Rear Diff Fluid Change at 18k?
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Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Austin/Round Rock, TX
Rear Diff Fluid Change at 18k?
So I took my truck into the dealer for an oil change and theypolitely informed me that I was due for my 18k maintenance which included an oil change, tire rotation and rear diff fluid change. Since I was getting my oil changed, that was that. My tires are aftermarket, so that didn't apply either. But rear diff fluid change at only 18k? My Ford had a 75k or 100k interval. My wife's Hummer has a 50k or 60k interval. WTH? I decided to pass (only at 17,250) and I figured I can get it done somewhere else for less than 188. The guy at the dealership "warned" me that if I didn't get it done by 18k it would void my warranty. I said it could only potentially void the rear diff warranty if fluid was found to be the cause of the problem and he said "no, the warranty states that you must perform all preventative maintenance or the entire warranty is void." Is this correct? What's reasonable for rear diff fluid change? $90?
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 97
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From: San Antonio, TX
Long but useful!
This is long but I think it will help.
If you look at page 478 of your Owner's Manual, it shows the maintenance schedule for 18,000 miles. Here is the direct quote.
"Change the engine oil and engine oil filter"
"Rotate tires"
"Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing."
The inspection of the front and rear axle fluid is required at 18,000 mile intervals but nowhere does it say there is a mandatory replacement time. The transfer case fluid should be inspected every 30,000 miles.
As far as voiding the warranty goes, page 7 of your warranty information booklet, Section G states the following:
G. Registration and Operation Requirements
The Basic Limited Warranty covers your truck only if:
- it was built for sale in the U.S.
- it's registered in the U.S.
- it's driven mainly in the U.S. or Canada; and
- it's operated and maintained in the manner described in your Owner's Manual
With all that said, if you don't meet the requirements of being a police, taxi, heavy consistent hauling, etc. then you shouldn't be replacing that soon but it appears it's all up to the "opinion" of the service tech.
Another interesting find for those of us with 2009s with the Limited Lifetime Powertrain Warranty.
Page 13 of your warranty booklet Section G states the following:
"G. Inspections
In order to maintain the Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty, the person or entity covered by this Powertrain Limited Warranty must have a powertrain inspection performed by an authorized Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep dealer once every 5 years. This inspection will be performed at no charge. The inspection must be made within sixty (60) days of each 5 year anniversary of the in-service date of the vehicle. You must have the inspection performed to continue this coverage. For your convenience, powertrain inspection logs have been provided. You should use these logs to keep track of each 5 year powertrain inspection interval."
Bottom line, don't depend on the techs to tell you when it's due...make sure you don't miss that or that will be a reason for them to deny your powertrain lifetime limited warranty.
Jason
If you look at page 478 of your Owner's Manual, it shows the maintenance schedule for 18,000 miles. Here is the direct quote.
"Change the engine oil and engine oil filter"
"Rotate tires"
"Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing."
The inspection of the front and rear axle fluid is required at 18,000 mile intervals but nowhere does it say there is a mandatory replacement time. The transfer case fluid should be inspected every 30,000 miles.
As far as voiding the warranty goes, page 7 of your warranty information booklet, Section G states the following:
G. Registration and Operation Requirements
The Basic Limited Warranty covers your truck only if:
- it was built for sale in the U.S.
- it's registered in the U.S.
- it's driven mainly in the U.S. or Canada; and
- it's operated and maintained in the manner described in your Owner's Manual
With all that said, if you don't meet the requirements of being a police, taxi, heavy consistent hauling, etc. then you shouldn't be replacing that soon but it appears it's all up to the "opinion" of the service tech.
Another interesting find for those of us with 2009s with the Limited Lifetime Powertrain Warranty.
Page 13 of your warranty booklet Section G states the following:
"G. Inspections
In order to maintain the Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty, the person or entity covered by this Powertrain Limited Warranty must have a powertrain inspection performed by an authorized Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep dealer once every 5 years. This inspection will be performed at no charge. The inspection must be made within sixty (60) days of each 5 year anniversary of the in-service date of the vehicle. You must have the inspection performed to continue this coverage. For your convenience, powertrain inspection logs have been provided. You should use these logs to keep track of each 5 year powertrain inspection interval."
Bottom line, don't depend on the techs to tell you when it's due...make sure you don't miss that or that will be a reason for them to deny your powertrain lifetime limited warranty.
Jason
Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 563
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From: AZ
Depends on the condition of the oil. Take it to a different shop for their take on the issue. As stated above, read your owners manual. Have the dealer explain why it needs to be changed.
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Professional
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Ft Sill,Ok
This is long but I think it will help.
