I purchased my 2024 Ram 3500 SRW CCSB Cummins SO a month ago. I have nearly 2500 miles on it right now. I am planning a trip from Denver, over the Rocky Mountains to Grand Junction (eastern plains to western slope) in 2 weeks. I'll be hauling my 12,000lb 5th wheel. I was planning on changing out the motor oil, but my sales guys (he has owned 6 Cummins before) and the parts guy told me I was crazy and I was good to run the "out of the factory" oil in the engine. Hauling a 12,000lb trailer over Loveland and Vail passes are not easy with both being 11,000ft+ above sea level (starting at 5,00ft) with massive incline and decline grades. I'll be putting the engine through it's paces. Thoughts?
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Am I crazy to change my oil at 2500 miles?
- Thread starter Elite130
- Start date
I don't think it's ever crazy to change your oil early if it gives you more comfort and you can afford it. I'm coming up on a year on my 2024 3500 ccsb Cummins Big horn. Im about 8900 miles, and have my second oil change scheduled the end of the month. If I was doing more miles. I know it's probably overkill, but I grew up in the day of under 3000 mile oil changes and It just feels better.
Ritchie_Rich
Active Member
It’s your money.
I do 5k intervals on all my vehicles.
I do 5k intervals on all my vehicles.
Jackrabbit
Member
I did my first oil change at 5k. Since then it’s been 15k intervals as the owners manual says. Used oil analysis keep getting better every change. I have over 80k on it now.
H3LZSN1P3R
You're doing it wrong
Yes you are in my books. 15k miles or when the counter hits 0%. My engine has been on that cycle since day one other than the last one that ran 21k miles 
, no odd sounds no lifter issues, under the valve cover looks perfect
, no odd sounds no lifter issues, under the valve cover looks perfect
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CdnHO
Well-Known Member
Change it, especially since you will be towing a long distance. Oil and filter are cheap.
Denver-GJ is 4 hours each way, 500 miles round trip.
The Cummins will suck that up pulling 12k and love you for it. You'll get a faster cylinder finish running the Ike a few times. Hook it and book it man.
No way I'd dump 3,000 mile oil down the drain (metaphorically speaking).
I did my first change at around 5K, only because it was one year, that's pretty much my schedule (while under warranty).
H3LZSN1P3R
You're doing it wrong
you wont be pushing that engine at all thats not even breaking a sweat hauling 12k even up a mountain.
OLEJOE
Well-Known Member
I did my first oil change @ 2262 miles. I always do an early oil change on a new vehicle if for nothing more than to know exactly how long it has been in there and what brand and weight the oil is. I also use a better filter than the stock Mopar filter. Plus I get the warm and fuzzies knowing I drained some of the initial break in metals out of it early.
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I’m also in the early oil change category, especially on rigs where I’m not a fan of the OE filter specs.
In the grand scheme of things it probably doesn’t make much difference, but it also is a relatively insignificant cost overall.
You can get a better filter and know exactly what oil is in there, and what grade oil.
In the grand scheme of things it probably doesn’t make much difference, but it also is a relatively insignificant cost overall.
You can get a better filter and know exactly what oil is in there, and what grade oil.
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Good call. While the OEM gear lube is better for Gen 4.5, it’s still not great.
D
Deleted member 47449
Guest
Purchased our 2024 Ram 3500 4x4 Crew Cab LB SWB last October in Montrose, Colorado. The same evening of the purchase it was towing at the posted highway speeds and headed over the passes of Vail, Ike Gauntlet, and Floyd Hill that night our loaded 9,995 GVWR travel trailer. It zoomed right over each without feeling any power loss on the grades. Passed through Denver at around 10 PM.
Had to be at a family member's scheduled appointment in a Minnesota hospital by the next day's afternoon. Google Maps stated 16 hours. The truck did it in that time including with very few fuel stops due to a 50 gallon tank.
We were towing the trailer just two days prior with our 2016 Ram 2500 4x4, but the transmission blew on US 24 while on the Tennessee Pass grade. Lost 4, 5, and 6 gears. All fixed now. So yes, we have steep long grades and it is hard on trucks towing over them. It happens.
Changed the oil at 5K miles on our 2024. Have 8,500 miles on it now with all of it towing. At 10,000 miles I'll change the oil and fuel filters.
