Off-Brand oil at Chronic Jeep Doge Ram Dealership in Griffin, Georgia

[Minty JL]

If that upset you, wait until you learn there's actually only like three oil manufacturers in the entire country pouring the same stuff into different bottles.

Nailed it

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[SIO2GA]

As posted already, Kendall has been around forever. I wouldn't call it an off-brand. And, if it meets Jeep spec then I wouldn't be calling out the dealer.

I didn't see the owner's manual specifying a certain brand of oil (for instance "Mopar" branded) that is required for an oil change or to maintain a warranty. Although, it does recommend using oils that "meet the requirements of the manufacturer Material Standard MS-12991, and that are API SN certified and meet the requirements of the manufacturer".

As long as Kendall meets the requirements, I would not be concerned. However, you have documentation from the dealer for any future issues if needed.

I understand that Kendall has been around a long time - that doesn't make me feel any better about the situation. I also understand that it doesn't meet the Jeep MS-12991 spec that Jeep recommends. It does meet the minimum API SN spec but the bottom line for me is that it doesn't meet the MS-12991 spec. This is something the dealership is doing presumably to make extra money instead of using a brand name. They also don't tell their customers they are using Kendall instead of the several brand names that do meet the recommended spec.
I think the dealership certainly should be called out for not using something that meets the recommended spec and only meets the "minimum" spec. I also bet that most of the people with expensive Chargers, Ram Trucks, and Jeeps would be upset to know they are using a cheap oil instead of one that meets Jeep recommended specs. It's a bad thing that they are doing to make themselves a few extra dollars. I would expect the dealership to use something that meets the manufacturers recommended spec of MS-12991 and not just the minimum spec. It's a simple thing to understand.
Not to mention, there's no telling how bad Kendall is on the particulate filter. There's a finite number of times the filter can cycle through before it goes bad and has to be replaced for thousands of dollars - that's where that MS-12991 spec matters, in part, because of SAP levels. That very expensive type of problem wont show up immediately but it'll show up years earlier when the correct type of oil isn't used.

 

[HorsesRear]

I can remember using Kendall motor oil on my 72 Triumph motorcycle. The only bad thing was that it leaked.

 

[Lunentucker]

 

[punk'n]

I understand that Kendall has been around a long time - that doesn't make me feel any better about the situation. I also understand that it doesn't meet the Jeep MS-12991 spec that Jeep recommends. It does meet the minimum API SN spec but the bottom line for me is that it doesn't meet the MS-12991 spec. This is something the dealership is doing presumably to make extra money instead of using a brand name. They also don't tell their customers they are using Kendall instead of the several brand names that do meet the recommended spec.
I think the dealership certainly should be called out for not using something that meets the recommended spec and only meets the "minimum" spec. I also bet that most of the people with expensive Chargers, Ram Trucks, and Jeeps would be upset to know they are using a cheap oil instead of one that meets Jeep recommended specs. It's a bad thing that they are doing to make themselves a few extra dollars. I would expect the dealership to use something that meets the manufacturers recommended spec of MS-12991 and not just the minimum spec. It's a simple thing to understand.
Not to mention, there's no telling how bad Kendall is on the particulate filter. There's a finite number of times the filter can cycle through before it goes bad and has to be replaced for thousands of dollars - that's where that MS-12991 spec matters, in part, because of SAP levels. That very expensive type of problem wont show up immediately but it'll show up years earlier when the correct type of oil isn't used.

I'm pretty sure I understand.

And, I'm sorry that you are so upset about this. But, do you really think Kendall fabricated a certificate just to give to your dealer? If it meets the MINIMUM spec, then it meets the minimum spec.

Have you contracted with an independent research company to actually determine "how bad Kendall is on the particulate filter"?

Either way, best of luck with your truck. I have no desire to debate this anymore.

 

[Hootbro]

I would expect the dealership to use something that meets the manufacturers recommended spec of MS-12991 and not just the minimum spec. It's a simple thing to understand.

That's business. Minimum spec is still spec.

Nothing is going to change no matter how much angst you have on the internet. The dealership is not going to change nor is Stellantis going to force their hand. If it is that much of an important issue, find another dealership that will give you the warm fuzzy or start doing the oil change yourself.

