Oil Change Question

[KSams]

At what interval are you guys changing your oil. I think the dealer schedule is around 5000 mile intervals but the EVIC is telling me the oil is at 80%. What do you all recommend.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I am sticking to the factory recommendation, My first filter change was at 4000 miles (I cut the filter to check for junk) the first oil and filter change was at 10000 miles. I am going to change according to what the dash says. I have been using extended oil change intervals on all my Cummins trucks for years.

 

[LocoPilot750]

I always changed my '97 at 8000, but one of the selling points of the '14 was 6 months or 15k. I took it in for an alignment check, and asked them to do a change at 2500 or so, and they told me "it didn't need it yet". Their idea, their warranty. I'll drive it to 6 months or 15k I guess. (that is the factory recommendation) This truck will never be driven as much as the old one was anyway, so it will probably be the 6 months change for me.

 

[KSams]

Well i was leaning towards following the dash. Why is it there if it shouldnt be followed.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Why is it there if it shouldnt be followed.

I guess, if the oil was "dying" faster, change early. Otherwise, it's pretty hard to defend your decision to wait for the oil change above and beyond the mileage/months because the dash said otherwise. The odometer and calendar have footprints, the EVIC doesn't. 7500 or 6 months work for me.

 

[JLeake]

I go by the EVIC. Change it when the EVIC says an oil change is needed. The EVIC uses a complex algorithm to determine oil changes are needed, better than a human unless a long trip is anticipated and you do not want to change oil mid trip.

 

[KSams]

Hey, thanks for the replies. Guess i will go with the EVIC

 

[NGuzik]

Oil changes really depends on your driving.. If you only drive a few miles and don't heat the truck up to running temp it starts to turn the oil in to sludge quick. Just something to think about. My self I go 8000 miles before an oil change, but drive atleast 50 miles a day and have an older broke in truck.

 

[jus2shy]

NOTE! The owner's manual says to change the oil whenever the EVIC comes on, within 6 months or 15,000 miles. Since there's no way for me to put down 15,000 miles in less than 6 months, I change every 6 months.

 

[Doubleclutch]

jus2shy is reading from the "good book". I don't think I'll invite any warranty questions on my truck

The owner's manual says to change the oil whenever the EVIC comes on, within 6 months or 15,000 miles.

.

 

[CThomsen]

Just got done changing the oil on my 13 for the first time. 14445 miles, 5.5 months since purchase. EVIC said 4% left. Had to use a 2 foot cheater pipe on my filter wrench to get the filter off but otherwise not a bad job. Not as easy as the 97 or 04. I took the filter out the hole in the wheel well.

 

[Gpa]

I just joined this Roundtable: A couple of months ago I replaced my 98 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab with the acquisition of a 2012 Ram 2500 Crew Cab. Looking under the hood, I see that oil changes won't be as simple as they used to be for me. The filter seems almost inaccessible. There's probably lots of experience out there on oil filter removal and replacement. I also like to fill the filter with oil first as well. Perhaps someone can provide some decent and simple instructions on how best to change out this almost inaccessible filter. Thanks.

 

[JLeake]

I have not looked at a 2012 but believe it is much like my 2011. It is readily accessible from below. If you want to fill it, have at it, I just let the pump fill it since it is right over your head or nearly so.

 

[Gpa]

OK, I'll have a look at that as soon as I can find some dry ground to lie down on. It does not look like a normal swivel type oil filter wrench has enough space to work and I may have to purchase a filter cap wrench that fits at the end of a ratchet extension. As for filling it, does not the engine require to be running for the oil pump to work? Are you not then running an engine for, albeit a short time, without oil as the filter fills? Extra engine wear that doesn't need to happen?

 

[JLeake]

Gpa; while you are correct in a matter of fact way that the oil system has to function very briefly for the oil filter to fill, I have never filled the oil filter on any engine in advance, including drag racing motors with very high compression. The oil pumps on many engines (all of the ones I have worked on directly) fill the oil filter in a couple of seconds.

 

[Gpa]

Thanks. Although I have always pre-filled my filters, I'll take your information under advisement. You are likely right, and thinking about it, for the short time duration that it takes to fill the filter once every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or so, it will not make any real difference.

 

[JLandry]

Just got done changing the oil on my 13 for the first time. Had to use a 2 foot cheater pipe on my filter wrench to get the filter off...

Can you please give more information on the type of oil filter wrench you used?

A picture or possibly even a link to the actual wrench would be helpful.

Thank you,

John L.

 

[Gpa]

John L, although I have not purchased one yet, I was thinking to get a Bowl Style Oil Filter Wrench and use sufficient 3/8-inch extensions for my ratchet and remove the filter from below. This type of oil filter wrench fits onto the bottom of the filter similar to a socket and should remove it pretty well and can also be used to replace it. You can just Google this type of wrench, there are lots on the market. Cost is about $10.

 

[CThomsen]

It's just a cheap metal band/strap wrench that goes around filter and tightens when you pull the handle.

 

[Wingate]

This is what ive been using on my 06, hoping it works on the 14 model.
http://www.mactools.com/ShopOnline/Product/tabid/120/productid/327071/variantid/317830/Default.aspx