in most cases (in my experience that is) if you dont complain about a problem covered by the TSB or explicitly request the work be done they wont do it.

 

I just got the results from Blackstone labs... after 3,515 miles all looks good and the OEM oil from the MFG had plenty of cleaning agents still left in it.

From Blackstone labs:
"

The high wear metals and silicon are not unusual finds in the oil from your new Dodge. In fact, we
would have been surprised if we didn't find them. The wear is high due to break-in of new parts, while silicon
is from sealers and sand-casted parts. Universal averages show typical wear metals for oil from this engine
after 5,700 miles use. Your engine's wear numbers should drop over the next three or four oil changes. In
the meantime, the TBN was fine at 3.0 since a reading of 1.0 is considered low. Run your next fill out to

5,000 miles and check back for improvements."

 

On the subject of engine oil, the manual for my Durango 3 gen. 5.7L Hemi says use only 5W-20 oil.

I'm currently in the UK and can't find any in the local stores. The Durango is not officially imported. The in-store oil guide does not list the Durango, but they do have large petrol-engined Jeeps. They don't have an oil specifically for those either, but recommend using Ford spec 5W-30 oil...

Years ago 20W-50 was the norm, then 10W-40 synthetic, then 0W-40. For some cars, I've used even more extreme ones such as 5W-60. Not found 5W-20...

Is that easily available in the US and Canada?

 

Not too mention the oil clean-up on top and under the car. I can't tell you how many times I will have a few drops of oil under my car right after I had the dealer do an oil change. Just plain sloppy workmanship....

 

They sell it at Wal-mart here in Texas. If you have trouble finding the exact oil you may want to purchase it through a Chrystler dealer. Or you could call Chrystler and they may send you a spec sheet. The owners manual isn't alot of help, it simply states to use Chrystler Material Standard MS-6395 and 5W-20 must be used to maintain the operation of the MDS (4cyl cut off). Most manuals tell you what standards are required and what viscosity grades can be used in which climates but I couldn't find that in the Durango's manual. Here in the US Penzoil 5W-20, both synthetic and regular both have the Chrystler standard listed. I'm curious what specifications above standard API or IL-SAC specs are included in MS-6395 so if you find out, please post back...
Good Luck.

 

I get coupon postcards from my dealer several times a year, offering oil changes four for $70. Don't think I can do it that cheap myself. They use synthetic and do replace the filter and check the other fluids. Before they went synthetic in June, it was four for $45! I put about 3,000 miles on per month, so this saves me a lot.

The interesting thing is that since they just switched to synthetic, I expected to only have to get oil changes every 6,000 to 8,000 but they said they are being told to still do them every 3,000. I guess that as long as I get the coupons, and since I have Fridays off, this still works OK for me.

 

That's a load of BS. Even the built in oil computer placed mine at 3,500 miles and that's based on usage calculations (ie. hours on the oil, load, driving habits). At 3,500 miles I sent the oil out for analysis and even though there were engine wear indicators from it being a new engine the report recomended there were enough cleaning agents left in the oil for another 1,500 miles.

Each to their own but if I put that many miles on my vehicle I'd be looking to lower the number of times I'm stuck waiting for the dealer to perform well under an hour of work.

 

It's not a common oil type but can be ordered if you look around. Here's an example in the UK: http://www.lucasoil.co.uk/store_item.php?product=10127

 

Yeah - he didn't say who told them 3,000. Probably the bean counters....

 

The coupon is definitely a good deal, but read the fine print. I believe you get the 4 oil changes only within a certain time frame. That may force you to have the service every 3 months whether you really need it or not.

When it comes down to it, the manufacturer knows best -- and thus your car computer will tell you when you need to change the oil. You can do it more often if you like (heck you could do it once a week if you really wanted), but it's just not necessary. The manufacturer's recommendations will protect the warranty on your drivetrain which I believe is 100K miles. And even then your engine is likely to last even longer -- the life of the vehicle. Engine replacements today due to wear are rare, and when they do happen, it's because some component has actually failed.