Cummins longevity and maintence
OK guys, need some sage advise from previous and current owners about scheduled maintenance. New to the diesel scene and I want to make sure I do what I'm suppose to...so asking for help. I've done re...
Forum Discussion
I am on my third RAM/Cummins. I having always done my own routine maintenance. I only beef I have with the new gen RAM's is the 15K/6 Month/500 Hours oil change guidance. For someone that does not drive a lot, the 6 month part is a bit of a waste of good oil.
I change the oil filter from the top by removing the intake duct between the filter box and turbo. Some do it through the wheel well.
I use only Fleetguard stratapore LF16035 oil filters, ordering them from Geno's Garage or Amazon. the LF16035 is better filter than the best one RAM has in there line up. BTW Fleetguard is a Cummins company. I use 15W/40 dino oil.
To change fuel filters, there are two, I use a length (18-24") of clear tubing that fits the drain on the rear filter will help to drain the filter in a container. The same tube will fit inside the tube of the engine mounted secondary filter drain also.
The Turbo Diesel Register is a good site for RAM/Cummins info.
I used Amsoil in the diffs at the first change. Your 68RFE tranny uses MOPAR ATF+4.
The AAM axles are torque biasing differential and NOT limited slip with clutches that need an additive.
I have always used Peak Blue DEF in the 2.5 gal boxes, adding one when gauge is at 1/2 full. Tip hold the box so the host is at the top of the box and the black vent quacker is on the high side. This is kind of reverse of how you use a gas can. If you hold the box the way you would use a gas can you will drip DEF fluid from the quacker.
Peak Blue DEF has a date code that has to be decoded.
The date code on the BlueDEF box
GA202320089
break this down into 4 groups of numbers:
GA: The designator of the plant that manufactured the DEF
20(fixed typo): The year of manufacture plus 1, so this DEF was made in 2019
232: 365-232 = 133, so the 133th day of the year, or May 13th.
0089: The batch code.
So this box of DEF was made May 13th, 2019.
Chris
I change the oil filter from the top by removing the intake duct between the filter box and turbo. Some do it through the wheel well.
I use only Fleetguard stratapore LF16035 oil filters, ordering them from Geno's Garage or Amazon. the LF16035 is better filter than the best one RAM has in there line up. BTW Fleetguard is a Cummins company. I use 15W/40 dino oil.
To change fuel filters, there are two, I use a length (18-24") of clear tubing that fits the drain on the rear filter will help to drain the filter in a container. The same tube will fit inside the tube of the engine mounted secondary filter drain also.
The Turbo Diesel Register is a good site for RAM/Cummins info.
I used Amsoil in the diffs at the first change. Your 68RFE tranny uses MOPAR ATF+4.
The AAM axles are torque biasing differential and NOT limited slip with clutches that need an additive.
I have always used Peak Blue DEF in the 2.5 gal boxes, adding one when gauge is at 1/2 full. Tip hold the box so the host is at the top of the box and the black vent quacker is on the high side. This is kind of reverse of how you use a gas can. If you hold the box the way you would use a gas can you will drip DEF fluid from the quacker.
Peak Blue DEF has a date code that has to be decoded.
The date code on the BlueDEF box
GA202320089
break this down into 4 groups of numbers:
GA: The designator of the plant that manufactured the DEF
20(fixed typo): The year of manufacture plus 1, so this DEF was made in 2019
232: 365-232 = 133, so the 133th day of the year, or May 13th.
0089: The batch code.
So this box of DEF was made May 13th, 2019.
Chris
