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Told Mobil 1 0w20 Oil Not Compatible With 5.7 Hemi at Dealership Service Department

22K views 19 replies 11 participants last post by  whatevrworks 
#1 ·
Just returned from the dealership a little steamed this afternoon. I brought my new WK2 in for its first oil change today, and brought my own Mobil 1 0w20 oil (7 quarts) and a K&N HP-2010 filter. As I waited in the reception area for the work to be completed, their service manager came out to tell me that the oil was not compatible with my engine, and it would "screw-up/destroy" my engine. The dealership stated that 5w20 oil was the only compatible oil for the engine, since it has MDS. I then told them that this is ridiculous, and as a mechanical engineer, find this amusing. I then asked the service department to take my vehicle off of the lift, and I would go elsewhere - they told me that they had already drained the engine oil. I was forced to use their overpriced Mobil 1 5w20 oil, and leave less than impressed (feeling a little scammed).

Who is correct here? Is Mobil 1 0w20 oil not compatible with the 5.7L Hemi with MDS? The Mobil 1 0w20 container states that it meets the Chrysler MS-6395 specification.

I will contact Chrysler on Monday and ask the same question. Any insight would be appreciated.
 
#13 ·
I swear those people see anything aftermarket and they then forgot how to work on cars :mad:

The tech at my bodyshop said that my HID lights didn't fit right..... when I got the car I was able to snap it in just like the OEMs :rolleyes:

I spoke with the Amsoil tech and he stated that the dealers are told this and don't question it. It's just gospel to them, he went on to explain why the 0W-20 is just fine, it's the weight that works the MDS. The 10W or 0W in this case just means it will work that much better in colder climates (As an example) And no I don't want to start an oil thread debate but I think the dealers are just not that knowledable. They simply re-state what they are told. I have been running 0W-20 in the Limited for over a month and if there is anything wrong with it you can't tell. The MDS works fine.


As I posted in the tread "biggest dissapointment" my dissapointment has largely been the dealers themselves. Every car I have ever owned has had some type of issue minor issues and it's the dealers that are supposed to make it right. But all too often it's the dealers that either can't fix the problem or don't know 1/8 as much as we do about their own damn TSB's.
did you get better gas mileage?
 
#6 ·
I spoke with the Amsoil tech and he stated that the dealers are told this and don't question it. It's just gospel to them, he went on to explain why the 0W-20 is just fine, it's the weight that works the MDS. The 10W or 0W in this case just means it will work that much better in colder climates (As an example) And no I don't want to start an oil thread debate but I think the dealers are just not that knowledable. They simply re-state what they are told. I have been running 0W-20 in the Limited for over a month and if there is anything wrong with it you can't tell. The MDS works fine.


As I posted in the tread "biggest dissapointment" my dissapointment has largely been the dealers themselves. Every car I have ever owned has had some type of issue minor issues and it's the dealers that are supposed to make it right. But all too often it's the dealers that either can't fix the problem or don't know 1/8 as much as we do about their own damn TSB's.
 
#7 ·
In Northern Illinois, it gets darn cold :) Thought it would be easier on the start-ups. Also, I plan on going back home to northern Manitoba in the near future for the holidays, and it is usually -40 there.
 
#8 ·
the reason I ask is becasue the people who "designed and build" the hemi(engineers) say that 5w-20 is the best with the mds. It has been made pretty evident any time an engineer has been asked. Me personally wouldnt want to pay for engine repairs just in case the 0w-20 isnt what it "seems" I have also heard of other owners using different weight oils in the hemi's with MDS and the mds acts up until they switch back. I have no idea why it would be so finicky.....weird of you ask me.
 
#9 ·
After some digging on BTOG site I found the following:

A technical service bulletin (TSB) - 09-015-04 and 09-013-04 - says: “Vehicles with the Multiple Displacement System must use SAE 5W-20 oil. Failure to do so may result in improper operation of the MDS.”
 
