I've been getting these mailers from a dealership that I took my truck to for warranty work. They all start with language to the effect of "you are due for your 10,000 mile service. Please schedule this service ASAP, to avoid having warranty claims denied in the future."

Aside from the fact that my owner's manual never mentions a 10k service (instead, it references a 6k and 12k), how **** is Dodge about taking the truck in every 6k? Most of the stuff mentioned in the manual for these early services reference visual checks, and oil changes. I do my own oil changes every 3k, and have kept all of my receipts. Obviously, I'll take it in for the major service intervals, but can I skip the dealer for these checkups (which usually seem to cost ~$100 around here)? My truck has 11,600 miles on it.

 

In the owners manual it clearly states that to keep your lifetime warranty valid, you must have your Dodge vehicle inspected every 5 years by an authorized Dodge service center. In addition to that I'm gonna keep all my maintenance receipts, just for my own peace of mind.

 

Yeah, this was more related to the basic 3 year/36k warranty. Wondering if failing to take my truck to the dealer for each 6k service interval might lead to a denial of 3/36 warranty claims in the future, even if I was doing my own maintenance and keeping all of my records.

 

I know there's a thread or two about this somewhere. From the top of my head, you are not required to take your Dodge vehicle to a dealership for any kind of service, of any kind. Just keep your receipts man. If there's any recalls, get it taken care of.

 

I confronted the dealership about the five year inspection thing because I have two vehicles that are covered under the lifetime warranty and they told me that the inspection was a look at service records. They bring the truck in but the majority of what they are supposed to do is check service records. I was tired of spending all of that money as well, especially on my Jeep which has the Hemi and the front and real LSD. Basically from what I can tell is as long as you follow what is in the book and keep receipts if you do it yourself then you are fine.

 

So, those of you that change your own oil - Do you just keep the reciept for the oil or what?

 

Yes.
I have always set up a folder to keep all paperwork regarding my vehicle in. I keep the oil and filter reciepts with a note of the milage the change was done on the reciepts. Heck I keep any receipt for any add on done to my truck (dashmat, bedmat, running boards). I also keep the service invoices be whoever does the work (dealership or private garage mechanic). I'll go so far as to make notes in the owners manual maintenance schedule section on the date and who did the service.

In case things go ugly, having documention helps your case.

 

This stuff about voiding the warranty has got to be a load of BS. My dealer lives 20 miles past my nearest Quick Stop oil filter and lube place. They keep a computerized record of all services. The major check ups I can live with, but I wouldn't do all the service stuff there. My warranty better be good!

 

I think court cases and the law points you do not have to have the dealership do the work to keep your warranty intact. You just have to have the service done by someone. Keeping records assists in showing the work was done.

 

I agree 100%