Crossfire Oil Change
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 843
From: Upstate SC
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
The FSS clock (days) + wrench service indicator should only come on if it has been at least a year since the last time the FSS was reset. If you're driving only a couple thousand miles a year there is no issue with going a bit longer than a year. IMO, even stretching the interval out to two years in otherwise pampered low mileage vehicles isn't going to hurt anything, especially since there are 8 quarts of oil to absorb contaminants and preferably a fleece filter in use.
I change oil no more than once a year, and have stretched it out closer to two years on one occasion. At some point (approaching 2 years after prior reset) the FSS clock appeared with a countdown and something like 40 some days (I can't recall exactly where the countdown started). But it will count down from that point in days (though I've read others report it may skip around, up or down, a bit as it counts down). When the clock gets to 0 days it will then be preceded by a minus sign as it counts up (as in you are this many days late on your service).
At -365 days, the PCM will send a signal to the SKREEM module to disable the starter to avoid damaging the engine until the FSS is reset (just kidding, I made that last sentence up).
Back when Crossfires were stacked up on dealer lots and selling slowly some new Crossfire owners were surprised to learn their Crossfires needed service right away as indicated by the wrench and clock.
I change oil no more than once a year, and have stretched it out closer to two years on one occasion. At some point (approaching 2 years after prior reset) the FSS clock appeared with a countdown and something like 40 some days (I can't recall exactly where the countdown started). But it will count down from that point in days (though I've read others report it may skip around, up or down, a bit as it counts down). When the clock gets to 0 days it will then be preceded by a minus sign as it counts up (as in you are this many days late on your service).
At -365 days, the PCM will send a signal to the SKREEM module to disable the starter to avoid damaging the engine until the FSS is reset (just kidding, I made that last sentence up).
Back when Crossfires were stacked up on dealer lots and selling slowly some new Crossfire owners were surprised to learn their Crossfires needed service right away as indicated by the wrench and clock.
Me, three! That's two new learnings today. A third will send me "over the edge"!
Seriously, I typically do the 2-yr oil change. And like VALK, usually drive up my ramps after taking a short spin to get everything up to temperature. And I also prefer to perform the oil change "like my dad taught me". (Note: Never can find the oil filer when I'm under the car!)
I have seen this wrench/clock warning before, but never really gave it much attention other than to know it was telling me to perform the oil change soon.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 843
From: Upstate SC
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
Knowing what I know about this car, this would not have surprised me! HAH!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,323
Likes: 775
From: Central South Carolina
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
The FSS clock (days) + wrench service indicator should only come on if it has been at least a year since the last time the FSS was reset. If you're driving only a couple thousand miles a year there is no issue with going a bit longer than a year. IMO, even stretching the interval out to two years in otherwise pampered low mileage vehicles isn't going to hurt anything, especially since there are 8 quarts of oil to absorb contaminants and preferably a fleece filter in use.
I change oil no more than once a year, and have stretched it out closer to two years on one occasion. At some point (approaching 2 years after prior reset) the FSS clock appeared with a countdown and something like 40 some days (I can't recall exactly where the countdown started). But it will count down from that point in days (though I've read others report it may skip around, up or down, a bit as it counts down). When the clock gets to 0 days it will then be preceded by a minus sign as it counts up (as in you are this many days late on your service).
At -365 days, the PCM will send a signal to the SKREEM module to disable the starter to avoid damaging the engine until the FSS is reset (just kidding, I made that last sentence up).
Back when Crossfires were stacked up on dealer lots and selling slowly some new Crossfire owners were surprised to learn their Crossfires needed service right away as indicated by the wrench and clock.
I change oil no more than once a year, and have stretched it out closer to two years on one occasion. At some point (approaching 2 years after prior reset) the FSS clock appeared with a countdown and something like 40 some days (I can't recall exactly where the countdown started). But it will count down from that point in days (though I've read others report it may skip around, up or down, a bit as it counts down). When the clock gets to 0 days it will then be preceded by a minus sign as it counts up (as in you are this many days late on your service).
At -365 days, the PCM will send a signal to the SKREEM module to disable the starter to avoid damaging the engine until the FSS is reset (just kidding, I made that last sentence up).
Back when Crossfires were stacked up on dealer lots and selling slowly some new Crossfire owners were surprised to learn their Crossfires needed service right away as indicated by the wrench and clock.
Me, three! That's two new learnings today. A third will send me "over the edge"!
Seriously, I typically do the 2-yr oil change. And like VALK, usually drive up my ramps after taking a short spin to get everything up to temperature. And I also prefer to perform the oil change "like my dad taught me". (Note: Never can find the oil filer when I'm under the car!)
I have seen this wrench/clock warning before, but never really gave it much attention other than to know it was telling me to perform the oil change soon.
Seriously, I typically do the 2-yr oil change. And like VALK, usually drive up my ramps after taking a short spin to get everything up to temperature. And I also prefer to perform the oil change "like my dad taught me". (Note: Never can find the oil filer when I'm under the car!)
I have seen this wrench/clock warning before, but never really gave it much attention other than to know it was telling me to perform the oil change soon.
