Car Talk: Seeing tiny driveway oil spot is no reason to see red

Q: I purchased a new 2019 Ram 1500 "Classic" with the 5.7 Hemi. I recently took it to the dealer for its first oil change. The next morning, I noticed a fresh oil spot on my driveway. I'd estimate that it was a little over 2 inches in diameter. I immediately returned to the dealer.

After keeping my truck in the shop for about a half-hour, they brought it back and said that there wasn't any leak and that it was residue from oil that spilled when they removed the old oil filter. They apologized, but told me that it's almost impossible to clean all the old oil off in this truck. I have since browsed the internet, and it seems that this is a common problem with this model.

However, I think that leaving enough oil behind to result in a spill on my driveway — I live 5 miles away — is unacceptable. I want to tell them that the next I time I see oil in my driveway after I get it home, they won't be changing my oil again. Am I being unreasonable?

A: Let me put it this way: If you tell them you're never coming back again, I think they might high-five each other.

They are correct. On your vehicle — like lots of others — the oil filter is installed at an angle. So when you remove it, some of the oil inside that filter inevitably spills out. It's impossible to prevent. On your truck, a bit of that oil likely collected in the frame rail right below the filter. The mechanic probably wiped up what he could. But you never get every drop.

If you found a 2-inch-wide spot on your driveway, that represents a few drops of oil. It takes very little oil to create a spot that size, especially when the oil is warm and runs easily. So you can take it somewhere else to get your oil changed, but don't be surprised if you see the same result. Removing an oil filter is a lot like feeding a baby — no matter how careful you are, food ends up everywhere.

My advice would be to accept their explanation and apology. And when you get home after your next oil change, park the truck on the street overnight.

I took it to a garage I trust and they told me it would cost $2,000 to repair. I don't want to put that kind of money into the car, so I have been driving it for the past two years, adding transmission fluid every time I fill it with gas. But this is really getting old. Is there an additive I can put in the oil to stop the leak? Or should I trade it in?

A: There's no additive that will stop the gasket from leaking, except gasoline — and that will help only if you pour it on the car and light a match.

Your hesitancy in spending that kind of money on a car that could be on the brink of all sorts of other problems is understandable. Ask your mechanic to check out the whole car and tell you what else is worn out and looks likely to fail soon. If there's a long list of stuff, it makes your decision easy. On the other hand, if the car is in pretty good shape other than the transmission gasket, then consider fixing it. You could get at least another two years out of the car for your $2,000. That averages out to about $85 a month, which is much less than any car payment.