 

[MrBones]

Nailed it

Exactly. I worked in the refinery industry for over twenty years. The basic refined product is produced by any of the local refineries and pumped to a local storage terminal (tank farm). When the tanker trucks show up they tell the terminal operator which product they will be delivering (Shell, Mobil, Chevron, etc.). The specific additives are mixed in with the fuel as it’s pumped into the tanker. Same for lube oils.
BTW, Kendall was a prominent name when I went to the drag races back in the 60’s

 

[PuddleJumper]

https://kendallmotoroils.com/kendall-gt-1-max-0w-20-motor-oil/

Well that's a fuckin DEAL!!!! $5.33 a quart vs the industry avg of $8.40. Don't see MOBIL 1 offering a 55 gal drum


edit: absolutely beats Pennzoil pricing too.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/PEN550036207

 

[PuddleJumper]

This is actually really cool. Kendall website is on point.

 

[DrewsJT]

I’ve never used Kendall and although I don’t doubt they make quality oils, it doesn’t appear they have anything meets the ecodiesel spec:

I noted it earlier and I will again, a lot of ecodiesel owners expierement with other brands and send off the Blackstone. However, when you go into a Jeep dealer, you would think they follow the manufacturer specs.

What make anyone think the oil used by the dealer doesn't meet the manufacturers specs?
If your changing it at the dealer they are on the hook for warranty if the oil isn't meeting manufacturers specs.
Kendall, as stated above, is a well established, well know brand.
Wait until you find out that the closest refinery supplies EVERY gas station in your area no matter what the sign says at the station. That is a FACT I spent 35 years in oil refineries and have witnessed every carrier known fill their trucks.

 

[Jefe1018]

What make anyone think the oil used by the dealer doesn't meet the manufacturers specs?
If your changing it at the dealer they are on the hook for warranty if the oil isn't meeting manufacturers specs.
Kendall, as stated above, is a well established, well know brand.
Wait until you find out that the closest refinery supplies EVERY gas station in your area no matter what the sign says at the station. That is a FACT I spent 35 years in oil refineries and have witnessed every carrier known fill their trucks.

Does Kendall make an 5W-40 oil that meets MS-12991? I don’t see that listed anywhere for sale. Their website says to call them to discuss. If I am mistaken I’ll eat my words and edit the post.

I’m not discrediting Kendall as a vendor but instead the dealer for using out of spec oil from what we can see and reasonably find.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Does Kendall make an 5W-40 oil that meets MS-12991? I don’t see that listed anywhere for sale. Their website says to call them to discuss. If I am mistaken I’ll eat my words and edit the post.

I’m not discrediting Kendall as a vendor but instead the dealer for using out of spec oil from what we can see and reasonably find.

They do not. They even specify not to use their 5w-40 euro (only 5w-40 they make) in a vehicle with DEF/DPF equipped.

 

[PuddleJumper]

@SIO2GA btw Kendall doesn't have an approved 5w-40 option or any approved option for the 3.0 deisel. If you enter a 3.0 JT into thier website. It says no options available, call them.

from their website.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

@SIO2GA btw Kendall doesn't have an approved 5w-40 option or any approved option for the 3.0 deisel. If you enter a 3.0 JT into thier website. It says no options available, call them.

from their website.

2023 owners manual:

Kendall website:

https://kendallmotoroils.com/kendall-gt-1-euro-5w-40-motor-oil/

 

[DrewsJT]

