What's wrong with using recommended fluids?

[ACF]

I plan on changing all my fluids/gear and engine oil with what the owners manual recommends on the heavy duty use cycle... ... . whether I tow or not between fluid changes. I know that the factory diff fluids are synthetic and I am going to stick with that. I have had bad experiences before in an old toyota of mine with gaskets leaking after switching to Redline MT-90 gear oil in the trans/transfer case. I don't want the same issue with a new truck. Have any of you guys had this happen to your 3rd Gens when switching over? I would like to use a good synthetic in the trans in order to get the most mileage out of it, but don't want any leaks. I would love to see all the really high mileage rigs out there and see how many have stuck with factory fluids.

 

[Hoefler]

I do not know what year you are, but in the 05's and up I know they are factory filled with synthetic except for the crankcase.

 

[CPittman]

I've got 138K on my '04. The diffs have the Mopar part number in them. The transfer case has Valvoline ATF+4 in it, the transmission now holds a couple of gallons of Amsoil ATF (Mag Hytec double-deep pan) and the big C has been running good ole Rotella dino juice since the first change.



I change the engine oil every 5K miles and the fuel filter every other oil change. Get the 4/2/1 filter kit from Geno's, an excellent buy.

 

[mberry]

There's nothing "wrong" with the factory fluids, there's just so much better quality stuff out there to use. I am switching everything over to Amsoil as soon as I can get the time and it warms up just a bit.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

There's nothing "wrong" with the factory fluids, there's just so much better quality stuff out there to use.

. . and to add the factory would like your truck to wear out faster so you'll buy a new one.

 

[CDonaldson]

I agree with mberry, there's nothing wrong with the factory fluids BUT there IS better quality fluids on the market as well. I am not a fan of using the fluids to extend the change intervals, however having said that, the better fluids DO have an excellent history of extended interval changes. I don't know if anyone has REALLY compared the recommended fluids regarding extended periods and what timeframes they can extend into but I am sure someone may actually be using these that way. Many rely on lab testing for their interval change information.



My trucks an 06, and as I encounter the need for changes I am going to be using the Amsoil 70w140 in both my differentials. I have already changed my engine oil several times and am currently staying with the factory Valvoline Blue. I have a friend who is a fluids engineer in the aerospace industry for a major company and they use the Valvoline Blue in everything diesel in their fleet equipment - generators, non-cummins engines, etc. and he tells me they have not had any failures that were oil/lubrication related since they began using it quite some time ago. Lots of engines running it with good service. As far as the transmission and transfer case, I am planning to use the Amsoil there when I change them.



I think the real key to longevity is just doing good maintenance with proper interval changes using good fluids. I send in a lab sample from every oil change. Prior to the Dodge truck I had Fords, never used anything but dyno fluids, both of the old Fords I have are still going down the road at greater than 400K each with no problems and they are 460 gas engines, 4x4's, better than 80% of their mileage is heavy towing.



CD

CD

 

[amsoilman]

In reality, All Engine oils that meet/exceed the API and Engine Manufactures specs. are not going to cause ANY failures if drained at the Engine manufacturers recommendations. If an oil is going to cause a failure, it is going to be seen in many Engines, and not an isolated case, simply because oils are formulated in thousands of gallon quanities. I've only seen this one time since I have been seriously studying oils for some 30 years.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[J&LRam]

Ace

I switched my '03 rear axle to 75w-140 Redline synthetic at 20000 mile. With 59k their are no leaks. I also at the same time switched the NV5600 to Redline MTL and no leaks. These trucks are heavy duty and better quality than the Toyota truck I had. If you have a '03 and up HPCR Cummins we have a 15000 mile oil change schedule for non towing or 7500 towing "FOR A STOCK ENGINE. "

JIM