Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) when to switch to synethic

[TowPro]

I know I have heard both sides of the story.



A: Let it break in first (mileage depends on load)



B: run it on the first change, like Corvett, VW diesels, MB diesels in the Sprint, etc, etc.



I put very few miles on per year (1 change per year), and like the Amsoil HD Diesel and marine oil because I beleve the motor is safer sitting with it in it.



What would you do? I got it with 4000 miles of "dealer demo" on it. Wait until Next spring and get a couple tows on it? I was talking to one of the mechanics today at the dealer, he remarked how they let him use my truck (the dealer demo) to tow his 28' RV to a car race last fall (with no trailer brakes), so it has been used some.

 

[Whitmore]

Towpro

She aint broke in yet, run it thru the winter, run it hard and tow as much as you can, I would say 10k of good towing would do and if you dont tow at all I would go to 20K before the switch over. JMO



cheers, Kevin

 

[JJW_ND]

2nd old change

Unless you do 3K changes the second or third change would be fine.



This assume the truck is worked on a regular basis.



Those that never pull or haul migh want to go alittle longer.



jjw

ND

 

[DSiemens]

If it was my truck, I would break that engine in first before the oil switch. Put a load on it by pulling a trailor is the best way to break in a Cummins, imo. Sounds like that might not be an option so there is one other way to speed up break in time. John Deere sells a "engine break in oil". Use the John Deere oil for a couple of thou miles, but make sure engine is broke in before switch.

 

[LSMITH]

In the axles? 500 miles, then fill with synthetics.



T-case? 500 miles.



Auto transmission? 1500 miles.



Manual transmission? 1500 hard miles, 5000 easy miles.



Engine? Never, unless you want to extend the drain intervals or just want the absolute best oil money can buy and the cost is no object. The little B series will last over 400K easily on Rotella, that is enough for me. If I did install synthetic engine oil it would be AFTER 30K miles of light working or 15K of pounding it with a trailer on it. My performance and fuel economy improved to nearly 60K miles, my engine did not completely break in until then.



Just my opinions, no hard data, just what I have learned over the years.

 

[CATCRACKER]

my thinking is for my new truck run oilguard and extended drain using rottela t change at 5000 instead of 3000. this oil is so cheap you can change it more often. it will get you to 400K without question and will also protect your turbo. i put syn's in tcase,transmission,axles, but not the motor i will stick to cheap time proven oil. this is not to say the syns are not good b/c they are this is just what i feel comfotable with. this is like another dicussion i have had which i will not discuss in detail but the end result is that its better to go el-natural than to cover up with synthetic. :-laf