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Wrong Oil from Dealership

8K views 34 replies 28 participants last post by  Jeeperz Creeperz 
#1 ·
Was at the dealership for my complimentary oil change yesterday, I had asked that they use synthetic and I would pay the difference.
When they were complete I was reading the work order to insure they had used synthetic before signing, I noticed they had used synthetic like I requested but had used 5W20, which is the wrong oil for the 2012.
When I brought this to their attention the first response was, ‘that is what we use around here because we are in a cold climate’, wrong answer.
After further discussion they agreed to drain the 5W20 and install the correct 5W30, but that I would have to wait about a half hour while they went to get the 5W30 oil as they had none in the dealership.
I waited patiently and in about an hour they had the oil changed out the correct oil installed, and I was on my way.
My question / concern is, has anybody else had this experience?
How many other dealers are using the wrong oil?
How many folks are driving there 2012s with the wrong oil in it?
Even if this is not happening other places, how many folks in Anchorage are driving with the wrong oil, I know I am not the only 2012 Wrangler in town.
What oil did the ‘pentastar’ engine use last year in the Grand Cherokee? I would think 5W30 also, if so how many of them have the wrong oil?
It’s mind Boggling, or just reinforces we need to DIY if we want it done right.
 
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#2 ·
I hate getting oil changes at the dealership. I have one free one and probably won't even use it.

I bought my Grand Cherokee used, and when I got it home amd checked the oil it was overfilled by 1 Qt!!
 
#3 ·
5W-30 is what's listed in your manual but 5W-20 is just fine for places like Alaska. I'm thinking you made too much of this one.
 
#6 ·
5W-30 is what's listed in your manual but 5W-20 is just fine for places like Alaska. I'm thinking you made too much of this one.
Why is 5W20 OK for Alaska?
The first number in the designation is the lowest viscosity and the second the highest.
The lower number could be affected by your location and ambient temperature, but the second is derived from the requirements of the engine at running temperature, which is controlled by the thermostat not the ambient temperature?
I do not understand your lack of concern, can you explain?
 
#4 ·
Heh, when I bought my JK in December, I asked if they could put syn in at my first free oil change and Id pay the difference. They said they woudlnt even put it in because they do not recommend it. They gave me some BS about it changing the compression or something :rolleyes:
I went and had the free change done with dino, only because it was free. Ill be doing the rest in the ol driveway
 
#7 ·
biplane bob said:
Why is 5W20 OK for Alaska?
The first number in the designation is the lowest viscosity and the second the highest.
The lower number could be affected by your location and ambient temperature, but the second is derived from the requirements of the engine at running temperature, which is controlled by the thermostat not the ambient temperature?
I do not understand your lack of concern, can you explain?
You may want a 0w

Better on cold starts
 
#8 ·
yeah I got the wrong oil at my Comp oil change, I made them change it to the correct grade.
You are correct in making them correct their mistake.
Chrysler put 5 W30 on the oil fill for a reason,
read about the pentastar and you will understand why Mr Mac is
not giving sound advice
 
#9 ·
5w-20 is fine, as is 5w-30. Yes, the manuals for 2011 call for 20 and the 2012 get 30, but you're fine. The 20 is a bit lighter weight, so during a cold startup, it's actually MORE beneficial to have 20 as the oil is not as "thick" or syrupy and can thus get through moving parts of your motor more easily.
A while back, I saw some really long but very informative thread explaining motor oil in great detail. It went on to explain how the science of it all comes in to play with the engineering. If its cold where you are, the 20 is actually ok. Warmer weather? I'd roll with the 30.
 
#11 ·
After further discussion they agreed to drain the 5W20 and install the correct 5W30, but that I would have to wait about a half hour while they went to get the 5W30 oil as they had none in the dealership.
That smells like BS to me. Is this a Wrangler only dealership? My 08 Liberty take 5W30 and because you have to be Houdini to get the filter out of the 3.7, we take it to the dealer. Of course our oil changes are only $10. They have a deal where you pay $39.99 for the first one and you get 3 free ones. It is a pain in the butt to have to take it there though.
 
