Opinion on Break-In Oil

[RustyJC]

Over the past 50+ years of driving, I've been one who changes break-in oil and filter at around the 2000 mile mark. My 2016 (see signature) is coming up on 2000 miles, and we're getting ready to head out on a trip towing our Mobile Suites that may wind up being 3000 to 4000 miles. I understand that the factory fill on my 6.7 is Valvoline Premium Blue synthetic. If I let the dealer change it out, it's probably going to be replaced with Rotella (non-synthetic, I suspect).

So, in this case, I could argue to leave the Valvoline in until we get back at around 5000 to 6000 miles, or I could just as easily be persuaded to change it before we leave. I'd appreciate your thoughts, opinions and/or experiences.

Rusty

 

[jhenderson]

As far as I know Cummins doesn't recommend a short drain interval on new engines. Modern machining techniques leave a finish in the sub micron range so there's not much initial metal transfer. Having said that I changed my oil at 2000 miles and replaced it with 15-40. I do run synthetic in winter but change every 7500 so synthetic doesn't offer much of an advantage to me outside its cold flow characteristics.

 

[RustyJC]

Yeah, I knew that it wasn't required - like I said, the 2000 mile changeout is just something I've always tried to do. My thought process is that towing a 19K 5th wheel in the summer heat, I might be better off with the Valvoline synthetic that's in it than the dino Rotella that I'm likely to get from my dealer. On the other hand, the fresh oil and filter probably isn't a bad thing either. It probably doesn't make much difference either way - I'm just trying to decide if I want to spend a Saturday morning at the dealership or not.

Rusty

 

[Bob4x4]

Save your money unless you are going to loose sleep during your vacation

 

[RustyJC]

Save your money unless you are going to loose sleep during your vacation

That's good enough for me! Thanks, Bob.

Rusty

 

[gsbrockman]

I'd appreciate your thoughts, opinions and/or experiences.

Rusty

My first oil & filter change in my 2014 RAM 3500 DRW was at 13,124 miles and 242 hours :-laf

Through 149,304 miles and 2,799 drive hours.....I've changed the oil 11 times for average OCI's of 13,573 miles and 255 hours each.

My trusty 6.7L hasn't fell outta the frame rails yet.

#ad

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I performed my first oil change yesterday at 11,174K miles. I used a Fleetguard oil filter and Rotella T 15w-40. The filter in a gallon zip lock bag backfired when the bag accidentally opened pulling it through the fender. I'm planning for 10K oil/filter changes.

 

[wyosteve]

gs, thanks for posting. I'm going to do my first change this weekend at 14,300 miles. Will use synthetic. I figure if Ram wanted it differently, I'd do it, but for now, I'll follow what they recommend.

 

[Kirwin]

Rusty, I ran mine the full 6 months. Its got good oil in it. I've been using the Premium Blue 5W-40 Synthetic. Going to do the 36 month change on 8.12.16. She'll be 3 years old! With 28,4xx miles on her. Eat your heart out Greg!

 

[gsbrockman]

She'll be 3 years old! With 28,4xx miles on her. Eat your heart out Greg!

Such an UNDER-utilized truck :-{} :-laf #ad

 

[RustyJC]

Such an UNDER-utilized truck :-{} :-laf #ad

Both of you can eat your hearts out. I took delivery of my 2011 3500 on 9/11/10 and traded it for the 2016 in May 2016. At the time of trade-in, the 2011 was 5 years and 8 months old and had 27,253 miles.

Rusty

 

[Kirwin]

That's great Rusty. I don't want you to put too many miles on my DRV 5th wheel!

Both of you can eat your hearts out. I took delivery of my 2011 3500 on 9/11/10 and traded it for the 2016 in May 2016. At the time of trade-in, the 2011 was 5 years and 8 months old and had 27,253 miles.

Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

I performed my first oil change yesterday at 11,174K miles. I used a Fleetguard oil filter and Rotella T 15w-40. The filter in a gallon zip lock bag backfired when the bag accidentally opened pulling it through the fender. I'm planning for 10K oil/filter changes.

You should read up on my "Eazy 2103 and up oil change" thread. NO mess at all!

 

[Cummins12V98]

gs, thanks for posting. I'm going to do my first change this weekend at 14,300 miles. Will use synthetic. I figure if Ram wanted it differently, I'd do it, but for now, I'll follow what they recommend.

Are you under or over 6 mo?