New Truck Engine Oil

[kwb]

Just picked up a 20 2500 diesel, love the truck so far.. Do you guys know if it comes with synthetic engine oil from the factory. I suppose I should trust whatever they chose to use, personally I would prefer to run Non-synthetic during the break-in, maybe the first 10,000 miles to give the rings a good chance to seat without being over lubricated with synthetic. Then maybe switch to synthetic later?

Also, how many miles should I go before my first oil change?

Should the rear end differential lube be changed sooner than the regular schedule due to break-in?

I would imagine there will be a small amount metal particles floating around as it breaks in.

Thanks!

 

[Cummins12V98]

Personally I would dump engine oil at 2-3,000 miles and replace with "FULL" Synthetic. Synthetic is in your engine from the Factory. Use FleetGuard Stratapore filter or Donaldson Blue or AMZ/OIL EAO80.

Rear diff I would dump at the same time and replace with this!!!

 

[JR]

According to the literature Tom posted on the 19-20 models conventional 10w30 CK4 spec is just fine. Below 0 ambient temperature is the only time synthetic is required.

 

[TFucili]

As I perused the shelves at the local parts stores, TSC, etc., none really had any 10W30 conventional, and they had no idea that the new Cummins called out 10W30. About the only 10W30 around very much is Rotella T5 blend, and I can generally catch T6 synthetic on sale for less $$, or Delvac, or Delo, or PBX for that matter.

 

[lpennock]

Just follow the recommended sever duty change interval. No real reason to switch out early these days.

I would do the rear diff earlier than recommended, probably with the first oil change or 10-15K which ever is later. I did mine at 15K and it was looking pretty bad. Front was like new.

 

[JR]

As I perused the shelves at the local parts stores, TSC, etc., none really had any 10W30 conventional, and they had no idea that the new Cummins called out 10W30. About the only 10W30 around very much is Rotella T5 blend, and I can generally catch T6 synthetic on sale for less $$, or Delvac, or Delo, or PBX for that matter.

It's odd how different oil selection is from region to region. The conventional/synthetic choices are about 50/50 around here. I run Mobil Delvac 1300 10w30 in a
my ATV, zero turn, pressure washer and Land Cruiser. Normal price with out catching a sale is around $13-14 a gallon. With the rebates you can just about cut that price in half.

 

[AH64ID]

I’m a big fan of dumping oil early on a new motor. I like to change it around 500 miles, then again around 5000, and then start normal oil change intervals. I bought this truck used so it’s first change was at 4500, with the second change at 11,000. I figure it had 2 early changes so I’m not worried.

That being said most people don’t change the factory oil early and don’t have issues from it. Just my preference.

I do believe they ship them with synthetic since they don’t know where or when they will be sold.

There are some 10w-30 diesels oil out there as more and more engines are calling for them in OTR trucks. It’s still not super common thou. Give it time, or run a 5w-40 synthetic.



I agree with the others on the gear lube. I changed mine at 15K and should have done it sooner. It’s not great fluid from the factory.

 

[R.Taylor]

I dumped my factory fill at 5000 miles refilled with the Amsoil Signature Series Max-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil 10W/30 and an Amsoil Ea080 Filter. Been using Amsoil Synth oil and filters since 05'. Going to do the diffs soon, real soon.. Seems the the folks at AAM can't really set up ring and pinion gears correctly anymore.... Both my 18' and 19' had/have excessive play in the rear end.

 

[TFucili]

Well, it is GM's former corporate axle division, after all.

 

[sag2]

Changing the factory fill early (like way early) may make you feel better but is a complete waste of money. Think back over the last 10 years if you have been around here that long. When was the last oil related failure you can recall?
I don't recall any. I'm pretty sure it wasn't because everyone changed out the factory fill early. It's because the engine is designed to last for a long time following the manufacturers oil change intervals. And they do.

 

[Newsa]

I went 2 years before using synthetic.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I went 2 years before using synthetic.

That's a sad story.

 

[Newsa]

That's a sad story.

Not when your first 4 oil changes are free at the dealer!

Cha Ching!

 

[Newsa]

Except they always seemed to give me a truck back with the oil above the safe zone on the dipstick.

After the first 2 years, (which was actually 5 fills including factory fill)..... I installed the amsoil bypass filter and started using a better oil.

 

[Wiredawg]

Uh Oh... there could be another oil war brewing here and not nerry an Arab involved!

 

[JR]

That's a sad story.

Sounds like a happy one to me. Think of the money he saved

 

[Cummins12V98]

Not when your first 4 oil changes are free at the dealer!

Cha Ching!

If I were offered free oil changes I would say NO THANKS!!!

 

[Newsa]

If I were offered free oil changes I would say NO THANKS!!!

I'm not as OCD about Amsoil. Good stuff. Maybe not worth the premium price. My jury still out on that.

 

[Newsa]

I see some people got their popcorn ready for an oil war. Lol

 

[Wiredawg]

Welp,

I got 3 years of dealer oil changes on my 09 4500 and have 5 years on my wife's 2019 1500... I couldn't be happier! My wife truck has a lifetime unlimited mile dealer warranty and is the first vehicle I perform ZERO maintenance on.

It's interesting how lots of folks look at the same thing and see it so differently. Wished I could've worked a free oil change deal on my 2017 Ram 5500, but I made such a good deal, no more bargaining left.

Anyhoo, the bottom line is everyone is happy with thier choices.

Cheers, Ron