packpe89 wrote:
2016 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 4x4 with the CTD and only 50K miles. Picking it up this afternoon. My previous diesel experience was an '05 F250 with the 6.0. With that, there were all kinds of additives .....I'm seeing oil changes every 6mo or 15K miles and fuel filter once a year. Is this good? Synthetic?
Should I always use the exhaust brake or only when towing or only when towing grades?
No fuel additives needed. For DEF I've always run Peak Blue DEF either in the 2.5 gallon containers or I've used the fill nozzle at truck stops. The one time I used cheap DEF I got sensor issues for insufficient catalyst. After I drained that junk and refilled with Peak I've never had that warning again.
Oil should be Rotella T6 5W40, or any other favorite synthetic 5W40 diesel engine oil. The book says you can run 15W40 down to 0*F, or you can run 5W40 synthetic at any temp range. Change interval I use is 1 year or 10,000 miles. I use Fleetguard LF16035 filters.
Fuel filters are good for 15,000 miles and I've not seen any age/time limit on those. I used to always change oil and fuel filters at the same time until this year when I realized I only put 5,000 miles on the truck since the last change. Online you can find the combo of both fuel filters for about $90. But I figured if the filters are good for 15,000 miles there's no need to spend that money so I'll run them until I hit the mileage limit.
I usually drive with the exhaust brake onall the time. When towing anything I also switch on the Tow/Haul mode. This steps up the exhaust brake when decelerating or going down a grade and greatly reduces the amount you need to use your brake pedal.
KJ
