Do it yourself or collect your "free oil changes"?

[Capngeo]

If I'm not mistaken, THEY have to prove your oil change (or lack thereof) caused a warrantee failure

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[HooliganActual]

So I'm a completely new Jeeper. I bought my JTR back in October and I'm at 5300 miles now. I know I need to change oil. I don't really know anything about my dealership other than I wouldn't recommend buying a vehicle there. I received two free oil changes with the Jeep, so do I have the dealership do them every 5k or am I better off doing them myself? I've done plenty of oil changes and repairs in my life, but I also know the vehicle is under warranty. Do I risk anything with the warranty by changing my own oil? Should I let the dealer do it and continue to do it till the end of the warranty period? I honestly don't know what's best for the trucks sake.

I appreciate the feedback!

While I don't disagree with others that have called out the "inconvenience" of taking it to the dealer and the all too real issue that sometimes they do something wrong when changing the oil (like breaking the oil filter housing), I would side with the others that have said that you've already paid for those oil changes; so why pay for them again?

I will throw a new thought into the mix that hasn't been discussed, that free oil change is a roughly $90 service that comes with more than just an oil change. They typically also do a multi-point inspection, software updates if needed, etc. Why not take advantage of that? For me personally, those other inspections aren't different from what I can and will do, but it's always nice to have a second set of eyes look at it....Lord knows none of my wheeling buddies will come over and do it...lol

Some talk about the inconvenience, but both dealerships that I frequent have an Express Oil Change Lane, so it's just not that bad at those dealerships. Maybe your dealer has an Express Lane. If not, then schedule the first slot of the day and when checking in, tell them you will wait for it. Both of my dealers have a big red stamp that says "WAITING", so it gets a little more priority.

My last thought is this: if you haven't had service at your dealership before, say with another vehicle, why not go in for a free oil change if for no other reason than to evaluate how the Service Department will handle its business when you have a real need to bring it to them.

Just my $0.02USD

 

[redriderjf87]

I can't and don't want to waste time stuck at a dealer hoping that JimBob put the right amount of oil in and tightened everything correctly. And I'm sure as heck not wasting vacation time off work for it.

Plus, oil changes are easy and I consider them relaxing. And I can do them anytime that works for me.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Plus, you get an extra quart of oil, a drain plug tightened to 60 ft lbs, and a cracked filter housing! Can't be beat!

Hey man it’s all part of the Jeep experience

 

[Hootbro]

Basically going to be a YMMV situation and really need to feel out how your dealership is. There is something to be said about having those 3 dealership oil changes on record if later things should go sideways and a decision has to be made to honor warranty or not based if there is questions on services being done.

 

[CreekFreak]

Mine only came with 2 oil changes and 2 tire rotations. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt taking it to the dealer to feel it out. I’ve thought about having them install a mopar lift to avoid any warranty issues. There is another dealer about 30 minutes away I might try on the 2nd oil change unless I get burned the first time lol

 

[Snow-Jave!]

Every time I a take a vehicle to a mechanic it comes back with something else wrong. Don't know if i'm as good at picking mechanics as I am at picking ex-wives, or if every mechanic in the country actually sucks.

Do it yourself, because an oil change and tire rotation is about the most maintenance you can do yourself as complex as vehicles are these days. At least you get that much satisfaction and a reason to own real tools!

 

[Vtur]

You have a 3.6 go for the free. Many had reported that dealer usually spilled oil everywhere on the 3.0 diesel.

 

[Rocksalt]

DIY since day 1

 

[Florida Mojave]

This is definitely a personal preference; I did my own because that's just me and I have knowledge of too many "oops" situations at stealerships and the infamous quick oil change franchises.
Not everyone is able/capable of working on their own vehicle so; Just like anything else, it's whatever you're comfortable with taking on the risk.
As stated before this is definitely one of the easiest oil changes....

 

[Klicht87]

Despite being the minority, my local dealership has always taken care of me and I trust them with my vehicles. Plus it's about 2 minutes down the road. I've changed my oil myself purely for the fun and I really enjoy that kind of stuff. My oil changes usually seem due at the most inconvenient time to actually take it in. I just took mine in and it only took 15 minutes. You can't beat free and if they mess it up, it's on them.

If you do it yourself, you can get the mopar filter and oil (i usually use valvoline full synthetic) at the Walmart for about $40.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Their free so why not just save money. I didn't read all the comments but I'm sure someone will say all dealerships suck but the one I use has never done me wrong in the 22 years I've been going to them. If they ever did make a mistake they have always made it right beyond my expectations.

Get the free ones done. I've had my jeep for 4 years and haven't changed the oil myself once yet. I got 1 more free one and then I'll probably buy the oil change package again from my dealership
86,000 problem free miles.

 

[fireproof69]

DIY since day 1

You changed your oil the day you bought it??? ?

always good when you can cover most, if not all, vehicle work/repairs. I do most of mine, but I do use the included oil changes.

 

[Jimko71]

I have had ZERO issues with my service department. Matter of fact they provide a video of everything they do/did whenever I bring it in. Jeep included 3 free oil changes/tire rotations when I bought it, so I am using them. That being said - there are people on here that have had horrible experiences at their dealership so I understand why they would not want their dealership touching their trucks. My advice is build a relationship with your service department and go from there.

 

[whiteglad]

Choose a "good" dealership and if you change your own oil (I usually do), document it in the on-line owner's page in jeep.com afterwards. I do have the dealer change it once a year just to be sure warranty stays intact.

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