Oil change interval on "03's

[Dean Upson]

I am getting conflicting numbers on the oil change intervals on the new trucks. My manual will come with the truck (shipping tomorrow?) and looks like the service manual left out the diesel info. Also, when do you guys think that the 1st change should be done? Some folks tell me that you actually impair the "break-in" period by changing the oil before the 1st scheduled change. I have always changed the oil very early on in previous vehicles at between 500 and 100 miles. Thanks.

Dean

 

[Parshal]

The interval is 7,500 for schedule B and 15,000 for schedule A. Schedule B is pretty much every vehicle driven.



I changed my oil the first time at 3,000 miles. I had a free oil change (actually, the first two are free) at the dealer and asked them if there was break-in oil in the engine. He said no and that they put in the same oil that came from the factory. Now, if that's true, it may not be necessary to change the oil extremely early for the first one. I would have preferred to change mine earlier but couldn't because of scheduling.

 

[DHess]

Call me foolish but I like clean oil. Extended oil change intervals do not concern me. My '99 has 51,000 miles and has had 22 oil (Premium Blue) and filter (Fleetgard) changes. My '03, which should be here shortly, will get the first change around 2,000 and every 2,500 - 3,000 after. I've always done lub/oil/filter service often on all my vehicals and have never had an engine problem. Overall I'd say if you follow what the book says you will be fine.



Dave

 

[Prairie Dog]

DHess I'm with you. Oil is cheap! I sold my 93 with about 100,000 miles on it and if you were to take off the rocker covers you'd see bright silver iron - no build up of any kind. Plus I got a very fair price for it in part because of the maintenance records I had.

 

[amsoilman]

Prariedog,

Here is a picture of my valve covers off with 149,000 miles and one oil drain, (excluding the first)





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Prairie Dog]

Uh huh.

 

[jwilliams3]

Ok,

back to the subject at hand.

Dean, its ok to change the oil at 100-1000 miles.

If it were my truck, I would change it every 3000-5000 miles.

There are plenty of great oils that are alot cheaper then the one mentioned above and are API certified.



--Justin

 

[msimmons]

Dean:



You can't go wrong if you stay with the 7. 5K intervals DC and Cummins recommend. There really is no value in changing your oil (even the first change!) before then. Use a good quality oil and a Cummins or Mopar filter and you will be good to go!



Mike

 

[$BANKS$rupted]

I plan to go the 15,000k with premium blue.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by jwilliams3

Ok,

back to the subject at hand.

Dean, its ok to change the oil at 100-1000 miles.

If it were my truck, I would change it every 3000-5000 miles.

There are plenty of great oils that are alot cheaper then the one mentioned above and are API certified.



--Justin

Justin, I bet you can answer this question for me. Why do the 2002's need to change oil and filter every 3,750 miles if the temperature gets below 32 degrees (that's how my owners manual reads)? Why don't the 2003's have the same requirement?

 

[jwilliams3]

Pit Bull,

I dont know on that one!!

I think one of the Oil experts should step in and explain temperatures and how they affect oil over a period of time.



--Justin

 

[WOT]

I think the temperature has more to with the amount of combustion you have - I would think you get more incomplete burn when it is colder & therefor more contaminants into the oil... .



Just a guess, could be wrong.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I heard somewhere that you use up the additive package in your oil faster under cold climate conditions, don't know how true that is but it makes sense!