how soon should oil be changed?

[CDyksman]

As the title suggests, I am wondering how soon I should change the oil in my new '06? Thanks

 

[tdinut]

Everyone has their opinion ...

I think the general consensus is change it during the first 1,000 - 2,000 miles. I did mine at 1,600 mi. because it was a convenient time. I did it again at around 6,600 miles. Seems fine. I probably will go synthetic after 15,000 - 20,000 as I don't tow and use it as a daily driver. Good Luck with the new truck I want to change the front and rear differential, auto transmission, and transfer case at around 10,000 miles just for luck.

 

[mgoncalves]

I did my first change at 9,000 miles, mostly towing.



I figure with how hard these new engines are to break in, maybe I could speed up the process with leaving the oil in it. OK, so really I drove 9,000 miles the first month I had it, and didn't have time to change the oil until then .





Matt

 

[RSeymon]

First oil change

This week end I will do my first change. 4500 miles 3600 of that pulling 13,00 lbs. fifth wheel. I'm going with amsoil for the motor and will also change the rear end fluid at same time (all synthetic). Will change out trany fluid at 15,000 miles.



Just my 2 cents worth.



Newest Amsoil dealer as of Sept 1

 

[J&LRam]

Cummins gives us a great oil change schedule at 7500/15000 for our engines. I'm stock so the first was 7500 [winter and towing]. I use the 15000 when not towing. Changing oil at 2-3k on a stock engine is a waste of oil. Follow your maintenence manual... ..... JIM

 

[pwr2tow]

My 06 owners manual says 3,750 for towing and 15,000 for non towing. I will change mine at the 4,000 mark. If I can hold out that long :-laf :-laf , I love to do maintenance work on my trucks.

 

[2broke2smoke]

40K dollar truck ... change it at 1 or 2 thousand just to be on the safe side ... new break in material or any junk from assembly ...



10$ filter 30$ oil ... why not?

 

[CKimball]

i have to agree... 40k+ truck... early first oil change =cheap insurance... . I did my first one at 600 miles... then at 3000k and 3000k ever since... oil analisys is great but I sleep better knowing my high dollar purchase is resting nicly with FRESH blood in it... . but if you trade of yer truck in a couple three years (like alot do and I dont know who they can afford it) then it dont matter... my two cents

cameron

 

[Diesel Nut]

I did mine at 3k. Switched it over to synthetic. You don't have to wait to install syn, but as long as you have decent oil in it no sense in wasting it. The motors a re fired at the factory and run for a short period of time, then drained and refilled, so I think the majority of the junk is gone from them, and the filter catches it too. Bottom line is whatever makes you sleep better.

 

[betterthanstock]

Bottom line is whatever makes you sleep better.

Yep. The millions of school busses and ups trucks that use our engine don't change it any more often than recommended.



As for adding synthetic right away, cummins recommends you allow it to break in on mineral oil, for better piston sealing. That can take up to 30K if you don't tow.

 

[stacerbob]

My buddies "06, we changed @ 1400 & 3200 & 5500 & the rearend (MAG HYTEC) @ 3200

 

[klenger]

This topic reminds me of a questioned that was aked of a nurse in the child birth classes. "How long should I wait till I spank my child". The response was ... "anytime is OK, but most new parents wait at least till they get the baby home". Oo.



I think I did mine after about 3 months. The truck, not the baby.

 

[MChildress]

I change mine every 3000 and its black after the first start up. My Powerstrokes start getting dark at 3000 miles. I'v read its normal for the Cummins to blacken the oil quickly. I'v been thinking about a by-pass oil filter.