Oil Changes . . . How often?

[Smokey_Lew]

I have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and I use it mostly for towing my 2005 25 ft. Komfort trailer. There's only 6,000 miles on the truck and about 60 to 65 percent of that is towing miles.

We just got back from a trip to Red Canyon in Utah (live in So California) and put about 1,000 miles on the truck (only about 800 of it towing). I changed the oil before the trip and we plan on heading out to Oregon the first of July for about three weeks of exploring the state.

My question is, how often do you think I should change the oil considering that I'm pulling a trailer mostly with the truck and do you recommend using any special brand of oil, or oil additives like Lucas engine stabilizer? It's a new truck and so far I've just been doing what's recommended by Dodge for normal driving conditions.

Thanking you in advance for any responses.

[SkyWriting]

NewsW wrote:
Oils are graded voluntarily by the distributor. Just because it says API-SN doesn't mean anyone have actually tested it independently and your batch is any good.

Oils are tested at production time for the required properties. As are the base ingredients and the additives.
(Personal experience as an oil and grease manufacturer.)

[Tankcar]

Hi.

I have a 1996 Dodge 2500hd, V-10 engine, Auto trans, limited slip rear end, 264,000 miles. I have change oil every 3,000 miles. USE a GOOD OIL and a good filter. Lube the chassie and adjust the beakes. Keep the water Full. And go!

[stevenicol]

downtheroad wrote:
No additives.
Follow Dodge's recommendations in the manual. They built it and they warranty it.

You could use the "severe service" guidelines because you are mostly towing.

...the only advice I would give.

[4x4ord]

NewsW wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
I don't think I know a single person who has worn out their engine prior to wanting a new truck. If you think you have to change oil every 5000 miles I sure would't waste money on synthetic.

There is no commonly available dino 5w-40, or 0w-40.

What do we use if we need 0w or 5w cold?


The problem is not just wear, but cold enough, dino just will not pour or start without supplemental heating.


Synth 0w or 5w extend the range considerably.

If you need the light weight oil put in synthetic but dumping synthetic at 5000 miles is like replacing your tires when there is still 3/4 of the tread left on them.

[NewsW]

4x4ord wrote:
I don't think I know a single person who has worn out their engine prior to wanting a new truck. If you think you have to change oil every 5000 miles I sure would't waste money on synthetic.

There is no commonly available dino 5w-40, or 0w-40.

What do we use if we need 0w or 5w cold?


The problem is not just wear, but cold enough, dino just will not pour or start without supplemental heating.


Synth 0w or 5w extend the range considerably.

[Atlee]

I'm the same as many others. I go by what Ford recommends, both for change interval and oil recomendation. Seems to me to be fairly straight forward.

If my percent of towing climbs significantly then I'll use the heavy duty usage schedule.

Smokey Lew wrote:
I have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and I use it mostly for towing my 2005 25 ft. Komfort trailer. There's only 6,000 miles on the truck and about 60 to 65 percent of that is towing miles.

We just got back from a trip to Red Canyon in Utah (live in So California) and put about 1,000 miles on the truck (only about 800 of it towing). I changed the oil before the trip and we plan on heading out to Oregon the first of July for about three weeks of exploring the state.

My question is, how often do you think I should change the oil considering that I'm pulling a trailer mostly with the truck and do you recommend using any special brand of oil, or oil additives like Lucas engine stabilizer? It's a new truck and so far I've just been doing what's recommended by Dodge for normal driving conditions.

Thanking you in advance for any responses.

[4x4ord]

I don't think I know a single person who has worn out their engine prior to wanting a new truck. If you think you have to change oil every 5000 miles I sure would't waste money on synthetic.

[NewsW]

five'er wrote:
NewsW:
"You notice my brand new / rebuilt engine flush procedure?

Amazed to see how much particles are left in a "clean" new engine from the factory."

When I had my brand spanking new 06 5.9 CTD the recomended first oil change was at 1000kms and that they would NOT touch it until that time. If I remember correctly I tried to take it in early and they sent me away. I was under the impression it wasn't normal oil but some sort of conditioner. I guess to each their own, I'm sure they are all different but the guy who sold me that truck was a former diesel tech from Cummins, he seemed to know the engine inside and out. I'm suggesting there may be a reason for doing it as they suggest and following their recomendations. It may also be worth noting that they also told me NOT to tow for the first 1000kms, I assume until after the first oil change. I still recall the sales guy looking at me when I told him I did and saying.. "I like your confidence!". My 09 1500 doesn't have a HD applicaiton maint. schedule in the book, I'd assume the OP doesn't either. I believe my CTD did. I may be off on the 1000kms but pretty sure.. It was a milestone!