All fine and dandy until a 2008 (like mine) comes along with a lifetime powertrain warranty (LPW), and the oil service interval exceeds the 1 year mark (fully documented of course with date/odometer reading). We already have FCA screwing us enough, have to tread lightly on this point. So, one year maximum (time, not mileage) limit for this 08 first owner. Don't drive it enough for the 'miles driven' milestone. If you have the LPW, be careful to maintain it correctly. One member (can't remember who) did not have his 5 year mandatory service check done and lost his LPW.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 862
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
All fine and dandy until a 2008 (like mine) comes along with a lifetime powertrain warranty (LPW), and the oil service interval exceeds the 1 year mark (fully documented of course with date/odometer reading). We already have FCA screwing us enough, have to tread lightly on this point. So, one year maximum (time, not mileage) limit for this 08 first owner. Don't drive it enough for the 'miles driven' milestone. If you have the LPW, be careful to maintain it correctly. One member (can't remember who) did not have his 5 year mandatory service check done and lost his LPW. I read the LPW overview that Chrysler would post online back then and was curious what is actually in the actual contract. For example, when your Crossfire is 30 years old and the engine fails, what do you actually get in return? Are they going to pay someone to rebuild the engine or buy you a reconditioned one? A new one? Do they stipulate limitations on reimbursement anywhere in that contract? For example, I've seen other lifetime warranty contracts that basically state that reimbursement is only up to some specific guide average value of the vehicle itself, at which point a cash settlement is made. In those cases, the warranty is better than nothing, but it still provides a diminishing return. What's the Crossfire LPW state? I could see in another 10 years someone filing a claim with FCA and them saying you get NADA (so to speak) - which by then might be $2K.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,323
Likes: 775
From: Central South Carolina
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
Good point!!! You wouldn't want to give them any excuses to void your warranty.
I read the LPW overview that Chrysler would post online back then and was curious what is actually in the actual contract. For example, when your Crossfire is 30 years old and the engine fails, what do you actually get in return? Are they going to pay someone to rebuild the engine or buy you a reconditioned one? A new one? Do they stipulate limitations on reimbursement anywhere in that contract? For example, I've seen other lifetime warranty contracts that basically state that reimbursement is only up to some specific guide average value of the vehicle itself, at which point a cash settlement is made. In those cases, the warranty is better than nothing, but it still provides a diminishing return. What's the Crossfire LPW state? I could see in another 10 years someone filing a claim with FCA and them saying you get NADA (so to speak) - which by then might be $2K.
I read the LPW overview that Chrysler would post online back then and was curious what is actually in the actual contract. For example, when your Crossfire is 30 years old and the engine fails, what do you actually get in return? Are they going to pay someone to rebuild the engine or buy you a reconditioned one? A new one? Do they stipulate limitations on reimbursement anywhere in that contract? For example, I've seen other lifetime warranty contracts that basically state that reimbursement is only up to some specific guide average value of the vehicle itself, at which point a cash settlement is made. In those cases, the warranty is better than nothing, but it still provides a diminishing return. What's the Crossfire LPW state? I could see in another 10 years someone filing a claim with FCA and them saying you get NADA (so to speak) - which by then might be $2K.
Being a recent FCA cynic, I think they will pull the 'car is not worth the cost of repairs' (lifetime meaning some 'out-of-the-blue' time limit). And of course pretty soon a FCA water pump replacement will exceed that (given some of the invoices I have seen reported in the posts here). Never again will I hitch up to this failing company (until a top to bottom management replacement WITH HISTORY of better products/services realized)!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,585
Likes: 763
From: Orange County CA.
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
I agree with wanting to suspend the contaminants by running the engine until warm however my understanding about multi viscosity oil is, it is thinner when cold "0" and thicker when hot "40"? In the old days with straight 20, 30 or 40 weight it would get thinner when hot. That is why multi viscosity was developed.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 647
From: Ontario
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
I agree with wanting to suspend the contaminants by running the engine until warm however my understanding about multi viscosity oil is, it is thinner when cold "0" and thicker when hot "40"? In the old days with straight 20, 30 or 40 weight it would get thinner when hot. That is why multi viscosity was developed.
There was a post just the other day that explained it all very well, posted by Maxcichon click here to view it.
Find it and read it, there will be a test tomorrow morning after recess.
Save
Save
Save
Last edited by onehundred80; Jul 11, 2016 at 05:14 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 843
From: Upstate SC
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
I agree with wanting to suspend the contaminants by running the engine until warm however my understanding about multi viscosity oil is, it is thinner when cold "0" and thicker when hot "40"? In the old days with straight 20, 30 or 40 weight it would get thinner when hot. That is why multi viscosity was developed.
Dating myself somewhat, I remember "the good old days" when my dad ran a 30W oil during summer & a 20W oil during winter.
The video is really good!
Last edited by dedwards0323; Jul 12, 2016 at 06:10 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 647
From: Ontario
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
Some of us are old enough to learn something having forgot that we learned it some years ago.
.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,323
Likes: 775
From: Central South Carolina
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
??? The only question I dare not ask, wait, what was I going to say? Dang-it! ???
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 261
Likes: 2
From: Concord
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
I agree with wanting to suspend the contaminants by running the engine until warm however my understanding about multi viscosity oil is, it is thinner when cold "0" and thicker when hot "40"? In the old days with straight 20, 30 or 40 weight it would get thinner when hot. That is why multi viscosity was developed.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 843
From: Upstate SC
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
I downloaded a couple of other videos from the same speaker. Actually, a good series of talks.
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: St. Cloud, FL.
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
When I bought my car, a couple of months ago, the oil had just been changed by the dealer who sold the car. In the FSS display, I have a clock, wrench and -730 showing, which I discovered means the FSS wasn't reset. I have tried to reset it by using the instructions and I've had no luck. Can the dealer do it a different way or are there any other tricks to get it reset?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 647
From: Ontario
Re: Crossfire Oil Change
When I bought my car, a couple of months ago, the oil had just been changed by the dealer who sold the car. In the FSS display, I have a clock, wrench and -730 showing, which I discovered means the FSS wasn't reset. I have tried to reset it by using the instructions and I've had no luck. Can the dealer do it a different way or are there any other tricks to get it reset?
The dealer will charge you an arm and a leg to do this, learn now and save money.
