My brother in law and I both bought 2019 Ram Tradesman 6.4 2500s within the last 8 months. We purchased them from the same dealer but at two different store locations. There is only about 20 miles between locations but in two different states. My location told me 5000 mile oil changes and his location told him 7,000 mile intervals. What is correct and why would there be a difference.
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Need advice on oil change intervals
- Thread starter woody284
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Lary0071
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What does the oil life monitor say. That is the only thing to look at. Do not run to 0% and your fine.
That is a highly refined system based off of over 20 years of data, thousands of oil samples and a ton of engineering research. It is not a fixed algorithm, it changes and reacts to everything you do with the truck from loads, temperatures, RPMs and much more.
Dealers will say XXXX mile intervals based on them wanting to make repeat income. Older folks will say the 3000 or 3500 mile thing because they are old enough to have seen under valve covers in the 80's when oil was horrible. Modern oil, not even talking about synthetic... is light years above what we had 30 years back. Synthetic oil like what we use in this 6.4L are like unicorn piss (meaning super-dee-duper awesome) compared to anything we used 20 years back.
Chemistry/chemical engineering has come a long way and lubrication has changed in ways that some folks have a hard time wrapping their mind around.
The Oil Life Monitor does it's job perfectly up until the point that you have a mechanical failure or a gasket failure. But at that point doing 500 mile oil changes isn't going help you.
That is a highly refined system based off of over 20 years of data, thousands of oil samples and a ton of engineering research. It is not a fixed algorithm, it changes and reacts to everything you do with the truck from loads, temperatures, RPMs and much more.
Dealers will say XXXX mile intervals based on them wanting to make repeat income. Older folks will say the 3000 or 3500 mile thing because they are old enough to have seen under valve covers in the 80's when oil was horrible. Modern oil, not even talking about synthetic... is light years above what we had 30 years back. Synthetic oil like what we use in this 6.4L are like unicorn piss (meaning super-dee-duper awesome) compared to anything we used 20 years back.
Chemistry/chemical engineering has come a long way and lubrication has changed in ways that some folks have a hard time wrapping their mind around.
The Oil Life Monitor does it's job perfectly up until the point that you have a mechanical failure or a gasket failure. But at that point doing 500 mile oil changes isn't going help you.
Gondul
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There is a difference because dealers want to make money... and they make that money via service, not sales.
Considering how well my AC, Cruise Control, and Adaptive Cruise Control works, I have zero faith that the oil life monitor is any good.
The manual says 8K, so that's when it will be changed until the warranty runs out... after that, I'll likely do an extended drain interval based on a used oil analysis.
Considering how well my AC, Cruise Control, and Adaptive Cruise Control works, I have zero faith that the oil life monitor is any good.
The manual says 8K, so that's when it will be changed until the warranty runs out... after that, I'll likely do an extended drain interval based on a used oil analysis.
Kimo7
HDRams' Official Greeter
That’s funny right there !!!
Lary0071
Well-Known Member
The oil life monitor is not Mopar/Ram. That system began life in the late 70's with FedEx or UPS being the initial ground zero test bed. A buddy of mine worked in the initial phases of data collection as they had cherry trucks with various types of routes and outfitted them with sensors and such, then began playing with oils and samples being pulled to begin the process of data collection.
At this point, most all manufactures use the system, they may tweak it a little based on oil types or unique engineering input, but the base load system is somewhat universally established and fully matured.
So I wouldn't think that Ram would go so far as destroy a program that has decades of data collection behind it and that is used extremely successfully by about every automobile and truck manufacturer on Earth.
Dealers freaking despise it, especially if a customer is aware enough to use it.
Some vehicle owners despise it, I would say generally due to ignorance of the system and misunderstanding of the depth and robustness in the system. Also part of the problem may be the correlation of frequent oil changes associated with the older paraffin loaded oils with far less advanced additive packages that ruined engines.... And disbelief of today's much higher quality refinement and insanely better chemistry applied to the additive package of even the cheapest off brand oil.
Old school (and incorrect) beliefs are difficult to overcome especially when they may be generations old and passed down.
The oil life monitor system is real.
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colbshoots
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You guys are funny. I'm a service manager and I cater the oil change intervals to certain customers and what they drive. I COULD NOT CARE LESS about how often I see you for an oil change. Stop taking your vehicles to the big dealerships and find a small family owned (not the one that boasts about being family owned and isn't) dealership who treats you well and you'll be able to build confidence in the people in charge of taking care of your vehicles.
Also, in my opinion, going 8K plus is foolish unless you trade your vehicle in every 50K. If you are in it for the long haul, it never hurts to change it more frequently.
And now, I'm off the soap box.
hard to beat that analysisThanks, but I'll data vs opinion.
Used oil analysis on a 2017 2500.
PuP 0w-40 changed out at 7, 200 miles.
I've seen dealers put a change oil sticker on the windshield for 5,000 mile interval on diesels. The manual says 15,000 miles, 12 months or 500 hours, whichever comes first. Now tell me it's not about making more money in service. Or the lube tech doesn't know or care and puts 5,000 miles on every interval sticker.
Crusty old shellback
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I do mine every 5K miles. Has worked for me for years on all of my new motors.
colbshoots
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It's not about making more money. An oil change is a losing situation for the dealership. They are hoping for more work based on the inspection they perform.
Keep in mind, the manual is a general baseline. If you use a diesel pick up the way it was intended, a 15k interval is a horrible idea (again, in my opinion).
We put stickers in certain Equinoxes at 3k mile intervals. I always tell my customers this is what we suggest but you are free to do whatever you'd like to. I even offer to write them a new sticker if they don't like it. Most of them appreciate not having to replace their rear main seal when it gets cold out...
If you have any doubt in your local dealership, find a different dealership and try to build some trust in them. More importantly, find a writer or manager who has their head screwed on straight and is truly looking out for you. I promise, we are out here.
colbshoots
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This has always worked for me as well. Oil change and tire rotation every 5k and all is well.
gimmie11s
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Old oil causes rear main seals to go bad?
colbshoots
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Where do you think my "opinion" comes from? You think I pulled this out of thin air? My old '05 1500 got regular oil samples sent in when I used to run a shop in the parking lot of an oil company.Thanks, but I'll data vs opinion.
Used oil analysis on a 2017 2500.
PuP 0w-40 changed out at 7, 200 miles.
Those numbers do look good to be honest but I'd rather change it more frequently than not.
colbshoots
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Lol, no. When the condensation builds up and the PCV freezes shut it over pressurizes the crankcase. Then the rear main blows out, dumps all the oil and your teenage daughter who doesn't know any better keeps driving. You should see how pissed people are when they find out they need an engine because they figured they would take their oil change out to 8k miles.
Riddick
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If your oil has enough moisture it to freeze the PCV system then you have some major issues going on and need way more than a fresh oil change. As long as you drive your car at operating temps for extended periods there should be little to no condensation in the oil regardless of how old it is.
The Equinox freezing PCVs is due to GMs awful PCV design not oil change intervals....... in my opinion.
colbshoots
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Hey guy, you're right. When we do this repair we also remove the intake manifold and drill out the passages that were too small from the factory per bulletin 19-NA-021. Give it a read, it's pretty good.