Change Engine Oil Message

[JConquest]

I currently have 25 K on 2010, 2500, Laramie. I have got the oil change message erratically since the vehicle was new and have very much enjoyed the posts and technical write ups on this subject.



I am using Shaeffer Supreme 7000, 15W40, and the Fleetguard filter. I have been using this blend for several years in my 2002 Ram.



My normal drive consists of 30 to 70 roundtrip miles plus aound town errands.



The last 2 changes, I have had oil samples pulled and analyzed. At 19,300(4960 miles) the analysis showed a trace of fuel dilution and the viscosity range (CST) @ 11. 11, which falls into the high range for SAE 30 Viscosity.



After 1800 miles of the normal drive cycle, I headed for AK pulling an Artic Fox travel trailer fully loaded at around 9500# conservatively. The truck performed flawlessly and up in the lower Yukon, the change oil message showed up at 2740 miles. After the 2500 mile trip, I had the truck serviced by Anchorage Dodge and again pulled a sample @ 24K, with 4700 miles on the last oil change.



The results came back normal with negligible fuel dilution, viscosity range @ 12. 65 which is well withing the range of SAE 40 viscosity.



Both tests resulted in normal sulfur, oxidation, nitration and soot measures.



Since the oil change, I have a combination of city and 60 mph highway driving and the change oil message came on @ 1470 miles after the change.



Sorry this is so long, but I think this really backs up the reports of how this regeneration process works overtime when the engine is not having to work and raises questions about the function of the message center for engine oil change.



I am quite pleased with how the truck handled the trip and the tow on the trip. As I am still in Wasilla, I have the trip home to look forward to.

 

[amsoilman]

I have the 2010 6. 7 truck as well, and I'm not to pleased in how Dodge has programmed the "Oil Change" message! I had taken my truck in to the dealers for a seat problem, which I had created, and while there, the service rep. said since I had nearly 5K on the truck, I should go ahead and have them change the oil. Since it was the first time for an oil change, it was free of charge, so I told them to go ahead and change it, which they did.

I went on a 1000 mile trip the next weekend, and 300 miles into the trip, the oil change message came on! The oil level has always been at the full mark on the stick, and apparently fuel dilution has not been a problem for my truck.

 

[RustyJC]

... . and while there, the service rep. said since I had nearly 5K on the truck, I should go ahead and have them change the oil. Since it was the first time for an oil change, it was free of charge, so I told them to go ahead and change it, which they did.



I went on a 1000 mile trip the next weekend, and 300 miles into the trip, the oil change message came on!

Sounds to me like the technician didn't reset the oil change algorithm after he changed the oil. If so, that's really not a glitch in the truck's programming.



Rusty

 

[Bob4x4]

Of the message is not displayed when the
Oil is changed there is no way knowing if
The message did in fact reset with out looking
With a scanner

 

[JConquest]

Rusty

I have been wondering if not resetting the algorithm was the issue. I reset the message as I can not stand dealing with it. Is resetting the message light the same as resetting the algorithm?

In any case, the indication has to based on other than an actual problem.

 

[RustyJC]

Yes, resetting the light is the same as resetting the calculation function.



The oil change indication is an arbitrary calculation that's based on the number of regeneration cycles, engine idle time, amount of EGR recirculation and probably a bunch of other factors known only to the Cummins engineers. It does not indicate an actual problem - rather, it's a flag serving as a warning that fuel dilution/soot is most likely approaching a level where (according to the engineers) the oil and filter should be changed. IIRC, there was an article in the TDR fairly recently discussing the change oil message and what underlies it.



Rusty

 

[amsoilman]

Sounds to me like the technician didn't reset the oil change algorithm after he changed the oil. If so, that's really not a glitch in the truck's programming.



Rusty

Yes, he did reset the oil change reminder, as he showed me how to do it for future needs.

 

[RustyJC]

Yes, he did reset the oil change reminder, as he showed me how to do it for future needs.

Well, if it came on 300 miles later, I have to wonder... ...



Rusty