Oil changing and mileage interval views

[TDickerson]

Underhood space is 30% smaller on the new generation Ram. One challenge will be oil filter changes - it's very tight in there. The recommended method to change the filter is from below the truck with a long extension and an oil filter socket. However, it looks like you will be able to remove the intake tube from the airbox to the turbo and have enough room to change it out from above like most do with the current truck - but it IS going to be a lot tighter in there. The good news is that oil change intervals have been increased to 15,000 miles from the previous 7,500 so you won't have to change it as often

Geeezzz, the only darn thing I can do myself is change the oil and filter, so take that away from me now with all this space we are going to get. I kind of enjoyed doing that myself. I can just see me trying to change the oil filter from below. Should be interesting. And for this increased oil change mileage. I'm assuming then that we must use nothing but synthetic oil to be able to extend this interval. I couldn't see myself waiting 15000 miles between oil changes. BMW is doing the same thing and most people are hesitant on waiting this long. Even BMW went back to, or 1 year max regardless of miles. Synthetics are going to cost some bucks if you change more often. This is a highly debated subject about oil I know. I'm a little disappointed in the introduction of the automatic too. Wonder what they are going to do with that. I hate shifting gears, I know just call me lazy.



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1997 Solid Black 2500 4X4 SLT 3. 54, auto (lazy), loaded except leather (next time maybe) fully stock with chrome westins (love em). Son taking care of it (driving the you know what out of it) while I’m overseas.

 

[HC]

I'm assuming then that we must use nothing but synthetic oil to be able to extend this interval. I couldn't see myself waiting 15000 miles between oil changes.

Don't be so sure that synthetic is required! Cummins already gives 15k in every application but the Dodge; all it takes is a slightly larger oil pan. Even with our "small" oil pan, at least one guy with a bypass filter is going 20 to 30k on Dino oil, and getting good analysis results. A lot depends on your truck and how you drive. City miles / short trip miles/ dusty miles, change sooner. Fueling mods may require sooner. Highway miles - you'd be surprized what's OK.

P. S. - I agree, tighter engine space su... ... uh, draws vacuum.

 

[Don M]

I too was taken aback that Dodge is gonna buy into this practice at first.

So many things are changing. We are getting a much better oil specification in the CI-4. It will deal with mucho soot and the new Cummins is reported to not make too much soot with the common rail. Yes the timng will be retarded to death, but I think Dodge has done their homework. I do not know if the 15K intervals cover all situations, but even something close to 10k would be swell by me.

I agree with HC that hwy. miles can make an oil last much longer.





Don~



too bad the truck has a 'kinda' crew cab. I waited for this thing and got the look in the back seat and was very disappointed in it.

 

[DocStressor]

The difference in oil change interval is on account of the new CI-4 specifications. But you won't need to use synthetic oil. Here is a tidbit from a post on the TDI board:



Chevron's Delo exceeds new standards without reformulation



2/1/2002



SAN FRANCISCO, Ca. -- ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants Delo 400 Multigrade passed all API CI-4 and Cummins CES 20078 performance requirements for engines using exhaust gas circulation (EGR).



The current Delo 400 Multigrade formulation has been commercially available since 1998 and did not need reformulation to meet the latest round of specification upgrades, the company insists.



"Product positioning and performance of this type is great news for current customers, especially those with mixed fleets that include both brand new engines with or without EGR and older models. The Delo currently in their inventory provides the potential for optimized equipment efficiency and reduced operating costs," says Jim McGeehan, manager of engine oil technology for ChevronTexaco.



"Many competitors routinely need to reformulate after specifications are determined. One of our primary goals is to stay ahead of industry standards -- setting the pace rather than following -- so we can continually provide our customers with the best products possible. "



Mike Dargento, senior market manager for ChevronTexaco says the Delo 400 is engineered to exceed future performance requirements and meet new industry specification before they take effect.



"Given the fact that the API CI-4 Delo 400 formulation has been commercially available for three plus years, it has proven itself in older model engines, and more recently in EGR engines, through field and lab tests," he says.



ChevronTexaco's Delo product line is the only brand to receive the Lubricants World Product of the Year Award for two consecutive years, 1999 and 2000 and the Annual Automotive Product Award in 2001.



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This suggests that the present generation Cummins could also go 15K (highway driving) with Delo 400. But does anyone know if the 2003 will use a larger oil filter?

 

[Don M]

Lee Weber wrote: "But does anyone know if the 2003 will use a larger oil filter?"





It looks like it is in the same place it has always been in. The area is tight now. Guessing here, I dont think it can be bigger. No room.



Don~

 

[Steve Campbell]

Time to get into the remote filter head manufacturing business

There may be a few who move the filter to some sort of more convenient location. Havinr said that, I have not seen under the hood. Maybe ther is no "more convenient location" with 30% less space under the hood. :{

 

[redneckdr]

30%less space

having spent a good bit of time with my head under the hood of my 01. 5, how the he11 can there be 30% less space under the hood, and all the necessary components there?? adding any BOMB under the hood is going to be a nightmare!!!!! also if the turbo sits so close to the shock tower that a lrger turbo won't fit... ... ... . some unhappy campers... ... the little HY on all engines??

:--)

 

[Sled Puller]

In a nutshell, they just killed our trucks.



30% less room, small turbo, no room to bomb, ugly desighn, no crew cab, man... ... ...



The 15,000 oil change is no big deal. Most dino oils can run 10,000 no problem now.

Extended drains have been around for 30+years.



The EGR is a killer though, I saw what it did to my engine.

 

[Posm]

I sure hear a lot of complaints about room under the hood. I f you think that the Ram has problems just look at the crap that Ferd and Chebby have shoved below their hood. Those people are not sure if they have an oil filter let alone can they see it. I have yet to sit in in a new 2500/3500 but would guess that they pushed the cab forward to make more room for people without ending up with a 36 inch bed. I will take a little discomfort at oil changes if I can have the extra room inside. With the limited miles some of you drive you will only hve to change oil every 9 to 12 months. I'll trade 9 months of creature comfort for one hour of dirty under the truck time. My biggest concern is did they knock the ogre that used to put the oil filters on the "old" second gen. trucks in the head or will he continue to tighten the filter to his normal 350 ft/lbs spec. I had more trouble getting the first one off than I have the 35 since combined!!

 

[Shooter]

Went over and looked at the 02-1500 today.

There is hardly room for a v-8, it's 2/3s burried under the cowl and wall to wall. Very narrow engine bay. BUT DC did realise that they had to do something to get the hot ex out. 4"elbow and full 4" ex. on the ECHO.

The Quad Cab is roomier and the seat I was in was low back w/ adj. headrest. Yea ! now I can wear my cowboy hat again instead of my engineer cap.

My jury is out, nope just came in on the 17" wheels -- hang em. Tires are the cost of a Dura Max.



When are thies things due out ???????????

 

[radixr]

New Echo?

If it doesn't sound like a Cummins, I don't want it. I'll be buried in mine.