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First Oil Change

dstonic

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2021 Ram 3500 6.7 OH Mega dually....has 6100 miles today and I'm told 60% of oil life remains on the read out. Supposedly it has synth. oil.....I'm old school and believe and do change oil and filters in my gas engines @2500 miles. What are you guys doing as for oil changes on your diesels?
 

Brutal_HO

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12 months or oil life indicator.

I know the 12 months myth has been pretty much dispelled, but I'm sticking with it. Mine gets fresh oil going into the summer towing season.

P.S. make sure you're using the right oil. The new engine MUST NOT have 15W-40 used in it.
 

dstonic

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12 months or oil life indicator.

I know the 12 months myth has been pretty much dispelled, but I'm sticking with it. Mine gets fresh oil going into the summer towing season.

P.S. make sure you're using the right oil. The new engine MUST NOT have 15W-40 used in it.
What is the best brand or (what most on the forum) synthetic oil for our diesels?
 

MtnRider

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15k Oil and fuel filter changes (per the manual) since day 1 and not a mile sooner (I do more then 15k in 12 months). It's not 1970 any more... Oil analysis has shown the oil is still more then good to go at that interval.


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Brutal_HO

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My preference is Rotella T6 just because that's what I've run in my diesels.

Valvoline Blue is popular as is Delo, Redline, and Amsoil.

MtnRider is on track that with oil analysis you can extend service intervals.

After watching a PF video on oils, I'll stick with Rotella. However, contrary to his findings, I'm still sticking with 12 months changes for oil AND FUEL because that's what works for me in more ways than just the health of the oil.

 

fourbybud

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So nobody does the first change early? I know we technically don't have to but my OCD wont let me skip past 500-1000mi on a new engine.
 

RamItHome

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I did my first at 2500. Always have with new engines. Just my piece of mind on changing early on break in.
 

GPurcell01

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I did my first change at 2500 as well. More so piece of mind and I was able to switch it to Rotella in the process. New OEM filter too.
 

fourbybud

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I'm at 400mi. Getting ready for a 2800mi trip. It's getting changed before we leave.
 

Firebird

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My gas engines have always been changed out by 1000 miles, but have never done that with my diesels.
 

Riddick

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The manufacturing process of engines has come along way over the years. They are able to nail exact tolerances for mass produced engines which basically eliminates any required break in. Basically, every part is machined to such a tight clearance the only break in required is for rings which happens in the first few minutes of starting an engine.

If it makes you feel better to change your oil early then by all means do it. In this day and age early oil changes are not required. If anything I would change the filter early, if there any is any foreign material in the oil it will be trapped in the filter. Also, you have to consider the amount of oil these engines hold, it takes along time to break down 12 quarts of oil.
 

2001WS6

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I did my first at 1500. Probably over doing it but its piece of mind. :cool:
 

CdnHO

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Changed mine at 2500 a couple of weeks ago. Mainly because I will be going on a long distance tow and figured I would pull out with fresh oil. Rotella T6, 5W40.
 

Firebird

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I finally found some oil today, had to hit 3 locations to find enough
 

Brutal_HO

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You're not supposed to change the oil too early in a Cummins.

They need 20-30K just to "finish" the cylinder/ring seat depending on how hard you work them. There's really no break in like an old gasser.
 

Jimmy Dean

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Resurrecting an old
12 months or oil life indicator.

I know the 12 months myth has been pretty much dispelled, but I'm sticking with it. Mine gets fresh oil going into the summer towing season.

P.S. make sure you're using the right oil. The new engine MUST NOT have 15W-40 used in it.
thread here but why should it not get 15w-40? Looking at my first oil change and finding info about these trucks is like sifting through sewage….everyone has an opinion and they all think there’s doesn’t stink.
 

baker01

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