If you look at page 478 of your Owner's Manual, it shows the maintenance schedule for 18,000 miles. Here is the direct quote.
"Change the engine oil and engine oil filter"
"Rotate tires"
"Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing."
The inspection of the front and rear axle fluid is required at 18,000 mile intervals but nowhere does it say there is a mandatory replacement time. The transfer case fluid should be inspected every 30,000 miles.
As far as voiding the warranty goes, page 7 of your warranty information booklet, Section G states the following:
G. Registration and Operation Requirements
The Basic Limited Warranty covers your truck only if:
- it was built for sale in the U.S.
- it's registered in the U.S.
- it's driven mainly in the U.S. or Canada; and
- it's operated and maintained in the manner described in your Owner's Manual
With all that said, if you don't meet the requirements of being a police, taxi, heavy consistent hauling, etc. then you shouldn't be replacing that soon but it appears it's all up to the "opinion" of the service tech.
Another interesting find for those of us with 2009s with the Limited Lifetime Powertrain Warranty.
Page 13 of your warranty booklet Section G states the following:
"G. Inspections
In order to maintain the Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty, the person or entity covered by this Powertrain Limited Warranty must have a powertrain inspection performed by an authorized Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep dealer once every 5 years. This inspection will be performed at no charge. The inspection must be made within sixty (60) days of each 5 year anniversary of the in-service date of the vehicle. You must have the inspection performed to continue this coverage. For your convenience, powertrain inspection logs have been provided. You should use these logs to keep track of each 5 year powertrain inspection interval."
Bottom line, don't depend on the techs to tell you when it's due...make sure you don't miss that or that will be a reason for them to deny your powertrain lifetime limited warranty.
Jason
If you look at page 478 of your Owner's Manual, it shows the maintenance schedule for 18,000 miles. Here is the direct quote.
"Change the engine oil and engine oil filter"
"Rotate tires"
"Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing."
The inspection of the front and rear axle fluid is required at 18,000 mile intervals but nowhere does it say there is a mandatory replacement time. The transfer case fluid should be inspected every 30,000 miles.
As far as voiding the warranty goes, page 7 of your warranty information booklet, Section G states the following:
G. Registration and Operation Requirements
The Basic Limited Warranty covers your truck only if:
- it was built for sale in the U.S.
- it's registered in the U.S.
- it's driven mainly in the U.S. or Canada; and
- it's operated and maintained in the manner described in your Owner's Manual
With all that said, if you don't meet the requirements of being a police, taxi, heavy consistent hauling, etc. then you shouldn't be replacing that soon but it appears it's all up to the "opinion" of the service tech.
Another interesting find for those of us with 2009s with the Limited Lifetime Powertrain Warranty.
Page 13 of your warranty booklet Section G states the following:
"G. Inspections
In order to maintain the Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty, the person or entity covered by this Powertrain Limited Warranty must have a powertrain inspection performed by an authorized Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep dealer once every 5 years. This inspection will be performed at no charge. The inspection must be made within sixty (60) days of each 5 year anniversary of the in-service date of the vehicle. You must have the inspection performed to continue this coverage. For your convenience, powertrain inspection logs have been provided. You should use these logs to keep track of each 5 year powertrain inspection interval."
Bottom line, don't depend on the techs to tell you when it's due...make sure you don't miss that or that will be a reason for them to deny your powertrain lifetime limited warranty.
Jason
Thanks for FYI about our Warranty,I've been hearing crazy things on the internet(I should know better)I even heard if your oil is not changed when the "change oil light" comes on,by a Dodge stealership,that'll void your Lifetime Warranty.My first and last oil change,I kept the receipt for the oil change just in case....................Kevin.
Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 97
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From: San Antonio, TX
Thanks for FYI about our Warranty,I've been hearing crazy things on the internet(I should know better)I even heard if your oil is not changed when the "change oil light" comes on,by a Dodge stealership,that'll void your Lifetime Warranty.My first and last oil change,I kept the receipt for the oil change just in case....................Kevin.
I haven't seen anywhere yet that requires you to have all maintenance done at the dealership but I would keep all receipts regardless of where you have service done. I will do all my service at my dealership because they have decent prices and I'm willing to pay a few extra dollars to ensure they can't void my warranty for some ludicrous claim down the road. Either way though, keep every receipt and a maintenance log.
Jason
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Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,564
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From: Austin/Round Rock, TX
I would have had no problem with an inspection at 18k - that makes sense, but now that I've looked in the maintenance section of the manual, nowhere does it say that it's required to change the rear diff fluid - just inspect it every 18k miles. I'll most likely call the service manager to tell him his service reps are misleading and pressuring customers. I don't know if he'll care, but if he doesn't, that's the last time I'll be visiting them.