New Cummins Owner – Need Tips for Maintenance & Upgrades

[Maher Usman]

Hey everyone,

I just purchased my first Cummins diesel truck (2012 Ram 2500 with the 6.7L engine) and I’m excited to join the community! I've always heard great things about the reliability and power of these trucks, and now that I finally have one, I want to make sure I’m taking care of it the right way.

Since I’m new to the diesel world, I’d really appreciate any advice on the following:

• Basic maintenance tips (oil changes, fuel filters, etc.)
• Recommended fluids and intervals
• Any “must-do” upgrades or modifications for longevity/performance
• Things to watch out for (common issues or newbie mistakes)

I’ve browsed the forum a bit and can already tell there’s a lot of great info here, so thank you in advance!

Looking forward to learning from you all.

Thanks!

 

[Jim W]

Welcome to the forum.

I would read the Buyers Guides for your year of truck. This is on the LH side of the Forums page, then I would review the perfect collection Vol 1 and 2.
If the O&M guide is in the glove box, I would follow the service information in the manual. You might be able to fine the owner's manual online if there is not one in the glove box. I would follow the information in the manual for what to change and the interval time period/mileage.

Now since you just purchased the truck, and the original owner may have not followed the service guide I would do the following.
Start with the engine oil I would change this and the filter also. Geno's Garage sells the Fleetguard oil filter and fuel filters for your truck.
I would also change the fuel filter.

The oil brand is not really that important, but I would use 15W-40 diesel engine oil. I use Shell Rotella engine oil using three gallons at a time with a new filter. Others like Valvoline, or Royal Purple to name some brands.

You may want to change the transmission oil and both filters Geno's sell the filters also. Next, I would change the air filter too.

As far as the Anti-freeze coolant I would change this in the fall to offset some of the cost now.

Now as far as performance improvements to the truck it is perfect as is. But if you want to play
(more HP/TQ) you are going to have to pay adding diesel performance items are not inexpensive. You can start out with a minimum of a little under 1K and this is just the beginning.

If you read my signature what I have added was a little under $8K and this was in 2009 dollars.

 

[Grumpy8811]

my opinion on upgrades and modifications is that if it isn't broken, don't fix it.

as far as maintenance goes, change the oil more frequently than the dash reminder says and don't run it like you stole it and you will be good to go for a long time.

 

[Topzide]

@Jim W, The OP won't have access to those unless he's a paid member of TDR.
@Maher Usman, It would be well worth the fee to join TDR for the access to other areas of the forum.

 

[Jim W]

my opinion on upgrades and modifications is that if it isn't broken, don't fix it.

as far as maintenance goes, change the oil more frequently than the dash reminder says and don't run it like you stole it and you will be good to go for a long time.

Why did I do these changes? Will after two recalls and 4 visits to the dealership for check engine light within a one-year time period. It was time to fix my truck, and the fix did cost some $$$$.

 

[johnmyster]

Disconnect grid heater if you can. (Climate)

Delo, Rotella, and Delvac all have rebates right now. Stock up. Rebate makes it trivial to splurge on synthetic. Do interval that is reasonable. Rotella and Delvac have been two rebate cycles a year so look for another in the fall.

LF16035 oil filters from Genos. Fuel filters from Genos. Drain water separator every few tanks, few thousand miles, etc. Do not buy filters on Amazon.

Make a plan to do transmission (filters from Genos, ATF+4 fluid on sale from parts store at $25/gal), transfer case, power steering, and axles. Bleed brakes. Do CCV filter and air filter if uncertain on if they've been done. (Also, genos.) If you want, add a dorman pan on the transmission (gains you a drain plug for future service.)

Inspect front suspension and steering and make a plan to address any issues. Adjust steering box if worn, to taste. Inspect brakes. Clean and lube slider pins while you're there.

I'm not familiar with the 4-link front suspensions. Lube any joints that have grease points. U-joints?

Flush coolant, flush heater core, citric acid flush, go back with a coolant that suits your needs as a hedge against heater core plugging. Change water pump as PM if you have a few dollars to spare. Consider a $30 Gates Fleetrunner belt while you're there. Idler and tensioner from dayco or gates if you really want to go all out. Replace the $10 heater core plastic elbow (Dorman part 800-416) for good measure.

If genos does a black friday sale this year, stock up on filters/consumables for the year to come.

Upgrades - for me a bigger fuel tank (Titan or S&B) and an AMP bedstep are non-negotiables. If the headlights aren't up to muster and the lenses are in good shape, I can recommend some bulbs that will swap in and improve output.

 

[Grumpy8811]

Why did I do these changes? Will after two recalls and 4 visits to the dealership for check engine light within a one-year time period. It was time to fix my truck, and the fix did cost some $$$$.

sounds like you fixed it because it was broken.. which is the opposite of " if it aint broke, don't fix it"..