Hey Everyone, I thought I'd relay something that I found out this past week. I took my Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Diesel to Chronic in Griffin for one of my free oil changes. I usually change the oil at a dealership at 6,000 miles and then have a local shop change it with my own oil the next 6,000 miles and so on and so forth. The recommended interval is way over that at 10,000 miles. After hearing about Dealerships using the wrong oil I thought that out of curiosity I would ask what kind they used. I didn't expect to hear an odd answer and I figured that any dealership would lie before giving an odd answer. But guess what I got? An odd answer.
I asked the lady at the service desk where you pay what kind of oil they used on my truck. She said to ask a service tech so I walked over and asked what kind of oil they used. He said, "5w-40". I answered, "well, yeah, I figured that, but what kind of oil/". He then answered "full synthetic". I detected some hemming and hawing at the point so I said , "okay,, I know that is required but what KIND of oil was used". I fully expected him to say Pennzoil, or Mopar, or Castrol, or any of the others that Jeep recommends. But no, that's not the answer that I got. They used "Kendall". Ever heard of it? I sure as heck haven't! So I said "Kendall?!!?". "What is that, and is it even approved for my Truck?". A lady had to run check with the shop and of course she said it was Kendall that was used and that it was approved by Jeep.
Great, just Great! I felt absolutely sick and wished I hadn't of taken my truck there. I also knew that I was pretty soon going to go have it drained out and some sent off to Blackstone to see if it was up to spec after a little use. I'm not the biggest fan of Pennzoil, but it is what Jeep recommends, and what I expect to go in it, and what I'll put in it until the warranty is out.
The Jeep diesels are expensive and when I bought the one that I ordered in March, 2023 it was really expensive. I didn't get a matching color top, or color fenders, a steel bumper or leather seats (but did get everything else) and it was $74,560 after delivery, tax, tag, title, etc. I don't want any off-brand cheap oil in my truck! And at the dealership it is loaded with nice chargers, nice big ram trucks, nice Jeeps, and mostly all of them are $60,000 at least. All these folks pulling up to the dealership for service and oil changes in nice $60K+ vehicles and I bet not a one has a clue that they are using off-brand cheap oil! I bet over half would be mad if they found out, too!
I had intended to write the owner but hadn't gotten around to it. I have bought new cars at Chronic and even used cars as secondary vehicles from chronic, dating back to the 90's and I have always thought that Chronic was okay. But seeing that they just spend over a million to upgrade their lobby (per an employee) and to find out they use cheap oil to make a lousy $8 dollars or what have you, really yanks my chain.
So today I get a survey from Jeep asking about my "Jeep Experience". Oh, really? So naturally I filled it out and wrote quite a few paragraphs about what I didn't like and what could be improved. As I wrote then, I get a nice new truck every 4 or 5 years but I take care of them like it was going to be my last one or that I was going to keep if for 20 years. And that I was upset that the dealership did a Jeep sponsored oil change and used-off brand cheap oil that would probably negatively affect the longevity of my vehicle. The dealership can get away with crap oil and the motor is not likely to seize up under warranty, but it won't be long after the warranty expires that trouble will arise if you haven't been using the proper oil and changing the oil on a proper schedule.
If you go to Chronic for service - or know anyone that does- you or them might want to ask what kind of oil they use for oil changes. And maybe ask for proof.
But I can tell you that they exclusively use Kendall. The shop manager called me and told me that he had been working on cars for 40 years and didn't like Pennzoil and that Kendall was good and he liked it. Oh , boy! I told him that if he liked it he was welcome to use it on his ride and ought to buy a 55 gallon drum of it for his own use but I didn't want it in my $75K truck! I expect the Jeep dealership to put in Jeep recommended oil and that I think that most other people expects or at least hopes that is what is happening. The guy said "he couldn't get Pennzoil, and would run out and have to go buy it at O'Reilly's by the case." I had a reply for that too, and suggested a management class. I can get Pennzoil and I'm not a big fancy shop manager so why couldn't he? Ever heard of figuring out your monthly usage and ordering double for a month and staying ahead? And that he absolutely should be going to O'Reilly's as needed when he was out of Pennzoil. He reiterated that he liked Kendall and didn't like Pennzoil. My response is that I was glad he was happy personally with the oil being used but it is really if the customers like it, not him. And really it boiled down to what Jeep recommends, not his personal likes. I then asked if Kendall had bought him a bass boat, fishing tournament tickets, or something like that? Because it sure looks really funny that they are using an oil that I had never even heard of.
It really does make the dealership look either awfully cheap or that kickbacks are happening. I'd go with awfully cheap as being most likely.
He kept on saying that Kendall provided a certificate. I told him that I make small batch oil myself and type up a certificate to go with every batch, but my certificate can't really be relied on, and that I doubt Kendall's was any better. I ask him had he ever tested this oil and sent off a sample to Blackstone after a 5,000 or 10,000 mile oil change to make sure the oil was still okay and he said he had never occasioned to do that. I laughed and said "Forty years and not one test??". But he loves it!
I normally don't have my oil changed at the dealership but I figured that I would use the 4 free ones because it would be just fine. I know many of you reading this - if you got this far - might think I am over reacting, but I take good care of my vehicles and this one was especially expensive. I used to think $50k for my last Tacoma TRD PRO was a lot, but now I see that was relatively cheap up against $75K.
Again, if you go to the same Chronic you may want to ask about their special off-brand oil that they use. I'm interesting in hearing what everyone else's local dealership uses - or at least what they claim they use.

Do you think Mopar ownes a refinery? Somebody refines and bottles oi

Does Kendall make an 5W-40 oil that meets MS-12991? I don’t see that listed anywhere for sale. Their website says to call them to discuss. If I am mistaken I’ll eat my words and edit the post.

I’m not discrediting Kendall as a vendor but instead the dealer for using out of spec oil from what we can see and reasonably find.

I'd guess the dealer did just that. If not, they're on the hook for the warranty. I wouldn't worry.

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