Where do you guys find in the DODGE books where it reads 17,000 miles between oil changes if your not towing. My book says " Schedule " A " 7,500 mi. or 6 months. Schedule " B " 3,750 miles. Did i miss something???? This is my first diesel , just got it 4/21/03

 

Its 15,000 miles for the 250/305 HP engines running on schedule "A". The 7,500 miles only applies to the California LEV (235 HP) engine. Look for the † (dagger) footnote and the explanation at the end of the table on the last page.

 

I asked the serviceman where I bought my truck and he said that the 15,000 and 7,500 is advertising hype. They suggest to everyone no matter how they drive to change at 3,000 miles. The new TDR magazine says that Cummins recommends 7,500 for all states except california and it is 3,700 miles. TDR says Cummins will stand by their warranty on this schedule. Very confusing to say the least. My manual only shows 3,750 on the B schedule and 7,500 on the A schedule and states the majority fall into the B category.

 

One solid piece of advise = Find a new dealer. I would check that "void warranty" out by phoning DC.

 

2003 Owner's Manual states for CA, 3750 miles between changes for Schedule B. (Actually there are about 5 states requiring CARB standards) The other 45 states, 2003 Owner's Manual states 7500 miles between changes for Schedule B.<br><br>This is what Daimler Chrysler requires, Schedule A maintenance is somewhere in La La Land, just for advertising. <br><br>Follow Schedule B for your engine. More frequent changes never hurt anything but the wallet. 8)

 

[quote author=ed link=board=20;threadid=13997;start=0#132213 date=1051378384]<br>I asked the serviceman where I bought my truck and he said that the 15,000 and 7,500 is advertising hype. They suggest to everyone no matter how they drive to change at 3,000 miles. [/quote]<br><br>Unless you have the smog/EGR version, changing oil every 3000 miles is a major waste of oil.<br><br>Vaughn

 

I change my oil every 3500 miles...(1997)...It may be too frequently but I love my truck and I want to maintain it properly. I don't care about a few wasted bucks...I only drive mine around 10K miles a year though. I've been told by my Dad to change the oil on a regular basis to keep your engine running at it's best. JMHO...

 

;D Yeah I change mine at 3000 miles.<br>Don`t need a dirty motor and it helps prevent oil leaks from seals. My 96 had 90K and not one leak.<br>All my cars are the same. No leaks.<br>The oil carries the crap that kills seals. :'(

 

I like 5,000 miles myself.<br><br>Quality of todays oil is a lot better than the good old days when 3,000 was the norm.<br><br>Unless it starts to look bad before 5K, then I'll change it earlier.<br>I'm around 4K since last change and it's starting to look dirty so maybe this weekend, or first of next week.<br><br>I did my first change right before 3,000 to get the initial break in debris out of there, and right around every 5K since.<br><br><br>phox<br><br>phox<br><br>

 

On my last two trucks ('98.5 and 2001) Cummins I changed the dino oil every 5000-8000 miles. I sent in oil samples and they came back great, could have run much further. Of course if you don't do sampling then it's not a good idea to push it, and change it often. I agree 5K is a great interval. Unless you are BOMBed or towing heavy and hard you're barely getting your oil's worth changing it at 3K.<br><br>Vaughn

 

Yep oil sampling...Buy a case from Cat and send them in every so often to see how your oil is doing. Gino's garage valve on the oil pan makes this a two minute job...

 

I will follow the recommended change intervals until out of warranty, then will follow my brother's advice. My brother runs a truck leasing office for the medium and large trucks and tells me 3750 is a short interval on today's oils for diesels. The diesel engine oils are a far cry better than that of the gassers, and the diesel uses 2 1/2 to 3 times the volume of oil at every change, so 5 - 6K between is plenty sufficient (after warranty). I found that to be true on my old '99 3500 as well. Heck, after 5000 miles, the old was just a light brown color anyway, and I put 5000 miles on in about 3 months.

 

I follow the 3750 mile rule for 3 reasons:<br><br>1. It is a good idea.<br><br>2. Nobody can second guess you and say that you were not doing what was necessary if there is a warranty problem.<br><br>3. Quaker State will extend the engine warranty to 250,000 miles if you stay below 4000 miles on your oil changes.<br><br>http://www.quakerstate.com/pages/pro...pplication.asp

 

MAragorn,<br><br>As far as I know Quaker State doesn't make an oil that is acceptible to use in the Cummins. The oil needs at least a CH and preferably CI rating. I took a quick scan at their website and didn't see any of their oils that will fill the bill. They all say for gasoline and gasoline turbocharged engines.<br><br>Vaughn