That is a special break in oil.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/brk.aspx

Most car makers no longer use this technique, of a special (often single weight) oil that lets everything seat and smooth itself.

The problem, after that oil is flushed, is that metal particles and casting sand etc. keep shedding for quite some time.

[five_er]

NewsW:
"You notice my brand new / rebuilt engine flush procedure?

Amazed to see how much particles are left in a "clean" new engine from the factory."

When I had my brand spanking new 06 5.9 CTD the recomended first oil change was at 1000kms and that they would NOT touch it until that time. If I remember correctly I tried to take it in early and they sent me away. I was under the impression it wasn't normal oil but some sort of conditioner. I guess to each their own, I'm sure they are all different but the guy who sold me that truck was a former diesel tech from Cummins, he seemed to know the engine inside and out. I'm suggesting there may be a reason for doing it as they suggest and following their recomendations. It may also be worth noting that they also told me NOT to tow for the first 1000kms, I assume until after the first oil change. I still recall the sales guy looking at me when I told him I did and saying.. "I like your confidence!". My 09 1500 doesn't have a HD applicaiton maint. schedule in the book, I'd assume the OP doesn't either. I believe my CTD did. I may be off on the 1000kms but pretty sure.. It was a milestone!

[SoCalDesertRid1]

In all of my gas engine vehicles, I change the oil & filter every 2-3000 miles and use Castrol GTX oil and WIX filters.

In my welding generator, I change the oil and filters every 100 hours and use Valvoline max life synthetic oil. I buy the service kit from Miller, which comes from Kohler, and has all the factory original filters and spark plugs.

[NewsW]

dodge guy wrote:

BenK wrote:


The only one that I'll skip an oil change on is the lawn mower, which
also gets Mobil 1 synthetic along with a teaspoon of my special
Moly additive. Skip as in next year, as I change it in the fall when
it's only used every other week or so. Ditto the portable 5PH air compressor,
Rototiller, and big 2 stage air compressor. All has Mobil 1 synthetic
and Moly additive in their crank cases

Funny, I put Mobil 1 in my lawnmower too!

I thought you are suppose to use "personal lubricant" on the one cylinder vibrating tools?

:B

[monkey44]

1500 4x4 Chevy - 138k miles and runs strong - oil and filter every 5000 m
2500 4x4 GMC - 192k miles and runs like new oil and filter every 5000 m
Safari AWD GMC - 189k miles and runs strong - oil and filter every 5000 m

All three burn less than half a quart between changes - and the oil look fairly clean when I change it. No dirty or sludgy - so, keep oil clean, lub them frequently and change oil often, and you're trucks will love you, and serve you well.

[NewsW]

BenK wrote:
Any one compare the cost savings of extending oil changes vs an engine rebuild ?

Played around with 10K-20K mile changes when synthetics first came out
1 quart cost more than my hourly rate still in college

Plus, 'my' engines run better/stronger/etc with fresh oil

But, know I'm anal about these things....

One of the more interesting things is that oil analysis only run a limited set of tests, but cannot pick up things that is not specified that may matter.

Effect of biodiesel is one, where it can be picked up in dilution percentage, but the chemistry of a easily oxidizable and biologically active material that is home to microbes that produce metabolites and how it in turn interacts with oil and affect oil properties are really not known.

Just as when ethanol was first added in large quantities to gasoline, it leached all kinds of crud off the fuel tank that was use to straight gasoline, and in my case, it resulted in a trip to the dealer for warranty replacement of a burned plug / coil from the crud.

The cost of extended oil changes generally do not pay --- if you keep your vehicle past 100,000 miles.

You notice my brand new / rebuilt engine flush procedure?

Amazed to see how much particles are left in a "clean" new engine from the factory.


Interesting you should mention performance --- the biggest gain is in lubricity --- and being in grade.

Ford led the industry in switching to lighter oils (5w-20) because it was roughly 1-2pct better in fuel economy (easier to pump, hence both less wear and less friction with higher oil pressure.

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/518/motor-oils

As oil ages, contaminates, and dilutes, friction steadily increases --- see above article.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

BenK wrote:
Plus, 'my' engines run better/stronger/etc with fresh oil

Better and stronger? :h Any dyno sheets to back that up? I would love to see them.