By the Numbers

[EDankievitch]

Ok it been almost a year since I got the dealer to take my 2012 back and place me in a 2013. My family thought I was nuts dumping the 12. It's a new truck why are you wasting your money? were their comments. Well here is a bit of back story. I had ordered a 2012 standard cab 2500 SLT 4x4 with the G56 transmission. It was red and awesome, quiet and powerful. That was the good. the bad it would fill the crankcase with fuel. A few trips back to the dealer service shop. New injectors and a few re- flashes and it would still load the oil with fuel. The computer would scream and demand oil changes every 1800-2000 miles. My fuel Mpg's were averaging 12.5-13.75. The best I could squeeze out of it was 18.75 on the trip from Ny to the Cummins factory rally. Also it would kick an emmissions code from time to time when the O2 sensors needed to be cleaned. When I brought it in for the annual NYs inspection the shop was running late so I started walking around the dealership. Sitting there was a few 2013's fed up with my 12 I asked the sales manage what would it take to get me out of the truck...... Yea... I was an easy target for a sales op. After much Dickering and I admit it a trip to a Ford dealer, Hey I was really un happy with the 12. it worked out that the 2013 2500 SLT crew cab 4x4 that was on the lot was $40 more a month than the 12. Sold! I now had another new truck. Family thinkin I had lost it and looking to have me committed... Well the first week the truck used almost half the fuel the 12 did.
So here is how the numbers work out after a year of ownership and 22500 miles
Average Mpg's 17.3 that's for the year. Some trips better, as high as 22.75 had one tank in the Fla Keys that I got 28.9. Some trips 15.5. but never less than 15 even in the snow. I have used 21 gal of DEF. And by far the best is the oil change requirement only 3 for the year. First at 2000 miles just to get the break in oil out the computer said I still had 14000 miles to go on the oil. While I trust Cummins when they say 15,000 miles on the oil I can't let it go past 10,000 miles. At 10,000 it will use about 3/4 or a quart of oil and it's still oil No fuel in it.
The 12 had 13 oil changes in the same 12 months the year before. So for the real numbers the 2013 cost $3850.85 less to drive for the year than the 12. That figure includes the $40more a month the loan costs and the extra DEF. I am using Shell Rotella Synthetic in the 13 where the 12 got the cheapest reg 15-40 I could find as it was not staying in the pan very long.
In the end was I nuts to dump a new 2012? Well nutts, crazy, Yea I am. I probbally should be committed....Lol
But the truck deal after seeing the numbers was a No brainer.

 

[AnOldBiker]

I've reviewed several forums and have discovered this:
* many have bought 07 through 12 and complained about the cummins manufacturing oil between oil changes
* many have complained that the dealerships have dismissed this problem
* many have complained that their complained to the manufacture was ignored or dismissed with a comment that this is always a possibility and is nothing to be concerned about
* many have turned in an oil analysis and found the fuel dilution percentage was extremely high at the end of the oil change run.
* many have sold and bought new trucks or another brand name truck to rid of the problems.

Now many isn't thousands of owners, but a large amount that have come forth and complained. If you spend the mega bucks it cost for a truck, dilution of your oil can and sooner will cause major engine damage and that cost money.

My 06 isn't as comfortable as the new ones nor does it have all the new extras one can buy today, but it doesn't burn oil nor makes oil as I drive. The oil test results are well within specifications and has been a great preforming vehicle. I will never rid my self of it for a long time coming.

As for your families comments. I had an 05 Ford diesel before this Dodge. At the 20k mark on the odometer, the truck died and I was able to get it safely off the road. In the middle of the desert in the middle of California in the middle of August. It took over 1 1/2 hours for the tow truck to get there. Ford had it 1 day shy of two weeks. They called and said it was fixed. I as an owner have always wanted to know the route cause of a problem, for it may happen again. I found out they did not know and had to through in new part after part until it ran. Yet they didn't find the original cause. But the warrantee was almost out and this could happen again and the cost from my wallet. I went to Dodge and traded it in for the present truck. I rid myself of the route cause. Never had an problem since. Three weeks later we moved cross country with a trailer filled to the hill and never worried one mile.

You have done the same thing, you removed a costly problem from your families life. I feel they should be backing you instead of questioning you.

 

[EDankievitch]

I hate to say it but RAM's concern is that it lasts until the warranty ends. If you have lube oil dilution as I did it will run might even last the 100,000 miles but it's not going to be a tight engine nor happy. Buy out of warranty. I'm not going to be a best customer as far as the dealer is concerned as I plan to keep this truck until the wheels fall off and not replace it with in the next year. So I want a truck that is going to last and that is why I own a Cummins powered truck not a Powerstroke. The 2012 truck was a bad idea to meet the demands the EPA placed on Cummins and RAM I'm glad that we're on to better Ideas with the 13 and newer trucks.

 

[wyosteve]

ED, thanks for the write up and sorry to hear of all the troubles you've had with your '12. I have a '12 and have not had one issue. In fact, oil changes are less frequent than on my 04.5, which I changed every 5k. My '12 has been averaging 6k to 7k between changes. I tow something probably once a week and regularly take longer trips so that may explain some of the difference. As far as mileage, it is running very clost to my 04.5 as well. I've certainly been pleased with the increased comfort in the new one. I've turned over 30k and don't have one complaint. Hope your '13 keeps treating you well.