1oldtruck wrote:
What is the oil change interval on a diesel? I use six quarts or Mobil 1 synthetic and a synthetic specific oil filter that costs $10 on top of $6.50 a quart for the oil. With a 5,000 mile interval. I am wandering how much cost difference there really is.
The oil life indicator on my trucks shows 40 % oil life remaining when I change. Usually about every six months.
My wife and I are currently looking at leftover 2012 Ram diesels. So far are am estimating $100-200 more per year in maintenance. Fuel looks to be a wash with my current gas mileage vs a new diesel.
We bought a 12 Ram 2500 CTD with $10,000 off MSRP back in July 2012.
Oil changes are determined by the trucks EVIC dislplay and the trucks monitoring. I changed the oil the 1st time at 3700 miles and that was before the monitoring sysytem said too. Lots of towing miles for the 1st oil change.
2nd oil change was from the trucks monitoring system telling me to. It came on 3000 miles from the 1st change. Lots of city driving with an occasional trip down the freeway for 150 miles RT. Freeeway trips were about 5-7 weeks apart. So for the most part 80% city driving. Lots more regens after the 1st oil change. If your on the road alot I suspect your oil changes will be in the 4000+ mile range.
Went form a 10 F150 5.4. 7 qts 5-30w semi syn oil.
Ram CTD 12 qts 15-40w non syn.
Ram oil changes are around $45.00
F150's were around $36.00.
Haven't done a fuel filter change yet. Guesstimating @ $45.00
I do my own oil and filter changes which cuts down on my cost.
1yr total maintinence for me is 2 oil changes @$90.00, plus fuel filter replacemnet @ $45.00.
Total for me is $135.00, vs $72.00 for the F150.
I'm not figuring in an air fitler though since cost difference is not much. I just cant see getting all worked up over $20-30.00 extra a year for increased maintinence costs.
4000 miles towing save me roughly $300.00 a year over the 5.4. So that offsets the added maitinence cost for me.
Towing mpg for the F150 8.5
Ram 11 mpg.
Highway was a wash at 18mpg each.
City a wash also.
1, 200 mile trip and I make up the difference in oil change cost with better mpgs in the diesel. Even with diesel running around .30 more here.
I live in Oregon so having a diesel is great. Lots of hills and mtns wherever you go.
I have no regrets about getting a diesel. My situation is probaly different than yours as I'm retired and don't drive more than 8,000 miles a year. If I was doing a lot of driving for work I wouldn't have diesel as fuel would be too much. My F150 5.4 got the same empty as the Ram, so the only benefit is when towing. Intial cost is a lot more also for the diesel and I will never make that up over a gasser with my 8,000 miles a year. I look at it this way; lots of people get a loaded truck Lariat, Larimie, etc and don,t really need all that bling. I probaly don't need a diesel for 7300lbs of TT either, but it's how I want my truck to be. We also plan on buying sommething larger in a few yrs and the diesel will be better suited for it.
