First oil change

[cmills]

When did you do your first oil change, did you change it early to get rid of any extra wear particles from break-in or did you just go by the EVIC? I used to change mine pretty early but I've heard that it is not really necessary.

 

[AH64ID]

I have always been a fan of dumping the original oil within 500 miles, it's cheap enough.

It's reported as not being necessary, but I am not sure if that is mechanically based or consumer based (who wants to buy a new rig and have to change the oil right away?)

 

[RUSSELL5000]

FWIW, IMHO: the awesome Cummins was an $8K option - worth the $60 oil change to me. I changed mine at 500 miles, 1,000 miles, and 3,000 miles. $180 to protect $8,000 upgrade.

 

[cmills]

And is the sealing washer on the drain plug reusable it looks like it's some sort of plastic vs a metal washer like my 5.9. And what about the torque specs for the drain plug is it at risk of cracking like the plugs on the 5.9 if over tightened?

 

[LocoPilot750]

I took my '14 Laramie into the dealer to get it aligned, had 2000 miles on it. Asked them if they had time to do the first oil change, they said "it didn't need it yet". They owe me the first three changes, so at 15,000 miles (or 6 months), let's see, that's 45,000 miles, or almost two years. I'll probably traded it off by then or when it gets further into the warranty anyway. I was kinda careless with the oil changes on my '97, but always used Fleetguard Stratapore filters. 400,000 no probems, yes I kept, and no, it's NOT FOR SALE.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

cmills: I suggest investing in the Fumoto oil drain plug - you can get it at Geno's. Put the plug in once and your are done with that. There is also an end cap filter wrench, and a cup-like thing to grab a hot oil filter with. I got those and now oil changes are so easy. I put the drain plug on both my cars as well. I change the oil in the truck, two cars, and lawnmower/snowblower in about an hour - easy, quick, no spilled oil, ....

 

[Jim W]

I agree with the Fumoto oil drain valve. This allows you to drain the oil without removing the valve from the pan. There is a spring loaded lever that needs to be pushed out and than turned down to open and drain the engine oil into a 5 gallon catch can. No mess and hot diesel engine oil running down your arm, like you get when you remove the plug. I have been using one since I bought my 08 truck with no issues what so ever.

To access the oil filter you need to access this from the passenger side wheel well now instead of from under the truck. Ram made a frame change on the newer trucks and blocked access from underneath.

Jim W.

 

[jlb27537]

I asked the same question. Dealership said wait for the light to come on. OK at 5K I went in and said I wanted a oil change. Did the light come on. Nope. Then it is not due. I don't care about the light, I want it changed. I was paying for it. Now it is 6 months later. Got 4 K on this oil change. Same thing. Did light come on? Nope. It is not due. Owners manual says every 6 months. OK, but it does not need changing. Changed it anyway. Why is it so hard to get the dealership to change the oil when you are paying for it?

 

[Doubleclutch]

Just a thought about a new engine early oil change. Note that the new engine is filled with synthetic oil from the factory. My recollection was that you DON'T use synthetic oil in a new engine until the rings wear in.... I guess that since it comes with synthetic oil, there probably won't be much crud to be dumped with an early change. Also concerning the Fumoto or Ez Change drain plugs- My experiences have been that not all oil gets drained out of the pan, leaving almost a quart behind. This with both the Fumoto and Ez. I preferred the Ez, because the hose allowed a directed flow of hot, dirty oil into the chosen container. Your call, but I sure did appreciate not having to worry about stripping the drain plug boss with each oil change. Greg

 

[LocoPilot750]

I wondered about the synthetic oil too. My '14 came with 5-40 full syn according to the dealer. I always thought they used regular 15-40, but not anymore I guess. The owner's manual says the Cummins does not require a break in anymore, so I guess maybe the modern manufacturing techniques have eliminated the need. After I though about it I guess I will go by the book and change at 6 months/15,000 now, using the full syn 5-40, and let them worry about it, it's their idea, their warranty. Metallic particles from the manufacture will end up in the filter anyway, so not too worried about the first change, hate to throw away good oil.

 

[Jim W]

I really don't see how a quart could be left in the oil pan when using the Fumoto drain valve. I have been using the Fumoto drain valve for six years now and there maybe a couple of ounces left in the pan but that is all. It does take me about 30 min's to change my oil this is to allow the oil pan to drain completely.

Jim W.

 

[Doubleclutch]

If any of the treads stick up above the bottom of the pan, oil won't drain as thoroughly as using the stock drain plug. Might be differences in individual pans/bosses/valves. Just my experience.

 

[Kirwin]

Well I'd agree with you Doubleclutch, except that the nut that the drain plug threads into is welded to inside of the oil pan. I'm sure that the oil doesn't drain through the nut, so either way there is some oil left in the pan. 6 one, half-dozen the other. I was astounded that I had to change the oil every 6 months or 15K miles on the 2013. I have gone > 10K on an oil change on the 03 when on a trip, and you could still read the letters on the dipstick through the oil. Not on the 2013 though; I drained some of the blackest nastiest oil I have seen come out of a new engine at 6 months with only 4806 miles on the engine. No short trip driving, about half loaded towing miles, kind of disappointing if you ask me. Ken Irwin

 

[CBari]

Just a thought about a new engine early oil change. Note that the new engine is filled with synthetic oil from the factory. My recollection was that you DON'T use synthetic oil in a new engine until the rings wear in.... I guess that since it comes with synthetic oil, there probably won't be much crud to be dumped with an early change. Also concerning the Fumoto or Ez Change drain plugs- My experiences have been that not all oil gets drained out of the pan, leaving almost a quart behind. This with both the Fumoto and Ez. I preferred the Ez, because the hose allowed a directed flow of hot, dirty oil into the chosen container. Your call, but I sure did appreciate not having to worry about stripping the drain plug boss with each oil change. Greg

Doubleclutch that was my thought about the oil draining until I saw the inside of the a 5.9 oil pan. The one I saw had a nut welded to the bottom of the pan that stuck up as much a the easy drain oil plugs do so it was no different in the amount of oil that physical could drain out.