Ram Engine Oil QUestions
I just upgraded to a 2014 Ram 2500 Hemi 5.7 yesterday. It does NOT have the MDS system. In reading the owners manual, it says: Use 5w20 oil unless GVW is 14,000, then use 5w30. Well, I am over 1...
Forum Discussion
zogg wrote:
Thanks for all of the responses....I appreciate the opinions.
I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject of oil viscosity index, etc since I first posted this message.
It seems that royal purple 0w20 has a slightly higher viscosity index than 5w20. Does that make it a better choice??
Also, since most engine wear occurs at start up, isn't a 0w20 always better than a 5w20 year around??? For example, if it is 95 degrees out in July, but the engine is being started for the first time of the day, wouldn't the 0w flow quicker than a 5w then too?? That is, 95 degrees is still colder than the 210 degree operating temperature.
Then at normal operating temperature it would still have the protection of a 20 weight oil.....Does this make since our an I missing something???
Your either missing something or making this choice harder than it needs to be (been there and done that myself lol). The 0w oils are for frigid temps on a regular basis. And by frigid I mean 0° or lower very often. Yes, it may flow a tad bit better at cold temps than the 5w, but you nor your engine will ever be able to tell the difference IMO. The 5w 30 (which others have also already recommended) will give you the best of both worlds. Great viscosity at cold starts and very good protection during warmer weather and towing. Use a good high quality synthetic oil in the 5w 30 and never look back. Hope this helps!
