Break-in without load

[mimprevento]

I like my 2002 3500 QC SLT 4x4 Dually and take it of-road in deep sand on beach and will occasionally tow a race car and a trailer but I have not put the engine under any load- Cummins says 10-20k but seems to imply that a "good" break-in needs the engine to be loaded- I just like diesels and hope that the motor doesn't need frequent loads to be happy- I have 5200 miles on it- took delivery in late December- mpg is combined 14-14. 5 and 17-19 on a straight highway run at 65-70- I have 4. 10 rear locker- Dana 80- does everybody out there tow with these?

 

[Jumbo Jet]

My '02 has 5100 miles on it. I towed my 5th wheel TT 300 miles when the truck only had 500 miles on it. I've towed three times total.



My '01 was a 5 speed and I did not tow with it until it had about 6000 miles on it.



My '02 Auto with 5100 miles will run circles around the '01. Has more power - gets better fuel mileage. '01 & '02 have 4. 10 gears.



Empty running 65-70mph I get 21mpg. Running 75-80mph I get 18. 5mpg. The '02 pulls much stronger than the '01. I never would've thought it.

 

[Snow man]

You dont need to tow to break it in,but it sure does help speed up the process. My truck didnt have a trailer behind it until it had 51K on it,it was bone stock too. It runs great. I do tow with mine,but id have bought it anyway,I just love the CTD,the fact that i needed it for work was the icing on the cake.

 

[RACE427]

Break in

I broke in my Cummins without any load from towing. Just accelerated up to 65 mph and then coasted down to about 30 mph and back up again about 15 times. Drove the truck out to Columbus, OH and did not go beyond 2500 rpms. My gearing is 3:54 and an Auto trans. At a current 8300 miles my engine uses no crankcase oil that is noticeable. It would not bother me if it did use a little oil as then I would know for sure that the rings are being lubricated.

I did not buy this truck for towing purposes at all. The most weight I will ever tow is a small utility trailer and maybe flat tow my 3,200 lb. GTO. Bought the Dodge strictly because of the Cummins Diesel which has a excellent reputation for reliability, performance and I like the fact that it sits higher than any other factory truck. If the Dodge had a Mercedes Diesel I would not have considered it one bit. I feel the Cummins has it over the Benz Diesel in spades.

You will hear many people complain about different things on their trucks, cars etc. The grass always looks greener on the other side. Don't abuse your truck and it will give you many happy trouble free miles. But, if you beat on it then the saying goes, " You play, you pay !" Enjoy the great fuel mileage, the pulling power and the comfort of a full size truck. When you compare your fuel mileage to those who bought a gasser you will smile for sure. The longevity of a Diesel will outlive a gas engine. The truck will rust around that Cummins and the engine will still have plenty of life. They are good for 500,000 to 1 million miles if you take care of them. Good luck and welcome to TDR! Enjoy the real ride !!

 

[Okie-Go]

I bought my 01 HO and other than the test drive I drove it 10 miles to hook up the 5er and continue on my vacation. Had 38 miles total on the truck when got back to campground. The next 1,000 miles was under load with the 5er. Truck is doing fine now at 39,500 miles.

 

[fj40charles]

My engine ran much better after towing. It ran smoother and had more power. Personally, I don't think it will really break in

until you get around 50K miles or so. I know my truck ran MUCH better after 20,000 miles or so.



Also, I believe towing is better for our truck than driving around in town since it gets the motor nice and hot and results in better fuel burn.



charles

 

[mimprevento]

Thanks for input

Thanks for input- Glad to see a fellow New Yawker ( I hail from Virginia now but born a Yankee) just bought the thing for the engine and the chance to get high teen gas mileage with something that can do almost everything- except for hauling the occasional dead deer, firewood or assorted junk I will just be chillin' down the road- not a drop of oil has been used since bought. I also believe that except for giving it more air and a better exhaust that too much fooling with the other stuff can lead to more problems. I did a lot to my LS1 firebird when I had it but I am gonna leave the Big Green alone- Thanks again and glad to be part of TDR. Well I did add some great badges from the Cummins PowerStore but I suspect even DC cannot claim they void the warranty!!!!