Diesel oil questions ...

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

craig@metronet.com - 17 Mar 2005 17:34 GMT

Hi,

I have mentioned this topic before, but I need a bit more detail.
First, I have a 2004 Ram 2500, Cummins 305/555, auto, 4wd, etc ...

I got 6 years of free oil changes from the dealer. My plan was to use
this service until I hit 15000 and then I was going to start changing
my own oil with Premium Blue synthetic (Cummins suggestion).

The oil the dealership uses is Mopar 15w-40. I'm assuming this is
probably Rotella ... ? Anyone know for sure?

Regardless, this is a 10 year truck and I want to use the best fluids
in it. Is it worth, in your opinions, using the synthetic rather than
letting the dealership change my oil for free?

Let the flaming begin ...

Thanks
Craig C.

Reply to this Message

gunbunny31@msn.com - 17 Mar 2005 21:08 GMT

Mopar packages their own oil. But I am not sure who they get it from.
It used to be Continental the last few times I got a skid of oil from
Chrysler, the skids had Mobil stamped on the side.
I do know the Mopar 15W40 is blended for the Cummins.
As long the dealer was using the proper oil and filter, I would let
them change it. I would check on that though. If they are doing it for
free, there is a chance they are not using Mopar filters or oil.

Reply to this Message

HC - 21 Mar 2005 07:28 GMT

Hey, Craig, in my reading of the Cummins site back when I bought my 02
2500 235/460 they said to NOT use synthetic for the break-in period
(5,000-20,000 miles. I use that information to build a theory that the
synthetic protects so well that the engine won't break in properly.
Yes, I could be wrong in my interpretation of their statement, but
that's what I think. So, by that logic, running synthetic would be
great for making your engine last the years (once it was properly
broken in).

http://www.cummins.com/cmi/content.jsp?siteId=1&langId=1033&menuId=6&overviewId=
29&anchorId=30&menuIndex=4&index=0#Q9

>From above: "Is it OK to use synthetic oil with my Cummins engine?

Cummins recommends that you not use synthetic motor oil during the
break-in period of 5000-20,000 miles, based on the type of driving, to
allow proper seating of the piston rings. Beyond that mileage it is OK
to use synthetic oil."

I'm using the Shell 5w-40 Synthetic now but I don't have enough gauages
(namely oil temp) to know what, if any diff it's made. But I feel
better 'cause I think it protects better. I just went to my second oil
change on it and after 1,000 miles it was still mostly golden in color
and not black, for what that's worth.

HTH.

--HC

Reply to this Message

Fredrick Brender - 21 Mar 2005 11:51 GMT

For 11 years my dealer put Quaker State in my '92, and I never had any
problems for the 110,000 miles I put on it.. Traded it for a new one in '03
(same engine/driveline as yours). Dealer is still using QS, and I don't
anticipate any problems. Of course, the heaviest use of either truck
was/is pulling a 9000 lb. travel trailer. If I wanted, dealer would put in
MoPar synthetic, now that my '03 has 20,000 miles on it, but I change oil
often enough that the dealer doesn't really think that it is necessary. Old
truck is still in the area, pulling someone else's trailer, and still going
strong.

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Thanks
> Craig C.

Reply to this Message