New to me 2020 2500 4x4 Laramie!

[StevenHodgkins]

Hey guys
I just bought 2020 Laramie from the dealer with 44k on it. I’ve had 4 older dodge Cummins trucks, 2 second gens and 2 third gens. I’m very excited and I’ve already put 3k miles on it (I drive a lot)! I’m a nervous Nellie and decided to get the unlimited mileage warranty since there’s can be a lot of after treatment issues etc…

Any advice you guys might have? I’ve always used a fuel treatment when I fill up and I’m curious to hear what you guys recommend? Any do’s and don’t…. Advice for how I operate it etc…

I must say, I love how nice it is! It’s strong, quiet and pulls great when I have a pallet of rock in the bed! I’m a masonry contractor and will use the bed for hauling more then a trailer. I typically drive around a lot to bid jobs and put the occasional pallet of mortar or stone it, but that’s about it.

thanks in advance for any advice and info!

 

[Timd32]

Enjoy the new rig.

 

[Topzide]

Power Service for fuel gelling only if needed. Just use a fuel station that turns a lot of fuel and you shouldn't have any real issues. One thing to add to your maintenance list; check the DEF injector every 2-3 years for build up (crystallization). I had to pull mine and found a lot of build up! Also had a fluke with a failed DEF pump on a trip home. Just keep a check under truck where the DEF tank is and look for white crystals at the access plate for pump. Pump would pump but wouldn't register that there was DEF in tank and put me in limp mode! Just on of those things that can happen. Good to hear you got the unlimited mileage coverage! May you never need to use it but sure is nice in case the need arises! Enjoy that truck!

 

[Ozymandias]

Good choice with MaxCare, a single event will pay it back.

 

[bcbender]

Just drive it and use it.... No potions or lotions needed, I run my DEF down till the light come on then refill always get my DEF at the truck stops (usually Loves) and fuel from a local high volume station.

 

[TMyers]

It's going to make you a great truck. Let someone else take the huge depreciation and buy a couple years old. That's what I do as well. Fuel treatments are snake oil. As long as you're buying fuel where they sell a lot, that's all you need. On your 2020, you may or may not have the CP4 injection pump. Cummins used them in 2019 and 2020. They replaced some under warranty then went back to the CP3 in 2021. The only other weak link in these trucks is the turbo actuator. Heat and electronics don't play well together. Smart move to get the warranty.

 

[StevenHodgkins]

Good choice with MaxCare, a single event will pay it back.

Yeah I drive like 40k a year... I paid 7 grand for a 4 year unlimited miliage warranty for power train and electronics. Honistly I hope I can get to 200k without needing it but its very unlikely!
I checked with the dealer and My truck had a CP3 put in back in last February. That was a concern of mine as I've heard the storys...

 

[StevenHodgkins]

Just drive it and use it.... No potions or lotions needed, I run my DEF down till the light come on then refill always get my DEF at the truck stops (usually Loves) and fuel from a local high volume station.

That was a question of mine, Should I run the DEF tank to empty before filling it up again or keep it topped off???

 

[StevenHodgkins]

Just drive it and use it.... No potions or lotions needed, I run my DEF down till the light come on then refill always get my DEF at the truck stops (usually Loves) and fuel from a local high volume station.

That was a question of mine, Should I run the DEF tank to empty before filling it up again or keep it topped off???

Im horrible with computers and probably asked this same question to another responce I had...Oops

 

[bcbender]

There is no need to keep it full of DEF.. more important to keep the DEF fresh... I do not like dealing with the boxes so I go to the truck pump, its much cheaper and can simply fill the tank.. DEF has a shelf life so you don't want to keep it around forever. My usage, I can go through a tank in about 6mo and I don't live in Phoenix where the temp would affect the storage life on it so I just fill when it hits E (about 4ga).

 

[Diesel85]

I don't mind the boxes. I buy PEAK Platinum DEF from Walmart and make sure the date is no more than a month out. This allows me to precisely control how much I put into the truck and have record of the DEF date.

Cleaning the DEF injector does keep the system happier.

