Hello

I am considering trading up to an 05 Laramie 2500 Reg Cab 4x4 with the Cummins. I have a few questions about a diesel and its associated maintenance issues as this would be my first.

1- What intervals are good for oil changes? This would be my daily driver (unloaded) with occasional towing of a bobcat and a car trailer. And How many quarts of oil does it take?

2- How often do fuel filters typically last and what do they cost?

3- What kind of realistic MPG can I expect for mixed driving?

4- Any other "Diesel Specific" Maintenance costs I should know about or other issues with the 600 Cummins?

5- Is the 48RE up to the job?

Thanks!

 

Being a former V10er myself (97 2500 CLub Cab 4x4 w/ 47RE), I have only two words for you:

NO COMPARISON!

The my dually "600" blows that V10 out of the water, and does it with better mileage, more power, and WAAAYYY more torque.

And I REALLY liked my V10.

 

It really is getting to have your cake and eat it too!

 

1- What intervals are good for oil changes? This would be my daily driver (unloaded) with occasional towing of a bobcat and a car trailer. And How many quarts of oil does it take?
15k or 7500 depending on use. I will change every 5k just because . . .

I believe oil capacity is 12qts, but I haven't done the first change yet so someone correct this if it's wrong

2- How often do fuel filters typically last and what do they cost?
Can't help here.

3- What kind of realistic MPG can I expect for mixed driving?
There are threads upon threads on this topic. Get a good one and expect 15-17 combined. Get one like mine and it's more like 13 - luck of the draw. They say it gets better with time. We'll see.

4- Any other "Diesel Specific" Maintenance costs I should know about or other issues with the 600 Cummins?
70mph vibration, cab smell, some complain about the seats (I happen to like them)

5- Is the 48RE up to the job
YES. Unless you bomb it with a high HP/TQ box. Then, you could push it beyond its capabilities. Left stock, it has had a good record. Lots of good info posted on dieselram.com by Tim Holt on this topic.

Good luck,
Neil

 

I'm fairly new to Diesel's too... just got my first one in March, traded it for my second one last week. I may not have the experience that some of the other members here do, but I'll do the best I can to answer some of your questions:

1- Factory oil change intervals are 7,500 miles for "Severe" usage and 15,000 for "Normal". Most guys here are on the "Severe" plan... still half as often as a gasser. I think if you're planning on towing anything, you should probably be on the "Severe" plan just to be safe. The CTD has a capacity of 12qts, although there is a debate as to whether it's better to use 12 or 11.5, but you get the idea.

2- I believe the manual states that the fuel filter should be changed every 15,000 miles, although I've seen members here changing them anywhere from 5,000-10,000 and they cost $12 from Geno's Garage... http://www.genosgarage.com

3- I'd say a realistic city/hwy avg would be about 16mpg, however, the numbers vary wildly. My first CTD got poor mileage, the one I just bought gets much better so far... There are several threads on mileage here, just do a search and you'll learn more than you probably cared to.

4- Dunno, I haven't been around this block long enough... the only issue I've heard of is lift pumps... maybe someone else could elaborate more on this one.

5- I haven't seen anyone here having any major problems with theirs yet, but since it's a new tranny, it might be a while before guys get some real miles on them... giving a better idea as to how they will hold up over the long term. FWIW, the truck I just traded in was a 48RE and I had no problems with 56XX miles.