><br>I didn't see anywhere in the manual where it says to bring it in at say 500 or 1000 miles for the initial oil change. The engine lube system does have a filter so I don't see a need to change it out like I did for some of my older motorcycles etc that didn't come with filters.<br><br>I can be ****-retentive when it comes to oil changes and maintenance, but I feel if the filter can't catch it, I'm not going to worry about it.<br><br>Cummins has built lots of ISB's over the years and has a robust historical database on engine reliability; and if they don't see the need to change the oil early, why should I?

 

&quot;Cummins has built lots of ISB's over the years and has a robust historical database on engine reliability; and if they don't see the need to change the oil early, why should I?&quot;<br>- bulabula<br><br>Can't argue that point, buddy. 8)<br><br>Members of this site tend to be compulsive, that's one of the reasons they're here discussing their trucks, eh?<br><br>And, one of the signs of that compulsion is the need to be absolutely sure their trucks are maintained properly, even if it means doing services before they are normally required. You'll hear 'em say things like, &quot;I'm not going to risk my $40,000 truck,&quot; and, &quot;No one ever hurt an engine by changing the oil too often.&quot;<br><br>Basically, I think it all comes down to what you and I (and the others) are comfortable with. I greatly doubt you'll injure anything by going with the factory-recommended maintainance intervals. Some of the guys here aren't so sure, which is fine, they're willing to spend a little extra money to gain that comfort level I mentioned.<br><br>My oil/filter change intervals on this truck are (will be):<br><br>5,000 (free from dealer)<br>12,500 (me, dino Rotella)<br>20,000 (me, Delvac 1 synthetic)<br>- &amp; every 10,000 miles thereafter Delvac 1<br><br>Best to y'all<br>Bill <br>

 

Shovelhead<br><br> Interseting your comments on the oil filter being well screwed on at the factory. Had my first oil change at 3600 miles and my local mechanic had a hell of time getting the filter off. He said diesel filters should be on a little snugger than gas engines due to added vibration of the engine itself, but this tight was ridiculous. And my first oil change was not free, my dealer doesn't appear to give out coupons.<br> Still haven't got my maintenance warranty book yet, I don't think any of us Canucks got the little books yet. Pete <br>