Last two times I was in my local auto parts store for oil they had a deal with Castrol Edge where you got a 5 Qt. jug AND a K&N filter for $29.99. So I just had to buy the other 2 quarts.
I usually buy the Wix, but couldn't pass up that deal. Don't be afraid to use the K&N filter if you get a deal on one. They are a good filter, it's just that at it's regular price, you can find just as good for a lot cheaper.

Also, it's my understanding that the Mopar filters at dealerships are good filters, made by Champion Labs, who has had the exclusive contract since the late '60s. I am trying to find out the scoop on the store bought filters that are Mopar branded, but as of yet have not gotten any definitive answers on them. I just contacted a representative from Champion Labs about whether they make the store ones and are the only manufacturer and hope to hear something this week.

 

Good info in here! I wasn't aware of the Fram filters falling apart. I use those sometimes, so I'll be sure to keep away from them from now on.

 

The standard FRAM filter is obviously made somewhat less inexpensively then their Superguard filter. I personally don't use them. But thousands upon thousands are sold daily and have been for years. If they fell apart as much as they are talked about falling apart I doubt they would be on every retail auto parts shelf. There are also other low end filters out there.

 

Yeah, I tend to agree. If Frams were as bad as you read about they would be out of business. A low end filter to be sure and I wouldn't use one, but I doubt they are as bad as their reputation.

As for the Mopar filters, I stand to be corrected. I was originally told some years ago by my uncle, a retired Mopar mechanic that ALL Mopar filters were made by Champion Labs. I have now learned that Champion WAS exclusive up until the Daimler days when it was decided to bid among other makers, many overseas as a means to cut cost. This makes sense, since my uncle retired in the mid '90s, he'd have no knowledge of it.

I just got some correspondence from the OEM account manager with Champion Labs who confirmed that Champion is the largest supplier of Mopar filters but there are multiple suppliers. They are however the only supplier to have every Mopar filter in their line-up...

 

For $12.96 the dealer can change it for now. I'll change it to full syn around 30k.

 

I've seen many cars/trucks go 200k on dealer oil and filter changes at 5k interval's with no issues.Seen the same thing on G.M. cars going the full OLM which may be as high as 10k on Jiffy lube oil changes with no issues.

 

I can't. I was wrong. It starts at 6 months or 6000 miles. So is Dodge saying change oil at 6000, 6 months or when the EVIC tells you too? I put very little mileage on my truck. It only just hit 14,000 miles. 2000 of those miles were a trip I took. I have been changing the oil every 3000 miles. Am I wasting my money?

Thats a steal. The coupons I get are $18.99 and only good for 5 or 6 quarts of oil. I have been paying $25.00 for oil change and tire rotation.
I am now going to get on the program and pay for oil changes up front.

 

Yep, tough to beat it. My truck WAS going to get Mopar oil and Mopar filters as my particular dealer includes FREE 3k oil changes for the first 3 years or 36k miles on new vehicle purchases. Hard to beat FREE.

I ended up doing it myself with full synthetics starting on the 4th oil change though because a tech pulled a big CTD into the bay next to where they were doing my truck and hit a big rolling tool box and knocked it over into the side of my truck on change #3! Small dent and it really gouged the paint!

They got to fix the dent & have my whole side repainted for that one, gave me a loaner truck for a week and a little cash and the kid got fired. I can still tell as when the sun hits it just right I can see a difference. Nobody else notices it unless I point it out, but it REALLY pisses me off just the same.

They also offered free oil changes for as long as I owned it but I declined. I know it was a fluke mishap but I didn't trust them no more...

 

Some one at the DEALER is pushing that 3000 mile oil and filter.Thats in the dark ages.Tell them next time to read the owners manaul and to stop telling people 3k oil changes.

 

i never use the EVIC.. I was told it doesn't tell you when the oil is starting to break down. What it does is use your idle time, operating RPM's operating temp etc to tell you when the oil should be changed.

So if your using dirt cheap junk oil it will be breaking down long before the EVIC would be telling you. Likewise if your using full sythetic top of the line oil, the EVIC will tell you to change it even though its fine.