60,000 Mile Maintenance - Am I getting ripped off?

Chicago36V6 · Jul 30, 2025

Purchased our 2018 Durango GT AWD in March of 2024 with 43,000 miles on the clock. From what I can tell mechanically it's been kept in great condition albeit having three previous owners. I am unsure of the exact maintenance history but we have had zero issues. It currently has 60,100 miles as of today. After reading many threads here I decided it was a good idea to do some preventative maintenance as we plan on keeping this for the family well beyond 200,000 miles.

I reached out to our local CDJR dealer to inquire about getting the Front/Rear differentials serviced as well as the transfer case. I don't believe in Lifetime fluids and I see ZF recommends changing the transmission fluid around 60k. I just feel the quote I was provided is extremely high and want to make sure this particular dealer isn't taking me for a ride.

4X4 Service (Replace Fluid Front/Rear Diff & Transfer Case)
Fluids and Labor = $494.82

Transmission Replace Pan/Filter + New Mopar OEM Fluid
Fluids = $374.06
Pan/Filter = $291.84
Labor = $425.00

Total for everything = $1585.72

Is it worth taking to an independent shop? Let me know your thoughts. Appreciate your time in reading and replying!

DurangoCity · Jul 30, 2025

Chicago36V6 said:
Purchased our 2018 Durango GT AWD in March of 2024 with 43,000 miles on the clock. From what I c

Is it worth taking to an independent shop?

That's high even by dealer standards. While it's been a couple years, transmission service on our '15 Durango was less than $750 including the correct lifeguard fluid and factory pan at an independent shop. Front and rear diff fluid changes are exceptionally quick and easy according to the forum. I've no idea what the transfer service it worth but it was very affordable on my 2001 Diesel dually. Go shopping.

Hamsquatch · Jul 30, 2025

I'm with ya OP, but when it comes to stuff like the tranny and diffs, and it's for a vehicle that's under warranty, I kinda feel my hands are tied, and I use the dealer nonetheless.

Have ya given a try at getting an estimate from a dealer one or two towns over, just for comparison?

Hamsquatch · Jul 30, 2025

ETA I recently took in my wife's Infiniti for some regular PM, that included a brake flush as stipulated in the owner's manual. I was kinda shocked at the bottom line, but they did warn me with an estimate. It sucks, but on the other hand I know it was done right (LOL - I know, there's a whole thread in that statement), and it's now in the vehicles service history, and if anything goes south I'm got the dealer to take it right back to.

Don Fox · Jul 30, 2025

Hello C36V6:
Welcome to DDN. Please clarify what warranty is in effect here? I assume you purchased an extended warranty of some type. Hopefully, it was the Dodge backed MVP plan. Either way, that can affect your view on servicing.

As an example, 43k is too early for the 8 speed unless you are having an issue. If that is the case, having the dealer evaluate the issue before you do anything would be the best way, as the dealer might do that service as part of the repair or replacement. ZF, the 8 speed manufacturer, says the fluid/filter interval is 90k ish.

If you by chance bought the lifetime Maxcare before they discontinued it in the Fall of '19, I would not touch the trans. If it fails, they will replace it regardless as long as the cost of the R and R does not exceed the the book value of the vehicle at that time.

The quote for the T case/diffs is silly expensive. You could DIY that for $150 or less.
One more thought. Note that some items are "recommended", not required. In the case of recommended, the dealers hopes you will do them anyway so they can get that much more out of your wallet. Required items are the things you'll want to keep up on so the warranty folks don't have an out should what should be a covered issue arise.

Don

viper74656 · Jul 30, 2025

If you figure the dealer charges 50% markup on parts and $180 per hour on labor, then those prices are about right. Are they crazy high? Yes. Are they in line with stealership pricing structure? Yes.

For example, MOPAR ATF is around $25 per quart online and you need 8 quarts = $200 + 50% dealer markup = $300 in transmission fluid.

The transmission pan itself is $220 on Rockauto.com, so dealer pricing at $291 isn't too bad a rip off.

For diffs and transfer case that's basically all labor cost as the fluids are cheap and the quantities are small. 3 hours at $180 = $540, so $494 means they aren't charging you an hour for each job, which is nice.

Bottom line to the OP, you can save yourself several hundred dollars if you invest in a set of ramps (or good jack and jack stands) and a socket set. This will let you do the diffs and transfer case, and with the money saved you can use boutique fluids like Redline and Amsoil still save money. The jobs are easy enough to do in your driveway. The transmission pan and fluid level check procedure is more advanced; I wouldn't undertake that if you aren't used to working on cars already or have access to a lift. Preventative maintenance is almost always worth it in the long run, so I would recommend making the investment either in your time or your money to get the work done. If you plan on keeping this vehicle out to 200k miles, I recommend learning how to DIY basic work as it makes owning an older vehicle MUCH cheaper when you inevitably need to replace some parts down the line.

Tin Foil Hat · Jul 30, 2025

The dealer price for the trans change is actually about normal for a dealer but you can get it done at an independent shop for about $600. Just make sure they know the ZF method for refilling the transmission. You are a bit early for it but it won't hurt. The other two fluid changes can also be done by the same shop for a lot less.

Chicago36V6 · Jul 30, 2025

Hamsquatch said:
I'm with ya OP, but when it comes to stuff like the tranny and diffs, and it's for a vehicle that's under warranty, I kinda feel my hands are tied, and I use the dealer nonetheless.

Have ya given a try at getting an estimate from a dealer one or two towns over, just for comparison?

I suppose it can't hurt anything so I will definitely do that!

