Oil Change interval
 

OK guys. I need all the experts advise on this one. I bought my truck new in June of '06. It currently has just shy of 32k miles on it. Since NOV of '07, it has been used solely for towing my fiver. Otherwise, it stays in the garage.
At the 17k mile mark, I switched to a Donaldson EA oil filer, Amsoil full synthetic 15w40 oil, and an FS-2500 oil bypass system.
Since then I have been doing oil and filter changes at every 12 month mark despite the miles on the oil is less than 5k. If I change it at the end of OCT which will be the 1 year mark, it will have about 4200 miles on it.
I have been told to keep it changed per the book until the Cummins 5yr/100k engine warranty is out.
My question is change the oil more frequently, stay with my current annual change, or can I stretch it out??? Also, will not following the Dodge oil change interval per the manual effect my warranty on the engine?
At less than 5k-6k miles a year, all this expensive oil and oil filteration seems a little much. When I bought this truck, it was my only vehicle and I would have put about 15k miles yearly on it. Hence my reason for the upgrades of synthetic and oil bypass filteration. I've since gotten a 2nd vehicle and like said previously, the truck stays in the garage and used for the fiver only. I DO plan to keep this truck for towing for the next 10-12 years.
I'm all ears. Thanks. Phillip

I would use the John Deere 15/40 plus 50 as they call it, and change it every 7000 miles. It is about 13-14 bucks/gal and it is CI also. I think you are wasting your money with the expensive oil and bypass, as your engine is stock also. As you also know, to get your moneys worth with expensive synthetic, and bypass, the object is to go high miles on your oil, thus negating the expense and time of 7500 mile oil changes. Even then you of course need to do UOA's. Just my opinion, hope this helps. You could also check out Schaeffers 7000 15/40, it gives good UOA'a on Bobistheoilguy.com
Good Luck, and research how a bunch of the 06 models will leave you on side of road with the fuel supply line coming off common rail to injector when they let go.(Happened to me and a bunch of us) If I were you I would carry a #4 spare,(I have all 6 for spares) you can change it on side of road. Good Luck

Your intervals are correct according to Amsoil. You hit 1 year before you hit the mileage limit. I agree with Nelrod, you are not getting the benefit of the synthetic by changing it so often. If you keep changing it that often, you might as well use cheaper oil.

I concur!

I use the JD but I change the oil ,oil filter, and FF every 5,000 miles. Tranny every 20,000-30,000 miles

I edited my post to reflect that I origianlly purchased this truck as my sole vehicle and had planned to put about 15k miles a year on it. That is why I added the oil bypass fitler and full synthetic. I have since purchased a 2nd vehicle dedicating the RAM to towing the fiver. I do plan to keep this truck another 10-12 years. phillip

Your wasting your money with the synthetics.

My 06 has 60 thou on her I use the donaldson oil filters, and amsoil 15-40 I tow my TT about 8 to 10 thou a year, I change my oil once a year, but I do change the filter every 5 thou, and add new oil to the filter on change, my oil always checks out fine when checked, I think you will be fine, if your not sure just get a sample checked, most semi shops can get this done for you. good luck

It seems I recall previous posts about the fuel line issues. I have since forgotten about it. I'm glad you brought it up.
Do these lines have to be purchased from the dealer or is there someplace on-line in which to order them. I definately want to get these and keep in the truck. Thanks. Phillip

Phillip, you do not want to purchase the line from dealer. I paid 20 bucks for #4, then later got all 6 as backups for travel. I got them from Cummins and I think I paid 150$ or so for all 6. One of them at them dealer will leave you with Cocola money left out of a $100 bill.

PCM, I think you would be comfortable doing what Annabelle suggested. Switch to the Really Good (IMO) JD oil and change every 5k. - That way you can keep your warranty intact and spend a whole lot less, and really not give up anything.

Do UOA, find out if you have to change it.

Unless I was very low on money I would still use Amsoil even if I only put 5K on it in a years time. If you do switch over to Dino oil you would still want to pull an oil sample every 6 months to make sure the oil is holding up.

One year I only put 6900 miles in 366 days and when I changed the oil I put Amsoil back in it knowing that the oil will still be good anytime I start it up be it -30 below zero or 100 degrees.

JMHO

I tend to agree with you on keeping the same Amsoil synthetic oil just to avoid change and upsetting the apple cart, so to speak. While it is expensive oil, so is the truck and it's more expensive to replace than oil. At the same time, while I tend to be a cost conscious consumer, I do not hesitate to spend money on quality and preservation.
What I have been thinking about doing is UOA since the annual mileage is so low and it is soley used for towing. It does not make short tirps, idle excessively, nor is it used around town.
Again, the oil change interval vs UOA in the event of "an oil related break-down" during the Cummins engine warranty is a concern. I would hope that if UOA results were good, that the lack of recommended oil change intervals would not be an issue???
Thanks again for all the input. Phillip

Amsoil will gladly send an educational letter to anyone who claims the product will cause warranty issues. As long as the lubricant meets the API and SAE specs, there's no reason not to use it. Frequency is another matter. If you use the correct filtration for longer intervals, there is no issue.


Amsoil document G1229 dated 02/08, p19
"To affect the vehicle warranty, the lubricant must be directly responsible for the failure. If the oil didn't cause the problem the warranty cannot be voided, regardless of brand or length of time in use."