Pondering between Ram 2500 or 3500
Hi guys and gals, I've finally decided to trade in my 2011 Ram 1500 for either a 2500 or 3500. I have an older heavy TT that has a tongue weight of 1,050 lbs. When loaded, we have about 7,500 to 8,...
Forum Discussion
1ofmany wrote:corvettekent wrote:No dog in this fight since I drive a Ford...but, interested in you not having any higher maintenance costs??? The last gas powered vehicle I drove only required about $25 to do the standard oil change while my current diesel truck runs close to $100!
Go with the 3500 and the diesel. Diesel is cheaper then gas and I don't have any higher maintenance costs.
The Hemi 6.4L has a strict oil requirement. Currently, only 2 oils fit the bill: Pennzoil Ultimate Premium (blue bottle) 0W-40 or the equivalent Mopar (I believe Pennzoil makes both). That stuff runs more than $10 a quart around here and you need at least 7 plus 1 partial for the filter volume. This is a requirement from Mopar to keep your warranty. So, in the end, the dealer will do the oil change for $90 (just had mine done) or I could do it myself for almost the same cost. The 6.4L also has a 6000 mile oil change interval. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you can go further in a diesel between oil changes. So, in this case, the 6.4L will cost almost as much or more for oil changes in the long run than the diesel.
Bottom line: in the case of the 6.4L Hemi, I can believe that the diesel and gasoline maintenance costs are similar.
