Lifetime warranty - so should I change ATF?

[Ken2]

Lifetime?

Which lifetime?...the life of the transmission or the life of the latest incarnation of Chrysler Corp?

I'd do reasonable fluid changes and hope the transmission outlives Chrysler Corp.

 

[mikeg5]

if its a lifetime warranty i would have them do the work at the scheduled maintenance intervals and call it a day. if i were to do soem of the work myself i would HIGHLY advise you to purchase from them and keep the receipt with the mileage written on it. like mentioned before they will do their best to screw you out of the warranty. if you switch fluids you may want to ask a customer service rep or someone and have them put it in writing that its ok to use other fluids (that meets spec of course). if not that could be the avenue for them to screw you over

 

[NHHEMI]

Changing it early( with ATF+4 - be cautious of using anything but ATF+4 or that warranty goes bye bye )will do no harm and is good insurance against any possible failures. Like another poster said I am not a believer in lifetime fluids. Especially tranny fluid. 30-50K is the intervals I would go with.

Also, just an FYI in reagrds to your LPTW you are required to do the listed maintenance AND you also have to have inspections done( any anything fixed found wrong )at certain intervals as well. Be sure you get that info and keep up with it.

EDIT - I went and grabbed my LPTW copy and this is what it says...

G.Inspections
In order to maintain the Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty, the person or entity covered by this Powertrain Limited Warranty must have a powertrain inspection performed by an authorized Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep dealer once every 5 years. This inspection will be performed at no charge. The inspection must be made within sixty (60) days of each 5 year anniversary of the in-service date of the vehicle. You must have the inspection performed to continue this coverage.

 

[demarpaint]

I'd change it. The LT warranty is a gimic. The vehicle must be brought in to the dealer for an inspection prior to its fifth birthday. I was told by a Chrysler service writer I met its their chance to sell the Brookly Bridge in required service to maintain the warranty. Then if there is a claim after the 3/36 original warranty good luck. I'm waiting to hear stories of anyone who went in for the inspection, so far I haven't met anyone.

As far as LT fluids forget it, all fluids need to be changed. If you plan on keeping the vehicle change the fluid.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I'd change it. The LT warranty is a gimic. The vehicle must be brought in to the dealer for an inspection prior to its fifth birthday. I was told by a Chrysler service writer I met its their chance to sell the Brookly Bridge in required service to maintain the warranty. I'm waiting to hear stories of anyone who went in for the inspection, so far I haven't met anyone.

As far as LT fluids forget it, all fluids need to be changed.


I actually disagree with what you have said about the LPTW from Chrysler. I don't feel it is a gimmick if the person will keep the vehicle a long time. I also think it is perfectly reasonable for Chrysler to require periodic inspections to make sure you are taking care of the vehicle if they are going to cover it forever. If the inspection interval was shorter than only once every 5 years I would question it but 5 years is very reasonable.

I also disagree that you are being forced into the Brooklyn Bridge scenario at that inspection. You have to follow required maintenance procedures even with the base 3/36 warranty from any mfg. It is no different with the LPTW from Chrysler. If that 5 year inspection roles around and it is time for service X, Y, and/or Z it is time anyway. If it has been done already they can't make you do it again.

I have the LPTW for my 08 Ram and the required maintenance is no different than it was on my 04 Ram without that warranty other than a change to intervals on the diff service which Chrysler seems to change annually for the Ram. I see nothing from Chrysler that is excessive which would indicate the inspections are a setup. Do the standard maintenance on time and have your inspections done and there should be no issues.

IMHO.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I'd change it. The LT warranty is a gimic. The vehicle must be brought in to the dealer for an inspection prior to its fifth birthday. I was told by a Chrysler service writer I met its their chance to sell the Brookly Bridge in required service to maintain the warranty. I'm waiting to hear stories of anyone who went in for the inspection, so far I haven't met anyone.

As far as LT fluids forget it, all fluids need to be changed.


I actually disagree with what you have said about the LPTW from Chrysler. I don't feel it is a gimmick if the person will keep the vehicle a long time. I also think it is perfectly reasonable for Chrysler to require periodic inspections to make sure you are taking care of the vehicle if they are going to cover it forever. If the inspection interval was shorter than only once every 5 years I would question it but 5 years is very reasonable.

I also disagree that you are being forced into the Brooklyn Bridge scenario at that inspection. You have to follow required maintenance procedures even with the base 3/36 warranty from any mfg. It is no different with the LPTW from Chrysler. If that 5 year inspection roles around and it is time for service X, Y, and/or Z it is time anyway. If it has been done already they can't make you do it again.

