I recently took my 2008 1500 SLT to the dealer for an oil change. The truck is a 4.7 (2-wheel drive) with 15k on the clock.

The service department stated that it was time for the 15k mile rear diff fluid change. This is supposedly the prescribed time frame for this service, and is "required" to keep the lifetime powertrain warranty valid. For reference, I have the 3.92 Limited-Slip.

Is this accurate information? 15k seems awfully short an interval for diff fluid change. There is no mention of this in the service booklet that came with the truck.

 

Yea, 15k is recommended, for vehicles that tow a lot. That's where they are going to get people on the lifetime warranty thing. They are going to push you for EVERY SERVICE at the shortest intervals, at the crazy high prices they charge and if you question it, they'll pull the "to keep your warranty intact" card...

 

Hah, well I do not tow a lot with my truck. Or at all. I figured this is where they would recoup whatever their expenditures would be in offering the Lifetime warranty.

Funny that the only mention of what needs to be done to keep the warranty intact are the 5 year inspections. I plan on sticking to the recommended intervals, but it would've been nice to know if I had to shell out an extra $70 every 15k.

 

My manual says to change the diff. fluid @ 15k. I dont know about the whole warranty though.

 

Generally the recommended real world "extreme" use is considered 15k with conventional lube and 30k with synthetic. But with these warranties, the intervals in the manual's will get shorter & shorter...

 

The shorter intervals are to catch the imploding LS units sooner
The rearend in my 01 F150 had 100k intervals with factory syn. fluid.

 

not to say anything about Ford but they also have gone to 10K+ ( canadian ) oil changes...........

i don't get it, i have already told them they will not be getting my service business but ( at time of purchase ) they gotta come down on these ridiculous maintenance numbers to "keep your warranty".

i was just there today to buy another 2500 and was getting the same run around, don't get it. i want to buy your product but you make it so hard.............

 

Yea, it's almost like Chrysler missed the technology lecture or something. My '02 Chevy Z71 had 100k diff lube intervals, 100k plugs, 100k Radiator fluid and tranny fluid every 50k. It seems like a step backwards to have to change the diffs at 15k, plugs (16 of 'em no less) and tranny at 30k...

 

Yea.... you are right with "they have to get there money back oneway or another".

 

lesson i've learned in the 6 months i've had my truck
chrysler has the worst service organization i have ever heard of, from the big shots who decide to put out a lifetime warranty, right down to the manual.

The lifetime warranty and then ridiculous service intervals remind me of Chris Farley in Tommy Boy, something like "If you want me to **** it a box and slap a warranty on it I can do that for you. But if you want a quality product, you'll buy from me"