Here I am

First Oil Change

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Gota question...

External 22 micron transmission filter....does it work?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Looking at the description of the "A" and "B" schedule in my owners manual, I decided my current driving habits most closely relate to the A schedule. I currently have 11,000 miles on my truck. When I brought my truck into my 5 Start dealer the service tech asked if I had changed my oil before this interval. I said no I'm following the "A" schedule which states 15,000 for the first oil change. The service tech proceeded to tell me that the "A" schedule is for vehicles that only travel highway miles in 70 degree weather? He went on to state that it states that in the owners manual and proceeded to read me the conditions for the "B" schedule. I then asked if they would send an oil sample out for analysis and he said it's too expensive and he hasn't done that in about four years. I gave up at this point and just had them service the vehicle, changing the oil, oil filter, lubing the tie rods, rotating the tires and draining the differentials and filling with synthetic. I chose this mileage to have the service because it is a compromise between the "A" and "B" schedule. I don't feel I have done any damage to my vehicle.



I guess I'm soliciting opinions as to whether the "B" schedule should be followed if the vehicle isn't used as described by that schedule? Basically at this point it is just a passenger vehicle.
 
If you will use a API CI-4+ oil you can safely go with the A schedule. I would use a major brand product. Remember, the service writer is on a incentive program.



These engines are really made to work and I believe the A service with a premium oil would be just fine even if your working it hard. Now with that being said, if you BOMB, I would recommend that you follow a good oil analysis program.



Just my opinion based on over 20 years in the oil industry with diesels.

Warren
 
My '05 is pretty much a passenger vehicle as well. I hardly think pulling a 1500lb snowmobile trailer qualifies as work for this truck. I also live in a rural area so the vast majority of driving has been and will be highway.



I changed the first time at 5000 miles. I swithed to Amsoil synthetic and plan to run 10k intervals with that oil. I also went to Amsoil in the diffs and t-case at 5k. I did my fuel filter at 10k. The only issue is the oil and fuel filter intervals are off but, a good excuse to futz under the hood every 5k miles I guess.



I am sure you didn't hurt anything. I bet you could easily run the A schedule and never have a problem. Sounds like your use is along the lines of the A anyway.
 
BHOLM,

I swicthed to Amsoil at 10,000 miles. I run 7500 miles and change the oil filter and add a quart. Than at 15,000 miles I change the oil and filter. I sent samples for analysist everytime and the it shows no unusual wear. I have 47,000 miles on the truck now. I also swicthed the diff's to Amsoil. Very happy with results. Just thought I would give you my two cents in case you want to run a little longer on your oil.



Jeff
 
14,000 for the next service

I was surprised to see the sticker for the next oil change was 3 months or 14,000 miles. Thats only 3000 miles from now. Warren I think your right they are on incentive and looking to get you in there as much as possible.



Rbattelle - No they didn't and I know they didn't inspect the water pump weep hole, clean the water in fuel sensor, inspect the brake linings, and inspect the parking brake as prescribed by the "B" schedule. I was thinking about taking it in at 15,000 to have those other items done if I'm going to stay on the "B" schedule.



I installed my intake at about 5000 miles so there is a mix between half the miles on the factory airbox and half on the AFE setup. Now that the oil has been changed and all the miles will be on the AFE system I will get an oil analysis at the next change. For those of you that have done the analysis, what is the procedure? Who did you use? I have seen the name Blackstone before, anybody got a website or contact info?
 
PapaDelta it sounds ilke you are much closer to the A schedule than B, but for peace of mind, why don't you do something in between? If A is 15k miles and B is 7500, why not compromise and change your oil at 10k? With a CI-4 oil that is no problem. As for diffs, you changed earlier than schedule b even, which specifies 15k.



DEFINITELY change the fuel filter! I recommend every 10-15k but if you're going to do oil drains every 10k I'd do the fuel filter at the same time. Especially the first one, many folks(including myself) have found them to be clogged/black/nasty at 7500 miles.



I think it may be blackstonelabs.com but just type it into google and you will find the website. Other companies include www.avlube.com or www.oaitesting.com . Just make sure you get a test that shows TBN . Some people are getting cheapy tests that provide less than complete info - like the test kits from CAT.
 
Update

I'm completing my first full tank of fuel after the service and by hand calculations I'm getting approximately 100 miles more per tank full than previously. I'm 99. 9% sure they didn't flash my ECU because my overhead is still an inaccurate POS. Has anybody else experienced this? Surely at 11,000 some odd miles this truck can't be broken in. I wonder if draining and refilling the differentials had something to do with it? Isn't the break-in fluid in the diff's a synthetic? I know they refill with synthetic but if the factory stuff isn't as viscous it may have been responsible.
 
When I had my truck in to replace my fuel pump, the service tech had a look at my maintenance book and asked me why I haven't changed my oil yet? I since I only had 7000km on the oil I told him that I was 5000km short of the 12000km B schedule interval. The service tech then proceeded to tell me that these 600's run really dirty and the oil should be changed at 6000km, and the 12000km recommendation was only for the cleaner running engines sold in California. I tried to tell him that the engine in my truck was the identical engine sold in California, and that the reason that the 600's get the oil so black is due to extra soot getting dumped in the oil from the retarded valve timing and 3rd injection event, that were required to meet the new emission laws. I continued to tell him that I also have a Frantz by-pass filter installed and I will be taking an oil analysis to confirm that the 12,000km oil change interval is sufficient. This shut him up since he realized that I seem to know more about my truck then the average customer, or any dodge service tech. :rolleyes:



It upsets me that they are getting people to change the oil twice as often as needed. It wouldn’t bother me it they recommended more reasonable a 10000km interval, but 6000km is just overkill.



Papa Delta,



I noticed about a 1 mpg increase after I changed all of my drive train fluids @ 7300km. So I guess the factory Mopar stuff is not quite as slippery as the Mobil 75w90, Redline MTL/Mt-90, Amsoil ATF combination I replaced it with.



Carl
 
Papa Delta,

I am in the same situation as you - 1-500 miles on a 2004 305 Cummins 2WD. I think I am going to compromise and change oil and filter next weekend myself, but the "A" schedule never (up to 100000 miles) never says to CHANGE the rear axle fluid; just the "B" schedule. This seems like overkill?

By the way, the book calls for oil designated API Service Rating CI-4/SH. I can only find CI-4/SL SJ. I assume that this is a "higher" rating than SH but can't find prrof of it. Anyone know?



Earl
 
Depending on the power setting, your truck can smoke like the old ones. This soot overloads the additive package after a while. I use 4000-5000 mile oil change intervals.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top