1stTimeAround

I have heard and read many various opinions on when to change the factory installed oil. Some have said after the first 500 miles to remove contaminants and other have said at 5000 miles when you would normally change it anyway.

Does anyone KNOW which is the best way to go? I just took delivery of my '05 2500 QC 4X4 on Thursday and intend on racking up 500 miles between now and Friday, when I tow my camper to the beach for a fishing tournament and want to be safe about the oil situation during my drive.

Thanks

Jason

blown32

You will find nothing but opinions. Did mine at 1200 miles. I do all the performance engines I build just after cam break in (20ish min at 2000 - 2500 rpm) and again at 500 to 1000 if street use. This is overkill but I like to be safe.

It's your truck, do what feels right to you.

Nevada

If you do a search on this topic you will find numerous threads. As blown32 indicated you will find a lot of opinions. I have an early build '03 HO, so my schedule B maintenance is 3,750 miles for the oil change interval. I waited until about 3,500 miles for the first change. Based on the oil analysis I got back on the factory fill oil, I wish I had done it at about 500 miles. The silicon (dirt) number in the first oil analysis was 37, I rarely see above 5 now. If I could turn back the clock I would have done a very early initial change.

You will probably find that the oil filter is on exteemly tight. If you do it yourself, be prepared to be ticked off at the guy at the factory with the impact wrench.

moterhead

Nevada is right about the filter being on extremely tight. With the right tools shouldn't be a problem to remove anyway. I have a good quality (KD) band oil filter wrench. I used a long extension and a long 3/8" ratchet to pop mine off. It pulled hard, but not impossible.

First change interval? As many opinions as members of this group. I changed mine the first time at about 3500. Bought the truck and immediately left on a 3200 mile round trip. Changed it when I got back. As blown32 said, do what feels right to you.

RonsRig

Let the dealer do it. Didn't you get some kind of incentive to bring you truck back for service? I think I paid $25 for my first oil change and the mechanic at the dealship had to horse the filter off the first time. It took them about 45 minutes. He did have to remove and replace my AirAid kit to get to the filter, but it looks like it was put back quite nicely.

J BODY

Actually doing the oil change on the common rail engine is easier as you can do it all from the bottom. I find the three jaw filter tool works the best (MAC) with a long extension. You must of had a rookie if he was taking off the air filter to get to the oil filter. On the old fuel system engines you had to get the filter from the top and some of the first oil changes required an air hammer to get the filter loose.

bkrukow

I changed mine at 4500 miles but I wish I would have done it sooner. No real reason why but I would have liked to do it sooner. I will probobly change it every 6000 miles from now on. 7500 miles is a lot to me on one oil change. If it stayed as clean as the 305/555 motors I would probobly feel better abought letting it go to 7500 miles. If you ask me they should go back and turn it around and let the 305 boys go to 7500 and make the 600s change at 3500. As far as getting to the oil filter it is way eisier to get at from underneth. I just got a strap wrench with a 1/2" drive and put a extention on my 1/2" wratchet and it comes rite off. I do disconect the AC pump wire to make more room. Its nice that they put a quik disconect on the wire to make it eisier.

scopedoctor

I was told by the dealer to have the oil changed at 3750 miles regardless of whether you do the A or B schedule. They opened the book and it basically said to have the first oil change done at 3750 miles.

I had mine done at 1800 miles, then again at 7,000 miles. I now have 8,000 miles on my truck.

Just personal preference, but I would change the oil around 3750 miles or less. It won't hurt it, just drain your pockets $40.00.

Blair

Nevada

I agree, but on my first change I had to remove the air filter to turbo tube to get the darn filter off. Since then I have done it all from underneath. If you have skinny forearms you can sneak a strap wrench in from side. You can see the filter from the right front wheel well.