1st Oil Change

[R_Walter]

I know there's been lots posted about the first oil change, but thought I would add my experience. The filter was on *****-tight, but 4 busted knuckles later I got it off. The drain plug was easy getting off; I replaced it with one of those easy-drain nipple plugs with the lever to open. I've had the same lever-actuated drain plug on my other two Dodge Cummins, so I thought I'd continue the tradition.

Used a Fleetguard LF16035 filter and 12 quarts of the Chevron Delo LE 15w40 for the refill. I've used Chevron Delo for quite a few years in my other CTDs as well as several Kubota tractors with never an ill result.

I changed the oil exactly 1 day shy of six months since I bought the truck new in March 2016. The odometer reading was 9,905 miles with 6,400 miles of that towing my 14K 5th.

Comments?

 

[BILLUA]

Sounds well done! No drama....

 

[smcg]

I've read where some is of the mind to change at 1k miles to rid the system of potential break-in metal particles (I know thats what the filter is for) but for any matter that may work its way into places it shouldnt. Just thought I'd see what other have to say on this. (sorry, didn't mean to hijack this thread)

 

[CoastyAV8R]

How did you remove the filter, from on top or from inside the fender well? Did you need to add DEF? When do you intend on doing the fuel filters? I only ask because I am coming up on my first service as well.

Thanks,
Patrick

 

[SnoKing]

How did you remove the filter, from on top or from inside the fender well? Did you need to add DEF? When do you intend on doing the fuel filters? I only ask because I am coming up on my first service as well.

Thanks,
Patrick

Fuel filters are on a 15K mile schedule according to RAM. SNOKING

 

[Ram4Sam]

I've read where some is of the mind to change at 1k miles to rid the system of potential break-in metal particles (I know thats what the filter is for) but for any matter that may work its way into places it shouldnt. Just thought I'd see what other have to say on this. (sorry, didn't mean to hijack this thread)

I think that is a bit of old school thinking that is no longer an issue......Engines today are built much more precise and do not need a lot of break/wear in like they used to. That being said, I have always done the first change on all my trucks in the 4 to 5 thousand mile range.

Sam

 

[gsbrockman]

That being said, I have always done the first change on all my trucks in the 4 to 5 thousand mile range.

Sam

Pictured is Sam's assistant utilized in removing that overly tight, first OEM oil filter :-laf

#ad

 

[Killer223]

the cummins is broke in before they ever give it to RAM. the first driving is more to break in the dif gears then the engine.

good deal on the oil change.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Pictured is Sam's assistant utilized in removing that overly tight, first OEM oil filter :-laf

#ad

Let me rephrase......." I have always HAD THE FIRST ONE DONE"...........:-laf

Sam

 

[Cummins2014]

Fuel filters are on a 15K mile schedule according to RAM. SNOKING

Per the manual on the fuel filter change :" Mileage or time passed WHICHEVER comes first ", and that is 15k or ONE year.

Per the manual on oil ,and filter change : " Change engine oil every 15K or six months or 500 hours or sooner if prompted by the oil change indicator system, WHICHEVER comes first.
Also a foot note in the manual pertaining to the oil change : "Under no circumstances " , and it repeats the above on oil changes .

Seems to be a lot of disagreement on these , but in doubt I would certainly follow the manual, at least if you want your warranty in place if an issue were to arise.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Per the manual on the fuel filter change :" Mileage or time passed WHICHEVER comes first ", and that is 15k or ONE year.

Per the manual on oil ,and filter change : " Change engine oil every 15K or six months or 500 hours or sooner if prompted by the oil change indicator system, WHICHEVER comes first.
Also a foot note in the manual pertaining to the oil change : "Under no circumstances " , and it repeats the above on oil changes .

Seems to be a lot of disagreement on these , but in doubt I would certainly follow the manual, at least if you want your warranty in place if an issue were to arise.

I've had 5 other CTD's but this is my first 6.7 and I know a lot of folks change their fuel filters at intervals other than what Dodge recommends for various reasons and I wanted to see what the consensus was. I'll stay within the recommendations by Dodge to keep my warranty intact.

 

[R_Walter]

How did you remove the filter, from on top or from inside the fender well? Did you need to add DEF? When do you intend on doing the fuel filters? I only ask because I am coming up on my first service as well.

Thanks,
Patrick

I took off the oil filter through the wheel well. It takes a little muscle in your arm to get it off. I used a mechanic's glove to get a good grip on it. To date I've added 2 of the 2.5 gallon containers of DEF and am getting low so time to add another.

I'm going to do the fuel filters at about 15K or in March which is 12 months, whichever comes sooner. My 2016 Ram is sitting for now. I do have a road trip to pick up my 5th in Chanute, KS in 2 weeks. In December my wife and I head for Florida for the winter, but I probably won't quite hit 15K by March 2017.

 

[R_Walter]

Fuel filters are on a 15K mile schedule according to RAM. SNOKING

The way I read the diesel Supplement fuel filters are supposed to be changed out at 15K or 12 months, whichever comes sooner.

