Lifetime Powertrain vs. oil changes
Thread Starter
|
Amateur
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
Lifetime Powertrain vs. oil changes
I own a 2008 Dodge Ram pickup and here's the thing...
I bought the truck in May 2009 and it came with a lifetime powertrain warranty. The book says not to exceed 6,000 miles or 6 months in-between oil changes, whichever comes first. So at the end of October 2009, I took it in for it's first oil change. The truck had about 5,000 miles on it. Now, I haven't driven the truck much since then (only about 7,300 total miles on it right now) so, of course, I forgot all about the 6 month rule. So I just got the oil change done this morning, even though it only has 2,300 miles on it since it's last oil change. But since the last oil change was done October 28th, I'm over a week past 6 months in-between oil changes.. So, my ? now is: Did I just **** myself out of my lifetime powertrain warranty? When the time comes will they nail me for being a week past 6 months in-between oil changes, even though I only put 2,300 miles on it in-between oil changes? I know it sounds ridiculous but I figure when we're talking thousands of $$$ to rebuild an engine or transmission, Dodge will look for any little thing they can find to get out of it. Anyone have any experience with this scenario?
I bought the truck in May 2009 and it came with a lifetime powertrain warranty. The book says not to exceed 6,000 miles or 6 months in-between oil changes, whichever comes first. So at the end of October 2009, I took it in for it's first oil change. The truck had about 5,000 miles on it. Now, I haven't driven the truck much since then (only about 7,300 total miles on it right now) so, of course, I forgot all about the 6 month rule. So I just got the oil change done this morning, even though it only has 2,300 miles on it since it's last oil change. But since the last oil change was done October 28th, I'm over a week past 6 months in-between oil changes.. So, my ? now is: Did I just **** myself out of my lifetime powertrain warranty? When the time comes will they nail me for being a week past 6 months in-between oil changes, even though I only put 2,300 miles on it in-between oil changes? I know it sounds ridiculous but I figure when we're talking thousands of $$$ to rebuild an engine or transmission, Dodge will look for any little thing they can find to get out of it. Anyone have any experience with this scenario?
Moderate User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,003
Likes: 21
From: Albany, NY
Well, it's just your engine. If you were to never change your motor oil, Chrysler couldn't deny you for your transmission failure as long as you kept up on that part. So, essentially you would loose out on your engine: however, I kinda had some chuckles because you seem very worried about this and are over analyzing things just like I do...haha
I doubt a wekk is gonna make any difference. They mostly look at the mileage, but at the same time you cant let it go to a year because they will look for ANYTHING to get out of stuff. If you have a good relationship with your dealer, no problems at all.
I doubt a wekk is gonna make any difference. They mostly look at the mileage, but at the same time you cant let it go to a year because they will look for ANYTHING to get out of stuff. If you have a good relationship with your dealer, no problems at all.
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Stroud, OK
I was told on the lifetime to be sure to document everything and keep all receipts. Im sure if at 150K you went in for a new motor they would try to find a way, but Im sure a week isn't going to do that.
Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,702
Likes: 2
From: N. Florida
I've always had an issue with the time thing. Mileage is what I watch. Having said that, it doesn't matter to me -- my Ram was at four years and 86K miles when I bought it, so no warranty anyway.
I just changed the oil in my Mom's Buick at 42,000 ... The previous change was at 38,600 on 6/12/08. She doesn't drive at all anymore, so the car just sits. We use it as a substitute when one of ours is down for maintenance, hence the 3,400 miles in two years.
I doubt if Dodge would call you out on that tiny interval, but who knows?
I just changed the oil in my Mom's Buick at 42,000 ... The previous change was at 38,600 on 6/12/08. She doesn't drive at all anymore, so the car just sits. We use it as a substitute when one of ours is down for maintenance, hence the 3,400 miles in two years.
I doubt if Dodge would call you out on that tiny interval, but who knows?
Thread Starter
|
Amateur
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
Well, it's just your engine. If you were to never change your motor oil, Chrysler couldn't deny you for your transmission failure as long as you kept up on that part. So, essentially you would loose out on your engine: however, I kinda had some chuckles because you seem very worried about this and are over analyzing things just like I do...haha
I doubt a wekk is gonna make any difference. They mostly look at the mileage, but at the same time you cant let it go to a year because they will look for ANYTHING to get out of stuff. If you have a good relationship with your dealer, no problems at all.
I doubt a wekk is gonna make any difference. They mostly look at the mileage, but at the same time you cant let it go to a year because they will look for ANYTHING to get out of stuff. If you have a good relationship with your dealer, no problems at all.
