Uh just picked up the SRT8 (took it in for this:http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1069 , ended up being the shifter) from the stealership and they did the oil there since it was more or less due and charged me $108!

I realize synthetic is more expensive but this much so? Im used to $30 per change. They did say that I'm good for 6,000 miles though but is it really safe to go that long?

Price breakdown was 10.49 for "ccx", $7 for filter, and 9 quarts of mopar synthetic @ 10.15 a quart. Did I get ripped off?

9 qts sounds like 2 too many.
6k? all oil breaks down at the same rate whether its synthetic or regular so dont try to extend intervals based on using synthetic(which srt8's start with anyway)

Uh just picked up the SRT8 (took it in for this:http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1069 , ended up being the shifter) from the stealership and they did the oil there since it was more or less due and charged me $108!

I realize synthetic is more expensive but this much so? Im used to $30 per change. They did say that I'm good for 6,000 miles though but is it really safe to go that long?

Price breakdown was 10.49 for "ccx", $7 for filter, and 9 quarts of mopar synthetic @ 10.15 a quart. Did I get ripped off?

My dealer charges $97.20. It should be 7 quarts, not 9. Also, they should be using Mobil 1. You mention Mopar but I'm not sure if Mopar makes a synthetic. I was also charged 10.15 a qt by the dealer also. We can buy the stuff for 5.99 at a local auto parts store. I'm planning to start changing my own oil at some point which should run me about 50 bucks and I'll know it's done right. If you put the whole 7 qts in, which my dealer did, the oil level is over the max on the dipstick. I saw on some earlier threads that it really takes 6.5 qts.

My dealer is at $90. Go buy the 0-40w M 1 and you can get them from about $5-6/qt and either change it yourself or take to a place and they will charge you around $30 for labor. Saves you about $30 each time.

My dealership stated that it would have normally charged $87, but charged me $69.95 plus tax when I just had it changed last week.

On the 9 quart issue, suggest you return to the dealership and ask for some money back, because it does not take 9 quarts. Show them the owners manual, and then ask them who the imbicil is that performed your oil change.

I think its $89 or so. and 9 quarts is way too many.

$69 is what I am charged by the stealership.

If you really want to know if 6k miles is too long, use the services of this company, they analyze oil samples.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free_test_kit.html

If you want to know more about oil than your neighbor, check out

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

My suggestion: go to Walmart to buy the oil and filter (I know they have the Mobil 1 0w-40 but I didn't check on the filter) and give it to whomever is changing your oil. That is of course if you're not doing it yourself... The shop will just charge you labor as a result. You'll know what products were used on your car and how much oil was put in.

jaybruce - I don't believe your statement is correct. The key component of motor oil is actually the additives. Each company has their own formulation which will display varying properties, and each different oil spec calls for varying properties. The short story is that diesel oil will last longer as it has more additives. I'm no expert, I'm just going on what has been explained to me from someone who is an expert.

The guy who I learned the most from, Tom, has a discussion posted here:

http://www.viperclub.org/articles/oilfaq.html

That article is now a few years old, and I don't think that email address is up to date. PM me if you want Tom's current email. He's always been very helpful when I have had questions.

My dealer charged me around $70.00...that 0W-40 is expensive sh*t!

9 quarts??/I don't know where he put all that oil.My dealer uses and is told by the factory to use ONLY Mobil 1 I forget which kind but my oil changes are 69.99

my dealer charges $80

Can someone tell me what page in the manual it says that the oil capacity is 7 quarts? I'm looking around the 300-303 range and don't see anything regarding capacity...

The dealership is calling me back soon so if I run into any problems I'd like to be able to site a specific page if needed.

Thanks,
Dave

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jaybruce - I don't believe your statement is correct. The key component of motor oil is actually the additives. Each company has their own formulation which will display varying properties, and each different oil spec calls for varying properties. The short story is that diesel oil will last longer as it has more additives. I'm no expert, I'm just going on what has been explained to me from someone who is an expert.

yeah, the additives was THE basis for my statement. Here's a snip from Quaker State's site:

Contamination by normal wear particles, water, fuel, and other combustion by-products, as well as additive depletion, are the main reasons for changing conventional oils on a regular basis. Synthetic oils are equally susceptible to this problem. The only way to remove these contaminants is to change the oil and filter within manufacturers’ recommended intervals.

yeah, the additives was THE basis for my statement. Here's a snip from Quaker State's site:

Contamination by normal wear particles, water, fuel, and other combustion by-products, as well as additive depletion, are the main reasons for changing conventional oils on a regular basis. Synthetic oils are equally susceptible to this problem. The only way to remove these contaminants is to change the oil and filter within manufacturers’ recommended intervals.

It's interesting that the QS site says that synthetics are just as susceptible. The recommended synthetic oil change interval on a BMW is 15K. I used to own a 2001 325i and was always uncomfortable with than interval but I followed it because the manufacturer recommeded it (which I guess is the key) and oil changes were free by BMW if you followed the recommended interval. If all oils were just as susceptible, how does the oil hold up for 15K miles?

no kidding,almost all of my MB have gone 15 to 20,000 miles before needing the oil changed.The cars engine is able to tell what the viscosity of the oil is.Still 20,000 miles seemed crazy!!

