Maintance

[John60]

Just got my first diesel 2016 ram 2500. When should I change the oil for the first time. The book is saying around 10,000 miles. Seems like a lot for first oil change.

 

[Beast2B]

2000 is my normal first change. Check out genosgarage.com for Fleetguard oil and fuel filters.

 

[promisedland]

Welcome Friend!! How 'bout' some pics for us to drool over??!!

 

[jacknife]

maintence

Why waste your money. Just change it when the book says ' that gives the engine enough time to smooth out the metal and you won' be doing it on your first oil change.
I have owned a total of 9 cummins engines and never had an oil related failure on any of them. 6 of them had 500,000 on them

 

[kthaxton]

It says 10,000? Are you sure you're looking at the Diesel maintenance list?, it should be 15,000 or 6 months, whatever comes first.

 

[SnoKing]

So RAM figures people 30k a year? We are going to be pushing it to put 10-12 k a year on our new RAM. Sorry RAM, I am not going to throw away good oil at 6 months. Sounds like quick lube and 3k changes.

I did change it the first time at around 4.5k or something like that. Chris

 

[Bruce Beard]

So RAM figures people 30k a year? We are going to be pushing it to put 10-12 k a year on our new RAM. Sorry RAM, I am not going to throw away good oil at 6 months. Sounds like quick lube and 3k changes.

I did change it the first time at around 4.5k or something like that. Chris

I am not trying to sound like a wise *** but... I love it when people believe they know more on a subject than the engineers who designed something as complex as a modern diesel! There, I said it!
If it where an EPA mandated extension of intervals, I'd think about it and perhaps change more frequently (I've seen tons of engines damaged by "unique to the USA" long mileage oil change intervals... However if a manufacturer says change it? It is changed! I don't believe that Ram or Cummins stands to gain anything on suggesting an early oil change. Even the seemingly expensive cost of an oil change at a dealership is a loss leader for them ( I.e. they loose money on the service in order to get you in the door).
I've made my living servicing cars and one thing I never do is ignore service intervals.
Just my 2 cents,
Bruce

 

[Camperman]

My 2012 get the oil changed when the EVIC displays the 'Change oil Soon' message. I think that changing oil is one of the most single best insurance policies on any vehicle, gas or diesel. Don't skimp on routine scheduled maintenance.

 

[EDankievitch]

Engineers are asked to design a product weather it be a bridge a space ship or an engine to "get the job done". They could build a bridge that will never break but it'd be so costly we would never build it. The same with an engine. One could be built with the new tec available today that It would never fail/ ware out. But then the manufacture would sell only a few and go out of business as it too would be too costly. So the engineers compromise. It's a balance what is good enough to "get the job done' and how much it costs or weighs. Engine builders need to sell engines to stay in business.
That said the most amount of metal is put into the engine oil with in those first few miles. If you want to get the most life out of your engine run it easy that first few thousand miles and between 1000 and 2000 do an oil change. Get that break in metal out of the engine. At least just change the filter and replace the oil that left with the old filter. After that first oil change you can run the engine harder let it heat up an cool down a bit. But do't over do it. Give it half a chance and the engine will live a very long and happy life. I'm sure there are many that have run the full 10k on that first oil change and got very good life out of their engines, over 500K miles. Just think how long that engine would last with even a slight bit better care.
We run 4000 hours between oil changes on our 645-EMD's we run on out boats. Filters every thousand hours. Oil samples each time. We have yet to have to change a crank. Main bearings we'll inspect every overhaul at 30,000 hours. We'll replace them around 90,000 hours. Our one boat has well over 155,000 hours of running time on the engines and it's still going strong. Give them half a chance and you'll be very happy with the life you get out of them.

 

[SnoKing]

The point I am making is that if Joe drives 15K in 6 months and I drive 5K in the same 6 months, are both on our oils at End of Life and need to be changed. On a pre 2013's I could understand it, however on the DEF trucks I find that excessive.

SNOKING

 

[kthaxton]

Time, by itself, breaks down oil while it is in an engine (I added that last part so Newsa won't start looking for date codes on oil containers ).

I'm not sure why people can spend 50-70k on a truck, then are reluctant to spend less than $100 twice a year even though the manufacturer recommends it.

