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FM18
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2003
20:32:27
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 Subject: Axle Fluid Changes?
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Message:
Ok,
Dumb novice question of the day... How often is it required and do you guys change the front and rear axle fluids in your Dakotas? My truck falls under schedule B but I have yet to do a water crossing with her. The manual has conflicting info on the subject matter (See quote below in email to Dodge). At $100 to $200 a pop (those are the price quotes I got) at 12,000 miles that starts getting expensive. So what do you guys do and how often? I totally understand and would follow this guide should I be subjecting the axles to possible water incursion but other than that, I think it is kinda of excessive.
Here is my email to Dodge. Will keep you posted as to their reply.
What is the required change intervals for front and rear axle fluid changes? The manual gives conflicting information. Schedule B has a check off for fluid changes, both front and rear at 12,000 mile intervals, yet the manual states "DaimlerChrsler Corp., does not recommend regular scheduled oil changes for axles in vehicles whose operation is classified as normal truck service." I have never taken my truck through any water crossing that would cover or even partially submerge the axles or the "pumkin". Do I need to change the fluid on this truck at 12,000 miles or only if I subject the vehicle to such conditions where water could enter the axle housing or vent hole? Please let me know. This is the first time that I have ever heard of a required axle fluid exchange other than if subjected to possible water incursion. I would expect to drain and refill the fluid in that type of situation. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
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FM18
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2003
13:36:31
|  RE: Axle Fluid Changes?
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Message:
Well I got my first answer back from DaimlerChrysler and what a bogus answer that was. It was an advertisement (see below) to talk to your local dealer as they would have the answer :( I sent them a reply back stating I wanted an answer and not a canned reply back to go see the dealer. Errrrr. What customer service, NOT.
Thanks for the email regarding your Dodge Dakota
The service department of your DaimlerChrysler dealership is the best
place to go for maintenance and repair of your vehicle. They're the ones
with the right combination of parts and services only available from the
people who know your vehicle best - the dealership service personnel.
The state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment used in most dealerships
communicates with your vehicle. It's able to read fluid and emissions
levels, and diagnose electrical and mechanical functions to ensure your
vehicle is operating at maximum efficiency. Our trained technicians are
experts at servicing your vehicle - they're knowledgeable about every
innovation and engineering detail. They're trained, constantly updated
and experienced in servicing your vehicle.
For more information about servicing your vehicle, please contact your
local dealer.
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JT
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2003
15:27:31
|  RE: Axle Fluid Changes?
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Message:
It is a good idea to have the axle fluid changed every so often. However, Dodge Dealerships are notorious for charging way too much for simple proceedures. My suggestion would be to go to a local lube and oil shop for the work. Just remember to hold on to the paper work for your warranty. This should be a less expensive route to take.
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MCW82
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2003
16:38:01
| RE: Axle Fluid Changes?
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Message:
Oh Oh Oh! I can answer this one! I think you need to get it done every two years. This is a maintenance schedule someone told me to follow ... even though I don't, but it makes sense. Remember this is only a recommendation.
Oil/Lube, 4 times a year
Tire Rotation, 2 times a year
Annually:
Trans, Cooling System Flush, Alignment Checkup, and Tune-up
Every other year:
Transaxle, 4x4 transfer case, differential
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FM18
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2003
21:23:49
|  RE: Axle Fluid Changes?
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Message:
Got another email back still telling me nothing. I need to talk to the dealer is all they will say. It appears they do not want to commit to anything yet alone give even any general guide lines. I will call my dealer's service department but would like for Dodge to be able to give an honest and simple answer when ask for one. The manual gives me three different answers and all I want to do is maintain the warranty with out getting ripped off in the process. I don't mind changing fluids when needed or if subjected to harsh conditions. I always change the motor oil at 3,000 miles but can't understand why they wait to 30,000 miles for transmission fluid change yet want you to change differential fluid at 12k. Never abused the truck. Lite off roading and never buried the axles in water deep enough to touch the bottom of the differential housing.
will post back once I hear from the dealer.
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din city br
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2003
22:35:48
| RE: Axle Fluid Changes?
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Message:
haha he said LUBE, on a sadder note, gentlemen, i have misplaced my tin foil hat :(
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jeremiah2360
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2003
22:50:24
|  RE: Axle Fluid Changes?
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Message:
I am putting amsoil series 2000 75w-90 sythetic gear lube in before boat towing season starts(at about 8k)and will change at 100k. G.M. uses sythetic now and says its lifetime.
Remember Dodge specifies 75w-140 sythetic diff. fluid if you tow anything. Amsoil sponsor Steven Roark says guys with serious duty vehicles use the 75w-90 with no problems,good enough for me.
03 qc 4.7 auto 4x4 3.55 open
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
5/01/2003
10:35:46
| RE: Axle Fluid Changes? Amsoil
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Message:
Thank You jeremiah2360,
Amsoil Series 2000 is the latest introduction from Amsoil offering a higher level of performance vs. Amsoil's "regular" gear lube. They start with a different base stock with a special additives package. Amsoil could have discontinued the regular gear lube but contine to carry it due to its popularity.
A lot of people ask: 75w-90 or 75w-140 ? Personally I would use the synthetic 75w-90 since synthetic 75w-90 will perform above and beyond the recommended petroleum 75w-90.
I have Freightliner customers driving Class 8 Tractor Trailor Trucks using 75w-90 synthetic gear lube in their difs. Tuff enough for them ... Tuff enough for me.
-------------------------------------------------
AMSOIL PRICING
Series 2000 75w-90 $9.20 Qt. / 75w-140 $12.05 Qt. retail.(preferred customer $7.20 / $9.35 respectively). You can become a preferred customer for $20 per year ($10 for a 6 month trial) and receive up to 25% off retail pricing.
--------------------------------------------------
AMSOIL products clearly offer better wear protection than competitive synthetics and much better protection than conventional oils. AMSOIL gear oils are formulated with friction modifiers for limited slip differential applications. There is no need to add limited slip or additional additives.
AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic Gear Lube lasts longer than conventional petroleum gear lubes do. In non-commercial passenger vehicles operated under normal conditions, AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic Gear Lube does not have to be drained, therefore it should last the "life of the vehicle".
Click thru on the link below for more information or a free Amsoil Catalog.
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
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FM18
Dodge Dakota
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5/01/2003
13:35:04
|  RE: Axle Fluid Changes?
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Message:
Just got off the phone with the dealer. They said 18,000 miles max between fluid changes and recommended two bottles of friction addative instead of one. Stated dodge just came out with this recommendation. This dealership only wants $325 to do the work. NOT! Will be getting my local repair garage to handle it. Talk about perfect timing, they are offering a SUV maintenance package for $79.00 including both differentials and transfer case oil changes. Along with CV joint and linkage inspections!
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dealersSUCK
Dodge Dakota
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5/01/2003
14:43:28
| RE: Axle Fluid Changes?
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Message:
The dealer is also the guy telling you that you MUST change your oil every 3,000 miles.
It is called ... who is crazy enough to do this (throw $$$ at the dealer) when there is sufficient information to prove that he is wrong.
How do I know, my cousin ownes a Chrysler dealership. He is educated only through the 9th grade. He is as dumb as a post and still quotes maintenance suggestions as if he were still in the 70's. He only reads the headline on the maintenance bulletins and not the whole document.
Dealers Su_k ... even my cousin.
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