#12 · (Edited)
I have gone onto Ram truck sites, BTOG and a few others and it's being discussed. But there are a lot of opinions but not real hard answers. I don't know, it seems some of the arguments are around using 30-40 but not so much 0W? Maybe the fact is that 0W hasn't been tested so they stick with what was? Some have said that if it meets the spec it's ok but then some say the MDS is the deciding factor. I think the real question is does 0W cause any issues with the MDS whether functionality or does it possibly cause it some kind of damage over time. I don't think there is an answer to that beyond opinion, the dealers will stick to their line and everyone has their opinion. Mine is that 0W-20 should be fine, until I hear differently. I guess if by some chance it actually does cause an issue I'll spin on a Mopar filter and take in and have them warranty it... not sure what else to do other then cave and go back to 5W.
 
#14 ·
I'm surprised that ANY dealer would accept oil or filters that you bring in the door for them to install. (Kinda like the old joke where you bring your own ham and eggs into a restaurant....not gonna happen!!)

No offense.....but, I don't think they are out of line to refuse to install your stuff....whether the viscosity is correct or not. I if ran a service department or owned a dealership, I would refuse your parts too.

:slapfight:
 
#15 ·
I can definitely see the point of view of the dealer, they follow their tech orders or the specs for the engine they have in front of them. They are probably looking at it from a liability standpoint that if down the line your engine goes you may come back and say they should have told you 0w-20 was the wrong viscosity. Regardless of what you told them to do.

I understand you wanting to use the 0w-20 to maybe have easier starts and or get better gas mileage (debatable). If you are concerned with extreme cold you could have the engine block heater added, its fairly inexpensive.

But the ultimate solution, especially since you are a mechanical engineer you most likely have some basic mechanical skills. Why not change your own oil, then you can dump in anything you want. Oil drain pan costs about 4 bucks, and a filter wrench and wrench to fit the oil drain plug is maybe another 10 bucks. Even if you dont have a garage you can do it in 15-20 minutes max.
 
#17 ·
Thank you everyone for the answers. I know that we don't live in a "black and white world". I was just wondering what the issue was with the MDS and the 0w as opposed to the 5w for the cold temperature viscosity profile. There must be a very compelling reason for it - now that I know that the Chrysler manuals state that only 5w20 oil is to be used.

When summer rolls around once again, I will change my own oil out in the driveway. I just thought it would be nice to do it at the dealership where it was warm in the waiting room, and I didn't have to lie out on my back in the snow :)

Until I hear back from Chrysler engineering, I will definitely use 5w20 oil. I don't want to wreck anything, or be blamed for using the wrong oil viscosity.

As far as me bringing in my own stuff, the service department could have simply told me that that was not allowed - and I would have respected their right to do so. I did pay them a fair price for the labour to install the components - I did not ask for any services for free. I have purchased my slush mats, my cargo mat, my pedal dress-up kit, my chrome fog bezels, and my splash guards at the dealership (and did not balk at the mark-up).

The Boy They Call "Roaster"
 
#18 ·
Well, there's no reason they shouldn't install your parts if they charge their normal labor rate. My shop does that all the time and it saves me from lubing my hands as well as having to dispose of the old oil and filter. I'll still stick with the 0-20W in northern New England. The MSD will respond quicker in the cold weather.
 
#19 ·
The dealer should have advised you prior to draining your oil, but they were acting in their own interest (correctly I might add) to protect themselves from any repair liability down the road that might, however remotely, be traced to a claim that they did not fill your engine with 5w20 even if you said you wanted them to do so.

Maybe a bit OT for this thread, but can anyone confirm what oil is in the Hemi from the factory? I "heard" 5W20 Mobil1 comes as the factory fill for the Hemi but have not been able to confirm this.
 
#20 ·
Maybe a bit OT for this thread, but can anyone confirm what oil is in the Hemi from the factory? I "heard" 5W20 Mobil1 comes as the factory fill for the Hemi but have not been able to confirm this.
That's what I was told by a stealer as well. Mobil 1 is what I use in all my vehicles but the reason I don't think it's a factory fill is that Mobil brags about which cars it IS a factory fill for and this jeep is not/not yet listed although I thought I saw srt8 on the list in the past. Back in July or august someone on here called customer service and was never able to get a real answer they were told its a "quality" oil but who knows what they consider quality.
That's why I only let it have a quality attempt at lubing my engine for a total of 1000 miles. :)
 
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