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

[RHINO79]

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!

So ? true!!!!

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[RHINO79]

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.

Well said ?

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Well said ?

I figure my times worth more than it cost at the dealership to have it changed for free oil change.

 

[chorky]

Here is another insight that doesn't necessarily pertain very well to this particular discussion but is something to consider.

First - you have free oil changes. Use them. They're not actually free anyway, that cost is built into the vehicle price.

When I purchased my JT, the intent was/is to own it at the minimum 10 years. Hopefully 20 (to put my body at the age where camping likely is no longer a thing). With that, I opted for the lifetime oil plan (by lithia). It's a lifetime plan at $949. Now before everyone goes crazy, let's do some math. Rounding up to $1,000.00, and assuming the current shop rate does NOT increase and remains at a lower than actual current value of $125 per oil change and tire rotation, this gives you 8 changes. Yes, there are frequent deals of oil changes for $90 or so, but the current shop rate is also $170/hr and increasing - so it wont be long for a "on sale" oil change to be pushing $150. Now, for my mileage rate, we can assume an average of 2.5 oil changes needed per year. This means, that pre paid $1,000 plan will be 'used' in 3.2 years. I am on year 2, going into year 3 of ownership. But wait! Remember, this is a lifetime oil change service. So for as long as I own this vehicle, it will be free. I have the extended warranty. So I will definitely be keeping it at an absolute minimum of 10 years (unless weird things happen). Which puts me at an estimated total of 25 oil changes, which equates to in today's money of $3,125.00. So I will have 'saved' over $2,000 if in fact I keep the vehicle for 10 years.

But wait wait, this is a Lithia only thing! Yes, but that is where I pretty much have to go. The 1 of only 2 dealer options within a 3 hour drive for me.

But wait wait, what if you move? If I move, it will be to help my dad as he ages, for which there is a series of Lithia dealers in his current area.

But wait dealers suck these days. True. If anyone recalls my transfer case/transmission leak thread, I definitely don't have much trust for technicians these days. Heck I was a fully certified master tech for Ford years ago and saw first hand how terrible some people are. But, this being a service contract, if they mess something up, it is on them. In addition to the extended warranty being at 10 years / 125K miles. And we can always go to court if people want to get stupid.

For this reason, the math checks out. Another consideration, is if I did do it, and broke something myself, then I am totally out the entire cost for that repair... Plus, getting on the ground is getting harder by the day for me. Plus I would have to tow the vehicle to the shop, which would be probably close to $2,000, just for the tow. And....I'm just at the point in my life where I don't want to deal with complicated things (like these vehicles) if something goes bad.

For this reason, I also did the math and found the full service contract (which is very expensive) also check's out. All assuming of course a person keeps a vehicle for their warranty period. And since I have the extended warranty, unless things get really really weird or dumb, there should be no reason to part with the JT for at least 10 years.

Now as for the TJ and LJ - I will be doing those myself since they are paid off, fully owned, and I in fact don't trust other people to not mess something up. Plus it would be a cost detriment whereas the JT is a cost benefit.

Oh and as for wasted time and inconvenience. Yes it is inconvenient to drive 2 hours for an oil change. But I usually schedule my trips to town on a day off of work or a day I take off of work to get multiple things done in the same trip, so it's not really that inconvenient unless something goes wrong.

Oops, and I forgot - this also gives me more ammo to 'stick it' to Jeep (Stellants, unless they sell) if something like the engine blows up and they try to blame it on me for doing my own oil change, since all services will be done at the dealer. This is something others here have already struggled with, and some have lost. So, there is that to consider as well.

But, if you only have the standard 3 year warranty then I guess none of this pertains.

 

[RubiNewbCB]

Do it yourself and document it in the APP.

 

[Redleg37]

Depends on how much time you have and how much of a hassle you want to deal with.

My dealership is so far out for scheduled maintenance that its just easier to do anything myself if I can. Any maintenance appointments have been 3-4 weeks out minimum over the last six months or so.

 

[Redleg37]

Here is another insight that doesn't necessarily pertain very well to this particular discussion but is something to consider.

First - you have free oil changes. Use them. They're not actually free anyway, that cost is built into the vehicle price.

When I purchased my JT, the intent was/is to own it at the minimum 10 years. Hopefully 20 (to put my body at the age where camping likely is no longer a thing). With that, I opted for the lifetime oil plan (by lithia). It's a lifetime plan at $949. Now before everyone goes crazy, let's do some math. Rounding up to $1,000.00, and assuming the current shop rate does NOT increase and remains at a lower than actual current value of $125 per oil change and tire rotation, this gives you 8 changes. Yes, there are frequent deals of oil changes for $90 or so, but the current shop rate is also $170/hr and increasing - so it wont be long for a "on sale" oil change to be pushing $150. Now, for my mileage rate, we can assume an average of 2.5 oil changes needed per year. This means, that pre paid $1,000 plan will be 'used' in 3.2 years. I am on year 2, going into year 3 of ownership. But wait! Remember, this is a lifetime oil change service. So for as long as I own this vehicle, it will be free. I have the extended warranty. So I will definitely be keeping it at an absolute minimum of 10 years (unless weird things happen). Which puts me at an estimated total of 25 oil changes, which equates to in today's money of $3,125.00. So I will have 'saved' over $2,000 if in fact I keep the vehicle for 10 years.

