Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil Recommendations

[CarlCarl]

I picked up a 1998.5 Ram 2500 Diesel about 4 months ago.

With just shy of 90k miles on it I am getting ready for my first oil change on it.

The truck is stock.

It seems like I should be running 15W40 in it, probably a full synthetic, but after that I am up for suggestions.

 

[Bob V]

Wow, not again! Sorry but these oil threads always bring out opinions. LOTS OF OPINIONS!!! I would recommend reading the TDR oil articles from 56-58. On a pre 1007.5 engine I would try to find a CI+ oil. I found a Lucas high TBN magnum 15-40 http://lucasoil.com/products/motor-oil/lucas-15w-40-magnum-high-tbn-ci-4-oil . The thing I don't like about synthetics is the costs tend to make people not change as often, and the reason for changing the oil is as much about the additives as the base stock. Additives do not last forever and need to be replenished. Nothing wrong with synthetics and I use them a lot both at work and at home. In my truck I feel I am better off with a QUAILITY standard oil and change more often the trying to stretch out a synthetic. It will really be up to you, but just about any oil that is CI, CI+ or CJ will preform well in you engine, if you want to spend extra for a syn there is nothing wrong with that, wont hurt a thing, but unless your engine will be really cold or really hot there is not much to gain. Just my opinion and I am sure there will be others

 

[JR]

Any good off the shelf oil will be just fine. Shell Rotella, Mobile Delvac, Delo, etc. Its hard to find a "bad" oil anymore as long as you stick with a brand name. I prefer to stick with 5w40 for the cold weather, we have been getting our share of subzero weather (Sunday night was -25F). But you have to go to synthetic to get the 5w40. If your planning on sticking with 7500 mile service intervals and don't see a lot of frigid weather, regular old 15w40 will work just fine.

 

[Mingoglia]

Not sure what folks are running in the new trucks, but as a 2nd gen owner, most of "us" have always stuck with the Rotella 15w/40. I've been running it in mine for 13 years now. Also make sure to use genuine filters, not the typical fram filters at the auto store.

 

[SAndreasen]

I picked up a 1998.5 Ram 2500 Diesel about 4 months ago.

With just shy of 90k miles on it I am getting ready for my first oil change on it.

The truck is stock.

It seems like I should be running 15W40 in it, probably a full synthetic, but after that I am up for suggestions.

Running mystic 15w40 synthetic blend . I've ran shell t6 fully synthetic 5 40 but the older model engines around here don't like it .

 

[JR]

I've ran shell t6 fully synthetic 5 40 but the older model engines around here don't like it .

OK I'll bite....What exactly don't older engines "like" about synthetic oil?

 

[SAndreasen]

OK I'll bite....What exactly don't older engines "like" about synthetic oil?

The tractor engine was a lot more noisy than on regular 15w40 I know people will say that's impossible but if you can't tell when a machine is sounding different you've got no business operating a machine of any kind . Hey boss the combine is making a funny noise That's impossible son it must be all in your head .

 

[JR]

Are you sure there weren't other factors involved that may have come into play? Different fuel, temps, etc. A 40w is a 40w is a 40w at operating temps, synthetic or Dino. Only difference being the better pump ability at cold temps and resistance to thermal break down at extreme temps that synthetic offers.

Nothing wrong with conventional oil at all, most likely these engines will outlast the rest of the truck anyway. It mostly comes down to preference, synthetic does have its advantages even on an engine platform as solid as the 5.9. I ran synthetic 15w40 up through last winter, and after the record low temps we had made the switch to 5w40. This year has had more than usual sub zero weather again and I have noticed a difference on cold start up and how fast the oil pressure comes up on my manual gauge at -15 to -25F.

 

[SAndreasen]

I know even when I did the oil test and I've done em before the viscosity always shows 40 I don't really understand it to be honest I just know what I can hear and feel . my 24 valve truck loved the oil and I may switch this one to it as well . Had a buddy run the shell t6 In a 12 valve and he said he thought the engine was noisy as well maybe it is in our heads but I think if could run the tractor for a day with each oil you would hear it to I was excited to go to full synthetic shell because it's actually cheaper per gallon than the premium regular oils that the tractor dealers sell.

 

[CarlCarl]

Gotcha.

It is cold here in Maryland...right now, but summer is coming. Can I run 5W40 year round?

 

[JMcCoy]

I run shell 5w40 synthetic in my motorcycle, but still run Lucas CI 15w40 in my 12v. JR has made several compelling arguments in the past, but I am still of the opinion that CI is better for our trucks. I recently purchased Amsoil CI 15w40, so it will be going in soon.

 

[CarlCarl]

Not sure what folks are running in the new trucks, but as a 2nd gen owner, most of "us" have always stuck with the Rotella 15w/40. I've been running it in mine for 13 years now. Also make sure to use genuine filters, not the typical fram filters at the auto store.

Where do you pick up the filters if not from an auto store?

 

[woodwad]

Shell Rotella T 15-40 changed every 5,000 miles. 99 Quad Cab 4 x 4 with a manual trans with over 368,000 miles and still going strong. I believe the engine is as strong as the day it came off the showroom floor other than a few oil drips from old gaskets and seals. Really hard for me to suggest anything but the Rotella T. Save your money and don't use synthetic unless you really want to and have more money than you need.

 

[woodwad]

Walmart has the OEM Chrysler oil filters where I live, (eastern NC), but I use the stratapore filters from Geno's. I have also used Baldwin filters from a local truck supply, but I am back to Geno's.

 

[Mingoglia]

Yup, Genos:
http://www.genosgarage.com/FLEETGUA...R-985-02-24V/productinfo/LF3894/#.VOXy2UI7OyM

Not sure if they still do it, but they used to have a deal where you can pick up genuine oil, fuel, and air filters in a kit that saved some $$$

 

[Mingoglia]

Here's that kit. I've had a truck a long time, I remember these used to be $77, still a great deal though:
http://www.genosgarage.com/DODGE-DI...-00-02-24-V/productinfo/MK12626/#.VOXzkUI7OyM

 

[JR]

The Donaldson ELF 7349 has the best efficiency ratings on the market and is substantially cheaper than the Fleetgaurd.

http://www.filterspro.com/results.cfm?searchfor=ELF7349

There's plenty of opinions on synthetic vs non, CI vs CJ spec, and I'm not going to open that can of worms again. All I can say is do your research and make your decisions based on factual information.

 

[JR]

Shell Rotella T 15-40 changed every 5,000 miles. 99 Quad Cab 4 x 4 with a manual trans with over 368,000 miles and still going strong. I believe the engine is as strong as the day it came off the showroom floor other than a few oil drips from old gaskets and seals. Really hard for me to suggest anything but the Rotella T. Save your money and don't use synthetic unless you really want to and have more money than you need.

You do realize the difference in price is less than 5 bucks a gallon don't you?

 

[RonaldLarson]

Where do you pick up the filters if not from an auto store?

Log onto genosgarage.com and buy the correct filter at a better price. I believe your filter will be the Fleetgard LF3894. I run 5-40 Valvloline synthetic year round, and change twice yearly. No engine issues, good analysis.

 

[Mingoglia]

The Donaldson ELF 7349 has the best efficiency ratings on the market and is substantially cheaper than the Fleetgaurd.

http://www.filterspro.com/results.cfm?searchfor=ELF7349

There's plenty of opinions on synthetic vs non, CI vs CJ spec, and I'm not going to open that can of worms again. All I can say is do your research and make your decisions based on factual information.

There's been so many instances of folks killing their engines due to filter media coming apart that I've never run anything other than Fleetguard. On any of my other vehicles I'll try different options.