Using oil while towing

Terry3blue · Mar 26, 2017

2016 6.4 2500. I checked oil around 4400 miles was going to have it changed at 5000, but it was about a quart and a half low so I take to dealership. They change it and say bring it back in a 1000 miles so we can do a oil consumption test. It was winter time so I didn't tow. Took it back and it hadn't used any oil. I told service manager I was going camping and I would check it when I get back. 300 mile round trip and it was 1/4 inch below full. I was going go back to the dealership Tuesday and see what he says, but I've researched this and seems to be a little bit of a problem for dodge. Their acceptable consumption is 1 quart per 1000 miles which I think is BS. The truck has 5800 miles on it, I just wonder if the valves haven't seated yet or should I make them do a compression, or leak down test. Any ideas would be helpful.

I had a 06 gmc with a 5.3 and it used synthetic oil about a quart every 5000 miles I switched to regular oil at 20000 miles and it stop and I went back to synthetic at 50000 miles and it never used anymore.

Ionicbrick · Mar 26, 2017

Hmm. I have a 2015 6.4 with 31k on it now. I don't check the oil very often because I change it myself and it's always been spot on. Barely uses any oil. It did use some for the first 10k, but nothing like you're reporting. I'll check it again warm tomorrow just to see... I tow 4 days per week. Sometimes 7 when we camp.

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Andrew09HEMI · Mar 27, 2017

As stated in the other thread, it's 100% normal for the Hemi to use oil. As with a lot of newer motors and BMW Porsche for years as well as Ferrari use oil in between changes, especially under heavy use. Now if it's smoking and burning that's a different story but normal usage between changes is normal. Has to do with ring lands and a few other things but it's nature of the beast. The 5.3 is no Hemi let alone a work horse 6.4. Not saying the Hemi is special it's just a high performance motor out of the box whereas the 5.3 is an average V8.

ronheater70 · Mar 27, 2017

Acceptable consumption of 1 quart per 1000 miles may be O.k to them, but it sure as hell isn't to me. if mine starts using oil at that rate its down the road without a second thought. It's ridiculous in this day and age to think a modern Motor needs to consume oil like that.. Might as well slap a Harley badge on it..Hell, actually Harleys dont use oil like that any more. What you supposed to do if you haul a heavy load several states away, bring a case of oil with you?

sandawilliams · Mar 27, 2017

Terry3blue said:
2016 6.4 2500. I checked oil around 4400 miles was going to have it changed at 5000, but it was about a quart and a half low so I take to dealership. They change it and say bring it back in a 1000 miles so we can do a oil consumption test. It was winter time so I didn't tow. Took it back and it hadn't used any oil. I told service manager I was going camping and I would check it when I get back. 300 mile round trip and it was 1/4 inch below full. I was going go back to the dealership Tuesday and see what he says, but I've researched this and seems to be a little bit of a problem for dodge. Their acceptable consumption is 1 quart per 1000 miles which I think is BS. The truck has 5800 miles on it, I just wonder if the valves haven't seated yet or should I make them do a compression, or leak down test. Any ideas would be helpful.

I had a 06 gmc with a 5.3 and it used synthetic oil about a quart every 5000 miles I switched to regular oil at 20000 miles and it stop and I went back to synthetic at 50000 miles and it never used anymore.

When new my 6.4 used a quart in the first 1000 miles. I was concerned. It hasn't used a drop in the last 20,000+ miles.

swexlin · Mar 27, 2017

If it makes you feel better, some of us Gen 5 Viper owners (me included) use about 1 qt per 1000, which, like the Hemis, FCA says is "acceptable" for the 8.4 V10. Many of us do not think this is correct, but it is what it is.

My 5.7 in the truck seems to use about 1 qt in 3000, assuming the hashmark area is a 2 qt range.

68PowerWagon · Mar 27, 2017

Terry3blue said:
2016 6.4 2500. I checked oil around 4400 miles was going to have it changed at 5000, but it was about a quart and a half low so I take to dealership. They change it and say bring it back in a 1000 miles so we can do a oil consumption test. It was winter time so I didn't tow. Took it back and it hadn't used any oil. I told service manager I was going camping and I would check it when I get back. 300 mile round trip and it was 1/4 inch below full. I was going go back to the dealership Tuesday and see what he says, but I've researched this and seems to be a little bit of a problem for dodge. Their acceptable consumption is 1 quart per 1000 miles which I think is BS. The truck has 5800 miles on it, I just wonder if the valves haven't seated yet or should I make them do a compression, or leak down test. Any ideas would be helpful.

