1st. oil change, dealership or Jiffy Lube?

It's been awhile since I've had a new vehicle and I was wondering would it be better for my Liberty to get it's first oil change from the Jeep dealership or my local Jiffy Lube? Would the dealership do anything more to the Jeep than the other oil changing places, other than price differences? Oh yeah we clocked in over 2100k on it already since we brought it home in October.
Thanks

rukusjeep said:

It's been awhile since I've had a new vehicle and I was wondering would it be better for my Liberty to get it's first oil change from the Jeep dealership or my local Jiffy Lube? Would the dealership do anything more to the Jeep than the other oil changing places, other than price differences? Oh yeah we clocked in over 2100k on it already since we brought it home in October.
Thanks

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FWIW, I wouldn't let a Jiffy Lube change the oil in my lawn mower.

I wouldn't use any of the fast lube places. Do yourself a favor and stay away from them. Find a good local garage and go there. And some of the dealers are actually ok.

Dave

Why are you changing your oil at 2100 miles?

indianrefining said:

FWIW, I wouldn't let a Jiffy Lube change the oil in my lawn mower.

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+1 You got that right!

Frank D

NeverLost, I was just seeing what opinions were out there regarding oil change facilities, dealership or "quick" oil change company's. I love our Jeep dealership and will most likely go there. In the past we have taken our vehicles to a Jiffy Lube and had no problems can someone explain why you guy feel that these places are not good. Is it service? Oil?

I thought most new vehicles would not need an oil change until about 6k or so.
Thanks guys.

RUKUSJEEP: What does the manual say about maintenance intervals for oil changes? I am curious as I like the Jeep Liberty for myself. I would also work with the dealer, at least until it is out of warrenty and since it is a new product.

Nvr*lost said:

Why are you changing your oil at 2100 miles?

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The first oil change should be under 3000 miles due to the break-in of the engine.


I wouldn't try to do the first oil change yourself, because I hear that the factory really tightens down the filter. I can't vouch for that because I didn't buy my Libby new. Go to a trusted mechanic and have them put in a good quality oil/filter combo in. I use Mobil 1/Purolator Filter.

I also heard that depending on the oil used it might improve on gas mileage?
I just read the manuel and it states the oil change intervals should not exceed over 6k or 6 months whichever comes first. Also if your KK is equipped with EVIC "Oil Change Required" will display in the EVIC and a single chime will sound telling you that the Jeep needs an oil change. If you do not have EVIC there will be a display in the odometer saying "Change oil". The dealership will then after completing the oil change will reset the oil change indicator. If done by someone else you will have to inform them of the reset and hope they know how to do this.
So I'll be going to my dealership to have this done when it's time, besides they have a "Jeep" cafe that serves free coffee, ice cream, pop (soda for those not in the midwest) popcorn and fruit juice.

I have changed mine twice already. I did it myself. I like to do all my own maintenance if possible though. I did not notice the filter being on any tighter than usual. I do like Mobil 1 however I am currently running the dino version Mobil clean 5000 5w20. We currently have 6,300 miles and still loving it.

Reasons NOT to go to a "quick change" lube place:
1 - They don't pay well. Which leads to #2.
2 - The employees don't care about your vehicle.
3 - It's all about speed - so "doing it right" comes second.
4 - I've seen and heard from many people that after using one of these places they can't get the filter off - tightened too much. Filters do not need to be overtightened.
5 - Over/Under filling. In my college days I used these places and consistently found that they would over fill the oil. This doesn't sound that bad, but trust me it's not good.

I typically like to do oil changes myself but I don't have a garage these days. My next best bet is a small shop around the corner from where I work. Advantage is that I drop the car off in the morning, walk to work. Give them ALL DAY to work on it and then pick it up on my way home. The best part is they tend to check other things for me and let me know if they find anything out of the ordinary. If I didn't know them very well I would think that they were looking to get more money out of me, but when they fix things for the price that they do, I just don't worry anymore.

Basically, if you don't like your dealer, find a local "Mom & Pop" shop and you've probably found the best alternative to doing it yourself.

jeepkj02 said:

I wouldn't try to do the first oil change yourself, because I hear that the factory really tightens down the filter. I can't vouch for that because I didn't buy my Libby new. Go to a trusted mechanic and have them put in a good quality oil/filter combo in. I use Mobil 1/Purolator Filter.

