Differential Fluid Schedule??

[wendy17]

I have a 2004 JGC Laredo. The maintenance schedule on diff fluid changes is every 12,000 miles. I shift into 4WD approx 15 times a year, just to drive in the snow on the road up to the Rocky Mountain ski resorts. I have 24,000 miles on my car right now and the dealership is suggesting a service, per the schedule. It seems unneccesary to me, as my vehicle is pretty light duty. I don't want to get taken for a ride here...the dealership will do the service for $385 (originally $425 but we talked them down....which to me is a sign right there....)
I would love some feedback from someone who knows....THANKS!!!!!

[gregmondro]

Originally Posted by wendy17

I have a 2004 JGC Laredo. The maintenance schedule on diff fluid changes is every 12,000 miles. I shift into 4WD approx 15 times a year, just to drive in the snow on the road up to the Rocky Mountain ski resorts. I have 24,000 miles on my car right now and the dealership is suggesting a service, per the schedule. It seems unneccesary to me, as my vehicle is pretty light duty. I don't want to get taken for a ride here...the dealership will do the service for $385 (originally $425 but we talked them down....which to me is a sign right there....)
I would love some feedback from someone who knows....THANKS!!!!!

recommended is 30k miles.
http://www.wjjeeps.com/service/maintenance_wj.htm

if you don't think you're giving the diff's too hard of a time, hold off on it a little.

When you do decide that it is time, do it yourself and save a ton of money. There's a ton of instructional websites that will show you what lube to use (1st link mentioned it, if you tow you should use synthetic of a different weight) and exactly how to go about doing it and have it seal up without leaks.

If you do decide to do it yourself, be advised, differential oil STINKS!

Best of luck

[wendy17]

Thanks for your help....I thought it sounded sketchy!!

[gregmondro]

not really sketchy. It is around the time to do it (give or take 5k miles) according to the regular maitenance schedule.

Just depends if you want to blow the money on it at the dealership right now or not.

[xj31]

read your owners manual,it says 12,000 miles

[Ray H]

If its never been changed, I would go ahead and do it. There could be alot of crap in the original break in oils left over from manufacturing and break in. You may not use 4X4 but the front diff is still turning whether you are in 4X4 or not. That being said, theres no way I would pay someone $300-$400 to do this. Its only about a 2 hour job for a novice. I dont know about you but its worth $200/hr for me to crawl under and get dirty.
While I would never encourage anyone to spend $400 for this job, I dont think they are trying to rip you off, I think they are just following the maintenance schedule. You would be surprised how many people would just drive for 100000+ miles with no maintenance at all if they werent reminded.
I dont know what your demographic is (Wendy17) could be a teenage female, doesnt really matter, if you dont have a physical handicap that prevents it, get some old cloths on and some basic tools and crawl under and do it. An internet search should reveal the knowledge you need, if not, ask here and Im sure myself and many others would be glad to give you a step by step.