New 2020 3500 questions

[bcbender]

Hello all! Its been awhile and my wife got tired of me working on the 04 so we went down and bought a new 2020 RAM 3500. First new truck I've ever bought, so I want to ask you all the things I should do to keep it healthy for the long haul. I bought my 04 11y ago and got the HO / 6spd because of the auto problems, but ended up putting alot into it anyway. I am not complaining, it never left me anywhere and i put 100k on it, but now we are getting older and the new trucks are soo comfortable! To start, I plan to do ZERO modifications, the 1000lb-ft HO / AISIN should be plenty more than my 555 even with the TST. Not sure what lubricants I should consider, many things seem to have changed since 2004. Also fuel additives?, I dont want to hurt the DPF, etc. Run with EXH brake on / off? BTW I love the choice between "automatic / full" exhaust brake. Right now the dealer is offering me a 10y/150k mile comprehensive warranty for $2800, I am tempted because of the FCA history of electronics, blend doors, injectors, etc, and how many electronic gizmo things this truck has! 12" LCD panel I heard is 11k, the headlights turn when you turn the truck... Cameras... (there are so many).. the list goes on. I think I have soo many questions... but I'll wait to see what you all think.

 

[Cummins12V98]

NEVER buy a NON FCA warranty!!!!!

Stick to OE filters in general. I prefer the AMZ/OIL- Donaldson for oil.

Run tH and EB all the time IMHO.

Congrats! PICS??????

 

[bcbender]

I need to take a couple, it had 20mi when I got it, and only been a few of rain here in NC for the past few days.

 

[HPSimpson]

Great looking truck. nice red color to boot, enjoy the Cummins power plant drive for million miles!

 

[Rob S]

I need to take a couple, it had 20mi when I got it, and only been a few of rain here in NC for the past few days.
View attachment 125960

View attachment 125959

Very Cool Truck! Congratulations

 

[RammerJam]

Beautiful truck. Your tastes in color selection is impeccable and to be commended.

About the only thing I'd tell you is; use Mopar Filters and full synthetic oil. Most dealers don't use synthetic unless they can nail you for a couple hundred MORE.

Your truck came pre-filled with 5w-40 full synthetic. It used to be Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme, I do't know what it is now, but I'd bet a beer they still put a 5w-40 full syn in them.

These trucks are sooper-popular in the Canadian oil fields and new owners were getting a little impatient with a brand new, $75k truck that wouldn't start in mid-winter, so the Factory started usig 5w-40 full syn. At least, that's my 99% sure understanding.

So, unless you're changing your oil every Month because you're over-the-road hauling, then I'd use the synthetic.

As to the CP4..... I don't know. I do know the Ford boys are real big on using a fuel additive. Stanadyne??? Don't take my word for it, check it out. But they swear by it. Or at it. Don't remember that either.

 

[Cummins12V98]

NICE!!!

 

[bcbender]

Thank you! Yes I used Mopar / Cummins parts / filters exclusively, always followed the intervals and used synthic oils throughout, I did not know about the "CP4" and fell in love / drove it home then read about it.... I had no worries about the powertrain and bought it because it is the legendary I6! Add the AISIN and its even better, but I will be looking into what I can do to prevent a potential failure; however on my 04 it was filtration, injectors, etc now its a cheap HP pump? I guess hopefully if it goes it goes under warranty.

 

[bcbender]

Can anyone chime in on the electronic durability? I have the 12" screen that controls EVERYTHING..... any trouble? I am not a huge fan of buying warranties up front but I did on my 04 and used it but it was a used truck with 90k miles on it... I only have experience with my 04 and my 01 so they both had their share of elec issues, harness issues... so I didn't know if they have a better track records nearly 2 decades later.

 

[brucejohnson]

Can anyone chime in on the electronic durability? I have the 12" screen that controls EVERYTHING..... any trouble? I am not a huge fan of buying warranties up front but I did on my 04 and used it but it was a used truck with 90k miles on it... I only have experience with my 04 and my 01 so they both had their share of elec issues, harness issues... so I didn't know if they have a better track records nearly 2 decades later.

