Hey guys.......We just moved from Phoenix to Topeka. (See details in the RV/towing forum...I won't bore you here). Does anyone know a good dealer in the Topeka area? I definately need an oil change, and am wondering about the NV5600 and diffs.

The truck has 10K miles on it. 2,500 of those 10,000 have been pulling a 16,800 lb. fiver. It still has the new-from-the-factory oil in the tranny and pumpkins. I have changed the engine oil every 3k, except at 9k because we were on the road.

With all this heavy towing, is it time to change the oil in the tranny and differentials? Is it too early for synthetics? Are synthetics worth it? Will a dealer put in synthetics for me? We tow heavy about every 3 months, and have the potential to go anywhere west of the Mississippi river, so can be some long hauls.

If you need more info than what is in my sig, let me know.

Thanks for your input.

Steve

 

I don't think its too early to dump the factory fill for the diffs' first oil change. Since the diffs have syn in them right now, the dealer should replace those fluids with synthetic.

If the tranny is shifting fine, its up to you if you want to change out the lube in it. DC says the tranny is a lifetime fill - but I'm not so sure I buy off on that.

My tranny was getting a little notchy when I was going to change out the diff lube so I changed it too. It made a big difference in shifting quality.

Sorry, can't help you on any dealers in Topeka. I changed the lube myself - if you don't mind laying under the truck for a bit, its not that difficult. I also changed the transfer case fluid while I was under it.

Now that you've got some miles under its belt, you don't really have to change the engine oil every 3K either. Save your money, and help preserve the environment by not having to recycle good oil.

 

Thanks bulabula.....I wasn't aware there was synth in the diffs already.

I would like to change my own fluids, but being full-timers, the RV parks frown on that stuff, plus it is hard to carry all the stuff with you all the time. Now if I had a garage to store stuff in...........

The tranny shifts like it always has. Going from 2 to 3 is notchy when cold, but it has always been that way, and from what I read it is common.

Sounds like I am getting worried over nothing.

Thanks again...
Steve

 

You are good until 15K with the diff. Although D-C says the trans is a lifetime fill, I do mine every 25K. You can just drain and fill the trans, but I like to remove the drivers side PTO cover to pull and clean the magnet.

 

AFTER YOU DRAIN IT

I have the att tranny setup and they require a 15000 mile interval change to keep 100000 mile warrenty in effect

 

Nevada, what do you use for oil in your tranny? I can't afford to go to DC for oils. I will be changing out the differentials in the next few months before I do my next long tow. I bought a 5 gallon can of Valvoline Synthetic gear oil that fit the specs for the differentials at a NAPA store for about $110 and that will give me close to 3 changes which beats the socks off buying synthetic by the quart.

 

I am with you 100% on going aftermarket for fluids. I use Mobil 1 in the diffs and Pennzoil Synchromesh in the 6-speed. It meets the required Dodge specification and is available here at AutoZone. I have also seen it with a Quaker State brand. Look for it near the gear oils.