I had a 06 gmc with a 5.3 and it used synthetic oil about a quart every 5000 miles I switched to regular oil at 20000 miles and it stop and I went back to synthetic at 50000 miles and it never used anymore.

Your rings should be seated by now. Years ago I had a car that took about 5,000 miles for the rings to seat but usually this happens within the first 1-2,000 miles.
I'd keep an eye on it & keep bugging the dealership if it continues.

mtofell · Mar 27, 2017

I've always been amazed with my 2014 6.4 Hemi - it's never burned a drop of oil. Right from day one I checked it and it's always right at the top of the stick. I agree a quart every 1000 miles is totally ridiculous. Just one more thing Ram is ridiculous about with respect to warranty and quality. Unless my truck is on fire or will not move everything is "normal" as far as my local dealers are concerned.

Iron Outlaw · Mar 27, 2017

I don't change my oil until 5000 miles and it doesn't even use half a quart. It's a work truck that hauls and pulls everyday.

RAM_Designs · Mar 27, 2017

I burned through a quart on my first few changes, but now after 5k miles it's still on the same level of the dipstick as it was when I changed it.

Terry3blue · Mar 27, 2017

I'm still optimistic take it will seat and stop using. The first 2500 miles it would puff a little on cold starts but stopped. So I'm hoping this will stop. Like I said with my 5.3 it eventually stopped all together but it was only a half a quart every 5000 miles. I'm not bad mouthing the 6.4 but 1 quart per 1000 miles would be insane. My main concern is to make sure the dealership has a record of all this and if it hasn't cleared up by 20000 miles I'm going to have a issue with it.

HvyDuty · Mar 27, 2017

My dipstick was at the halfway mark at my first oil change at 5k miles.

I followed the break-in recommendations, but only floored it on a roll a few times. My last 5.7L Hemi I floored alot during break-in (it was more fun) and it never burned any oil.

Im at over 20k miles now and oil usage seems to have stopped.

I think a good break in contributes to the rings seating and less oil usage.

A lot of people baby it when new and they may see more oil usage.

Terry3blue · Mar 27, 2017

I don't baby, but I don't beat on it. Ive had a few quick runs up to 80, but I did tow with only about 350 miles on it. It's a 7k pound travel trailer.

smiley · Mar 28, 2017

Will vary by motor type and each one is different. I typically have to add oil mid OCI on 5.7L and have done so at about 5000 on both I have had. Not sure how much different the 6.4L would be in that department but the pentastar uses none in our van.

Riccochet · Mar 28, 2017

In my 5.7 1500 with normal driving it doesn't really consume any oil. But, I tow a bass boat 2-3 times a week and my 27' TT a couple times a month. While towing it'll definitely drink a quart every 1000 miles. I just keep a 5 quart jug in the truck at all times and keep her topped off.

I'm ok with that. The 5.6 in my Titan did the same thing. I'd rather it use some oil while under load than not.

pcschwenke · Mar 28, 2017

I'll have to keep an eye on my 6.4. My 5.7 didn't use any oil and nothing was in the throttle body either, which is why I wasn't concerned with a catch can.

HvyDuty · Mar 28, 2017

pcschwenke said:
I'll have to keep an eye on my 6.4. My 5.7 didn't use any oil and nothing was in the throttle body either, which is why I wasn't concerned with a catch can.

You won't see any oil just looking at the TB, its all behind it in the intake manifold. That being said, I ran a catch can on my 5.7L but in the 20k miles I owned it there was maybe a 1/4" of oily water in the bottom of the can.

pcschwenke · Mar 28, 2017

I took the throttle body off and looked, nothing. When I owned a 2012 Camaro, I changed it to a ported throttle body and again nothing Everyone argued they were required on that car too. Not saying they aren't helpful to some extent.

Using oil while towing

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