Is 7,000 to soon for Synthetic?

[roperteacher]

I have never used Synthetic motor oil in any of my previous dodge trucks. Would like to give it a go on the 06 as I figure I will be keeping this one a bit longer than I have kept the rest. Could I change over to the Synthetic with 7,000 on the clock or should I wait a bit longer? Also, I want to keep the Factory Warranty so I plan on CHanging every 7500 miles or so, is this a Waste of Synthetic oil??? FInally, how often should I swap out the filter inbetween oil changes? I use the Stratopore from Genos... Thanks!!

 

[roperteacher]

Would like to add that I have worked this engine pretty good while pulling my heavy horse trailer. Not sure if that makes a difference...

 

[TowPro]

I think the 06 factory oil change intervels.



Idle a lot? Lots of short trips where the engine never warms up? run in dirty conditions? 7500 miles



none of the above, 15,000 miles (my dealer told me 15,000 only with synethics)

 

[MMeier]

Even though you have towed a bit with this one, I think I'd wait till at least 15k before changing over.

 

[DPKetchum]

Unless something NEW on the Cummins site they have said to wait until 15 to 20k before changing over to full synthetic. Some have swapped over much sooner with no issues but thats not what is recomended.

 

[jwilliams3]

I would switch and not worry.

 

[DieselFiend]

I'd switch too. I also think that you should get your oil samples tested and let that determine your oil change intervals.

 

[RRees]

I switched at about 3K miles. I did that because of winter temps below 0.

I used Rotella T 5w-40. I can't readily find other synthetics for diesel around the Des Moines area. They are probably out there, I just have found what is available in the Des Moines, Iowa market.

 

[DPKetchum]

Well I'd wait and worry even less. Hate to second guess folks with more experience then me sometimes.

 

[Arkapigdiesel]

The old wait until xx,xxx miles to switch to syn oil is an old wives tale that will probably never die.

Switch whenever you want to as the switch will have no effect on seat in or wear.

 

[Prairie Dog]

My engine continued to get better mileage and run smoother unitil about 15k.

I dont think it will hurt anything to switch early but it will likely cost you some fuel mileage and performance.

 

[DPKetchum]

Well tell Cummins about the wives tale. I think they know more about the metalurgy in their rings and blocks as well as cylinder wall finish then I do SOOO I waited as they suggest. Now if it had been a engine that came from the factory with a full synthetic thats a differant story.

 

[SPenczak]

I emailed cummins with this same question except i was at 5000 miles. I asked them if i could run 10w30 regular oil instead of synthetic at that low of a milage. They responded saying to run the synthetic because it needs the 40 weight for heavier loads and that it was more than broken in!!

 

[Coolslice]

I switched at 7k and have never had a problem... Still going strong.

 

[roperteacher]

Thanks for all the replies!! From what I gather it's a 50/50 split on if I am ready for a synthetic at this point. I think I'll wait to 10,000 a happy medium!! :-laf

 

[DPKetchum]

If Cummins NOW says its ok thats fine. But their stance was 15 to 20k and the last time I read this on one of their question and answer sites was 6 months ago or so.

 

[Coolslice]

Thanks for all the replies!! From what I gather it's a 50/50 split on if I am ready for a synthetic at this point. I think I'll wait to 10,000 a happy medium!! :-laf

50/50???? Is there even one person on this board that can prove that switching to synth early actually harmed their truck?? I've never heard of one.

 

[Cattletrkr]

According to our owner's manuals, other than the first 500 miles, there is no break-in period. I don't remember when I switched, I think 7500 or so.



If you're going to change every 7500 miles anyway, don't waste the money for synthetic unless you want the easier cold starts. If you don't run your truck that much in the winter or you can always plug it in before you go, then you don't need the extra expense.



There should be Walmarts around DesMoines I would assume. They handle the Mobile full synth. Stay away from Rotella and other cheaper synths 'cause they're most likely not full synth regardless of what the bottle says and your paying for 90% or more dino.



You can always order Amsoil online too.

 

[roperteacher]

Coolslice, I was refering to about 50/50 yes and no of the responses I have received on this thread, not on the TDR in General. Just making an observation that about half of the people who responded to my thread said YES to switch and other 50 said to wait a bit longer... Oo.

 

[roperteacher]

I just looked aon AMSOIL as I have the prefered customer discount and it would only cost me 58. 00 for a case of 12 of the HD 15/40 Synthetic oil. I don't consider that a high cost if I changed every 7500 or so...