I'm crossing over from the Isuzu board with a Dodge question. Hope someone can help.

The speedo on my '99 Conversion Van stopped working, accompanied by the ABS lights and check engine light. The dealer tells me that the speedo sensor is gone because I didn't change the rear end fluid often enough <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />. I've only got 26K on the van and couldn't believe that the manual says to change at 12K. The manual also says to change transmission fluid at 12K (WOW!). Could the dealer be right about the sensor? I've never heard of service intervals that soon and this sounds hokey to me, but with all these interconnected electronics, I don't really know. They also told me that if I towed, I should use synthetics. Is is worth the extra $50? Any similar experience with your tow rigs?

Steve

My personal experience has been NEVER TRUST WHAT THE DEALER SAYS! It's hard to avoid the stink of BS that oozes out of their mouths every time they drop their jaw to speak.

Yeah, 12k does sound pretty soon for service, but if you checked your manual and it says to go with that, then I'd go with that. However, I don't see how letting it go for only 26k could lead to a malfunctioning speedo!? In most cars, the speedo is a gear driven device and shouldn't really matter too much how clean or dirty your fluid is. I would get a second opinion.

What was the stealer's excuse for the other lights on the dash? Didn't fill 'er up with 91 octane? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Synthetics are good for old cars and if you're expecting to own the car you have for the better portion of your life. On a new car, I don't think it'd make that much of a difference... not one that you'd notice for another 100k miles anyways. I use all synthetics, but I've got an '89 with almost 150k miles on it. I don't even know if it makes a difference on my truck, it's more insurance and a confidence builder to me. Go with synthetics if you can afford it, go with the other specified lubricant if you can't. Follow maintanance mileages and deadlines. You'll be a happy camper 100k miles down the road. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

$400+ later, everything works again. Speedo sensor went out first, causing ABS to stop working (light on), then check engine light on due to ABS fault. Dealer covered part of the cost due to the low mileage, so I took the difference and went with the synthetic. Hated to pay dealer prices, but the wife likes the dealer (her van, her money) and so far they've been fair. 2 other mechanics I went to just scratched their heads and said they'd never heard of it, but that it was possible - not a real confidence booster. I also didn't want to hear "I told you so" if something went wrong.

I'm still trying to figure out the reason for such frequent fluid changes though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I've never owned a truck requiring service at 12K.