Different oil weight void warrenty? 2012 Jeep

[soyeahiknow]

So my parents just got a new 2012 Jeep Patriot about a month ago after my idiot brother wrecked their previous suv. I am heading to visit them soon so I figured I would change their oil for them.

On the manual, it recommends a SAE 5W-20. Will using 5w30 ( I have a huge stash) void or cause any complication in regards to their new vehicle warranty? I did the research and know that 5w30 is just fine for a 5W-20 car. They live in Michigan so they see snow and cold.

Can someone bring up any specific policies? Thanks!

 

[default]

Check the towing/severe service section, it may recommend a 5w30 for heavy work.

 

[soyeahiknow]

Ok I will check it out. But my parents don't use it for any heavy work. They are transporting 3 people at the most. They got the basic 2.0 liter engine ( smaller one of the two Jeep Patriot has). And it doesn't have the off road package or anything.

 

[KD0AXS]

Stick with what the owners manual says while under warranty.

The chances that you'll have an engine failure while under warranty are slim, but you don't want to be giving Chrysler a way out of a warranty claim. It seems these days that they (all the auto makers, not just Chrysler) will find any way they can to get out of a warranty claim rather than standing behind their products. Obviously running the 5w30 won't hurt anything, but I would use 5W-20 while under warranty.

As far as a "specific policy", forget about it. It seems these "policies" change from one dealer to the next, and from one customer to the next.

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Stick with what the owners manual says while under warranty...Obviously running the 5w30 won't hurt anything, but I would use 5W-20 while under warranty.

^ this ^

 

[soyeahiknow]

Ok, I will do that then. Guess I will just save my 5w30 for my own cars. Thanks!

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: tinmanSC
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Stick with what the owners manual says while under warranty...Obviously running the 5w30 won't hurt anything, but I would use 5W-20 while under warranty.

^ this ^


+1.

Its probably a CAFE situation to squeeze out another MPG.

I would be using a synthetic so it does not get any thinner due to shear.

Did you look at the temp viscosity chart in the owners manual? It may say one is preferred, but the other is OK.

Keep your brother away from it.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: soyeahiknow
Ok I will check it out. But my parents don't use it for any heavy work. They are transporting 3 people at the most. They got the basic 2.0 liter engine ( smaller one of the two Jeep Patriot has). And it doesn't have the off road package or anything.


Stay with the 5W20. That way there is no chance of any issues. In reference the other poster who said other weights may be allowed for the answer to that is no, there are not. In the US/Canada 5W20 is the only allowed for weight. Outside the US/Canada 5W30 is spec'd so in an emergency you could use it. It won't meet warranty requirements though and thus gives the dealer/car mfg an out if soemthing internal happens. Just run the called for weight during warranty. After warranty a 5W30 would be ok.

Heavy Duty and the Patriot do not go hand in hand. Especially with the 2.0L. The 2.0L is only rated to 1000lbs towing. Even if you have the 2.4L w/ the oil cooler( that is the only "towing" package part of it and it is for the oil not the transmission fluid )it is only rated to 2000lbs. I actually have a 2011 w/ the 2.4L and the oil cooler and my boat weighs 1700lbs or so. That is as much as I would want to tow with it ever.

Overall though a nice little cuv. I get very good MPG out of mine. Despite a 21/26 MPG EPA rating I average 22-24 MPG with mixed driving that heavily favors city( like 70/30 or even 80/20 )but easily break 30 all highway with a best to date of 35.8 MPG.

Here is a good tip for you. If your parents got the 5spd manual trans have the transmission fluid level checked. The Patriot and Compass( same vehicle overall )w/ the 5spd are notorious for being under filled from the factory. Sometiems as much as a qt low and it is only a 3qt+ system.

 

[Danno]

Originally Posted By: tinmanSC
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Stick with what the owners manual says while under warranty...Obviously running the 5w30 won't hurt anything, but I would use 5W-20 while under warranty.

^ this ^

As well does the 5W20 require specific Chrysler certification?

 

[kmrcstintn]

ultimately it is 'wise' to stick with a viscosity that is listed in the owner's manual during the warranty period; what fries my goat is that Chrysler keeps changing certifications from year to year on their product line...eg:

my 2012 Jeep Wrangler calls for 5w30 and now the 2013 Wranglers (same engine) calls for 5w-20; they also did something similar with the Libertys...my previous 2011 called for 5w-20 annd other years called for 5w30;

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: Danno
Originally Posted By: tinmanSC
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Stick with what the owners manual says while under warranty...Obviously running the 5w30 won't hurt anything, but I would use 5W-20 while under warranty.

^ this ^

As well does the 5W20 require specific Chrysler certification?


5W20
API w/ Starburst Symbol
Meet/Exceed Chrysler MS6395

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Stick with what the manual recommends due to the warranty. And when you buy it, make sure the receipt says what weight it is (and preferably the filter number) and give it to them for their service records just in case.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
make sure the receipt says what weight it is (and preferably the filter number)
I was just going to post about that...

If you have a lubrication issue during warranty, I bet the dealer isn't even going to think that you might have used 5w30, but they will quickly pick up if there's an aftermarket filter installed. Mopar filters are made by Purolator, so they would be a good choice even after the warranty is up.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord

If you have a lubrication issue during warranty, I bet the dealer isn't even going to think that you might have used 5w30, but they will quickly pick up if there's an aftermarket filter installed. Mopar filters are made by Purolator, so they would be a good choice even after the warranty is up.


Exactly.

In the rare event of a lubrication related issue, the first thing they're going to look at is evidence of negligence in regards to this. That's usually very obvious. They may then ask for oil change records.

I highly doubt they'd be able to tell if the drained, used oil is a 30wt or a 20wt. Nor would they care.

Regardless, I like 5w20's. IMO, they tend to be well-built oil.

Joel

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
make sure the receipt says what weight it is (and preferably the filter number)
I was just going to post about that...

If you have a lubrication issue during warranty, I bet the dealer isn't even going to think that you might have used 5w30, but they will quickly pick up if there's an aftermarket filter installed. Mopar filters are made by Purolator, so they would be a good choice even after the warranty is up.


True indeed BUT if it's under warranty and he's doing the maintenance he's still going to need receipts, and he won't have any 5w20 receipts (and I abhor deception anyway I'm not suggesting you falsify anything).

Most suggested you just follow the 5w20 plan under warranty and the OP seems receptive to that and I concur as well. You can use a thick 5w20 though.

That's what I'll be doing for our new KIA as I'm in the same situation. Castrol GTX, gold bottle Castrol Edge and Mobil 1 5w20 are all 5w20's that run on the thicker side. Amsoil's 5w20 is a thick one too.