Hello, just my $0.02 and my first post on BITOG!!
We just bought a new 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan with 3.6L Pentastar. I've been trying to figure out what oil I am going to use in this thing for my future oil changes. Looking at the owner's manual, it says in the maintenance section:
"We recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR, Pennzoil, and Shell Helix. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade."
The word "recommend" sounds like it gives you some flexibility, but if you look at the actual warranty booklet, the wording on page 15 is a bit more explicit:
"Your warranties don't cover the costs of repairing damage caused by poor or improper maintenance. Nor do they cover damage caused by the use of contaminated fuels, or by the use of fuels, oils, lubricants, cleaners or fluids other than those recommended in your Owner's Manual."
I went online and looked at both the user guide and the warranty information for the JGC, and it matches what it says for the DGC word for word.
I am quite confident that 0W-20 would be just fine, and might actually extend engine life in the long run, especially if you have harsh winters like we do here in Iowa. Cold starts at -15 degrees F are really hard on an engine, so the sooner you can get that oil flowing, the better.
That being said, if you had to make a warranty claim for engine failure, it looks like using anything other than MS-6395 certified 5W-20 could be Chrysler's out if they really wanted to stick it to you.
Is a dealer going to split hairs on that? As long as you have proof of regular maintenance, probably not; warranty work is a cash cow for them. Not to mention that word of mouth can be the best, or the worst advertising for them.
Have a great day!
We just bought a new 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan with 3.6L Pentastar. I've been trying to figure out what oil I am going to use in this thing for my future oil changes. Looking at the owner's manual, it says in the maintenance section:
"We recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR, Pennzoil, and Shell Helix. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade."
The word "recommend" sounds like it gives you some flexibility, but if you look at the actual warranty booklet, the wording on page 15 is a bit more explicit:
"Your warranties don't cover the costs of repairing damage caused by poor or improper maintenance. Nor do they cover damage caused by the use of contaminated fuels, or by the use of fuels, oils, lubricants, cleaners or fluids other than those recommended in your Owner's Manual."
I went online and looked at both the user guide and the warranty information for the JGC, and it matches what it says for the DGC word for word.
I am quite confident that 0W-20 would be just fine, and might actually extend engine life in the long run, especially if you have harsh winters like we do here in Iowa. Cold starts at -15 degrees F are really hard on an engine, so the sooner you can get that oil flowing, the better.
That being said, if you had to make a warranty claim for engine failure, it looks like using anything other than MS-6395 certified 5W-20 could be Chrysler's out if they really wanted to stick it to you.
Is a dealer going to split hairs on that? As long as you have proof of regular maintenance, probably not; warranty work is a cash cow for them. Not to mention that word of mouth can be the best, or the worst advertising for them.
Have a great day!
