Maintenance Schedule

[jwskrintney]

I finally bit the bullet and retired my 2012 Ram. Of course I replaced it with a shiny new 2021 3500 Limited 4X4. I have historically performed routine maintenance such as oil and filter changes much more frequently than the truck menu has recommended. Now that I have entered the world of synthetic oils and a much more sophisticated maintenance menu, I am considering my options on continuing to be overly conservative with my maintenance schedule or following what the "truck" recommends. My "old school" brain is struggling with following what in my mind appears to be a much more lax maintenance schedule...but my wallet certainly would appreciate the break....any thoughts??

 

[AH64ID]

Follow the book.

It’s hard to compare the oil change interval to the 07.5-12 6.7’s, as there likely was never a engine generation that was harder on oil. Even then there was little need or benefit to preform the changes early.

The 13+ trucks are easy on their oil, and the recommended intervals are just fine.

 

[gsbrockman]

One can’t “over maintain” a truck....but one can over spend on maintenance. Find a happy median that works for you, all while maintaining your warranty.

I believe the 2019+ trucks can go 1 year, 500 hours, or 15,000 miles....whichever occurs first. Just be sure to use 10W30 or 5w40. 15W40 is not an option on 2019+ trucks.

 

[bcbender]

I believe the 2019+ trucks can go 1 year, 500 hours, or 15,000 miles....whichever occurs first. Just be sure to use 10W30 or 5w40. 15W40 is not an option on 2019+ trucks.

Yes that interval is correct for the new CGI 6.7. I did my first oil change at 7000mi, and will follow the schedule from here on out and I don't see any real benefit to run the 10w30, 5w40-T6 at Walmart was not much more expensive than the 15w45-T4 I was using on the 04. The only thing I will do sooner is swap diff fluid to AMSOil earlier but I tow and have heard that the factory fill is not soo good. So far other than an EGR valve replacement, knocking on 14k miles door with no issues.

 

[AH64ID]

One can’t “over maintain” a truck....but one can over spend on maintenance.

Yes and no. Cat published a white paper years ago on the negative aspects of over servicing fuel filters and how it decreased average efficiency. This is true of any filter.

But for the most part you're very correct, money down the drain for too frequent of service interval.

 

[NIsaacs]

I believe the 2019+ trucks can go 1 year, 500 hours, or 15,000 miles....whichever occurs first.

Or, if the service minder says to change, before the above.

 

[NIsaacs]

Yes and no. Cat published a white paper years ago on the negative aspects of over servicing fuel filters and how it decreased average efficiency. This is true of any filter.

Yes and no. I think there is a fine line here you don't want to cross. But what/where is that fine line? If you don't know (no restriction gauge/minder, either mechanical or computerized) its better to change than risk too much restriction. Low fuel flow or air flow bypassing the air filter due to easiest flow path.

 

[kthaxton]

I don't see any real benefit to run the 10w30, 15w45-T6 at Walmart was not much more expensive than the 15w45-T4 I was using on the 04.

Was this a typo? Did you mean 5w40? According to the owner's manual, you should NOT use 15w40 in the new engines.

 

[SSchang]

Several years ago when I was still working at Cummins, we had a guy from the service group come in and talk to us about diesel engine maintenance. What I remember is:

1 - An air filter becomes more effective at filtering particles out of the air as the pores in the filter fill with particles. The balancing act is at what point the filter becomes too restrictive and it needs to be changed.
2 - Never, ever take the air filter out of the vehicle and then put it back in. It had something to do with the seal around the edge of the filter taking a set over time, and not sealing tight again when you put it back in.

 

[AH64ID]

Yes and no. I think there is a fine line here you don't want to cross. But what/where is that fine line? If you don't know (no restriction gauge/minder, either mechanical or computerized) its better to change than risk too much restriction. Low fuel flow or air flow bypassing the air filter due to easiest flow path.

For sure. A filter is the most efficient right before it starts to block flow, which we all know isn't good.

 

[bcbender]

Was this a typo? Did you mean 5w40? According to the owner's manual, you should NOT use 15w40 in the new engines.

oops...... yes typo and I have corrected it.

 

[jwskrintney]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I feel better about relaxing my maintenance intervals a bit. I definitely like that the 2021 has a monitor for the life of the fuel filter.....got some bad fuel in my 2012 and it definitely caused me some grief...

 

[bcbender]

I'm not sure, maybe some one will chime in, but I think the fuel filter life is simply a countdown to 15k miles from reset? Mine is showing about 6% but I'm now over 14k now and going to change it next week or so (along with oil and diff)

Speaking of bad fuel, I had an employee fill our 2012 with unleaded and drive it back to the shop,... after pulling the bed and draining the tank, new filters, etc... it runs better now than it ever has... maybe its just the Optilube...