I would like to say hi to everyone. This is my first Dodge and my first Diesel. I absolutly love this Diesel it has so much power and the gas milage is awesome (20 mpg). However, after reading through a couple of Diesel message boards I saw a lot of people were recieving their new Dodges with extremly low gear oil in the diferentials. Well I went and checked mine and after adding 1 and 1/5 quarts of Mobile 1 gear oil I came to the conclusion mine was also extremly low.<br><br>This can't be good. I wanted to alert everyone as soon as possible so they don't tear up their truck. I hope everyone gets this message.<br><br>I recieve my fifthewheel/home wednesday that will break this truck it.<br><br><br>Racnmasn<br><br>

 

Welcome aboard Racnmasn,<br><br>I think this topic is well known but a good reminder to those have yet to check their rear ends. Most guys are making this part of the PDI that dealers do when preping the truck for delivery. Enjoy your new truck!

 

Welcome to the site, Racnmasn. As you noticed, there have been several threads here on this subject, and as a result I have alerted my dealership's service manager to do this check when my new truck comes in in a few weeks. Although the dealer prep should include this action, I never leave it to chance, and always make a list of things to be checked by the dealer before I take delivery. I guess it goes with the &quot;buyer beware&quot; advice. Enjoy your new truck.

 

I took mine in for the 3000 mile oil change and asked the service writer to check the rear end oil. He stated that it was not necessary to do it at 3k miles! I told them to do it anyhow. They added a quart of oil!!!

 

I have not checked mine yet (built on 3/4) when was yours built?

 

Many have come from the factory low on all fluids. The '03's have american axles and they are not supposed to be filled all the way to the the hole, they are supposed to be about 1/2&quot; below the hols. I got mine in early October and it was about 1/2&quot; below the hole but I added fluid anyway and it took a full quart. I wonder how &quot;low&quot; they really are. Mine was within spec and still took another quart.

 

Yep, mine was about a quart low. Guess I need to check the tranny also. Anybody knows if they ship the manual trannys low too?<br><br>Thanks<br><br>MikeyB

 

[quote author=MikeyB link=board=20;threadid=11064;start=0#126388 date=1049977925]Anybody knows if they ship the manual trannys low too?[/quote]<br><br>Mine was. It took 20 ounces.

 

Mine was down only a pint. But I would have never thought to check it had I not been a member of this group.<br><br>Once again, great advice from all you guys!! ;D

 

I checked the tranny and it seems to be right at the bottom of the plug. Also checked the engine and it's slightly above the full mark. At least they got two right!<br><br>MikeyB

 

Be careful guys,<br>There was a post last month on the TDR regarding this issue. The correct spec is around 1/2 to 5/8ths below the hole (don't know the exact amount but it was on the thread)<br>And the overfilling of the fluid was causing arieation(sp) and bearing failure. I am not an expert but spend a lot of time on the boards (future 03 owner). So check it out for yourself, just to be sure.<br><br>DD

 

Owners manual says 1/4 inch below filler hole +/- 1/4 inch. Mine came in front and rear 1/2 inch below filler hole. Added a pint to each just to raise the level slightly above the low end spec.

 

I request my dealer to check mine the last time I was in and it was 1/2 qt low.. not to mention that my transmission was a qt low..<br><br>I would not of made the request if not for the forum..<br><br><br>OX

 

Right off the bat, Mine was 1/2 quart low in the front diff, and a full quart low in the rear. I got the hint from a previous thread, thanks to everyone to letting us know, I wouldn't have checked it for a while.<br><br>New owners.....check the levels in the axles and the tranny.