I have the LPTW for my 08 Ram and the required maintenance is no different than it was on my 04 Ram without that warranty other than a change to intervals on the diff service which Chrysler seems to change annually for the Ram. I see nothing from Chrysler that is excessive which would indicate the inspections are a setup. Do the standard maintenance on time and have your inspections done and there should be no issues.

IMHO.





No problem disagreeing. Have you had an inspection done yet, or know anyone who has? Anyone who walked into the dealer for the 5 year check? Had their car racked the and was told everything looks great, see you again at the next inspection. Then walked right out with no hard sell? Or better yet, do you know anyone who collected on the warranty yet? I mean after the 3/36 ran out, and didn't buy the extended warranty the F&I manager tried ramming down their throat when they took title to the car and had to sit down with him. That was pretty funny when I told the F&I guy I didn't need the extended warranty I had the LT warranty, LOL. I was in the business, he backed off once I told him.

Keep in mind I'm in NY, and the and dealers and shops are not your friends. I have friends that are still in the business, one of which is a GM at a Chrysler store, and I'm fiends with his service writer. I had this very conversation. Maybe in NH it is different. Time will tell. BTW I own a Jeep with the LT warranty so I'm not bashing Chrysler, but know exactly what is going to happen when I go in for my inspection, and not many people service a car the way I do or keep records like I do.

BTW I'm not looking for an argument, just sharing what I know from the NY area.

 

[HawkeyeScott]

Just FYI, the manual on this car states that under normal driving conditions, no ATF change is necessary. Under severe conditions, a fluid and filter change is needed at 60K miles. (We're at 51K.)

I know dealers will do their best to get out of honoring a warranty, but I've never heard of someone being denied for over-maintaining a car.

We're still about 2 years away from our first 5-yr. inspection. I will definitley go in for that.

And yes, I'd use only ATF+4. I'd make sure to get that noted on the receipt from the independent place that will do the work.

 

[unDummy]

Now is good time to change the ATF, bleed the brakes, change the antifreeze, exchange the power steering fluid...... 3yrs is over the limit for good maintenance.

I'd change the fluids every 30k, with an ATF filter change every 2nd or 3rd fluid change if it were a vehicle that I'd want to keep and hand down to the rugrats when they're old enough to get a license.

Hope the manufacturer stays in business a lifetime.

 

[VNTS]

I have a couple pals who are Chrysler techs. I asked them about this program back when it came out.
You have to make sure you bring it in at the 5th year anniverary of when you bought it, you have 30 days.

other than the fluid changes outlined in the manual, you dont have to pay a dime for anything.

When they do the 5 yr inspection, anything worn gets replaced on Chyrsler dime
They are doing this so small things people neglect will be corrected.
It doesnt get any better than that.

Keep a log book of when you serviced stuff and I guess if you like receipts for the fluids and filters.
My guess is they gambled at the time of the lifetime warranty that most will sell at some point. He also showed me that wear parts like serpentine belts and hoses are covered. About the only thing not covered was the brake pads and rotors.

So I would be nice and friendly and suggest at year5 or year 10 that, oh all my hoses are soft and need replacing, send the bill to Dieter Zestch

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I'd change it. The LT warranty is a gimic. The vehicle must be brought in to the dealer for an inspection prior to its fifth birthday. I was told by a Chrysler service writer I met its their chance to sell the Brookly Bridge in required service to maintain the warranty. I'm waiting to hear stories of anyone who went in for the inspection, so far I haven't met anyone.

As far as LT fluids forget it, all fluids need to be changed.


I actually disagree with what you have said about the LPTW from Chrysler. I don't feel it is a gimmick if the person will keep the vehicle a long time. I also think it is perfectly reasonable for Chrysler to require periodic inspections to make sure you are taking care of the vehicle if they are going to cover it forever. If the inspection interval was shorter than only once every 5 years I would question it but 5 years is very reasonable.

I also disagree that you are being forced into the Brooklyn Bridge scenario at that inspection. You have to follow required maintenance procedures even with the base 3/36 warranty from any mfg. It is no different with the LPTW from Chrysler. If that 5 year inspection roles around and it is time for service X, Y, and/or Z it is time anyway. If it has been done already they can't make you do it again.

I have the LPTW for my 08 Ram and the required maintenance is no different than it was on my 04 Ram without that warranty other than a change to intervals on the diff service which Chrysler seems to change annually for the Ram. I see nothing from Chrysler that is excessive which would indicate the inspections are a setup. Do the standard maintenance on time and have your inspections done and there should be no issues.

IMHO.

