Coming up on 500 miles and first oil change

[Turbo63]

In a day or two my Viper will have 500 miles on it and it will be time for an oil change - I live in Bucks County Pa and bought the viper from Bill Pemberton and the great guys at Woodhouse - I called around and a large multi brand dealer Reedman Toll Autoworld advised me they have several Viper Techs on staff - Knowing that our Viper community is relatively small and widespread I was wondering if anyone can confirm this fact or has had their Viper serviced at Reedman Toll. I am a WV/PA VCA Member - is there anyway to check it through Dodge? Certainly appreciate the help - I want to make sure my baby is well taken car of! Thank you!

Tony

 

[Racer Robbie]

ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT JUST BECAUSE A DODGE DEALER SELLS VIPERS DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE IS VIPER CERTIFIED. i ONLY KNOW OF 1 IN CONNECTICUT BUT EVERY DEALER SELLS THEM. DC NEEDS TO PUT A STOP TO THIS.

 

[29OUTLAW]

Why does someone need to be Viper certified to unscrew an oil filter. I’ve been doing it for 30 years. Sounds like Viper Tax to me.

 

[vincent_esq]

The only thing that is harder to do an oil change with the viper than with other cars is that it is so much lower. You will need a jack that goes down to below 5 inches. Otherthan that, no harder than any other cars.

 

[Ron Hickey]

Got to agree with 29Outlaw -- oil change is not brain surgery, especially on a Gen III. However, you do want someone who's done this before. If some junior mechanic misplaces a lift arm, he could bend a side sill or worse. I also suggest you go down to a local auto parts store and get 11 quarts of 0W40 Mobil One and take it in with you. Most dealers do not stock Mobil One, so they send someone down to the nearest Mobil station to buy the oil at inflated prices, and then charge you the standard markup on top of that. If you supply the oil and the dealer supplies the filter (nothing wrong with the stock Mopar filter), the change should be under $20. Oh, and don't forget to tip the Viper tech.

 

[Jerome Sparich]

Tony, Do Not take it to Reedman Toll. I just bought new Dodge truck from them last month, it was on the showroom floor when I bought it. Well lets just say that when they "detailed" it, it was worse then when it was on the floor. Burned clearcoat, filthy, and scratched. Was not like this before they touched it.

That is one example of the idiots they have working there. I have bought a few vehicles from them, and they always find a way to 'f something up. From the service department, to parts, to detailing, to even the titles department. I won't even get into what trouble that has caused me.

My salesman was jumping thru hoops to make things right for me. But I said no thanks, they did this when they delivered it, what makes me think a second chance will be any better. They will never even see the truck again for anything. Warranty work (I hope I don't need any) or service that I can't perform, which is not but a few things.

Bottom line, do it yourself. It is a piece of cake to change the oil.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

The way I do it is painfully simple and inexpensive: Find a quick lube joint that has a drive-over pit with a low lip around it. See what they would charge to change your oil if you supply the oil and filter. Drive it in and out yourself, as well as open and close the hood yourself. They never touch the car other than the filter, plug, and oil cap. And request that the manager do the actual change (they usually insist on it anyway) while you keep an eye on the car.

I buy my oil for $4.29 a quart (Mobil 1) and have it changed at (GASP!) Walmart. They charge me something like $8.60 for the oil change and will not (cannot) accept a tip - although I offer every time. I decided to go this route after I saw a GTS/R on a lift at an older Walmart - also for an oil change. No way I would trust anybody to put it on a lift - even my local Dodge dealer makes me nervous.

 

[Racer Robbie]

guys, I was not really speaking of oil changes but we all need to be carefull of non viper certified deaalers, that sell mvipers, servicing our cars