#12 ·
Just to clear up some points.

5w-20 and 5w-30 oils have essentially the same "cold" start characteristics. The first number with the "w" is the cold start viscosity rating (typically tested well below zero - but the actual temp varies from grade to grade).

The second number is viscosity at operating temp (210 deg F). It doesn't tell you anything about cold temp properties.

Therefore, 5w-20 and 5w-30 would both fare the same in a place like Alaska (on start-up). Once up to temp, you want the oil weight recommended. However, this is typically a range as climates vary and the OEM may expect operating temp to be above 210 deg F at times. I doubt running 5w-20 would hurt anything.
 
#14 ·
Just to clear up some points.

5w-20 and 5w-30 oils have essentially the same "cold" start characteristics. The first number with the "w" is the cold start viscosity rating (typically tested well below zero - but the actual temp varies from grade to grade).
Correct. 0W at -30C will be equivalent to the second number in viscosity.
5W -25C, and 10W -20C
 
#15 ·
5W 20 Synthetic is fine for your Pentastar. Biplanebob, you made a huge stink for no reason. Do your research on oil viscosity and synthetic vs semi-sythetic vs etc... That service writer probably didn't explain the differences to you clearly. I would of kept the 5W 20 Synthetic... In fact, I bet the dealer left the synthetic in, and just had you wait for an hour so you thought it was changed, unless you saw them change it...
 
#18 ·
Was at the dealership for my complimentary oil change yesterday, I had asked that they use synthetic and I would pay the difference.
When they were complete I was reading the work order to insure they had used synthetic before signing, I noticed they had used synthetic like I requested but had used 5W20, which is the wrong oil for the 2012.
When I brought this to their attention the first response was, ‘that is what we use around here because we are in a cold climate’, wrong answer.
After further discussion they agreed to drain the 5W20 and install the correct 5W30, but that I would have to wait about a half hour while they went to get the 5W30 oil as they had none in the dealership.
I waited patiently and in about an hour they had the oil changed out the correct oil installed, and I was on my way.
I went to the dealer for a complimentary oil change today for my 2012 JKU and also to solve a LoJack issue that I had to file another compliant anyway.
Specifically it's about the Champion Chrysler in Downey, CA.

Only after I got everything done and left for lunch, I noticed they had 5W20 on my reciept. I went back later and talked to the service manager and it's their BS started:

"We use 5W20 on all our vehicles, except synthetic that we have straight 40"

"5W20 is for HOT weather, 5W30 is for COLD weather, we're in Calfornia, so we use 5W20" :nonono:

"20 is the number for WINTER, 5 is for SUMMER so, 5W20 and 5W30 are the same for summer" :eek:

"We only stock 5W20, if you want 5W30 we need to special order and have to charge you $40 for the oil change"

"5W20 is approved by Chrysler to be used"

"Is it your first NEW car?"
THAT'S INSULTING. In fact, it's my 4th in 10 years.

"Why did you do oil change for only 1500 miles"
and I said "You sent me a thank you voucher for oil change which expires 1.5 month after my purchase"

After all they refused to redo it with 5W30.

I don't really think 5W20 and 5W30 might make a big difference, though the infamous ticking thing could be a concern. The only reason I went to the dealership to do oil change is to get some oil change record and it's free, otherwise I would have done it myself, but not to expect to have a wrong grade of oil recorded.

If they can't even do the simplest job right, how can I trust them to do anything else.
 
#26 ·
I have been using 10w-30 Mobil 1 for years and will never switch. My 2012 Jeep is running it also.
My 1999 S-10 pick up work truck has 306400 miles on it and uses no more oil between changes than any brand new car on the road today.

I have seen many oil posts on here I guess we do what we do for a reason we have. Did that make any since, Oh well you get it.
I get my mobil 1 in 25 gallon drums for a little more than conventional oil, 25 gallons for $288.70 from my neighbors company.
 
