Hello,<br>How long should it take for the oil pressure to build up in my '98 CTD. If I start it from cold start or warm start either one, it takes about 5-7 seconds for the oil pressure gauge to move, after the engine has started. The &quot;Check Gauges&quot; light stays on until the pressure comes up, and sometimes I get the warning ding right before the pressure comes up. At cruising speed, the pressure is over 40 PSIG, and at idle it is right below 40 PSIG. The truck has 53K miles on it. Could it be the oil pressure sending unit, or the type of oil? I just bought the truck from Dodge dealer a little over a month ago, and am just now going to do my first oil change. What oil do ya'll recommend for Texas weather? I drive a lot of unloaded highway miles.<br><br>Thanks,<br>Darrin

 

My truck also takes about 4-5 seconds for the guage to show any pressure. Once it comes up though, it never has less than 60psi at idle. It goes much higher when I accelerate. The rest of my guages and lights work properly though. As far as oil, I use Rotella right now. Just be prepared that when you change the oil you will notice the strong smell of oil/fuel for the first couple hundred miles, This is normal.

 

Darrin,<br>these oil psi gauges are slow to react. I have used Rotella 15/40 since day one in both trucks, and never added a drop between 4k oil changes.IMHO used good oil, good filters(approved) and change regular, the ctd will live long and happy.<br>my .02<br>wk

 

Mine's slow to but has around 45-50 psi at idle. I use Delo400 every 6000 miles with a Wix filter.

 

4 - 5 seconds on mine; I have my old and filter changes done at the dealership, using the approved filers and recommended oil. Did this from day one on the old '99, and it never had any problem (other than the 5th gear outage spoken of in other threads for the NV4500). If any warranty problems ever arise, my dealership has the full service history to prove I have had all service items performed on time, but that is just me.

 

BigBlue, you should be wary of Wix filters.<br>See this:<br>http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/09-004-01.htm<br><br>I use Amsoil in mine, with Amsoil filters. 14K on the current oil. I'll change it when the oil analysis tells me to. And I get no odor at all after an oil change.<br><br>Chris