Newbie With A Few Questions

[Turbo Kidd]

Hello everyone..... My name is Karl and I have an addiction, it is called C. D. S. (Cummins Diesel Syndrome). I am a proud owner of a 2003 Dodge 2500 HD with the HO Cummins. I love the truck... . I previously owned two V-10's (One Dodge & One Ford), so this is my first diesel (not my last either... I love it!). The V-10's a great motors, but nothing compares to the whine of a turbo!!!! O. k. , here are my questions.



1. ) I now have 13,000 miles on my truck and I have been running synthetic oil since my first oil change @ 4000 Miles... ... was this a bad move, should I have waited a little longer before I switched to synthetic, will there be problems with my decision?



2. ) I currently get about 13. 5 mpg around town (Chicago) and 17-19 mpg on the road running 80mph or so. Can I expect an improvement or am I tapped? I am very happy so far... . It sure beats 8-10 mpg with a V-10!!!!!



3. ) What is up with this so called Anti-Spin Differential??? It sucks! I was on a snowmobile trip in March up north and I had one rear wheel on pavement and one in the snow..... All I did was spin the wheel in the snow (Thank God I have 4X4, or I would have been in trouble). Is this normal, can someone PLEASE explain to me what D/C's deffinition of Anti-Spin is?



Thanks in advance for any help you can provide me. I love the site and glad to be a new member.



Karl

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Someone, has to have my answers... . ?

 

[bpenrod]

TK, not sure how much I can help but I don't want to see you left blank here! I myself never ran synthetic, it is recommended when the temps are below 20* (if I remeber right) and your not plugging it in. Mine started fine all winter without plugging it in and running regular 15w40. Your mileage sounds like what my father gets with his HO, mine is a SO and I do a little better. As for the AS axle, I havbe heard it is better than the old Trac Lok (Dana) I think the AS is from American Axle. Could it be that the ice was too slippery to get it to work. The old trick of putting the parking brake on a few clicks will sometime get the axle to lock up in some cases.

 

[gonzo2]

Turbo Kidd, welcome and yes we all have a serious problem.

1. ) 4000 miles was a little earlier than I would switch over but I don't think it's a serious issue and would not switch back.

2. ) When you think about it your mileage is excellent. You may gain probably less than 1 mpg over the next 20,000 miles or so but you will notice an improvement in responsiveness and "feel". 80mph is not on the economical side of the curve.

3. ) I am quite happy with my anti-spin but there have been many posts that indicate that bpenrod is correct.

Happy Cruisin'

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Thanks for the reply bpenrod! Appreciate the info. Anyones else have some feedback for me?

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Bump... . Thanks for the info. guys..... anyone else? I wouls appreciate more feedback.