I've been reading for some time but just recently joined, seems like a great place to me.
I will be picking up my new 2005 4x4 ram in the next few days.
Can anyone point me to all the good stuff the new guys should read concerniing oil changes and the like?

Michael

 

Welcome to the group and congrats on your new CTD....

Asking about oil changes here is almost like going to a hockey game..... you know a fight will almost break out Aslong as you use a quality "cetrified" oil and a good filter (don't even think about the orange one) you will get great service from your truck....

FINALLY.... get a tube of Blistix lip balm..... you tend to smile quite a bit while driving these trucks and the lips need the help

 

1st piece of advice... learn to use the search button. I'm a new member too and have found that using the search tool is the fastest way to get the information I need.

2nd... buy yourself a 15 flute 93mm "socket" for the oil filter. My local auto parts store special ordered me one and it was the best $5.35 I've spent there in years. It makes removal of the factory oil filter super easy.

3rd... I purchased a 4/2/1 filter kit from Geno's garage. Neither the local dealer or the Cummins supply house could get anywhere near the price. Welcome to being a diesel owner in SoCal. http://198.104.149.53/CoastalData/sh...ectGroup_ID=35

4th... Use the search feature

 

Neither the local dealer or the Cummins supply house could get anywhere near the price.

It's been awhile, but Schied Diesel beat Geno's price hands down last I looked.

 

If you use the LF3892 oil filter, you don't need the fluted wrench. It's the same Fleetguard Stratopore, but doesn't have the flutes. It's a buck cheaper. I buy my filters, both oil and fuel from a local Cummins big rig shop. Prices are cheaper than Geno's. I agree with the statement about not using the orange filters.

I strongly recommend you read your owner's manual cover to cover several times. Lots of good info. LIke how to turn off/on the automatic door locks and the seat belt chime. Also, look carefully at the oil and filter changer intervals. You will read all sorts of opinions on this. The dealer will likely tell you that change is needed every 3,000 miles. Don't know about your new truck, but my '04 is a 7500 mile change interval on oil. That's what I do. Fuel filter every other oil change. Remember when you hear all the stories about needing to do a quick change to get rid of all the manufacturing leavings. The folks who provide your 7/100 power train warranty don't require you to do that. You will get all kinds of recommendation on sythetic oil, shorter change intervals, etc. Remember the warranty requirements. But, in the end, it's your truck and your dime. Do whatever you feel is right for you. JOIBO!

 

I like newbees that learn fast and offer great tips even to us old timers. Great tip!

 

The price difference was about $6.00 bucks and for the life of me I couldn't get the Schied Diesel site to work. I had read lots of feedback about Geno's excellent service and I am happy with the purchase. Ordering was super quick and easy and I'd spend $6.00 to save an hour of my time any day. Plus letting the Big Brown Truck deliver the parts to me saves even more time... no driving and no waiting in line at a parts counter. The parts I ordered from Geno's arrived well packaged in less than one week. With no sales tax on the order I killed the local dealer price.

Another piece of advice... get yourself a BHOCP... That's Big Honkin' Oil Catch Pan. The flow rate of the warm oil exiting the engine exceeded the intake flow rate of my 15qt catch pan. Things got a little interesting to say the least. Good thing I had a second open pan next to me!

The other piece of advice... don't switch to full synthetic any time soon. By the time you are ready for synthetic you'll be an old pro at this stuff

Aloha

 

IMHO, read your owners manual. Lot's of good info in there. Don't mean to sound like a smart a$$ either. It's in the glove box, right in front of the front passenger seat!!!!

 

Sure you do!