Vehicle SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING

How much was the filter? The last time I had the oil changed on our T&C, they didn't stock it, said it was a "special filter". I had to go to Auto Shack and buy one for $18. Add the cost of the oil change to that (they gave me a $2.00 credit for the filter), I would have been better off taking it to a Chrysler dealer.

BrettP said:

I paid $11.12 plus tax for this filter and O-Ring at the dealer. He said it was the same filter as earlier Pentastar engines (since 2014). I haven't tried installing it though.

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Thanks, I could have gotten it a few dollars cheaper, but Auto Shack was the closest parts store. Regardless, it's still a bit pricey for an oil filter seeing as how it's the same one.

BrettP said:

I just checked RockAuto and they sell 2017 Pacifca oil filters (including o-ring) for about 4 bucks each.

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Makes sense. At that price, I can buy a couple and don't have to worry about not having one when I need it.

Thanks for the input....

Wow, thanks for this input. I don't change my own oil, I think, no, I know that if I got under the vehicle on my back, that I'd never be able to get back up on my own. Anyway, I usually don't pay attention to what brand of oil they use where I go. Although Pennzoil is a common choice around here, I'll be sure to check with the shop we normally use before having it changed.

generaltso said:

Interesting. Well, when I need my first oil change, I'll hand the dealer a $29 coupon and see what happens. I'll be prepared to be disappointed when it costs more than $29 for the required synthetic oil.

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Heck, even Walmart charges $49 for full synthetic, I would expect the same for other quick-change places. I've got a $75 credit for oil changes with my dealer from my Cherokee, I'm hoping that he'll honor that for the Pacifica.

JPhi said:

I shudder at the thought of a Walmart oil change on my new van... just consider that a lot of the people at these quick oil change places have little experience and are racing to get the job done asap. Mistakes are made, wrong oils are used.

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I used Walmart once in my lifetime and had to run to Auto Zone to get a filter since they didn't stock it. I remember using a different quick-change once or twice a number of years ago, but things were different then. No synthetic or blend, just oil, maybe you had a choice of brand or viscosity that's all. Not like now days. And I agree, be careful who's working on your vehicle, best to know rather than trying to save a few minutes or a few bucks.

generaltso said:

With all these reports of how easy it is to change the oil and filter in the Pacifica and the fact that synthetic oil changes at the dealer are expensive, I'm starting to think I should just do them myself. Which oil extractor is everyone using?

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Don't know if DIY is that much cheaper. We've got a few places here, one of which we've used a lot for oil changes in the past, are touting $49.95 full synthetic changes. The one we usually go to is including tire rotation and fuel treatment. There is a $3.50 "shop fee", but all-in-all, not much difference in buying the oil and filter and doing the job yourself. Yeah, I suppose our dealer would be charging in the $80 range, but even then, I see an occasional discount coupon for there.

As an early adapter (build date 5/16), I had my first oil change, and yes, it took all of 6 quarts of full synthetic. However, I was a bit curious and found this in the owner's manual:

You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recommended
oil quality requirements are met, and the recommended
maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are
followed.

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Note the word, "may", implying that full synthetic is not a requirement, but an option unless there is a later edition specifying otherwise....

generaltso said:

Well, technically synthetic oil is not required. But since 0W-20 is required and it only seems to come in synthetic, we don't have much of a choice. If somebody does start to manufacturer 0W-20 conventional oil, we should be okay using it.

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Got your point, I hadn't considered anything else anyway, but I was also wondering about what really is the advantage of synthetic oil. Save the environment? Better lubrication? Improves gas mileage? Or perhaps, none of these. I hadn't thought about where synthetic oil comes from or how they make it until I was looking at a banner while waiting for my oil change, and it said, "first synthetic oil to be made from natural gas". So that one is still a byproduct of our underground natural resources; is the rest made from old grocery bags, composting garbage or what? Just curious.

Thanks, I've read through these and a few other articles and surprised that "synthetic" oil is derived from so many different sources from rearranging the structure of petroleum oil, to using methane, natural gas or other mineral products as its source. I'm also surprised that the process originated back during WWII, about the same time we were using synthetic rubber for tires.

I can see the benefits, won't sludge or gum up, longer life, and an oil change isn't that much more expensive, maybe $15-20 more than what the regular ones run.

dabrandt22 said:

The total cost of an oil change is a function of how often it is done, or how many miles driven per oil change.
In general, most owners will go approx double the mileage on a full synthetic vs regular petroleum oil, for example 8,000 miles vs 4,000 miles.
I change my own oil, and go 5,000 miles, as it is very simple to keep track at 5,10,15,20, etc, and the cost of an oil change is relatively low compared to the total cost of operating a vehicle.

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I figured this one cost me under a penny a mile. As for doing it myself, there are lots of things I'd like to still be able to do, but age has made most of them just wishful thinking.

generaltso said:

This should last a while

https://www.amazon.com/Pennzoil-550...qid=1488037981&sr=1-8&keywords=Pennzoil+0w-20

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Love it, they got me at free shipping. That should last me about 250,000 miles, that is, if I did my own oil changes and the state would allow me to keep a driver's license that long.....

generaltso said:

Of course, if you do the math it works out to over $10 a quart. That's more expensive than buying it in 5 quart jugs. Something tells me they don't sell a lot of those drums

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I did, so you know now how they can afford free shipping at those prices. It always amazes me at some of the prices set on Amazon or eBay.