ZF Powerline for 2025 RAM HD Diesel

[AH64ID]

Have they said what % BioDiesel the engine can run?

Same as the previous 6.7, B20 max. No change to the OCI either, still reduced to 6 months if biodiesel is used.

 

[Diesel85]

 

[wyosteve]

That engine looked awfully dirty for a new truck to me. Not sure I like the dual fuel filter location for changing them out. Sounds like the transmission will work well. I had the 8 speed in my Power Wagon and was very pleased with it. I see my dealer has a 2500 on the lot so may have to do a test drive!

 

[Diesel85]

That engine looked awfully dirty for a new truck to me. Not sure I like the dual fuel filter location for changing them out. Sounds like the transmission will work well. I had the 8 speed in my Power Wagon and was very pleased with it. I see my dealer has a 2500 on the lot so may have to do a test drive!

The whole upper central/north east has had some nasty weather (that fellow who did the video is located in central Utah). My engine compartment was filthy till this weekend when it was nice enough for me to detail out the engine compartment. I can say, the best thing about running a diesel is running that winter front as it works to keep some of the sand and salt out of the engine bay.

Don't forget, the Cummins also has an engine fan that sucks in everything. My work Cummins is in need of a good engine compartment detailing.

Totally can see how it can get that bad even run for a short time, especially behind trucks sloshing up the road debris.

 

[JR]

Guy lost me at "feeling" the lack of lubricity in the oil at 15k. LOL! He'd really stroke out seeing a QSB with 500 hard hours on the same oil. Or a DD8 with a factory interval of 60k miles.

 

[AH64ID]

Guy lost me at "feeling" the lack of lubricity in the oil at 15k. LOL! He'd really stroke out seeing a QSB with 500 hard hours on the same oil. Or a DD8 with a factory interval of 60k miles.

Yeah, that was one of several things that had me shaking my head.

 

[Ozymandias]

Yeah, that was one of several things that had me shaking my head.

He has a small point there as we all know for the size of the engine we have very little oil in them compared to commercial engines the same size. Same applies to the size of the airfilter.

 

[AH64ID]

He has a small point there as we all know for the size of the engine we have very little oil in them compared to commercial engines the same size. Same applies to the size of the airfilter.

Yes, but this engine is incredibly easy on oil. Even with a “small” sump it’s just not hard on oil.

 

[JR]

Early B series were limited to 250 hr intervals. Crossing back over to highway engines, Assuming 30mph avg x 250hrs = 7500 miles, or the previous recommended oil change interval.

See where this is going, 30 mph avg x 500 hrs = 15k miles. This is a conservative figure for most, in other words most will never see 500 hrs over the course of 15k miles. Then there is the advancements in oil technology and cleaner combustion events, low EGR usage, and all the sudden it starts to make sense.

 

[JR]

Yes, but this engine is incredibly easy on oil. Even with a “small” sump it’s just not hard on oil.

Very true. Probably the hardest engine I've ever seen on oil is a post VW diesel gate engine with the so called fix. They run so hot the coolant fan will cycle on and off several times after the engine is shut down. This using 5w30 oil at 10k intervals with 4.5 quart sump. The sustained under hood temp is so high plastic bits and hoses are known to break up and fail after a few short years of the "fix" being implemented. Lots of failures ensue but oil related failures are few and far between, if any.

 

[Diesel85]

 

[Ozymandias]

Look at that Tach, this is awesome, a nice 300rpm drop with each gear under acceleration, keep that engine at peak torque. Amazing.

 

[Diesel85]

Look at that Tach, this is awesome, a nice 300rpm drop with each gear under acceleration, keep that engine at peak torque. Amazing.

I totally agree! I love watching the tach, even on my EcoD with the 8 speed in that thing. I just love the low revs of diesels. I had to watch the video a few times and enjoy it.

This is the reason why I could never go to back to gas. These new diesels are just a pleasure to drive. Effortless.

 

[Grumpy8811]

Guy lost me at "feeling" the lack of lubricity in the oil at 15k. LOL! He'd really stroke out seeing a QSB with 500 hard hours on the same oil. Or a DD8 with a factory interval of 60k miles.

isn't that the same guy who says 5w40 is too thin but 15w40 is better because it is thicker?

 

[wyosteve]

What's with the flashing 'purplish' areas on both sides of the gauges? That would drive me crazy.

 

[Grumpy8811]

I totally agree! I love watching the tach, even on my EcoD with the 8 speed in that thing. I just love the low revs of diesels. I had to watch the video a few times and enjoy it.

This is the reason why I could never go to back to gas. These new diesels are just a pleasure to drive. Effortless.

I'll tellya what.. you go back to the year 2000 and these diesels had 200 hp and 450lbs ft of torque with a 4 speed auto trans and people said these were a powerhouse
whereas nowadays you can get a HD pickup with gas V8 with a ten speed auto trans and 400+ hp and 450+ lbs feet of torque and people call it a slug.

reality is what you need and what you want are 2 different things.. gas is perfect for most people... diesel is perfect for others..

 

[Diesel85]

What's with the flashing 'purplish' areas on both sides of the gauges? That would drive me crazy.

That is just from the frame rate of the camera. Just like when he turns the tow/haul mode on, the light seemed like it was flashing. It's just the rolling shutter effect from the camera and the pulse width modulation (PWM) of the LED lights. Nothing with the truck and for the *most* part, human eyes can't see it. I can however notice it slightly, even in my truck, especially when I turn my head and focus on a distant object. Hence why I am cringing to get a new truck with LED headlights because they can induce a headache. In fact, not to go wayyyy off topic, but there has been studies on PWM, vehicle lighting systems, and our eyes.

 

[Shiner]

That is just from the frame rate of the camera. Just like when he turns the tow/haul mode on, the light seemed like it was flashing. It's just the rolling shutter effect from the camera and the pulse width modulation (PWM) of the LED lights. Nothing with the truck and for the *most* part, human eyes can't see it. I can however notice it slightly, even in my truck, especially when I turn my head and focus on a distant object. Hence why I am cringing to get a new truck with LED headlights because they can induce a headache. In fact, not to go wayyyy off topic, but there has been studies on PWM, vehicle lighting systems, and our eyes.

It is a real medical affliction. My wife suffered from headaches from the new led lights in her office at work.

 

[Diesel85]

It is a real medical affliction. My wife suffered from headaches from the new led lights in her office at work.

I know it is -- 100%!

I'm another diesel forum, and a fellow on there knows of a department within another auto manufacturer that worked with medical scientists on this. We talked about it for a bit. It was quite fascinating what I learned, and then doing more research online in scientific journals on it.

I remember when PWM first came out in LED lights, I thought it was me going crazy. It is a real thing, and I remember it took me a long time to figure it out.

At home, I have to be very careful what LED lights I use. It is to the point, where I can tell within 10-15 minutes, once the fatigue starts, those LED bulbs are going back for a return. Not all are bad, but I found most are outright horrific on both the incorrect color temperature, but also the flicker, or both.

Apparently, some folks can tolerate it/not see it, but some folks like me, it will give me headaches (to the point of nausea), fatigue, and distracted vision (not good when driving!).

I'm quite happy with the performance of standard halogens the newer (now older) trucks have. Halogens have excellent color rendering (no blue shift), no PWM flashing (due to hot filament), and minimal beam convergence (isotropic light output).

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks Diesel, I learned something new today. Never heard of that condition. Luckily I haven't noticed LED lights affecting me.