Thanks for the help guys, dealership is going to get back to me on how they plan on making the situation right. The tech (whom I know) claims it took exactly 7.5 quarts.

Thanks for the help guys, dealership is going to get back to me on how they plan on making the situation right. The tech (whom I know) claims it took exactly 7.5 quarts.

You sure your friend the tech isn't the sanitational engineer at the dealership? He sounds over qualified to be touching the monster.

I might hold the record, and the idiot of the month award!

I Paid $131.96 for my first Oil change at the dealer.

6.70 filter
8 quarts of oil at 8.67 each. 69.36
Labor $50.00
Tax 5.90

:mad:

IMO, oil is cheap insurance and the life blood to your engine and performance. Being an auto tech, I would never go over 5k for myself. 3am highway high speed blasts, nailing it from a dig, stop and starts, idles, etc. does put strain on your oil. I always use a high quality oil, like M-1 or german syn. Castrol oils. And I like to use a an OEM filter or the like, no cheapie stuff for me. Again, oil is cheap and I like fresh oil in my engines, but that's just my opinion.:D

Went to pick my car up from the dealer (oil change #2). They charged me for 8 quarts (which I know is wrong). I complained but all the mechanics and service manager were gone for the night. Then I asked, is it possible they actually put the 8th quart in? We (me and the guy behind the service desk) checked the oil and it was about an inch over the full line on the dip stick. I refused to drive the car like this and left it in the garage at the dealer. They called the service manager who agreed to give me a loaner (a neon with 90K). By the way, first the service manager on the phone told me it was OK to drive. Anyway, I won't be able to get this taken care of until morning. This will be my last oil change at the dealer. Gonna start doing it myself. I'll keep you posted. Any know if damage could be done with too much oil (I assume so)? Idiots. They just don't know SRT cars. I will also be talking to the owner of the dealership, but not until I get my baby back home safe from the monkeys.

9 Quarts?????????????? After the initial first change even the 7 Quarts may be too much, My last oil change which I do myself it took 6 3/4 and it was full to the top of the safe line!

Another reason to do your own oil changes. Ide go check the dipstick inthe morning aftr letting it sit overnight and if your way above the safe line ie drain some oil out or risk engine damage to certain internal parts.

2 cases of Mobile1 0 w40 (12 Quarts), $67.00, 2 oil filters $14.00. Dealer not touching my SRT8 PRICELESS!!!!!!!

If you pay them to do it you better be standing right there watching them.

I use AMSOIL so brought my own oil and filter, dealer charged $6.99 to change.

I got mine done for $53.00.

DIY for the win!

Went to pick my car up from the dealer (oil change #2). They charged me for 8 quarts (which I know is wrong). I complained but all the mechanics and service manager were gone for the night. Then I asked, is it possible they actually put the 8th quart in? We (me and the guy behind the service desk) checked the oil and it was about an inch over the full line on the dip stick. I refused to drive the car like this and left it in the garage at the dealer. They called the service manager who agreed to give me a loaner (a neon with 90K). By the way, first the service manager on the phone told me it was OK to drive. Anyway, I won't be able to get this taken care of until morning. This will be my last oil change at the dealer. Gonna start doing it myself. I'll keep you posted. Any know if damage could be done with too much oil (I assume so)? Idiots. They just don't know SRT cars. I will also be talking to the owner of the dealership, but not until I get my baby back home safe from the monkeys.

Just an update. Picked up my ride. They drained 1 quart. The level is good now. Going to buy some low profile ramps and do it myself going forward.

I hear everyone talking about a good oil. What about the filter? Any recomendations, which brands to go for?

I hear everyone talking about a good oil. What about the filter? Any recomendations, which brands to go for? Get yourself the Mobil 1 extended performance filter No. M1-204 high efficiency and high capacity filter. It is rated at full flow and will filter down to a micron or less. nothing better that I know of.

dealer is giving me half off oil change and refunded the extra oil

once this is done though im going to do it myself

I've read elsewhere that the 6.1 Hemi has a "windage" tray like some high performance/race engines. A windage tray keeps oil in the pan from being sucked up by the vortex created by the crankshaft at high RPMs. This prevents oil foaming and starvation at high revs. It also saves a few horsepower by keeping oil in the pan off the crank.

This windage tray would probably prevent any damage of driving the 6.1 Hemi normally for a short distance with a 1 quart overfill. Anything over a quart, I wouldn't attempt to start the engine or drive.

I've read elsewhere that the 6.1 Hemi has a "windage" tray like some high performance/race engines. A windage tray keeps oil in the pan from being sucked up by the vortex created by the crankshaft at high RPMs. This prevents oil foaming and starvation at high revs. It also saves a few horsepower by keeping oil in the pan off the crank.

This windage tray would probably prevent any damage of driving the 6.1 Hemi normally for a short distance with a 1 quart overfill. Anything over a quart, I wouldn't attempt to start the engine or drive.

Thanks this is great info.