Warranty Challenges by doing your own simple maintenance?

[ManyCamaroz]

I searched for a similar topic before asking but didn't find anything so am starting a thread.

 

I bought a used '21 HD2500 LP5 on May 22nd last year in great shape. I have a company truck so I drive it most of the time to run errands etc. since the operating cost for me is zero and it saves fuel/miles on my personal vehicles.

 

I'm am 1,280 miles from my 5k oil change service interval but am at 8% on my oil life indicator. I'm assuming the dealership used a conventional oil when serviced for sale and/or the oil life indicator is looking at time duration by coming up on a year from last change. Does this seem about right?

 

My question is by doing my own oil changes while still under warranty, keeping receipts, oil change records etc. be challenged by GM should I have a major problem?

I have OCD so am meticulous with record keeping and quite capable of this as I've always performed my own maintenance on my vehicles. I've restored cars, built motors, have a nice shop with a 4 post lift and prefer to do most services myself so that I know that it's done right. I've read too many stores of incompetent tech's at the dealerships or quick lubes mucking things up. I'm new at diesel ownership and have run company diesels for years but never worried about the maintenance as it was always done for me.   

 

What are your thoughts?

 

Also, what are your opinions on oil? Knowing this can open a can of worms I'm undecided between T5 or T6 as I don't know the oil used before I acquired it..

 

And thank in advance!

 

Edited April 21 by ManyCamaroz

[bruceb58]

Yes, the OLM uses a combo of accumulated RPMS, miles, time and possibly other parameters to determine oil life. You are hitting the time parameter.

[64BAwagon]

As an example. I dont put a lot of miles on my truck unless we are traveling. It sat last summer for several months and only accrued about 500 miles. In those several months the OLM went from 100% down to 65%  or so with only 500 miles. Over time it seems to go almost as fast when its sitting as it does if I drive it a lot. 

 

[bruceb58]

6 hours ago, 64BAwagon said:

As an example. I dont put a lot of miles on my truck unless we are traveling. It sat last summer for several months and only accrued about 500 miles. In those several months the OLM went from 100% down to 65%  or so with only 500 miles. Over time it seems to go almost as fast when its sitting as it does if I drive it a lot. 

 

Hence the reason "time" is one of the parameters used!!!

 

I was once an engineer for GM and time has been one of the parameters since way back!

Edited April 21 by bruceb58

[64BAwagon]

I understood. thats the point I was making. 

Edited April 22 by 64BAwagon

[bruceb58]

35 minutes ago, 64BAwagon said:

I understood.  hats the point I was making. 

And I was agreeing with you.

[ManyCamaroz]

Thanks for the feedback concerning the OLM.

 

So what do you think about performing your own oil changes?

Has anyone had a failure and was challenged to be covered under the warranty because you do your own oil changes? 

[64BAwagon]

I have heard anecdotal stories but not experienced anything first hand. I had 2 trucks over the years that had engines replaced under warranty for non oil related failures. No one ever questioned me. 

I keep receipts and also take a phone pic with the materials next to the vehicle. Dates and materials are archived. 

Likely overkill but it makes me feel better. 

 

[rdonarski]

I still do my own oil changes, brake work, spark plugs and any other minor repairs that I'm capable of on my vehicles. I keep spreadsheets of all the work I do or have done, milage, date and costs. When I bought my truck, the dealer gave me a free membership to Carfax. Anything dealers do, shows up in there. I also add maintenance records for anything I do.

[txab]

On 4/21/2024 at 9:03 AM, ManyCamaroz said:

 

Also, what are your opinions on oil? Knowing this can open a can of worms I'm undecided between T5 or T6 as I don't know the oil used before I acquired it..

 

And thank in advance!

 

Rotella T6 is good stuff

[PFTX_5.3]

17 hours ago, ManyCamaroz said:

Has anyone had a failure and was challenged to be covered under the warranty because you do your own oil changes? 

Never had a problem with our trucks yet, once the free dealer oil changes are used up they all get done by us in our shop. I'd have to look up the wording of the law but in Texas, you have the right to repair or take it to a third-party shop without voiding warranty.

As @rdonarski said, keep track of everything you do. Carfax will allow you to create records for free as long as you are the owner of the vehicle.

Edited April 26 by PFTX_5.3

[ManyCamaroz]

2 hours ago, rdonarski said:

I still do my own oil changes, brake work, spark plugs and any other minor repairs that I'm capable of on my vehicles. I keep spreadsheets of all the work I do or have done, milage, date and costs. When I bought my truck, the dealer gave me a free membership to Carfax. Anything dealers do, shows up in there. I also add maintenance records for anything I do.

Thank you, I'm glad that you mentioned that as my dealer did the same. A while back I logged into CarFax but could not find the maintenance records tab/area and just found it is CarFax Care Care. I think that I'll photo of the new oil staged with my truck on the lift with the waste oil drain tank placed beneath it. Actually, when I inquired with my dealers service advisor he suggested that as well.  

 

I have always kept meticulous records/spreadsheets on everything that has an engine or wheels/tires. When I sell a vehicle or piece of equipment I provide my spreadsheet to the new owner for their benefit.

 

Much appreciated to all!

Edited April 26 by ManyCamaroz

[sno1]

I've always done my own maintenance.  Always keep a log and save receipts.  I've never had any problems with warranty, never even been asked for records.  Just make sure you use recommended fluids, like oil that has the Dexos rating.

[Leevon]

Here is what I do (I own a shop).  I buy oil and filters from the dealer, keep that invoice, put it together with an invoice I write to myself and record mileage, oil life %, date and time and date the oil filter.  If I ever got questioned in a warranty situation I'm confident.