What oil is best

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This is my first post so here goes. I am approaching my first oil change and I would like to know which brand of oil should be used to continue proper break-in and which would be a good choice thereafter.

Chuck

2001 QC 4x4 LB 5spd. white stock for now!

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I like the Rotella T, still using it after 20K, engine has never used a drop of it.

 

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You'll probably get several different answers on this one so I will say it depends on the brand you prefer. I have always used Chevron Delo 15W40 in mine. I change it every 5000 miles. The truck is never more than a 1/2 quart low. I have thought of changing to a synthetic, but haven't. If you do want to use synthetic, make sure you have given the motor plenty of break in time. At least 10,000 miles. Other than that, it is up to you.

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98. 5 3500 QC 4x4, Driftwood/Mist Grey, 5 spd, 3. 54, 19. 5 Alcoa's, 245/70-19. 5 Michelin's, Ranchhand front bumper, Ranchhand rear bumper, Ranchhand toolbox, "Scotty Air", TST PowerMax2, Autometer Gauges, Centerforce clutch, Upgraded fuel lines (JRE and Aeroquip), MagHytec Diff Cover, PacBrake

 

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I use Pennzoil Long Life 15W40 - its available in convienent 2. 5 jugs. I have used it four Cummins powered Dodges to date one of which is an 89 model one ton still used every day with over 324,000 miles (doesn't use oil, doesn't leak oil, change it every 6,000 miles - basically monthly). We also have it in service in two 24 valves one w/ over 100,000 miles (no problems). My honest opinion is to use an easy to find 15W40 non synthetic oil that meets all API specs and other specs listed in your owners manual and stick with that oil and type as long as that engine makes it. I also advise using the Fleetguard filters with the Stratopore filter media. Fleetguard provides a filter that has been redesigned for the 24 valves (gasket and thicker case, flange, and better crimp) I honestly don't know if other filter manufacture's have followed or not.

 

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Hey Rambunctious - forgot to say welcome aboard and don't get discouraged if this topic gets moved to the Products Forum I had it happen on one of my first post about the same topic - oils.

 

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Well let see... there are 4,754 registered TDR BB members, I would be willing to bet there are that many opinions. #ad
That said, I used the Valvoline/Cummins Premium Blue 15W-40 (mineral oil) until 13. 2k miles where I switched to Red Line 15W-40 synthetic. I switched again to Amsoil 15W-40 HD Diesel and Marine synthetic at 32k miles. I'm very pleased with this oil and will be sticking with it... unless I decide to go with Amsoil's 5W-30 HDD synthetic. #ad
No one has presented a good enough case as to why the 5W-30 HDD is superior to the 15W-40 Diesel and Marine... especially to justify the substantial, cost difference. All the proponents of the 5W-30 HDD cite the possible fuel savings aspect whereas I'm more concerned with superior engine protection.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, VDO Vision gauges, Dynamat, '00 Sport grille & valve cover, '00 Sport headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc, Amsoil Dual Bypass, Bosch 275s, VA CPC, (censored), Banks 14 cm2 turbine housing/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , BD V10/Cummins hybrid TC & valve body, BD trans. front pump & PressureLoc, Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

 

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Whatever brand you go with, make sure it has a good/high TBN number on it. The TBN (total base number) is produced by adding alkalinity agents to the base stock oil.

Diesel fuel contains sulfur (at least now it does, cant wait to see what big brother has in mind for diesel fuel in the near and dear future... that's another can of worms) and when sulfur burns it mixes with moisture in the combustion process to form sulfuric acid. TBN's neutralize sulfuric acids in oil. The higher the TBN, the more acid it can neutralize.

I use Shell.

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Always ready to help!
2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, boost, pyro and fuel pressure gages, custom built boost module, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Marine Corps window sticker, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple black 340 car w/air! Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!
NRA Life Member. http://www.geocities.com/chadsheets

 

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Hey welcome to the forum and you started out with a good question!
We need to move this over to the Products and Accessory Forum because it is about products used in our Rams. No problem just look at each forum and it gives you a general idea what goes where.
Another tip for you is to use the search button at the top of the page. It is under the buttons for Post New Topic and Post Reply on the far right. Just click on the word search and it will bring up a search page for you to follow. There has been a lot said about which oil to use and you can spend lots of time looking at it.
Good Luck!
Mike

 

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Thanks for the great responses. Think I'll try Delo 15w40 for break-in then go to Amsoil. Who makes the stock oil filter that comes on the engine? I think I'll use Fleetguard.

Chuck

2001 QC 4x4 longbed stock for now.

 

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Rambunctious,
Any of the oils that are rated CH-4 will be OK for your truck. Make sure that you use the right viscosity (15w-40). If you use the regular run of the mill oil like Rotella or Delo or Penzoil then you will have to change it often, like 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you use an oil like Lubrication Engineers or Amsoil you can run it much longer on an oil change. Also the wear rate on the Lubrication Engineers or Amsoil is much less (better) than the regular oils.

Sincerely, Kevin

 

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Rambunctious, Fleetguard makes the oil filters for Cummins equipped Dodge Rams.