Hi folks,

My first 6000 mile oil change light came on. I’ve always done all my own oil changes on all my cars/trucks since I could drive. But I’m sure I have at least a free service or two for the first year coming from the dealer, I’m just apprehensive with all the horror stories I’ve heard about dealers screwing up our rides and blowing us off.
I have every reason to believe that this 5-star dealer is quality, but I’ve not experienced their service department yet.

Is there any voodoo magic that they are going to do at the first 6000 service that I couldn’t (or wouldn’t want to ) do myself? Keep in mind, mine’s a CTD.

Thanks

-John

 

There is no science on doing it yourself. But being a new truck you should let the dealer do it so that you have the dealer record for the oil changes. That's the main reason to let the dealer do it.

 

Check your dealer webpage for a coupon - they usually have pretty decent oil change discounts, usually winds up costing me $20 - your CTD would be more due to extra quarts. The main reason that I take mine in to the dealer for all oil changes is that they take care of the RRTs at the same time and there have been quite a few of them for my 09 (1500)

 

The first time should be done by the dealer because the filter is a bitch to get off from factory.. Than you can do it yourself.

 

As others have noted elsewhere, the oil filter is on TIGHT from the factory. I had a hell of a time getting it off. The plastic cup-style wrench just slipped and the band-style wrench crushed the filter. Finally got the band around just the end where it could grab without crushing. Once I did get it off guess where the rubber filter gasket ended up? I guess the factory hasn't heard of lubing up the filter gasket before installing.

Definitely do the change yourself though if you have any mechanical aptitude. That way you know everything is done right. I can't tell you the number of times I've heard of stupid things being done by oil change places. My daughter is in college so she doesn't have the tools to change her own oil when she's there... last time she took it someplace to get it changed they left the filler cap just sitting in the hole, not screwed in. Found that out when she changed it the next time at home.

Rob

 

I bring mine to the dealer so they can keep a record for the warratny issue. Mine lets me bring my own oil, which I do because I use synthetic. Ends up costing me $20 at the dealership and about $35 at Wal-Mart for the Oil(Mobile One Synthetic)

 

This statement is true and very understated!

 

WOW, I live in Canada and the oil change costs me about $65 at the dealer, not any cheaper anywhere else either because of the extra "litres". I guess doing it myself would be a little cheaper but I still have old oil sitting around in jugs in my garage from other vehicles. I say bring it to the dealership, gives you a chance to browse around and look at some new "toys". Plus, if you keep your dealership happy it usually makes things better down the long run for repairs/warranty work. And like oldjeep said, lots of recalls/RRTs so far.

 

I do it all myself, and take the oil back to the Wally World I bought the new at. The 1st time the filter was a bit tight, still got it with my same wrench that I used om my 07 Dakota 4.7. Differance is that the oil coming out the pan no longer makes a mess, but changing the filter now makes more mess on the hemi. I seen a girl at work get her oil changed at a quickie lube place, well, good thing her dad noticed the oil leak on the driveway from the loose filter they didn't tighten enough. That, plus they wanna barely let the bulk of the oil drain, then it's right to reinstalling the plug...let that thing drain! Or, they overfill, underfill, overtighten, or not tighten enough the plug. What is the correct trq specs for plugs, hemi and cummins?

 

What everyone is saying about the oil filter being a bitch to get off is 100% true. I read the horror stories on this forum about first oil changes so when my time came around I just brought my synthetic oil to my dealership and made them do it the first time. Now I do it myself. Why waste the energy.