 

[demarpaint]

I guess we can all report back in 2 years. Free lunch in the auto business would be a first. They'll change belts and hoses free if needed? Truly an industry first. This should make for some good discussion, since this totally goes against what my service writer buddy told me. We'll see.

 

[Kestas]

Another thought - If belts and hoses are covered, do they have to fail before replacement (I certainly wouldn't stand for that), or would they change them before they fail? Who decides when that point is reached?

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I guess we can all report back in 2 years. Free lunch in the auto business would be a first. They'll change belts and hoses free if needed? Truly an industry first. This should make for some good discussion, since this totally goes against what my service writer buddy told me. We'll see.


The LPTW took effect on (most)new Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge vehicles delivered on or after July 26, 2007. So until we hit the summer of 2012 we won't know how much if anything about what dealers will try and ram down folks throats? Just too early to tell. I don't have to worry about it until Nov 2013.

No, belts and hoses will not be changed for free. The only thing changed for free will be things covered under the warranty that they find wrong( i.e. powertrain components - or others if you have an extended warranty that would cover it ). I am sure there will be places that will try and upsell a bunch of things like belts, hoses, brakes, shocks, tires, etc... However, do we not see that all the time anwyay from some dealers? Is this not a common complaint so many make anyway? Does this not happen all the time when some people go in for a simple oil change and the dealer( or even independant mechanics )try and sell them all kinds of needless things? I would apply no extra significance to it if they tried it at the 5 year LPTW inspection. It is just SOP for places that fix vehicles.

If you need brakes, shocks, etc... and refuse to have them replaced they can't void the LPTW because of that. Those items are not part of the powertrain. If your lower radiator hose is getting old( so they say )and they try and get you to replace it you can still say no and be fine as far as the warranty as it is not part of the powertrain either. However if a month later it blows and you overheat the engine you most likely will be denied coverage because there will be a record of the bad hose from the inspection. The cause of the engine failure/damage was from a non power train related part known to be failing so it won't get covered would be my guess.

 

[demarpaint]

I guess living in NY my whole life has me conditioned to expect the worst. Anytime I walked into a dealer's shop the hard sell shortly followed. I'm a tough sell so they end up selling me nothing, LOL.

The conversation I had with my friend didn't help. Time will tell, and you'll be going for your inspection before I do. I'm sure this topic will come up once people start going for the inspections.

 

[Bullet]

I rememeber seeing the commercials on tv when the LT warranty first started. It stated you had to bring the vehicle in for servicing at a certain point. So make sure her car gets there on time.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I guess living in NY my whole life has me conditioned to expect the worst. Anytime I walked into a dealer's shop the hard sell shortly followed. I'm a tough sell so they end up selling me nothing, LOL.

The conversation I had with my friend didn't help. Time will tell, and you'll be going for your inspection before I do. I'm sure this topic will come up once people start going for the inspections.


If I keep it that long. Would be a record for me if I do. Nov 28 it will be 2 years for this vehicle which is the longest I have kept a new vehicle since my 1997 Ram 1500 which I kept 42 months. I doubt I will actually have it at 5 years but who knows?

 

[XtraRevsSurely]

I have a LT warranty for my 06 Pacifica. It's the Added Care Plus. There is no mention about getting a vehicle inspection 5 @ years. I guess that's a new thing...

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: XtraRevsSurely
I have a LT warranty for my 06 Pacifica. It's the Added Care Plus. There is no mention about getting a vehicle inspection 5 @ years. I guess that's a new thing...


The 5 year inspection is only for vehicles that came with the factory lifetime powertrain warranty( came on new vehicles sold on or after July 26, 2007 thru sometime in 2009 ). Your added care plus is an extended warranty purchased above and beyond any factory provided warranty.

 

[qdeezie]

I would change it at least every 50K with a quality fluid if it were me.

 

[fiddler2068]

1. read your warranty terms carefully.

2. consult a lawyer regarding the warranty.

3. consult case law regarding the warranty.

It might not be what you think it is. Are you absolutely sure you qualify for normal duty? In law terms? you will have to find out specifically what they mean by that, it might shock you. Which means that you are out of warranty.

And listening to chrysler techs about the LT warranty is about as useful as having them insure your house. It's not their decision so their opinion makes no difference unless they can supply written cases where you can examine the specifics of each case.

anecdotes really suck when you find out at 100,000 mile tranny failure that, no, due to the specifics in your situation you are not covered after all.

Or you could be scrupulous about your maintenance and adhere to the highest maintenance level, in which case, they would have no means to deny you the warranty. The irony is that if you do do this, barring manufacturer defect, you won't need the warranty.

fiddler