 

[LLucas]

I change my oil every 3000 miles and my fuel filters every 2nd oil change! Now of coarse this is just me and the way i like to do it and i also rotate my tires every 5000 miles has worked well for me over the years also gives me a chance to look over and inspect things that may be wearing or going bad before it goes bad

 

[Bruce Beard]

The point I am making is that if Joe drives 15K in 6 months and I drive 5K in the same 6 months, are both on our oils at End of Life and need to be changed. On a pre 2013's I could understand it, however on the DEF trucks I find that excessive.

SNOKING

I hear and understand you. My thought is that if they want it that way, there is a reason. Secondly, I'd hate to loose out on a warranty for an extra $100 dollars a year! Sounds like cheap insurance to me...
Just sayin
Bruce

 

[Kirwin]

While I'm under RAM's warranty I'm sticking with the book, every 15K miles or 6 months (or 500 hours). Does it NEED to be changed at 3600 miles (my last mileage at 6 months)? In my opinion no, but, its RAM's warranty and they say it does. After the warranty is over I'm going to once a year or 15K miles.

 

[Cummins12V98]

So RAM figures people 30k a year? We are going to be pushing it to put 10-12 k a year on our new RAM. Sorry RAM, I am not going to throw away good oil at 6 months. Sounds like quick lube and 3k changes.

I did change it the first time at around 4.5k or something like that. Chris

Same here and per the computer it looks like the oil will have at or near 15K when the genie says to change it.

I WILL be doing a Blackstone oil analysis at that time.

 

[Berrigan]

The point I am making is that if Joe drives 15K in 6 months and I drive 5K in the same 6 months, are both on our oils at End of Life and need to be changed. On a pre 2013's I could understand it, however on the DEF trucks I find that excessive.

SNOKING[/QUOTE

And if the 6 month interval is the magic "end of life" for oil then I am sure all dealers round up all the unsold new trucks in their lot (with 27 miles on them) and change the oil if the manufacture date of the truck is 6 months prior. Forgive me for being a smart --- but how does storing oil in a crankcase make it go bad. Now I certainly understand condensation issues if engines are started and not warmed up completely before shutdown. Short trips are not good for oil. It would seem to me that an algorithm in the computer should be able to log engine use information and calculate when changes are really needed. Don't get me wrong I will follow the manufacturers recommended interval but I agree with Snoking on this one. What about the guys with motor homes. Drive 500 miles to an RV park and sit for 6 months. I doubt the oil in that engine needs to be changed unless he is idling every day to charge batteries.

There has to be some common ground on this. I am guessing the manufacturer is just being safe and cautious with the six month number since they don't know all the variables a particular engine is exposed to.

 

[kthaxton]

I think this explains what oil is subjected to pretty well and how time IS a factor.

http://www.le-international.com/pdf/068-motor-oil-degradation.pdf

 

[Newsa]

Time, by itself, breaks down oil while it is in an engine (I added that last part so Newsa won't start looking for date codes on oil containers ).

I'm not sure why people can spend 50-70k on a truck, then are reluctant to spend less than $100 twice a year even though the manufacturer recommends it.

Since I was mentioned here, i'll chime in even if people are tired of me.

As for warranty. FCA or any other warranty offered by the manufacturer can't be voided unless they can verify that it was an oil-related failure. But i'm not cheap on my regular maintenance. I use amsoil and have 6 oil changes in 21,000 miles (30 months of ownership). I keep my oil fresh because i use it as a daily driver and there might be fuel dilution from idling and cold starts. As for the 6 months recommendation, over time, the oil doesn't break down very quickly. For God's sake, it can stay under ground for hundreds of thousands of years. But sitting in your oil pan it can oxidize slowly, and absorb moisture. Under ground it doesn't oxidize as fast.

General rule of thumb is not to use oil that has been stored for more than 5 years. The additive packages will break down much much faster than the actual oil. And diesel oil typically has more additives than oil for other engines

 

[Larry Willard]

While I'm under RAM's warranty I'm sticking with the book, every 15K miles or 6 months (or 500 hours). Does it NEED to be changed at 3600 miles (my last mileage at 6 months)? In my opinion no, but, its RAM's warranty and they say it does. After the warranty is over I'm going to once a year or 15K miles.

I feel the same as Ken, change per Ram warranty requirement until no warranty then will do as I feel.
Larry

 

[rynosback]

I do not drive much, but when I do I tow heavy. I will drive 5-10k a year. So my thought is to change it once a year with Rotella T6. Thank god I do not drive more as the oil filter is a REAL PAIN IN THE ***.