Hey, I just bought a 2005 Dodge 2500 cummins 4x4 quad cab short box. Nice truck still have to pick it up in texas (bought it off ebay!) so I use my truck for pulling a 6x12x6 enclosed trailer for work. I have some questions about maintainance, I am a handy individual, I have quite the tool set. Having never worked on a diesel I am a bit nervous. Oil changes... easy! Is it true these things take 3 gallons of oil? What would be the best oil to use giving my climate and usage. Not having the truck currently in my possesion I don't know if it has an engine block heater, if it doesn't should I get one to plug in in the winter. Anti gel? do gas stations have it already in the fuel? if not what is the best type to use? Do I even need ot use it? If I go into the store to pick something up on the way home should I turn the motor off? some say start and stop the motor as little as possible. I need this truck to last me the rest of my life that is why I went with a diesel. I have read online a bit about diesel maintainance, there are surprisingly not that many articles online. what are the finer points to owning a diesel truck? thanks for your input.

 

Welcome to the DTR!

Congrats on your new truck.

Maintenance isn't much different than gas motors, except that they DO hold 3 gallons of oil.

I would suggestion you to do some (lots) of reading in the 3rd generation forums, as every question you asked here has probably been discussed in great detail...

Much more than I can tell you in one post, anyway...

If you still have questions or can answer other people's questions, please feel free to do so.