I have a new ram diesel,2004 I have about 650 miles on it.Some folks say to change the oil after 1000 miles.I think the owners manuel says 3700 miles.Any comments !! Also what type of oil,syn oil or reg oil.This is my first diesel,kinda still finding my way.Thanks for any Info,coobie

 

coobie:

Welcome to the site. You will find a wealth of information here. As far as your oil question, some guys would change the oil after 1000 miles, but personally I don't think you can go wrong following the manual. When you do change the oil, make sure that you use an approved oil filter, as there are some on the market that can actually do damage to our engines.

As far as the type of oil, there are many, many threads on the site that discuss that very thing. Do a search and you can spend a lot of time reading others opinions. I think that most everybody would agree that if you use a good grade of oil, synth or dino, and change it when you should, your engine will most likely last 350,000 miles or so. I use Amsoil 15/40 and am very happy with it. If you want to use synth, however, don't start using it for at least 10,000 miles, as your rings need time to seat properly before using synthetic.

Good luck with your new ride! You'll love it.

DeWain

 

Coobie, here's a url that may answer many of your new owner questions:

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/p.../faq/index.cfm

I don't have the url that has the authorized oil filters, but you can't go wrong with Fleetguard products; they're affiliated with Cummins.

Also go browsing at Genos.com. They've got a great deal on a 4/2/1 filter kit that you should consider when it comes time for its first oil change.

I agree totally with DeWain. I changed to the same Amsoil at 18k. I did my first change at 3100 miles (complimentary dealer job). It still looked brand new on the dipstick (with only 3000 miles, it was).

 

When my father had the 53 Pontiac's flat head six rebuilt in 1964, the rule of the day was not to take it over 60 for five hundered miles then do an early change. It is starnge how that stuff sticks to ya.

The Dealer, would have changed mine at 4000 miles I change it at 2600 Km (canadian eh) about 1500 miles on Tuesday. Just me though I think changing the oil often and regular is the best insurance policy. My shcedule A oil change chart says every 7000 Km 4,200? miles. The Sales guy through in a lifetime oil change as long as I get it done with them and when I saw the amount of oil she takes you bet I will be there for the freebie. Anyone else get the oil changes thrown in with a new vehicle? Two didferent dealers made the same pitch. I wonder if that is how Dodge is trying to get the drive train waranty to pay? Happy motoring!

 

I have an oil analysis done at every change. Based on the analysis that I got back on my first oil change, I would ABSOLUTELY do an early change. The silicon number on my first change was sky high even though the oil didn't "look" bad.