2012 Ram Oil Changes

[DNJ3982]

I have a 2012 Ram, 6.7 Cummins, 6 speed standard, 3.73 gears with 25,000 miles. Since this vehicle was new the EVIC has come on between 1,700 and 1,800 miles informing me the oil needs changing. I have had the oil tested 3 times of which one had significant fuel dilution. I have been to the dealer multiple times and after getting tough they finally said they did a comphensive analysis and determined it is probably my driving habits. I use it as a daily driver. Round trip to work is 24 miles, approximately 12 of those miles is at 50 mph and my average miles per hour is around 26. I have to stop on average 6 to 8 times during the drive, sometimes less depending on traffic. Most weekends I will pull a 14 ft horse trailer with one horse round trip 80 miles at speeds ranging from 55 to 65 mph. I was told that driving the vehicle like I stole it may help, which I have done without success in increasing the oil change mileage intervals. I have also parked my vehicle and used it solely for towing and did not get any increase in the oil change mileage intervals. I also filed a formal complaint with Ram and they gave me 18 free oil changes and extended my warranty. However, I'm still concerned. Should I be, and is there anything else that can be done or is this normal?

 

[DNJ3982]

The truck is a 3500.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I just went about 7,700 miles before my light came on. 3/4 of the miles were towing. I have used the truck for just running around short distances and the earliest the light came on was 3,500 miles. Have less than .05% fuel dilution on two different oil samples.

Your truck has a problem in my opinion. Mine is a late 11, auto with 3:42's.

 

[DNJ3982]

Mine is also a long bed, 4x4, Laramie and all the bells and whistles. Is yours a 6 speed manual? Do you have any suggestions what to do next? I also spoke with another dealer and they said it is normal after checking with their manufacture rep and said they wouldn't look at my truck because the rep wouldn't authorize it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I would do a Blackstone oil analysis next change and see what the dilution is. Note your miles and hours between changes. If your within Cummins/RAM specs I would not worry about it. But over with a test you will have some ammo.

 

[sag2]

The light is driven by your driving habits. So there is something different in the way you use your truck compared to others. The only thing I could think of that might be different is if the controller is set up for B20 bio-diesel. If it thinks you are running bio it cuts the oil change interval in half.

 

[wyosteve]

My .02 is that you should have the injectors checked. If one of the tests came back with significant dilution in that few miles it would seem to me an injector is leaking. I have a 2012 which I use very similarly to yours, i.e. about 30 miles round trip daily, mixed city/highway and tow something several times per month. All my oil changes since new have been from 5000 to 6500 miles which is very similar to my 04.5 which I changed every 5k.

 

[DNJ3982]

The dealer checked the injectors and assured me there were no leaks. However, because I didn't buy my truck from any of the local dealers and, their lack of concern and not wanting to work on my truck, I am having a lack trust.

My .02 is that you should have the injectors checked. If one of the tests came back with significant dilution in that few miles it would seem to me an injector is leaking. I have a 2012 which I use very similarly to yours, i.e. about 30 miles round trip daily, mixed city/highway and tow something several times per month. All my oil changes since new have been from 5000 to 6500 miles which is very similar to my 04.5 which I changed every 5k.

 

[DNJ3982]

Thanks. I will ask the dealer about that.

 

[DNJ3982]

Thanks. I will find out where I can get that analysis done.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thanks. I will find out where I can get that analysis done.

Look up Blackstone labs they will send you a sample kit.

 

[DNJ3982]

Thanks, I did.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Please post your oil report also

 

[DNJ3982]

Are you asking that I post my previous analysis or the Blackstone report once I get it?

 

[sag2]

The truck does not know if an injector is leaking or not. The interval is calculated by a complex algorithm that takes into account a number of parameters.

 

[EDankievitch]

I went through the same issue with the 2012 that I owned after a year of dealing with 1700-1900 mile oil change intervils and having the pan full of fuel (put in 12 qts drain out 16-18 qts) and the dealer changing some injectors.. A few re flashes... Nothing fixed it..... I finally fixed it I got the dealer to take it back and put me into a 2013. The money I'm saving on oil changes and better fuel econ is more than paying for the diff in the price of the truck. Sorry to say it but the emission system on that 12 sucks and the tuning of the engine is the cause of your greef. unless you tow with the truck 100% of the time to keep things really hot normal use will cause it to go into the Re-Gen cycle way too often. Like every hour or less of running time. Sit in traffic and it becomes even more often. Ask me how I know. I was told the truck was being used not as it was intended/ designed to be used. I had No hours Idle time logged in the computer and towed around 25% of the time and still had issues. The trip from Ny to the Cummins factory with speeds averaging 70 still was not enough to extend the oil change interval I made it to 2200 miles on the oil change on that trip longest time ever. Dropped 18 qts out of the pan when I got home.
So my advise dump the truck and get one with a DEF system you'll thank me after that first oil change.

 

[rrnut-2]

My '10 did the same thing. If I drove it, I might get 2600 miles between oil changes, and if my wife drove it, it would get 1700 miles. She would lug the engine in 6 gear way to often. It's the type of emissions systems on those trucks. We also fixed it...traded for a new '14. I would rather pay for the DEF than all of the oil and filters required by the '10.

Jim B

 

[DonFitzwater]

Something was wrong with your trucks! My 2010 got 4500 miles, on average, between oil changes and some of that included long idle times in below zero temps.

Now, my 2014 is waaaaaaay better. It still had 6% oil life showing at 14,015 miles when I did the first oil change......that is impressive to me.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Those with short oil change intervals do you run EB TH all the time?

 

[rrnut-2]

Yes, I did, but my wife didn't. She would run a 40mph zone in 6th gear. Don't have the problem now though!Oo. Love the new truck! Oil change in 15k miles or 1 year, I did it in the 1year mark. Only 8500 miles on the truck and off course, no problems.