[Bob Lincoln]

Well, our 2012 Chrysler 200 takes 5W-20 specifically for the variable valve timing, so I can't help you there. We've only had one (free) oil change so far, at the dealer. But the price should be the same for a different viscosity of the same brand and type.

 

[135SoHc]

Most everything now takes 5-20 because of the variable valve timing and/or MDS so the dealerships buy the oil in 55 gallon drum quantity and force its usage on everything. If you read the fine print you may find such a disclaimer that the advertised price is only valid on certain weights of oil and that certain vehicles/engines are exempt.

 

[EWTech]

135SoHc:
I addressed your point in the initial post. I am aware of buying supplies in bulk and then using that to lower running costs. The issue is that this must be against corporate policy for Crysler to allow dealers to decptively lure in cutomers only to install the wrong material in their cars, all under the sanction of being a Chrylser dealership. This is so far wrong that it doesn't matter what fine print there is on the papers they have me sign. It still smacks of fraud. It is the reason so many customers go to the foreign brands: They are treated like customers rather than proles. The dealer has lost me as a customer regardless. If this is SOP for Chrysler dealers in general the company will deserve to lose a lot more.

 

[thedriver]

This is the situation at MOST dealers. My dealership (non Chrysler) make an effort to put the correct oil in because we do not want the liability if the engine fails. Our local Nissan dealer for instance puts the same oil in every vehicle that comes through, no matter what the manufacturer specs out. I can't wait until someone loses the engine on a 2011-up GM product which requires the new Dexos or Mobil 1. Anything else and the warranty is VOIDED. Who will be on the hook? The owner for not getting the right stuff, or the oil change place for using the wrong oil?

 

[CudaPete]

I had a similar situation at the old dealership I used to go to (no longer around). The service adviser explained that the 5/20 was being bought in bulk but they did accomodate my PT by getting 10/30 for it. He did not charge me extra because I was a long time, regular customer. Part of the theory was that many people with older cars do not use the dealer for oil changes so the actual market segment for cars coming in requiring 10/30 was limited and would continue to decrease. It's basically a business decision. They never put in the wrong oil though.