#23 ·
I suppose I ought to check...I rolled over 3000 miles recently and the place I bought the Jeep threw in free oil changes because, according to them, the lovely state of NC mandates services conducted by a professional for a certain period of time. I heard "free" and didn't think too much else about it...hard to beat the price and all.
 
#25 ·
The dealer or anyone else should give you the EXACT oil you would expect to get, or EXACTLY what you ask for. It's not their decision to make any changes whatsoever unless that is discussed with the owner and agreed to beforehand. Differences in oil may sometimes be no big deal, but making any changes whatsoever without the owners prior consent is always a big deal.
 
#27 ·
Well I went in for my "free" oil change this week. When I got home I noticed the invoice listed oil and labor but no oil filter.

So I called them, thinking there was a mistake in the invoice.

Nope.

The "free" oil change did not include an oil filter.

So whatever dirty oil was in the filter is still in my new engine.

I would have gladly paid for a filter, had they told me they would not be changing it. I don't understand how these places stay in business.
 
#28 ·
The "free" oil change did not include an oil filter.

So whatever dirty oil was in the filter is still in my new engine.

I would have gladly paid for a filter, had they told me they would not be changing it. I don't understand how these places stay in business.
First time I heard that they don't change oil filter. I thought the "free" oil chagne is to attract the new customer so they might come again next time. I can't believe dealer will choose to go cheap and lose the customers.

12 is using cartridige filter, so probably not that much old oil is there.
And at least just changing the filter alone (I guess you can just change it without draining, though not sure, as the filter is at the top, not down below) as it's cheaper than I'm going to replace the 5W-20 dealer put in with 5W-30.
 
#29 ·
I'd make them change it to the proper grade oil. That engine specs 5W30 oil and nothing else. Although it's unlikely [for one oil change] damage can result from using to thin an oil in that engine. I can't believe the lame excuses they use for a screw up. Lets look at it another way, lets say you used 5W20 in it, and the engine blew. If they did an oil analysis and found the wrong grade of oil was used you might have problems getting that engine fixed under the warranty. I'd have them change it, or refund you the money and DIY. JMO
 
#32 ·
I'd make them change it to the proper grade oil. That engine specs 5W30 oil and nothing else. Although it's unlikely [for one oil change] damage can result from using to thin an oil in that engine. I can't believe the lame excuses they use for a screw up. Lets look at it another way, lets say you used 5W20 in it, and the engine blew. If they did an oil analysis and found the wrong grade of oil was used you might have problems getting that engine fixed under the warranty. I'd have them change it, or refund you the money and DIY. JMO
A lot of BS from my dealer. They said they would stand behind their 5W20 put in it (which they certainly have to as they screwed it up and think about how many they have screwed up) and other dealers would not have a warranty problem because they all work as a corporate (which I doubt so, I can see the dealer blaming other dealers...)

Anyway, at the first place I don't want any problem to the engine and I don't want to deal with any queston raised about the wrong grade being used. There should be no question asked ever, if they have had done the right thing.
 
#30 ·
Just had our free oil change done - new filter and 5w-30. You can actullay watch the mechanics at our dealership. They said synthetic would be no problem as long as I paid the difference but said they do not recommend it for the first oil change.

Now this is not the first I heard about synthetic on first oil change - Ferris recommends on first oil change, to go 50% regular and 50% synthetic.
 
#31 ·
Now this is not the first I heard about synthetic on first oil change - Ferris recommends on first oil change, to go 50% regular and 50% synthetic.
That's a myth that just won't die. Many cars come with synthetic oil as the factory fill. Having said that I use dino oil for my first change because I shorten the interval. Then at about 3000 miles I make the switch to synthetic oil, and use it until the vehicle becomes my beater. At that point I switch back to the cheaper dino oil. Ferris's method won't harm anything either.
 
#35 ·
To look at it from a different angle, if you were doing your own oil changes and used a different oil than recommended and a problem developed with the engine, would the dealer warrant it?

As long as there is a warranty on the powertrain, I put in the exact weight/viscosity that Chrysler says to put in it. If you can't trust the guys who designed and tested the engine who are you going to trust?
 
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