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OIL CHANGE INTERVALS….AGAIN

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Ram time

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I’m learning with my 2021 big horn, it’s not always about “buying into” the oil life indicator or not. Oil quality is pointless if your consistency running a quart or two low. My oil life indicator is at 34% and I am at exactly 5200 miles, if I was to just follow the oil life indicator I would be driving just over a quart low for another possibly 2000 miles. This is happening every single time with my truck , and your truck as well will burn a quart of oil around 5200 miles so why would you drive your truck possibly a quart and a half low to try to squeeze out an extra 12 or 1500 miles?…. Stick to 5000 mile oil change …….. for me, cheap insurance
 
I've been doing mine at 5K since I bought the truck new. Haven't checked to see if it's low on oil at 5K. Maybe I need to check it.
But it shouldn't be using oil like that.
Wife's truck, '04 Chevy, uses maybe a quart between changes, but I go by the monitor on hers. 150K on the motor now.
 
I changed mine on the current truck when the indicator said to. It was still showing a good level on the dipstick. Same thing with every change on my 2020 2500 for the 40k-ish miles I had it.
 
The oil life indicator does not take into account oil quantity/level.

Are you checking your oil level on a cold engine on level ground?

I don't think burning a quart between changes is excessive but its not normal in my opinion. I did my first oil change at 10k miles and the dip stick was full when I drained it, granted I have a diesel. I would keep monitoring the oil level and get it into the dealer so they can document it in case you have engine issues down the road.
 
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techman said:
Burning a quart every 5K miles? Ah...no.

You have a problem with your engine I'm afraid.
Click to expand...
well, i asked service manager who i went to school with since 3rd grade, and he said lots of times they can burn a quart in between oil changes (5-6,500 miles) ,,, that doesnt sound that crazy to me, others here have said similiar,,, really dont know i guess
 
I've checked mine a couple of times in the 40k miles I've driven an the oil has been spot on... oil change indicator seems consistent with the 8K mile service recommended in the manual.
Maybe once I do more towing that indicator may change...
 
Gondul said:
I've checked mine a couple of times in the 40k miles I've driven an the oil has been spot on... oil change indicator seems consistent with the 8K mile service recommended in the manual.
Maybe once I do more towing that indicator may change...
Click to expand...
It kicked on for me at about 7600 miles. About 25% of those miles were towing.
 
dieselscout80 said:
It was maybe more of an I wanted to than a need as it could have made it possibly another 1000 miles, but I had time and I rotated the tires too.
Click to expand...

Makes sense. 27% at 5K would go to 0% at 6,850 with a linear reduction.

There are times to change it before the gauge gets to 0%, but I also see plenty of folks get nervous about the bottom 25% when it’s not a bad thing to use.
 
Ram time said:
I’m learning with my 2021 big horn, it’s not always about “buying into” the oil life indicator or not. Oil quality is pointless if your consistency running a quart or two low. My oil life indicator is at 34% and I am at exactly 5200 miles, if I was to just follow the oil life indicator I would be driving just over a quart low for another possibly 2000 miles. This is happening every single time with my truck , and your truck as well will burn a quart of oil around 5200 miles so why would you drive your truck possibly a quart and a half low to try to squeeze out an extra 12 or 1500 miles?…. Stick to 5000 mile oil change …….. for me, cheap insurance
Click to expand...
You should be checking/ topping off the oil as needed not just changing because its low thats pretty silly
 
These engines typically don't burn oil. If you're losing oil I'd be checking the PCV. Throw a catch can on it.
 
Ram time said:
I’m learning with my 2021 big horn, it’s not always about “buying into” the oil life indicator or not. Oil quality is pointless if your consistency running a quart or two low. My oil life indicator is at 34% and I am at exactly 5200 miles, if I was to just follow the oil life indicator I would be driving just over a quart low for another possibly 2000 miles. This is happening every single time with my truck , and your truck as well will burn a quart of oil around 5200 miles so why would you drive your truck possibly a quart and a half low to try to squeeze out an extra 12 or 1500 miles?…. Stick to 5000 mile oil change …….. for me, cheap insurance
Click to expand...
There is nothing cheap about changing your oil every 5k . Maybe try a different brand or just add q quart when low instead of wasting oil and money.
 
As others have said 5k isn’t necessary. Oil isn’t cheap it’s still near $100 to do it yourself

I only change mine early if I get dry start ticks indicating a failing oil filter ADBV. Mopar filters would last around 6k miles but the Wix Xp I can run it the full interval most likely since I’m at 15% and everything is fine still. YMMV
 
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