After debating 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, came across a good deal on a 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 folks recommended, such as seamfoam, cetane booster or adding oil to the fuel tank and frequent oil changes and fuel filters.Looking online, I'm seeing oil changes every 6mo or 15K miles and fuel filter once a year. Is this good? Synthetic?My F-250 did not have the exhaust brake and the Ram does. Should I always use the exhaust brake or only when towing or only when towing grades?What else should I know or be ready for?Thanks

I have a 2014 since new . I never add anything except fuel . Synthetic oil always at 10k or so . Exhaust brake , most of time . My truck it is sometimes difficult to use tow/haul and exhaust brake at the same time when going down long mountain grades , I will turn off tow/haul on long decent.

Make sure the recall work has been done, especially the water pump. The original pump in mine failed at 30k-ish miles and left us in a pretty good bind. Beyond that just fuel and do the recommended fluid changes. I've always run synthetic oil in mine mostly because of cold winters. If I didn't see below zero temps every winter I may just run the standard stuff. I throw my exhaust brake on for more than just towing but I don't use it all the time. When I'm towing I always have it on and set it to Auto mode, along with T/H. You won't regret stepping up to a diesel, and you got a pretty good one. I've really enjoyed my '15.

The RAM is a whole different truck than a Ford 6.0. The RAM should just need basic fluids and maintenance (like a truck should). The 6.0 was a temperamental engine that required exacting care and maintenance to prevent disaster.

I just got a 2015 Ram 3500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 long box with the CTD and it's my first diesel as well. There is a "Diesel Supplement" to the owner's manual that gives you all the details on filters, etc. If it wasn't in the truck you can download it from the Ram site. You're about right on the filters, there are oil life and fuel filter life monitors in the vehicle details display.FYI, there are 2 fuel filters on these trucks, and the dealer will get about $500 to change both and do an oil change. You can DIY for about 1/2 of that.One key thing I have learned: There is no fuel cap but apparently there are two flappers in the fuel filler neck...if the diesel nozzle isn't in the filler as far as it will go, fuel with splash out.Good news is that these years still used the Bosch CP3 injection pump, not the new CP4 which apparently has been problematic for all of the big 3 in diesel trucks.Good luck and congrats on the new truck!!

packpe89 wrote:After debating 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, came across a good deal on a 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 folks recommended, such as seamfoam, cetane booster or adding oil to the fuel tank and frequent oil changes and fuel filters.Looking online, I'm seeing oil changes every 6mo or 15K miles and fuel filter once a year. Is this good? Synthetic?My F-250 did not have the exhaust brake and the Ram does. Should I always use the exhaust brake or only when towing or only when towing grades?What else should I know or be ready for?ThanksYou’ve already got some good info here. Right, oil and filter changes every 6 months per Cummins regardless of miles unless you top 15,000 sooner. Seems like a waste but, IMHO, oil and filters are cheap. I have the fuel filters changed once a year regardless of the filter life indicator. Same reasoning.I always use the exhaust brake, towing or not.I love towing my Chaparral 5’er with the Cummins. Tow/Haul and Auto exhaust brake. Just got home from a 3000+ mile road trip. Lotsa up and downhill, mostly head- and crosswind, 70 mph, averaged 9 mpg.Have fun! Safe travels!

Picking Up New (to me) Ram 2500 CTD, a few questions

KD4UPL
Explorer
Aug 21, 2020
The RAM is a whole different truck than a Ford 6.0. The RAM should just need basic fluids and maintenance (like a truck should). The 6.0 was a temperamental engine that required exacting care and maintenance to prevent disaster.
IdaD
Explorer
Aug 21, 2020
Make sure the recall work has been done, especially the water pump. The original pump in mine failed at 30k-ish miles and left us in a pretty good bind. Beyond that just fuel and do the recommended fluid changes. I've always run synthetic oil in mine mostly because of cold winters. If I didn't see below zero temps every winter I may just run the standard stuff.

I throw my exhaust brake on for more than just towing but I don't use it all the time. When I'm towing I always have it on and set it to Auto mode, along with T/H.

You won't regret stepping up to a diesel, and you got a pretty good one. I've really enjoyed my '15.
wanderingbob
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2020
I have a 2014 since new . I never add anything except fuel . Synthetic oil always at 10k or so . Exhaust brake , most of time . My truck it is sometimes difficult to use tow/haul and exhaust brake at the same time when going down long mountain grades , I will turn off tow/haul on long decent.

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Picking Up New (to me) Ram 2500 CTD, a few questions

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