 

[Cummins2014]

I've had 5 other CTD's but this is my first 6.7 and I know a lot of folks change their fuel filters at intervals other than what Dodge recommends for various reasons and I wanted to see what the consensus was. I'll stay within the recommendations by Dodge to keep my warranty intact.

I found it interesting on another thread here on this forum, titled : " Oil Sample Results and Dealer questions.

The last reply that I read on the thread appeared to be someone involved in oil testing or whatever. His remark is what I found interesting, and I quote : " And honestly from a wear standpoint we don't find a lot of difference between conventional ,and synthetic oils.

Being one that never has bought into the synthetic hype, maybe if I was in an extreme cold climate I may consider it. It does seem to have some credibility there . Which gets us right back to the change intervals in our manuals. In my case its every six months, mileage is not a factor. After warranty I may go longer on time, but not mileage. My point is I'm dumping out oil that is still okay, the last thing I want to do is spend more money on synthetic oil that is apparently not doing me any good.

It seems many do not follow the manual on oil, and filter changes. We had one report that if doing oil sample tests, and the tests come back positive, then they could extend their change intervals, and I believe this was told to him from a factory rep. Really !!!, good luck with that if an oil related issue should pop up. I challenged him on this is there anything in writing, never heard, and most likely never will. I find it hard to believe anyone is going to back a warranty on oil tests. If so that would be great. I don't enjoy the recommended oil change intervals .

 

[gsbrockman]

I've had 5 other CTD's but this is my first 6.7 and I know a lot of folks change their fuel filters at intervals other than what Dodge recommends for various reasons and I wanted to see what the consensus was. I'll stay within the recommendations by Dodge to keep my warranty intact.

IMO......the 2013 & newer RAM / Cummins 6.7L's have the best fuel filtration system ever installed on a RAM pickup. I hotshot with my truck (I'm at 174,393 miles) and have a lifetime average of 13.6 MPG per Fuelly. I generally run 14k to 15k oil change intervals and fuel filter intervals. Most of the time, I only accrue between 255 to 275 drive hours on my oil changes. Conversely......at an average of 13.6 mpg, my fuel filters filter about 1,100 gallons of fuel.....about 20 55-gallon drums of fuel, for easier comprehension.

Stick with MOPAR / Fleetguard oil filters, your choice of Cummins specified CES 20081 oil, MOPAR / Fleetguard air filters, and MOPAR / Fleetguard / Parker-Racor fuel filters and you'll be just fine........

 

[SnoKing]

I've had 5 other CTD's but this is my first 6.7 and I know a lot of folks change their fuel filters at intervals other than what Dodge recommends for various reasons and I wanted to see what the consensus was. I'll stay within the recommendations by Dodge to keep my warranty intact.

I have no problem with the 15K fuel filter change, however dumping oil at 6 months and 3.5K miles is what I have a hard time with. So the truck has become our primary daily driver over our 2004 Buick Rainier SUV. SNOKING

 

[Cummins2014]

I have no problem with the 15K fuel filter change, however dumping oil at 6 months and 3.5K miles is what I have a hard time with. So the truck has become our primary daily driver over our 2004 Buick Rainier SUV. SNOKING

No problem with 15K on fuel filters . Yet you do oil changes at 3.5K or once every six months. Manual calls for 15K or 12 months on fuel filters. So what you are saying, at 3.5K miles per six months or 7K per year ,you are at least on a 24 month change interval on fuel filters. . Did I miss something. So you are sitting the old buick so you can justify those six ,and 12 month changes.



This is easy,and I think the OP is following the manual, and so do I .

 

[SnoKing]

No problem with 15K on fuel filters . Yet you do oil changes at 3.5K or once every six months. Manual calls for 15K or 12 months on fuel filters. So what you are saying, at 3.5K miles per six months or 7K per year ,you are at least on a 24 month change interval on fuel filters. . Did I miss something. So you are sitting the old buick so you can justify those six ,and 12 month changes.



This is easy,and I think the OP is following the manual, and so do I .

Throwing away good oil which a natural resource to the world is my issue. It is like the guy that came up with 6 months came for Quick Lube! They have gotten their heads together on how many miles one can run oil, and then turn around and waste it for low mile drivers based on the 6 months "make work for dealers" side.

Snoking

 

[Cummins12V98]

the cummins is broke in before they ever give it to RAM. the first driving is more to break in the dif gears then the engine.

good deal on the oil change.

They do NOT run the engines before they are sent to RAM. Per high up at CUMMINS Factory tour. A randomly selected engine will be turned over to test systems with a high horsepower motor.

 

[Cummins2014]

Throwing away good oil which a natural resource to the world is my issue. It is like the guy that came up with 6 months came for Quick Lube! They have gotten their heads together on how many miles one can run oil, and then turn around and waste it for low mile drivers based on the 6 months "make work for dealers" side.

Snoking

I have no argument there, I don't like their recommendation at all. IMO 12 months or 15K would make more sense on the oil, and filter. The high mileage guys this makes no difference, but yes its a big deal for us low mileage guys