But wait wait, this is a Lithia only thing! Yes, but that is where I pretty much have to go. The 1 of only 2 dealer options within a 3 hour drive for me.

But wait wait, what if you move? If I move, it will be to help my dad as he ages, for which there is a series of Lithia dealers in his current area.

But wait dealers suck these days. True. If anyone recalls my transfer case/transmission leak thread, I definitely don't have much trust for technicians these days. Heck I was a fully certified master tech for Ford years ago and saw first hand how terrible some people are. But, this being a service contract, if they mess something up, it is on them. In addition to the extended warranty being at 10 years / 125K miles. And we can always go to court if people want to get stupid.

For this reason, the math checks out. Another consideration, is if I did do it, and broke something myself, then I am totally out the entire cost for that repair... Plus, getting on the ground is getting harder by the day for me. Plus I would have to tow the vehicle to the shop, which would be probably close to $2,000, just for the tow. And....I'm just at the point in my life where I don't want to deal with complicated things (like these vehicles) if something goes bad.

For this reason, I also did the math and found the full service contract (which is very expensive) also check's out. All assuming of course a person keeps a vehicle for their warranty period. And since I have the extended warranty, unless things get really really weird or dumb, there should be no reason to part with the JT for at least 10 years.

Now as for the TJ and LJ - I will be doing those myself since they are paid off, fully owned, and I in fact don't trust other people to not mess something up. Plus it would be a cost detriment whereas the JT is a cost benefit.

Oh and as for wasted time and inconvenience. Yes it is inconvenient to drive 2 hours for an oil change. But I usually schedule my trips to town on a day off of work or a day I take off of work to get multiple things done in the same trip, so it's not really that inconvenient unless something goes wrong.

Oops, and I forgot - this also gives me more ammo to 'stick it' to Jeep (Stellants, unless they sell) if something like the engine blows up and they try to blame it on me for doing my own oil change, since all services will be done at the dealer. This is something others here have already struggled with, and some have lost. So, there is that to consider as well.

But, if you only have the standard 3 year warranty then I guess none of this pertains.

We got the extended warranty as well after our experience with the extended warranty on our Cherokee.

We bought the lifetime warranty on our Cherokee in 2015 when Chrysler offered it. It just saved us $3500 on a repair and has probably saved us around $8000. When we picked it up yesterday the shop guy told us that they had to stop offering it because they were losing so much money; he said Chrysler had bought back several customer's vehicles with the lifetime warranty because of how much it was costing them.

 

[gladtohave]

I went into my dealer and was able to talk them out of the 9 quarts and filter and did them myself and they both show up on the jeep oil changes on my app .

 

[Rick_Jame55]

Free oil change is grossly inconvenient in my life. It's not even warranty or I don't trust the dealer issue to me at this point. I just change my own. Hell I don't even keep the receipts from the materials. A real rebel I guess...

Living life on the edge! Lol

 

[Lunentucker]

DIY all the way.
The new guy at the dealership can learn from his mistakes on someone else's car.

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[Hootbro]

I went into my dealer and was able to talk them out of the 9 quarts and filter and did them myself and they both show up on the jeep oil changes on my app .

They did you a solid as 99.9% of them would never had done that due to liability.

Why 9 quarts and did they only take one Wave service off your count?

 

[Ragatazz]

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!

I take advantage of the free oil changes, after that I do my own. I buy a Mopar filter and wherever I can find the oil the cheapest I save my receipts, so that if the issue ever comes up, I can show receipts for filter and oil at regular intervals.

 

[rr11]

My Gladiator is a 2020 it had 4 oil changes included. I used the free services then did my own. This is the easiest oil change I have ever done, at 71 that is saying a lot. Just save the receipts when you buy oil and filters and you are good with the warranty.

 

[ZoMojave]

Never collect, do it yourself! Far too much that can go wrong due to inexperience.

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

Free stuff is free stuff. My last oil change cost me $140 in parts/oil. My dealership quoted me $500 to change the oil in the diesel.

But I haven’t had good experiences even with the mindlessly simple oil change on the diesel. They’ve made a mess and left the truck stranded throwing codes. I would do it myself, certainly once it’s not free as long as there’s a place near you that accepts used oil and you have something to put it in.

Also, Jeep Wave seems to confuse the service writers. Don’t assume they will do the required maintenance beyond the oil change. I don’t mean for free. I mean at all, if you come in wanting the free oil change. You’d think they could hold two concepts in their heads at the same time: do all the required maintenance and charge me accordingly, AND don’t charge me for the oil change part under Jeep Wave. They can’t in my experience.

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