Hey, I am new to the site and also new to owning a diesel. I bought a 2003 dodge 2500 HD Cummins. I am going to be changing the oil in it in the next couples of days and i do not have a owners manuel for the truck. So I have I no Idea how much oil the truck holds. And after i a change the oil what should the oil pressure be. So any help at all would be grand.
Thanks--- and hope to here form someone soon.
Thanks
C~

 

Welcome. It holds 3 gallons - have a large tray under there. Why are you worried about oil pressure? The needle on the oil pressure guage will come up shortly after starting it.

Don't use a Fram oil filter, but you can use any of the good filters out there. Its a big filter.

edit:
Pick up 3 gallons of oil at Wally world: Rotella T, Delo, etc.... 15W-40 Diesel oil. Lots of synthetic oil choices too. Whenever someone asks about oil, lots of passion and emotion come out and drama sets in.

Someone correct me here but the oil has to have a CI-4 rating - you'll see it on the oil jugs. The CI is for compression ignition; this oil is different than oil designated for gasoline engines - (SI?).

Start using your search button and have fun.

 

I second that. Just make sure the oil pressure is in the range that it is on the gauge. Pressure will drop a little as the engine worms up just like any other engine. Make sure you go by the viscosities and grades listed in the manual. I prefer not to put a Fram on as well but just about any brand name filter will do.

 

Welcome to DTR!

It's a good idea to fill the new filter with clean oil before you install it. Less air being forced though the system.

Buy a case of Fleetguard Stratapours. Get on with your life, and don't EVER bring up oil & filters again!


http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LF16035

 

It uses 12 quarts of 15W-40 Diesel CJ-4 or CI-4 rated oil. Most people fill the filter with oil before installing it, then put the rest in.

Just an FYI - The OEM oil pressure guage is more or less a dummy guage. If you are going only by that, then don't bother.

You might do a search on oil, oil filters, oil pressure guage on here. There are tons of threads about this info. There are oils that people tend to lean towards, as well as filters and filter tools, etc.

 

As far as the oil pressure, if you live in a cold climate it will read towards the upper level of the normal range when you start it. Once the oil warms up, it drops down a little. As the above post mentioned, add 12 qts and you will be fine. Use a good quality oil filter as well.

 

WOW!! That was quick thanks!!! I have already bought my oil and filter i have used K&N oil filters for ever so i went a head and bought one for my truck and i bought Rotella 15w-40. thanks for everyone being so quick to respond!!
Thanks
C~

 

Filling the filter 1st reduces the time of dry run until the filter fills from the pump. May seem like it's not much, but in a diesel it is a pretty big deal. The filter is big and the pressures higher everywhere. Leave a bit of room at the top so it doesn't spill. It will soak in pretty good, so fill it a few times.

You may want to search about K+N oil filters on here. Some members brought up a few points about using them with diesels. There may be a check valve issue of some sort(didn't read close since I don't use them). Stratopore from fleetgard get the nod on the most part.

Since you don't have a manual, my 03 says 15W-40 dino to 0 (32) degrees and 15W-40 synthetic if below that. Change interval is listed as 12,000 km (7500 mi) I use Valvoline premium blue (syn) from the Cummins dealer and stratopore's.

Cya, and welcome

 

Hey Big Blue I've got an extra '03 owner's manual if you need one. PM me if you want it.