We turned down the Cummins SO in fully equipped trucks for a Tradesman with the Cummins HO. Glad we did having towed heavier loads across the Rockies with our family's 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins. It's been tuned since for much more power output. I helped install a Southbend clutch to handle the higher torque versus the original G56 manual transmission derated power. Now it zooms too while towing.
The Cummins SO will handle the grades great. It's just that we live within the Rockies outside of Grand Junction, so we chose the HO for additional power for our High Country elevations.
We live on a rural road steep grade with a 10% grade just 2 miles away, but our private dirt road is even much steeper (15% to 18%?). Our highway within 15 miles from our home summits at near 11K feet. Drove over it once again today. Nobody lives near there because of the steep mountain terrain and harsh climate makes it uninhabitable. 35 feet average snowfall makes it quite difficult. Unlike I-70 there's no guardrails on the shear cliffs. You'll be fine towing on the Interstate.
Had to be at a family member's scheduled appointment in a Minnesota hospital by the next day's afternoon. Google Maps stated 16 hours. The truck did it in that time including with very few fuel stops due to a 50 gallon tank.
We were towing the trailer just two days prior with our 2016 Ram 2500 4x4, but the transmission blew on US 24 while on the Tennessee Pass grade. Lost 4, 5, and 6 gears. All fixed now. So yes, we have steep long grades and it is hard on trucks towing over them. It happens.
Changed the oil at 5K miles on our 2024. Have 8,500 miles on it now with all of it towing. At 10,000 miles I'll change the oil and fuel filters.
We turned down the Cummins SO in fully equipped trucks for a Tradesman with the Cummins HO. Glad we did having towed heavier loads across the Rockies with our family's 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins. It's been tuned since for much more power output. I helped install a Southbend clutch to handle the higher torque versus the original G56 manual transmission derated power. Now it zooms too while towing.
The Cummins SO will handle the grades great. It's just that we live within the Rockies outside of Grand Junction, so we chose the HO for additional power for our High Country elevations.
We live on a rural road steep grade with a 10% grade just 2 miles away, but our private dirt road is even much steeper (15% to 18%?). Our highway within 15 miles from our home summits at near 11K feet. Drove over it once again today. Nobody lives near there because of the steep mountain terrain and harsh climate makes it uninhabitable. 35 feet average snowfall makes it quite difficult. Unlike I-70 there's no guardrails on the shear cliffs. You'll be fine towing on the Interstate.
Dirtstiff
Active Member
2024 Ram 3500 SO, LWB. Bought it in late Feb.
Kind of embarrassed to admit that I did my first change at a thousand, just to know what I started with and get some experience pulling the filter.
Headed for Montana with our 30', 8500 + # travel trailer next week. First real pull for this truck. Should be a relaxing trip.
I'll change everything at 5 to 7 k.
Cheers
Kind of embarrassed to admit that I did my first change at a thousand, just to know what I started with and get some experience pulling the filter.
Headed for Montana with our 30', 8500 + # travel trailer next week. First real pull for this truck. Should be a relaxing trip.
I'll change everything at 5 to 7 k.
Cheers
Rowdy Dalton
Member
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I always do my first oil change at 1,000 miles. I won't change the filter, but wait until the second change. I have heard too many stories from mechanics who find metallic particles floating around, with the first oil change. Plus, I usually.keep my vehicles a long time, and want to give the engine a little extra help, with an early first oil change.
MegaRed
Well-Known Member
Like others, changed my break in oil at just over 2k. Whether it’s beneficial or not, it’s peace of mind for me.
D
Deleted member 47449
Guest
If you want to tow over Loveland Pass on Highway 6 a major mountain slide this morning just killed it.
Also, Floyd Hill on I-70 is having major time delay closures for dynamite work starting June 16th until 2026.
No problem.
Also, Floyd Hill on I-70 is having major time delay closures for dynamite work starting June 16th until 2026.
No problem.
Loveland Pass closes due to 100-foot wide mountain slide
Loveland Pass has since reopened. Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information from CDOT. U.S. Highway 6 over Loveland Pass is closed Sunday, June 15, due to a mountain slide that the...
www.summitdaily.com
johnmyster
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No. You're not crazy.
johnnyroastbeef
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i have no real data on this but i like to change it early and have always use 5w-40. I dont know if the 10w-30 has anythign at all to do with the ticking issues guys are having but I suspect it might. I fear that dreaded tick noise so it makes me feel better to have fresher oil. Again, totaly not scientific or data driven!