Great looking truck you have there!
I had a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited, 5.7 Hemi that had an issue with the navigation and radio (20 months). Dealer suggested lemon law, but I chose patience. It took what seemed forever to get it fixed due to lack of parts, or wrong parts shipped. Everything was working fantastic when I traded it in and the new owner is loving it. Most seem to work OK though. You will find a small number listed in various forums with issues. Once it got fixed it was a great truck, but alas, it was NOT a Cummins. Owned it for 23 months and traded it in on a 2020 Ram 2500 Laramie with a 12 inch screen. All is working wonderful in the 2500 (one and a half + months so far...and loving it more each time I drive it. ) I have had very few issues with the electronics in any of my Dodge or Ram products in 5+ decades. The 12 inch navigation/radio issues in the 2019 1500 were the only biggies. CTM in my 2002 2500...no longer supported...that's about it.
Several months ago I discussed the CP4 pump issues with my mechanic in detail. He said the percent that are bad is minimal compared to the number produced but is really expensive to fix. He said the issue is supposedly resolved with some parts and programming changes in production. He has never let me down in over 25 years. My new 2500 supposedly has the newer modified CP4 as it was built 09/28/2020. I haven't confirmed if it has the single dimple stamped on the housing yet. He did strongly recommend to get the Max Care on any truck, especially the Cummins "just in case" as almost everything on the new trucks is not cheap to fix. I opted for the 8 year/100,000 mile package, which I dealt directly with FCA warranty folks to purchase at a significantly reduced cost from what most dealers quoted. (Basically matched the lowest online quote). I will say FCA has been great to work with, other than some delays. The results have been positive and I worked with some outstanding representatives. The only issue I have on the 2020 2500 is a rattle in the sunroof on a rough road. Sounds just like my 2006 3500 did. Quick visit to the dealer fixed that. I'll be making an appointment in a couple weeks. So far nothing else to write up. Drive it and love it! I will also strongly encourage to stick with the Mopar Max Care vs. aftermarket for more complete and easy to manage coverage. Enjoy!

 

[bcbender]

Thank you for your candid response, I will investigate that option tomorrow am.

 

[brucejohnson]

Thank you for your candid response, I will investigate that option tomorrow am.

A note concerning the Max Care. Please insure that both you AND your wife are listed on the contract. If not, the coverage ceases if something were to happen to you. As an added benefit, I believe for a $50 fee the contract can be assigned one time to the new owner if you were to sell the truck before the contract expires by mileage or time.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

FAKE THREAD TITLE!!!

I counted TWICE, and there aren't 3500 questions!

 

[bcbender]

FAKE THREAD TITLE!!!

I counted TWICE, and there aren't 3500 questions!

Stay tuned... Im sure I'll get to over 3500 by the end

 

[bcbender]

Looks like you can opt for the FCA Max Care at anytime prior to the factory warranty expiration, I will go to the dealer today to see what they will offer, but more than likely just call them directly as that may be the lowest cost option. I do like the idea of staying with a FCA warranty, I was eligible when I bought the 04 and it was well worth the cost when the Turbo was replaced for $100.

Another question(s), is anyone adding a fuel additive to increase the lubricity for the CP4? I plan to ask today also but don't want to do anything that will damage the DPF, Also along those lines, the dealer gave me a box of DEF (MOPAR) and the tank is 1/2 full. is it better to keep the tank full? Is there any brands / vendors of DEF to avoid? Is it better to fill DEF from boxes or are the pumps at the truck stops ok. Speaking of truck stops, is there a trick to filling the truck from the HV pumps? I was looking at the "cap less" filler and have my doubts about what is going to happen when I go to my favorite station. Will the OTR truck nozzle fit? will the flapper thing prevent the fuel from flowing?

That was like six questions..

 

[gsbrockman]

You can get the Max Care warranty cheaper online if you look hard enough...

 

[AH64ID]

I try to only buy DEF at the pump. It’s cheaper and easier, as long as you have a pump that isn’t too far out of the way.

I try not to fill mine in June-August unless I’m going to be putting a lot of miles on and need it. Heat shortens DEF life.


As far as additives there are lots of additives that are DPF friendly, I use Amsoil Diesel Concentrate on occasion, but I haven’t seen anything definitive on lubricity helping stave off CP4 failures.

I had intended to get max care before my warranty expires, but now that I am over 24K miles the price has jumped significantly and I will not be getting it.

 

[Rob S]

Ive been using opti lube xpd, and Diesel Kleen, (one or the other) with every fill up in an attempt to help the CP4 as far as adding a little more Lubricity to the fuel. Im at 18,000 miles so far and running strong.

 

[John Jensen]

Shop your warranty online. I've attached some online discounters and what was qu0ted at the time I purchased.

I use Hotshot's EDT as a fuel additive. Diesel Kleen is recommended by Cummins.

 

[CToney]

I hope your 3500 treats you well. I hope mine does as well. A lot of electronic goodies to fail on these new trucks.