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vinnydog's avatar
vinnydog
Explorer
May 06, 2018

2014 Ram 2500 diesel yearly maintenance cost

Hello,

I'm thinking of trading in my 2015 1500 Hemi for a 2014 2500 Diesel. I'm mainly getting it because I plan on upgrading to a 5th wheel soon. This truck would also be my daily driver. I'm concerned about the yearly maintenance costs moving to a diesel. I put on about 20,000 miles a year. What is a typical oil and filter change cost for the diesel? How often does this need to be done? Is there other yearly costs I need to be aware of? I do about 2 or 3 weeks towing the camper in the summer and my parents will be using the 5th to snowbird. I will be towing for them from Pennsylvania to Florida. Is a diesel worth the extra money compared to a gas? Any other additional information would be appreciated?

Thanks!
  • Well, let's see....
    I buy my oil at Costco (Chevron 400 15W-40, 3 gallons in a box. It cost $27.95 the last time (on sale, $10 off), IIRC.
    I get the oil filter at NAPA (NAPA Gold by Wix) for about $16.95.
    Master Lube here in Billings charges me about $28.95 to change the oil and filter, grease what is greaseable, and check all fluid levels.
    I usually get that done once a year. They are aware that the 5.9 diesel does NOT take 12 quarts of oil, and they leave the remaining quart in the cab for me.
    The air filter I check myself, and replace as needed, probably every two to three years.
    Fuel filter(s) and valve adjustments are every 15 to 25 thousand miles.

    By the way, I would make sure that 3500 SRW has Load Range E tires on it.
  • How much will the fw weigh? If you don't own the FW yet and you want the truck first I'd buy a one ton srw. If anyone falls in love with the huge FW you may actually want a dually
  • I use full synthetic. 12 quarts, on sale usually around 30 dollars. 12 for a good quality filter. Thats every 10,000 miles.
    If your going to go for a fiver, skip the 2500 and go right to a 3500. 2500s have a 10,000 GVWR, meaning you will be lucky to have a real world 2000 load carrying capacity.
  • Your typical gasser truck that now takes 7-8qts of 0w20 syn every 7000miles or so is comparable to the up to 15000miles with 12qts of 15-40 in the diesel.
    Cummins reccomended 500hour OCI for a fleet of 2014 Ram Cummins I was running.
    They lowered it to 400 when I explained they'd be idling at 20-40 below zero for most of those hours.
    Compare that to your usage and you're only doing about 1-1/2 oil changes a year.
  • Diesel IS for towing so you will be happy with that


    Oil changes....depends on where you have it done

    My 5.9L uses 12 quarts
    Local dealer changes oil/filter for $49
    I change oil every 5000 miles........WHY ---cause I am anal
    Some folks change at 7500
    Some folks send off for an oil analysis and change oil based on that report

    Yes...
    Diesel fuel costs more then gasoline per gallon
    Diesel oil/filter can cost more due to quantity of oil

    Other aspects of maintenance costs are not much different then for gasoline vehicles

    Daily driver......gasoline wins

    For TOWING....diesel hands down





    As for 5th wheel.........stay under 14K GVWR and that 2014 2500 will be OK
    RAWR/Rear Tire Max Load Ratings are what you need to be aware of
  • Maint costs are not a lot different, save for shops LOVE to see diesels where they can pretend it's expensive and upcharge the ___out of simple stuff like oil and filters.

    "Maintenance" cost is NOT a reason to not get a diesel.
    2014 Cummins.
    Air filter = as needed, probably about the same $ as any other. They're not special.
    2 fuel filters, $100 online every 15k miles ish.
    3 gal of oil and an oil filter, little over $50 if you buy the oil on sale.

    Add to these numbers if you're paying someone else to do it. Call and get a quote from Zippy lube or whoever, but remember, they're charging like $120 for an oil change on new gasser trucks now, so it's all relative.

    Repair costs will be Identical to any other apples to apples comparison HD pickup, except the big ticket items like injectors cost more than a gasser and you don't have to worry about them until over 200kmiles on any newer diesels. And if you do need them, The Cummins is far and away the cheapest/easiest to do engine repairs, especially injectors of any of the big 3.

    Emissions is the one wild card, and out of warranty IF you have problems, it can get spendy.
    But not enough to make me even consider an HD gasser for real towing duties.