A new low mileage for oil change light to come on....3231 miles...On full rotella syn

[rwitt]

Dodge did not provide any indication to tell the driver when the engine is in regen mode. Many of us have either ordinary analog gauges (Dipricol for me) or a fancy electronic black box with a digital readout. Either will show an increased egt when in regen mode.

I don't know about the pickup versions but in my C&C truck I can detect a different exhaust note at idle and a very slight, almost indistinguishable increased tip-in throttle response off idle. I might have never noticed either but a glance at the pyro gauge confirms regen because of higher egt.

How is everybody know when its in re-gen???? I never notice any idle change, major mileage drop etc... .

As Harvey said, slight increase in exhaust tone at idle, plus the idle of the engine is a little louder than normal. I have noticed the throttle response change during regen also. I also have the Edge Insight (gauges only) which will tell you when it is in regen.
Rich

 

[Terry Jay]

I got a '12 3500 DRW longbed a year ago. Oil change messages have been between 5,000 and 7,500 miles. The truck now has 32,700 on it and has had 5 oil changes, the last at 30,000 miles. The '07 5. 9 got changed every 7,500 miles.

The dealer made a point of saying two things. First, do not use synthetics until after 30,000 miles. Second, really goose it when getting on the freeway or at other opportunities.

We towed a 15,000lb 5th from WA to IN to AK and back to WA, for a bit over 11,000 miles Pretty much stayed between 9. 5 and 10 mpg. Unloaded highway now shows around 17 on the dash and calculates out above 16. 5. That is a notable improvement from the 14mpg I got on the drive home from the dealer.

 

[HBarlow]

I got a '12 3500 DRW longbed a year ago. Oil change messages have been between 5,000 and 7,500 miles. The truck now has 32,700 on it and has had 5 oil changes, the last at 30,000 miles. The '07 5. 9 got changed every 7,500 miles.

The dealer made a point of saying two things. First, do not use synthetics until after 30,000 miles. Second, really goose it when getting on the freeway or at other opportunities.

We towed a 15,000lb 5th from WA to IN to AK and back to WA, for a bit over 11,000 miles Pretty much stayed between 9. 5 and 10 mpg. Unloaded highway now shows around 17 on the dash and calculates out above 16. 5. That is a notable improvement from the 14mpg I got on the drive home from the dealer.

That's the kind of posts I like to read here about the new trucks. Clearly you are driving yours as it was intended to be driven.

 

[Bug Out]

Same here. . There's hope for my driveway Queen!!!!! I need to pound her harder, I mean, throttle her harder, and things will be better... LOL..... Couldn't help myself...

 

[rscurtis]

I wouldn't place much faith in the dealer's advice on synthetic oil. Many vehicles now use it as the initial fill. Regarding break-in, that's something left over from the old days. With today's modern machining methods and metallurgy, engine break-in is no longer necessary.

 

[HBarlow]

None of the three Dodges I've owned, 2001 through 2008, have had a word to say in the owner's manual about engine break-in, use or avoidance of synthetic engine lube oil. The only guidance has been to avoid towing for the first 500 miles to allow the ring and pinion to wear in.

When a poster says his dealer told him to do something or avoid doing something it usually means a salesman or a mechanic, neither of whom actually own a Dodge-Cummins or know anything about them.

 

[Terry Jay]

I got the truck from Dave Smith. Yes, it was the salesman, but it appeared to arise from there training program oh how to avoid problems.

Anyway, based on the results the advice seems to have been sound.

It was notable on the '07 5. 9 that a light foot around town needed to be balanced with hard acceleration to blow out the carbon build-up. Carbon was never a problem when towing, especially with the number of mountains we cross. I have noticed on the 6. 7 that anytime I get much above 17 mpg on the dash it will soon do a regen and drop as much as 1mpg. But that is still pretty decent mileage given the truck weighs 9,000lbs and has 4wd and duals. It was not purchased for its fuel efficiency empty but rather for its efficiency and effectiveness under load.

I should mention one other unrelated item, the combination of the Tow/Haul and the exhaust brake meant that on the downhill mountain grades I often had to lightly apply the throttle to hold the downhill speed. Foot off the throttle, the truck kept slowing. There are a couple of grades in Canada that exceed 10% and very twisty, so dropping down to 3rd or 4th minimized use of the service brakes.

 

[Bug Out]

Well, I have to admit... ... . With all my crying about early oil changes, high fuel filter cost, blah blah blah,,this truck is one TOWING "SOME BEACH"... . I took the 5th for a short hop up I-17 for a small camping trip, and I must admit, she impressed the hell outta me... Once past Hwy 74 n/b on I-17, the speed limit is 75... I don't tow the 5th at 75mph. . 70 is my max. . Cruise control, hills and all. . Albeit, small grades, but she roared her high maintenance arse right up those hills like nobodies business passing semi's-like they were Ford Diesels... ... . I took her off cruise and as I was going down hill, it felt like she dropped anchor into the asphalt and we started slowing(exhaust brake kicked on) in a HURRY,long before I needed too!! I have gained a new found respect for my "high maintenance" expensive silver beauty queen parked in the driveway... "Prissy Priscilla" as I call her now. . After talking to a fella at the campsite who had a 3500 03' CTD dually 6sp with no exhaust brake, telling me about smoking his brakes, I gave Priscilla a little wink... LOL

 

[wyosteve]

Good post Bug Out. I'm at 5000 miles now and no change oil light, but am taking it in today for a change. I'm heading in your direction Friday (Deer Valley) to pick up a 5th wheel I just bought so will get a chance to experience any difference the 2012 may have vs. my previous 04. 5.