ram 3500 oil change
2015 Ram 3500 diesel has 4800 miles 7 months new. dealer said I need to do oil change now. 2nd dealer says not yet, when should I computer says 62 left
Forum Discussion
Billzo wrote:
The local dealer here that I use told me that they recommend going by the EVIC's oil life gauge. They said the 6 month maximum time limit recommended by Ram was to address owners that have the truck sit for 6 months of the year and then want to tow a trailer the other 6. They said that when the oil sits for a significant amount of time it will separate and thus break down. Since I drive the truck several days during the week, separation won't be an issue.
I'm not going to go with their EVIC recommendation but with a 12 month interval since I only put about 5k on it annually.
Oil doesn't separate by sitting or it would have a shelf life while it's in the bottle. The 6 month interval is most likely due to the oil's TBN rating that deteriates over time with soot and diesel in the sump, which the oil has to be able to neutralize any acid formation. Acid will corrode/etch metal parts and cause major engine damage.
