Diesel oil changes cost more but have nearly double the mileage interval. Long term you have no spark plugs or other related ignition system maintenance. Engine runs at a much lower RPM so wear over the same mileage is less with the diesel and diesels tend to get better with age as the parts wear in and everything loosens up a bit.

Anything can happen as every engine is unique but I would go with the diesel if you plan on keeping it long term although with the new emissions systems it is still too early to see how they handle truly long term (500k+) like you see with some of the older pre-DEF Cummins and Ford diesels.

 

Yes, I know they cost more because I owned a 08 Jeep GC diesel... if I remember correctly, it was about $125? Canadian for the oil change.... now though, you also have to add the cost of the urea/ad blue for the emissions as well.... the reason I was asking about service costs was because I was also looking at the Benz GLE 350 diesel and our local Benz dealer tends to overcharge for diesel service calls.... the salesman told me the second and fourth service intervals are around $700 Canadian for the diesel....

 

My dealer is in the $140USD range but I have yet to pay for an oil change.

Given the rest of the drivetrain is practically identical in regards to service costs the only other different service is the fuel filter/water separator which requires an inspection/drain but not necessarily a replacement. Compared to paying for spark plugs I would consider that a wash.

In regards to DEF the cost is negligible. 8 gallons (tank volume) will last you the 10k oil change interval. You can buy DEF from the dealer for $$$ or fill up at a truck stop for a few dollars a gallon. Either way it is not a huge expense compared to the money spent on diesel.

 

yes, the oil changes have probably gone up in Ontario too since my 08 so they are probably about the same as yours I would imagine... Yes, I am not too concerned about the DEF cost given that it is not a big deal...

 

Here is another thread regarding the schedule:

http://www.jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=70431

 

IIRC gas models have same oil change schedule as the diesel.
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 - Maintenance information and schedules

The Diesel is a wash on most issues. If you buy DEF from the dealer they want $30-$40 for the 2.5 gallon - get it from the auto parts store for cheap just make sure it meets the specs and has a recent production number. Only add 2.5 gallons at a time and don't fill up tank unless you live in cold climate as it's perishable (especially if you live in hot climates and park it for long time outside in the sun where it can go bad very quickly).

Oil changes cost more but I put synthetic in my gas and diesel vehicles. Spark plugs are cheap so not much of a cost to most people who can afford these trucks.

Fuel mileage is where the diesel really makes a big difference. I can get 800 miles to a tank highway and my bladder cannot hold out that long (it's amazing to see 34-36 mpg highway when keeping it under 70 mph). Compared to my friend with the v6 (low 20's combined) and v8 non-srt8 (mid teens combined) within the same living area and traffic the diesel get's mid 20's combined. The way I see it as I get the torque of a big v8 and fuel economy of a 4 cylinder Cute Ute. Towing it's even more of a slaughter for the diesel as it will destroy any gas truck or suv towing the same trailer. Hell I get 20 mpg highway towing a 14x7 enclosed 5,500 trailer if I keep it at 65 mph or slower. Even crawling along on 2 lane roads and going 45-55 mph I've seen 40+ mpg over long stretches with little need to slow or stop.

 

With the GC Summit one can raise the vehicle up to the highest setting and fairly easily do your own oil change. There is a convenient opening in the underbelly panels to get at the drain. Oils that meet Jeep specs are now available for about $50 for 8 quarts, the filters and O rings are way down in price. Whole change costs less then a $90. Nothing else in the Mopar required maintenance other than tire rotation.

AdBlue available $10 for 2.5 gallons, often on sale.

Fuel mileage makes the big difference.

Love my GC Summit diesel.

 

Also don't forget about fuel filters, myself and others are changing them every 30k or every year. Costs around $250-$300 at the dealer. They aren't difficult to replace yourself, but don't use ebay filters.

Gas engine, i've rarely replaced a fuel filter on one of them. My colorado it was non replaceable, apart of the fuel pump bucket etc.

 

Fuel filters on the diesel are 'inspect/replace when necessary' on a 50k cycle. With a provision to drain water more often when using biodiesel. Why would you change the filter annually? At minimum I would say replace on the 50k cycle.

 

Back of the owner's manual says replace every 30k. Not really sure where the 50k is coming from....

 

There appear to be differences between the owners manual and the maintenance schedule link listed above.

 

What's different?

 

The fuel filter. The linked site says 'Inspect and replace if necessary'. The manual just says replace. I take that as having two different meanings. The manual appears to be overly cautious to just say replace.

 

I replaced mine at 28k miles and that think was like as black as asphalt. I think 30k is pushing it honestly. The RAM Ecodiesel had a TSB that adjusted theirs to like every 15k or 20k miles. A $26 filter is cheaper than replacing the injectors.

 

Agreed.... I changed them at 25k and they needed it. Not hard at all and will do every 25K max as clean fuel is critical to these engines.....


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Changed mine at around 28,000 miles and that is a long time for fuel filters.
My Super Duty was like 10,000 miles so I thought this was a huge improvement.


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