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I think this is true. I had a Ford BroncoII once and went to do the very first oil change on it. It looked like a piece of cake. It was the v6 and the filter was hanging straight up and pleanty of room to get at it. It was the Motorcraft FL 1-A, a big 1 quart filter if I remember correctly. It just wouldn't come off and finally the filter twisted and crinkled so I couldn't turn it any more. I drove a big screwdriver through it and finally somehow got it off. Put the new filter on and filled it up. Then as I was looking at the old beat up filter I couldn't find the gasket. Oh great. So I took the new filter off and there it was mashed on to the machined surface where the filter screws in. Got it off and put the new filter back on. I think it took me 2 hours to do that oil change. Mostly just getting the filter off. It was a nightmare and I was really sweating it and swearing at it. It was the worst oil change I ever did. I'm not saying that this will happen with every first oil change, but it did happen to me.

Dave

The only time I've ever had a problem with an oil change was one done by a Chevy dealer (Rhodes Chevrolet in Swansboro, NC). Had the oil changed and the next day my pressure started droppong. Stopped and there was a trail of oil behind me. The oil filter had come loose. Tightened the filter and added oil. Never went there again.

I did my first OC on my 2008 Liberty a few weeks ago and had no problem with a tight filter. It was a little harder to do than my other vehicles, but not a big deal. I used a 12" extension with a filter (cup wrench) and it came right off.

I'd do it myself if I were you.

Frank D

I would change the oil myself but I do not have a place to do it. I have no garage. Also I would have to find a place for disposal. So I'd rather have someone else do it either a garage or my dealership. But my KK has over 3000k on it I have decided to go the dealership. I received a nice coupon book from my dealership (apparently customers get these books a few times a year) for a generous discount on oil change services and other maintenance jobs plus a free car wash and the dealership has a little cafe were customers can receive free snacks and beverages like pop, ice cream, popcorn and what not.

rukusjeep said:

I would change the oil myself but I do not have a place to do it. I have no garage. Also I would have to find a place for disposal. So I'd rather have someone else do it either a garage or my dealership. But my KK has over 3000k on it I have decided to go the dealership. I received a nice coupon book from my dealership (apparently customers get these books a few times a year) for a generous discount on oil change services and other maintenance jobs plus a free car wash and the dealership has a little cafe were customers can receive free snacks and beverages like pop, ice cream, popcorn and what not.

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Sounds pretty good, besides you don't have much of a choice. The dealership should be better than Jiffy Lube. I had no luck with dealerships, and having worked for them for a few years I don't trust them either. But that's just me. If you have a good local mechanic that you trust, he's worth his weight in gold, and that's where I'd be spending my money if I wasn't a DYI'er.

Frank D

The Wallmart back home ended up having to pay for 23 engine replacements due to there oil changers didn't tighten the oil drain plug a few years agne was a C5 Vette(ouch,big $$$$),they dished out something like $300,000 for all the repairs.

Never,never use those quick change places.The stealerships are way better.

jeepkj02 said:

I wouldn't try to do the first oil change yourself, because I hear that the factory really tightens down the filter.

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I did the 1st oil and filter change for my wife's '08 Liberty myself last week (at about 5000 miles)..
As for the oil filter... not the best place.. the oil filter on my 98 Jeep Cherokee was MUCH easier to change... As for the factory filter.. mine must have been tightened down by an 800 lb. gorilla with an impact wrench ! Even with an oil filter wrench it took 2 of us to break the seal.
But, I have yet to have a new car that didn't put up a fight with that 1st oil filter removal.

As for Jiffy Lube or dealership.. I'm not inclined to trust either. I always do all my own oil changes on all my vehicles. Chances are, the experienced mechanics aren't going to be doing oil changes so you may be open to mistakes. My advice, always check your oil fluid level after someone else touches your car. I've seen places put in too much oil, or not enough.. either one can harm your engine.

BecTech said:

I did the 1st oil and filter change for my wife's '08 Liberty myself last week (at about 5000 miles)..
As for the oil filter... not the best place.. the oil filter on my 98 Jeep Cherokee was MUCH easier to change... As for the factory filter.. mine must have been tightened down by an 800 lb. gorilla with an impact wrench ! Even with an oil filter wrench it took 2 of us to break the seal.
But, I have yet to have a new car that didn't put up a fight with that 1st oil filter removal.

As for Jiffy Lube or dealership.. I'm not inclined to trust either. I always do all my own oil changes on all my vehicles. Chances are, the experienced mechanics aren't going to be doing oil changes so you may be open to mistakes. My advice, always check your oil fluid level after someone else touches your car. I've seen places put in too much oil, or not enough.. either one can harm your engine.

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5000 miles on the first oil change----OUCH----talk about killing your engine with all the added metal particals from breaking in.

tjkj2002 said:

5000 miles on the first oil change----OUCH----talk about killing your engine with all the added metal particals from breaking in.

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we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.. lot of cars in my time, the break-in / metal particles thing is a little overblown.. I have yet to see any real indication that it is that serious an issue. That being said, I agree there is certainly no harm in changing it earlier..