Went to the dealer today for an oil change (which by the way was $14, if you provide the oil and filter) and when I got home I checked the remote oil sensor and it said "HI" which in the manual says you need to "drain excess oil to prevent damage to the engine or catalytic converter". I opened the hood and sure enough, the oil level came up to the very top of the red plastic piece, well past the MAX level. Is it possible that they put in all 9 quarts instead of 8.5? This would be crazy, but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

More than likely they did that. Next time demand the 1/2 quart back so for sure they won't overfill. Take it back to them and make them drain it. It's their fault.

 

Now you know why it only cost $14.

 

brhertel if you have access to a Topsider Oil Extractor it would be a lot easier to draw out a half a quart then take it back to the dealer. If you don't have one I recommend getting one and doing your own oil changes, it makes oil changes quick, clean and painless. IF you do your own oil changes you know it's been done correctly.

 

I really need to get one, how much are they? I've had it up to here with the dealer!!!

 

I know everyone has complained about dealers but mine is great, and I have a coupon book with 36 free oil changes or 3 years what ever comes first. I had my first oil change and it was great, they used the right oil and changed the filter and topped all fluids and checked air in tires. I was there about 45 minutes. I will say that Chrysler does not wash the car as some dealers, but I am glad for that because I want to wash it.

 

They are about $50 from Overton's, a lot cheaper, quicker and easier then the $300 aluminum low profile ramps I was using. Now I only use the ramps to replace the fog light when they get broke.

 

Well the rip off merchants I purchased my car from (Kent: U.K.) just asked £500 for the service B (or $875 colonial money). So obviously going elsewhere.

 

Now that's totally insane...

 

I bought an electric oil change pump at Bass Pro for $20. The unit empties the engine in less than 10 minutes, but will only work when the oil is hot, like I'd ever change it when cold. I found that a used cat litter bottle is more than adequately large to hold the output, as the pump just has a hose to feed to your own disposal container. At least Autozone takes the litter bottle with oil for recycling.

 

I just had my oil changed as well and it cost me $87.00 with coupon. My dealer did a great job (for once), but the one thing I noticed is that I had to pay for all 9 bottles and they just through the other half away. Oh well.

 

RickB I was wondering how well the electric suction pumps worked. What's another $20 bucks, I'll have to order one tonight. I am about due for another oil change almost 4,000 miles. I know the oil is synthetic but I am a little obsessive compulsive when it comes to maintenance, besides when you do it yourself it only cost about $50 for the oil and filter.

 

This may sound like a dumb question, and I probably should know the correct answer, but I don't. So I'll just throw it out there.

I too always get the engine up to normal operating temp before I change the oil. But with 0W-40 weight oil, wouldn't the viscosity of the oil be at "0" thus making it more liquid (and easier to flow) if the temp of the oil was cold when you drained it?
On the other hand, if the viscosity of the oil is lower when it's cold, then why does my oil pressure gauge (in another vehicle) always read higher when I start the engine, and goes down as the engine warms up?

I'm not a Petro engineer, or scientist, so if any of you know the scientific answer to this question, could you put it in "layman's terms" so I can understand it?

Thanks