Chicago36V6 · Jul 30, 2025

Don Fox said:
Hello C36V6:
Welcome to DDN. Please clarify what warranty is in effect here? I assume you purchased an extended warranty of some type. Hopefully, it was the Dodge backed MVP plan. Either way, that can affect your view on servicing.

As an example, 43k is too early for the 8 speed unless you are having an issue. If that is the case, having the dealer evaluate the issue before you do anything would be the best way, as the dealer might do that service as part of the repair or replacement. ZF, the 8 speed manufacturer, says the fluid/filter interval is 90k ish.

If you by chance bought the lifetime Maxcare before they discontinued it in the Fall of '19, I would not touch the trans. If it fails, they will replace it regardless as long as the cost of the R and R does not exceed the the book value of the vehicle at that time.

The quote for the T case/diffs is silly expensive. You could DIY that for $150 or less.
One more thought. Note that some items are "recommended", not required. In the case of recommended, the dealers hopes you will do them anyway so they can get that much more out of your wallet. Required items are the things you'll want to keep up on so they warranty folks don't have an out should what should be a covered issue arise.

Don

Thanks for the reply! She currently has 60,100 miles as of this morning. Do you think I should hold off on the transmission service yet? If so I would consult an independent shop to do the Differentials and Transfer Case as I assume it would be much cheaper. From what I'm hearing on the transmission service due to the complexity of the ZF it's best to have done at the dealer. I also do have the Mopar backed extended warranty through Granger. It's good until 115,000 miles or March of 2029.

Chicago36V6 · Jul 30, 2025

viper74656 said:
If you figure the dealer charges 50% markup on parts and $180 per hour on labor, then those prices are about right. Are they crazy high? Yes. Are they in line with stealership pricing structure? Yes.

For example, MOPAR ATF is around $25 per quart online and you need 8 quarts = $200 + 50% dealer markup = $300 in transmission fluid.

The transmission pan itself is $220 on Rockauto.com, so dealer pricing at $291 isn't too bad a rip off.

For diffs and transfer case that's basically all labor cost as the fluids are cheap and the quantities are small. 3 hours at $180 = $540, so $494 means they aren't charging you an hour for each job, which is nice.

Bottom line to the OP, you can save yourself several hundred dollars if you invest in a set of ramps (or good jack and jack stands) and a socket set. This will let you do the diffs and transfer case, and with the money saved you can use boutique fluids like Redline and Amsoil still save money. The jobs are easy enough to do in your driveway. The transmission pan and fluid level check procedure is more advanced; I wouldn't undertake that if you aren't used to working on cars already or have access to a lift. Preventative maintenance is almost always worth it in the long run, so I would recommend making the investment either in your time or your money to get the work done. If you plan on keeping this vehicle out to 200k miles, I recommend learning how to DIY basic work as it makes owning an older vehicle MUCH cheaper when you inevitably need to replace some parts down the line.

Sadly we live in a condo complex and I have no where to store tools or ramps and they don't allow us to work on anything in the parking lot or garage. If the transmission doesn't need to be done this early then I will most likely just have the differentials and transfer case done at an independent shop.

Chicago36V6 · Jul 30, 2025

Tin Foil Hat said:
The dealer price for the trans change is actually about normal for a dealer but you can get it done at an independent shop for about $600. Just make sure they know the ZF method for refilling the transmission. You are a bit early for it but it won't hurt. The other two fluid changes can also be done by the same shop for a lot less.

I thought I saw 60,000 miles per ZF. When would you recommend having it done? If that's the case I'll skip that for now and have an independent shop do the driveline service.

Durango El Diablo · Jul 30, 2025

Chicago36V6 said:
Purchased our 2018 Durango GT AWD in March of 2024 with 43,000 miles on the clock. From what I can tell mechanically it's been kept in great condition albeit having three previous owners. I am unsure of the exact maintenance history but we have had zero issues. It currently has 60,100 miles as of today. After reading many threads here I decided it was a good idea to do some preventative maintenance as we plan on keeping this for the family well beyond 200,000 miles.

I reached out to our local CDJR dealer to inquire about getting the Front/Rear differentials serviced as well as the transfer case. I don't believe in Lifetime fluids and I see ZF recommends changing the transmission fluid around 60k. I just feel the quote I was provided is extremely high and want to make sure this particular dealer isn't taking me for a ride.

4X4 Service (Replace Fluid Front/Rear Diff & Transfer Case)
Fluids and Labor = $494.82

Transmission Replace Pan/Filter + New Mopar OEM Fluid
Fluids = $374.06
Pan/Filter = $291.84
Labor = $425.00

Total for everything = $1585.72

Is it worth taking to an independent shop? Let me know your thoughts. Appreciate your time in reading and replying!

I have not had my diff fluid changed yet; I am at 70k miles (bought CPO at 35k miles).

That seems high, but the dealer is always high. Trans service is supposed to be done 90k per ZF (was 70k but revised), so your 60k mileage is still a little low. I had my independent dealer do the drain and fill for $400 some. I provided them with the ZF instructions (they have done Mopar ZF transmissions before), aluminum pan with replaceable filter, Mopar gasket, and ZF lifeguard fluid (not sure is Mopar OEM fluid is just ZF with a Mopar label).

60,000 Mile Maintenance - Am I getting ripped off?

Chicago36V6

DurangoCity

Hamsquatch

Hamsquatch

Don Fox

viper74656

Tin Foil Hat

Chicago36V6

Chicago36V6

Chicago36V6

Chicago36V6

Durango El Diablo

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