Speaking of which, I need to check mine before winter sets in.

 

[StevenHodgkins]

There is no need to keep it full of DEF.. more important to keep the DEF fresh... I do not like dealing with the boxes so I go to the truck pump, its much cheaper and can simply fill the tank.. DEF has a shelf life so you don't want to keep it around forever. My usage, I can go through a tank in about 6mo and I don't live in Phoenix where the temp would affect the storage life on it so I just fill when it hits E (about 4ga).

I've had my truck for just over 2 weeks and I've filled the DEF twice at a truck stop when it falls to 3/4 tank. I'm nurotic like that and like things topped off. I've heard it has a shelf life so from now on I'll try to resist and run the tank low before filling up. I live in Lake Tahoe Ca where we dont get crazy cold temps but we do get a lot of snow and have random times of negative temperatures. Is there anything I should be aware of due to where I live?

 

[StevenHodgkins]

I don't mind the boxes. I buy PEAK Platinum DEF from Walmart and make sure the date is no more than a month out. This allows me to precisely control how much I put into the truck and have record of the DEF date.

Cleaning the DEF injector does keep the system happier.

Speaking of which, I need to check mine before winter sets in.

Is cleaning the DEF injector something I should be doing or the dealer??? I operate Snow Cats that are using DEF now and I see what a mess it can create!

 

[Ozymandias]

Topping off means the majority of the DEF turns bad inside the tank because of age. I usually filled up at about a quarter tank, for peace of mind.

 

[Ozymandias]

I'd not worry about the DEF nozzle to much, I think Ram figured it out with the newer vehicles. That was more of a teething problem years back when DEF was newly introduced.

 

[06 Dodge]

Hey guys
I just bought 2020 Laramie from the dealer with 44k on it. I’ve had 4 older dodge Cummins trucks, 2 second gens and 2 third gens. I’m very excited and I’ve already put 3k miles on it (I drive a lot)! I’m a nervous Nellie and decided to get the unlimited mileage warranty since there’s can be a lot of after treatment issues etc…

Any advice you guys might have? I’ve always used a fuel treatment when I fill up and I’m curious to hear what you guys recommend? Any do’s and don’t…. Advice for how I operate it etc…

I must say, I love how nice it is! It’s strong, quiet and pulls great when I have a pallet of rock in the bed! I’m a masonry contractor and will use the bed for hauling more then a trailer. I typically drive around a lot to bid jobs and put the occasional pallet of mortar or stone it, but that’s about it.

thanks in advance for any advice and info!

Knowing that the diesel fuel in may area is lacking in Cetane value, I use a Cetane additive, Opti Lube Summer: https://opti-lube.com/opti-lube-sum...thout-accessories-treats-up-to-2-560-gallons/

 

[AH64ID]

Knowing that the diesel fuel in may area is lacking in Cetane value, I use a Cetane additive, Opti Lube Summer: https://opti-lube.com/opti-lube-sum...thout-accessories-treats-up-to-2-560-gallons/

What is the Cetane rating in your area?

 

[NIsaacs]

I've had my truck for just over 2 weeks and I've filled the DEF twice at a truck stop when it falls to 3/4 tank. I'm nurotic like that and like things topped off. I've heard it has a shelf life so from now on I'll try to resist and run the tank low before filling up. I live in Lake Tahoe Ca where we dont get crazy cold temps but we do get a lot of snow and have random times of negative temperatures. Is there anything I should be aware of due to where I live?

Driving 40k miles a year you will not age your DEF, keep'er full. Cold is fine, heat is not. I keep one jug at all times stored in the house. When I get to about 1/3 tank I dump it in and get a new jug. I am not a fan of running on the bottom half of fuel or Def tanks.

 

[AH64ID]

@StevenHodgkins what warranty did you get? Most don’t cover the DPF, including the Mopar max care.

 

[06 Dodge]

What is the Cetane rating in your area?

Its said to be 40 but even with it having 5% bio I have my doubts, I see better fuel mileage& engine sounds better when using fuel from WA without using Cetane additive...