Synthetic oil

[CKliesing]

What does anyone know about the recomended mileage before switching to syn oil? The 2002 manual mentioned 20,000 miles, can't find a reference in 03 manual.

Thanks

 

[Futures1]

Hi CK. . Welcome to you ;o)



Cummins has a site which addresses you question. If you go to http://www.cummins.com , and then to <customer assistance> and to < frequently asked questions> , you will find your questioned answered by Cummins.

Quote, "Synthetic oils can be used in all Cummins engines beginning with your SECOND oil change, etc. " The real concern I had was the API specs of the various synthetics available, most of the manufacturers seem to avoid commitment when it comes to specs and application. In my opinion there are only 2 which I trust most (there must be more as you will probably learn about in further replies), they are certain synthetic products from Mobil and Amsoil, their products seem to be rated so as to leave the guess work out it. Both companies will be glad to offer you recomendations if you contact them !!

Cummins seems to be concerned mostly with the CSI & API ratings as you will see in their site !!



Dick S

 

[Futures1]

CK... looks like <customer assistance> was omitted from my previous message. When you get to the Cummins site, select customer assistance then Q & A !!

 

[gsbrockman]

Under the "Dodge RAM" section on the Cummins website, number 10, I found this quote :



Cummins recommends that you not use synthetic motor oil during the break-in period of 5000-20,000 miles, based on the type of driving, to allow proper seating of the piston rings. Beyond that mileage it is OK to use synthetic oil.



Personally, I think I'd wait until the 20K range before using synthetic oil to be on the safe side. I'm quite sure others will chime in accordingly... ... .



Oh no, get your flame suits out again... ... ...



Another oil war has possibly erupted... .....

:-{}

 

[Futures1]

Try this one

Try this one ??

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/customerassistance/faq/index.cfm

 

[DPKetchum]

Oil war/Trans war WHERE!Oo.

 

[CKliesing]

Thanks Guys that should do it.

 

[rbattelle]

Futures1,



I believe the link you posted was intended for large commercial truck operators, whose first oil change may not come around for over 15000 miles. Plus their engines break in way faster than ours because they tow so much.

 

[Futures1]

Hmmmm

Hey "rbattelle", you may be right about that one !!

In the FAQ link:

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/...e/faq/index.cfm the answer to "Can I use synthetic oil" begins with the sentence "Synthetic oils can be used in all Cummins engines"... then it goes on to make suggestions about Cummins guidelines, etc.

it is dated 1995-2003 just below the answer as well.



Dick S.

 

[redram]

Originally posted by Futures1

Hi CK. . Welcome to you ;o)



Cummins has a site which addresses you question. If you go to http://www.cummins.com , and then to <customer assistance> and to < frequently asked questions> , you will find your questioned answered by Cummins.

Quote, "Synthetic oils can be used in all Cummins engines beginning with your SECOND oil change, etc. " The real concern I had was the API specs of the various synthetics available, most of the manufacturers seem to avoid commitment when it comes to specs and application. In my opinion there are only 2 which I trust most (there must be more as you will probably learn about in further replies), they are certain synthetic products from Mobil and Amsoil, their products seem to be rated so as to leave the guess work out it. Both companies will be glad to offer you recomendations if you contact them !!

Cummins seems to be concerned mostly with the CSI & API ratings as you will see in their site !!



Make sure that the oils from Mobil and Amsoil are licensed API rated for API CI-4 / SL due to the emissions requirements for the new engines. The Mobil 1 Delvac should be fine, be careful with others as they 'claim' meets API but are not actually licensed. These can be checked out at www.api.org website doing a search under the consumer portion of the website for engine oil licensees.



I use Royal Purple 15W40 API CI-4/ SL with excellent results. The Tech people at RP recommend minimum of 10,000 mile breakin period.



Dick S

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by CKliesing

What does anyone know about the recomended mileage before switching to syn oil? The 2002 manual mentioned 20,000 miles, can't find a reference in 03 manual.

Thanks

20K miles is the best bet.

 

[Carlton Bale]

Cummins has recently completed a great deal of engine validation on the new Valvoline "Premium Blue Extreme" synthetic oil. It meets API CI-4 and Cummins Engineering Standard 20078 specifications. One of the advantages of this oil is that it is an all climate 5W40 (5W is for low temperature starting, 40 for high-temperature operation).



I'm sure that there are other oils that will suite your needs; this is the only one with which I have any experience. I think the cost is around $15/gallon at a Cummins distributor. I'm sure others can offer other recommendations.

 

[CharlieMiller]

And why do you want to use a snythetic??

 

[GWHaley]

High quality synthetics by design are much more stable oils that resist burnoff and hold their additive packages much longer than conventional oils.

 

[BHolm]

I think that you can extend your drain intervals significantly if you go synthetic. I personally don't run them in my diesels because I don't need to get any more milage out of the engines than they already offer. My PSD has 220k on it running Rotella. The engine is still very strong and oil analysis comes back good at 5k intervals. The rest of the truck is likely to wear out before the engine.



I do run synthetics in the transfer case and differentials. Both my Ford and Chevys have syth in the rear diff from the factory. I haven't checked this new truck, what does Dodge run?



They do offer the standard advantages, better flow at low temps, better resistance to high temps and they are chemically "cleaner" which contributes to the above properties.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by BHolm

I think that you can extend your drain intervals significantly if you go synthetic. I personally don't run them in my diesels because I don't need to get any more milage out of the engines than they already offer. My PSD has 220k on it running Rotella. The engine is still very strong and oil analysis comes back good at 5k intervals. The rest of the truck is likely to wear out before the engine.



I do run synthetics in the transfer case and differentials. Both my Ford and Chevys have syth in the rear diff from the factory. I haven't checked this new truck, what does Dodge run?



They do offer the standard advantages, better flow at low temps, better resistance to high temps and they are chemically "cleaner" which contributes to the above properties.

I use the same logic. I think the 03's with the new rear diff come with synthetic. my 02 comes with dino in the diff's. I don't tow. When I do haul (I some times pickup 2 40# bags of dog food but that's about the max on hauling ) that's why I drive a 1 ton. I will change both to synthetic at 40K miles. That is what I did on my 2000 and it looked good at 40K miles when I changed it to Mobil synthetic 75w90.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Carlton Bale,

Cummins has recently completed a great deal of engine validation on the new Valvoline "Premium Blue Extreme" synthetic oil. It meets API CI-4 and Cummins Engineering Standard 20078 specifications. One of the advantages of this oil is that it is an all climate 5W40 (5W is for low temperature starting, 40 for high-temperature operation).

Does Cummins have a suggested oil change interval or an extended interval using the Valvoline "Premium Blue Extreme" in our Cummins powered Dodge trucks? I have read some about this new oil, but no where do I find a suggested oil change interval for our trucks.



Bill