40k Maintenance Recommendations

[MattK]

Hey all! I've put the 2020 Gladiator in for the dreaded corrosion issues at the dealership. While at the dealership they are doing the usual maintenance, rotate tires and oil. It's an AutoNation dealership and like most dealerships they like to recommend services that aren't in the owner's manual maintenance section.

I have 37k on the truck so let's call it 40k for maintenance purposes. Here are the things they are listing as "recommended" or "critical" and my thoughts:

• Front Differential Full Synthetic (Critical): yes - owner's manual says do it at 40k if you off-road - I off-road, 37s and lots of long road trips with camping/overland gear
• Rear Differential Full Synthetic (Critical): yes - owner's manual says do it at 40k if you off-road - I off-road, 37s and lots of long road trips with camping/overland gear
• Brake Fluid Dot 3 Service (Critical): no idea...not in owner's manual for intervals - seems like brake fluid should last longer than 37k?
• Transfer Case Service (Critical): no idea...owner's manual says to change at 60k for various usage reasons. Off-roading isn't mentioned)
• Motor Oil Treatment Engine Assurance Plan Coverage (Critical): No idea what this is and seems like a dealership money grab
• Engine Air Filter (Critical): No. I do this myself in my apartment parking spot without angering the management.
• Cabin Air filter (Critical): No. I do this myself.
• EFI Fuel Injection Service (Critical): No idea. It's not in the owner's manual for maintenance intervals.
• Brake Pads (OEM) and Rotors (Recommended): I have the dreaded rotational squeaking when the truck rolls at idle slowly from cold starts. Not sure it's related but worth mentioning.

Needless to say, the services are pricey but as an apartment dweller I don't have options to perform this work myself. Most of my friends have moved away that had space I could use. I don't mind paying for what's needed and could use some input.

Thanks!

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[smlobx]

See my comments below…

Hey all! I've put the 2020 Gladiator in for the dreaded corrosion issues at the dealership. While at the dealership they are doing the usual maintenance, rotate tires and oil. It's an AutoNation dealership and like most dealerships they like to recommend services that aren't in the owner's manual maintenance section.

I have 37k on the truck so let's call it 40k for maintenance purposes. Here are the things they are listing as "recommended" or "critical" and my thoughts:

• Front Differential Full Synthetic (Critical): yes - owner's manual says do it at 40k if you off-road - I off-road, 37s and lots of long road trips with camping/overland gear
• Yes do it.

• Rear Differential Full Synthetic (Critical): yes - owner's manual says do it at 40k if you off-road - I off-road, 37s and lots of long road trips with camping/overland gear
• Yes do this also.

• Brake Fluid Dot 3 Service (Critical): no idea...not in owner's manual for intervals - seems like brake fluid should last longer than 37k?
• Yes. Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years as the fluid is hydroscopic.

• Transfer Case Service (Critical): no idea...owner's manual says to change at 60k for various usage reasons. Off-roading isn't mentioned)
• Yes. I do mine every time I change the axle fluid.

• Motor Oil Treatment Engine Assurance Plan Coverage (Critical): No idea what this is and seems like a dealership money grab
• It is a money grab. Not worth it.

• Engine Air Filter (Critical): No. I do this myself in my apartment parking spot without angering the management.
• Easy to do yourself.

• Cabin Air filter (Critical): No. I do this myself.
• Agreed.

• EFI Fuel Injection Service (Critical): No idea. It's not in the owner's manual for maintenance intervals.
• Another money grab. Skip.
• 
  
  
• Brake Pads (OEM) and Rotors (Recommended): I have the dreaded rotational squeaking when the truck rolls at idle slowly from cold starts. Not sure it's related but worth mentioning.
• Brake pads are easily checked and at 37k they should still be good. I change my rotors every other pad change if they haven’t worn too much.

Needless to say, the services are pricey but as an apartment dweller I don't have options to perform this work myself. Most of my friends have moved away that had space I could use. I don't mind paying for what's needed and could use some input.

Thanks!

 

[MattK]

• Brake pads are easily checked and at 37k they should still be good. I change my rotors every other pad change if they haven’t worn too much.

Thanks for your feedback. The truck is stuck in the shop due to the warranty work, (hopefully they accept it), being done for the corrosion issues so I can't check anything. This is my first automatic and I know the brake pads don't last as long as manuals but 37k miles doesn't seem like much. But with lots of off-roading in desert conditions with dirt, dust and sand maybe that's why it's "recommended".

 

[NC_Overland]

I wouldn’t do your front differential at 40k miles unless you’ve used 4wd for thousands of miles. Mine looked like new when I changed it at 57k. I’m hard on brakes and mine still have a lot TJ life left on them and I do a lot of towing and hauling.

 

[ScottBeach]

Brake fluid really takes a beating. Every 3 years for me miles don't matter on that.

I do my diff and transfer case every 20k. But I wheel a lot. And I am an ass off road. High loads. Water crossings etc.

# sand on that injector cleaning. If you are running good gas u should be fine.

Brake pads. Seems really low miles for replace. But without seeing your pads .......
If they are cooked at 37k there is another issue causing that. Maybe a hanging caliper or something causing such early wear. 80 to 100k is normal pad.life

 

[Hootbro]

• Front Differential Full Synthetic (Critical): yes - owner's manual says do it at 40k if you off-road - I off-road, 37s and lots of long road trips with camping/overland gear
• Rear Differential Full Synthetic (Critical): yes - owner's manual says do it at 40k if you off-road - I off-road, 37s and lots of long road trips with camping/overland gear
• Brake Fluid Dot 3 Service (Critical): no idea...not in owner's manual for intervals - seems like brake fluid should last longer than 37k?
• Transfer Case Service (Critical): no idea...owner's manual says to change at 60k for various usage reasons. Off-roading isn't mentioned)

I would recommend the quoted ones above. Mainly for the transfer case and diffs. If they have never been checked for fluid level, they may need to be serviced as I have found in the 3 previous JT's I have owned and now on my 4th, they tend to underfill them a bit on fluids which is a pretty common practice on a lot of make vehicles as they classify it as a minimum service fill and not full service fill.

 

[Gvsukids]

80 to 100k is normal pad.life

I'd love to have that kind of brake life. I usually only see half of that.

 

[Red Hot Sloth]

I'd love to have that kind of brake life. I usually only see half of that.

 

[Red Hot Sloth]

My last Gladiator was a Max Tow, the brake pads were still good at 89k miles, it had 37”s. I was surprised when I pulled wheel to change just due to mileage but still had plenty of pad left. From what I recall, the Max Tow came stock with different pads than the rest of the Gladiators. My current Gladiator is a Mojave with almost 38k miles also running 37”s and I need to change pads.
so the plan is to buy Max Tow brake pads.

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