I currently run 15-40 Amsoil, i've been running it for about a year now. It's good w/ cold starts, gives me a good piece of mind, ect. I run it with the top end Stratapore filter so im not to concerned about dirty filtration issues, oil and filter gets changed every 8k miles.

When I purchased my truck, part of my deal was that I got "free" oil & filter changes until 2010. I've never even touched my pamphlet until today. I got to thinking about how much money I could save if I actually utelized these.

I believe my dealer uses Valvoline oil(not sure what type exactly, i'll ask tommorow) and mopar filters. So my question is, would it be ok to just switch from a synthetic to a conventional oil just like that? Would I have to use something to flush the oil before hand?

I would like to hear everyones opinion on this, I would like to exhaust all the options before I bite the bullet.

Thanks fellas.

 

No problem to switch back and forth whatsoever.

 

Switch away.

 

So no issues when switching huh? I wasen't sure if it would be a bad idea or not. Just thought I would throw it out there and see what everyone thinks.

With the price of the Amsoil and ordering my filters each change I could save some serious money at almost $100 per change. I figured over a years time the money I saved could darn near by a new turbo. I'll switch for that. lol

I will have the oil/filter changed every 3k miles. So it's not like i'll be running it for long periods of time. That gives me a piece of mind running the conventional oil vs. the synthetic.

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

What is the OEM oil change interval on an 03... Those programs wont pay for more frequent oil changes than mfgr spec, and on my 05 thats 7500 miles min...

If it were me I would still spend the $$ on amsoil... If you run it with the amsoil filters you can get more than 8K out of a change, reducing your cost.

 

I don't know the manufactures specs on the oil change. My father uses his and they change it every 3k miles, they suggest it so I guess it's fine.

I could keep running the Amsoil but why? I've been thinking about it but it's not making much sense to me. I understand I could run it for longer periods(I still would never run it past 10k miles). But then im still spending $100 each change. I figure if I use my coupons up and have the oil/filter changed every 3k miles i'll save some money in the process. I can always switch back when I run them out.

 

Thats good...

Its just a better oil and filter, which is better for your engine from startup, to wear, to fuel consumption.... Then again I wont run anything but amsoil after the motor is broken in, I also take full advantage of the drain intervals.

 

I don't doubt that it offers better wear protection and start up. But a year ago I switched my whole truck over to Amsoil. Diffs, tranny, T-Case, everything. Out of the whole year I ran it I didn't notice a difference in mileage at all. Before when I was running conventional oil I seen 18-19mpg on the highway, after the switch to Amsoil it was the exact same. Im not knocking the oil at all, I will continue to use it in everything else besides the motor. When these coupons run out I will switch back if need be, until then i'll run the regular oil and see how I get by.

I still have about 4k miles until I need to actually make the change. It probley won't get changed until April-May sometime.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

My manual is 7500mi/12000km regular (Sch A) and 3750/6000km severe duty (Sch B). No change in interval for synthetic or dino. Synthetic recommended for temps below -18*C.

Personnally I don't like to switch back and forth but a one way switch wouldn't bother me for the reasons you state. I just don't like dealers touching my junk (pun intended). In our climate, synthetic is really the only choice.

Cya

 

You do make a valid point on the synthetic being more practical in colder temps. That is something I will have to take into consideration. Our cold months are comming to and end pretty quick here. Like I mentioned above if I have to switch back for any reason I supose I will but in the mean time I think i'll run with this.

Im not to concerned about the dealer touuching my truck to change the oil. There are two realy good techs there who know what they are doing. If something were to go drastically wrong it's still under the 100k mile warranty. lol

 

Why?

If Cummins recommends a 7500/15000 why not follow their advice?

I've read a bunch of UOAs from 5.9 Cummins,and for the most part the Cummins is very easy on oil.

The oils today are far better than 30 years ago when the 3000 mile change was standard.

 

Why not?

If they are going to do it on their dime you can rest assured i'll have it changed every 3k miles if that's what they are willing to do.

 

why not...because it's a waste of your time

why not...because now the dealer will eventually raise it's prices b'c their profits go down

why not..because it's not necessary and it's a waste of resources

just because you can isn't reason enough.

I've been told by many mechanics the less you're in you're truck fiddling and changing things the better. your oil is fine after 3,000 miles and for me, the less my truck is at the dealer, the better.

 

Exactly right, even the new API CJ-4 oils will go 10,000 miles without problems in a pre-07.5, 6.7 engine.

 

The Amsoil is only rated for OEM specs... which sucks.