Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Synthetic transmission (Auto)/Engine Oil (2001/3500)

[SGade]

hi there,



Can someone tell me if I can use Synthetic Engine oil and/or synthetic transmission oil (Automatic/2WD) for my 2001 Ram 3500 -24 valve ? Currently I am using regular oil for both engine and transmission.



Although I am using synthetic oil on Rear Axle.



any toughts ?



-thanks

Shashi

 

[JFaughn]

As long as the eng. oil is diesel rated most would consider that a improvement , same with the trans. fluid .
I haven't done yet but will be using Amsoil in every part to the truck , it seems that Amsoil has made more veritys of oils than most , but now there seems to be a larger group of Companies make more synthetics , so more to chose from .

 

[DAlameda]

I have been running Redline Synthetic C+ Transmission Fluid for the last three years and Redline 15/40 Diesel Synthetic engine oil also. Go to Redline oil website and read up on synthetic lubricants. None better - I have been using Redline lubricants in my racing vehicles for years.

 

[Diesel Nut]

You'll be perfectly safe to run synthetic in both. I know on the 3rd gens the auto trans is filled with a synthetic. I don't know brand or anything, probobly something pretty cheap.

 

[Texas Diesel]

ALL of the million mile Rams have used dino oil and OEM filters with regular changes.



You might want to read this too:



http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000277



That thread has some good explanations of terms, rocks, broken glass and some good points. The thread is rated NC-17 for violence :-laf



My thoughts:



Follow the trail of success!

Dino and regular changes in the engine.

I run an excellent syn oil in all my manual trannies, no experience with synthetic oil in the auto.

Synthetic DEFINATELY in the axle. Once I had a quantity of 90W dino gearlube that I aquired for free. I was coming up on rear axle oil change time, was draining out the Royal Purple 75W-90. On my morning commute the rear axle temp was something like 185F. Then I changed to the dino 90W, oil temps for the next week ran 200F. Then changed back to Royal Purple 75W-90 and the temps came back to 185F.



I also read where Eaton would extend the OTR truck axle warranty from it's base of 100k miles to 700k miles if the owner would change the rear axle fluid to Mobil 1.

 

[wlowe]

I'll be changing over to amsoil engine oil on my next oil change. Have 50,000 miles on truck and warranty is almost gone. Most members have had good luck using it. Will change it every 8,000 miles until I get a bypass filter.



As for the transmission, the '01 automatics use Chrysler's ATF+4 which is listed as being a synthetic based transmission fluid, see below:



http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/nafl/auto/content/atf.shtm



Good luck

 

[Jed]

There has been much written about this subject, use the search feature! If there is any consensus it is use synthetic in trans, rear end,ecad... It is not cost efficient to use in engine unless you first install a bypass filter (ie. franz, amsoil ect... ) Even normal dino oil does not wear out but it does get contaminated by soot. That is why most people run a good dino oil and change it regular, and run synthetic in everything else. By the way according to the dodge service manuel, city driving is severe duty and requires oil changes at 3500. The bypass filters will allow you to run a long way without a change but you do have to change bypass filter and add make up oil. With a system like that oil sampling is a must or you really do not know what you have.

 

[Diesel Nut]

Will change it every 8,000 miles until I get a bypass filter.

Amsoil's recommended interval for diesel trucks is 15k if you use the Donaldson Endurance filters. I have for 80K on my old truck and am ready to change over my 06.