When are you folks changing your fluids?

Ramagain · Jun 5, 2022

I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be aloof. I have a different vehicle and transmission so my intervals wouldn't be appropriate for your application or use ( light or heavy). I always refer to the service intervals suggested in the owner's manual regardless of vehicle type or brand. If you work something or are in dusty climates you generally perform these intervals at a shorter period. Several hundred dollars in fluids and filters is much easier to swallow than thousands in repairs.

Zoe Saldana · Jun 5, 2022

BadHemi2014 said:
It's a legit question and has been discussed many times. Yes, try the search function but that can be overwhelming for new folks. I like helping people when I can, I'm familiar with some of the common questions and can direct people where to start looking. I like this forum because most people are helpful and not rude. I try to be one of the helpful ones.

So do I.

I gave the OP, a link for his owner's manual and page number to read. Then he says he doesn't want to follow what the manual says.

He is an example of why knowledgeable posters leave.

Trolls!

18CrewDually · Jun 5, 2022

Mine are:
7.5k oil & filter
15k fuel filters
15k tire rotation
15k cabin air filter
30k axle gear oil
30k transmission & T-case fluid
30k air cleaner

Moose2 · Jun 5, 2022

Going to oil analysis now that biteme has doubled the prices for my favorite fluids. Only have 5600 on truck now and have changed the oil once, gear oil once. Running bypass oil filtration and soon will install extra cat filter in rear,piggy backed with the stock fuel filter back there.

18CrewDually · Jun 5, 2022

Moose2 said:
...... and soon will install extra cat filter in rear,piggy backed with the stock fuel filter back there.

I'd be concerned of taxing the in tank pump adding another low micron filter in series with the 2 factory filters. More restriction means it will work harder and hotter along with less flow at high demands. Just something to consider. Unless you get the Fleece dual pump.

djnelson5460 · Jun 6, 2022

2018 Ram 1500 4x4, Hemi, 8 speed ZF trans. I did the rear diff fluid at 25k miles and again at 75k miles, I do it every 50k as I dont tow much. I did the front diff fluid, transfer case fluid and transmission fluid at 50k miles and will do them every 50k miles as well. Id also stick with the factory ZF transmission fluid, theres stories of them not shifting right and shuttering with the cheaper Valvoline stuff. If you tow a lot or heavy trailers frequently Id change the fluids more often as well

anchorsaweigh · Jun 6, 2022

Oil changes every 2500 - 3000 miles. Doing it that way since 1971.

Rockyhammock · Jun 6, 2022

Well I see 4000 to 5000 for most oil changes on here, but I am lucky to put 7000 on my truck each year. Should I stay with that 4K to 5K mileage for my changes?

RJL1 · Jun 6, 2022

Well, thank you for the help fellas. Like I said, I'm gonna keep the oil @ 5,000K, diffs and t-case at 50,000K and the transmission at 75K. I see the ZF fluid is very expensive, but so are transmissions so I'll use the ZF as well.

Elkman · Jun 6, 2022

I started owning and maintaining vehicles in 1968 and the engines changed and the motor oil and other lubricants have changed tremendously over the past half a century. In the 1970's tetraethllead was eliminated from gasoline and that alone doubled engine life. Synthetic lubricants have also improved greatly over the past 20 years and multi-grade shearing is much less of a problem.

Why in 2022 do people still follow practices that originated in the 1950's? Do people enjoy wasting their time and money? I change lubricants based on the manufacturers' recommendations and use their specified filters and lubricants.

With my 2011 heavy duty diesel pickup the manufacturer recommended adding grease at 8 zerk fittings every 3,000 miles and I did this. Oil change intervals varied depending on the duty severity and it was always going to be greater than 3,000 miles so I did the front end grease additions myself. My 2022 light duty pickup with its gas engine does not have zerk fittings for lubricating the front suspension - go figure.

Diesel is a very dirty fuel and fouls the motor oil but this is a special case and with this problem the importance of motor oil with a good additive mix is important. Nonetheles people pay double for Amsoil motor oil that has an inferior additive mix.

I could change my motor oil every 1,000 miles and put in new filters at that time and change the coolant as well and deflate and re-inflate the tires to put in fresh air. That will have zero impact on the odds for components failing and the need for future repairs.

Zoe Saldana · Jun 6, 2022

Elkman said:
I started owning and maintaining vehicles in 1968 and the engines changed and the motor oil and other lubricants have changed tremendously over the past half a century. In the 1970's tetraethllead was eliminated from gasoline and that alone doubled engine life. Synthetic lubricants have also improved greatly over the past 20 years and multi-grade shearing is much less of a problem.

Why in 2022 do people still follow practices that originated in the 1950's? Do people enjoy wasting their time and money? I change lubricants based on the manufacturers' recommendations and use their specified filters and lubricants.

With my 2011 heavy duty diesel pickup the manufacturer recommended adding grease at 8 zerk fittings every 3,000 miles and I did this. Oil change intervals varied depending on the duty severity and it was always going to be greater than 3,000 miles so I did the front end grease additions myself. My 2022 light duty pickup with its gas engine does not have zerk fittings for lubricating the front suspension - go figure.

Diesel is a very dirty fuel and fouls the motor oil but this is a special case and with this problem the importance of motor oil with a good additive mix is important. Nonetheles people pay double for Amsoil motor oil that has an inferior additive mix.

I could change my motor oil every 1,000 miles and put in new filters at that time and change the coolant as well and deflate and re-inflate the tires to put in fresh air. That will have zero impact on the odds for components failing and the need for future repairs.

Because people don't read their owner's manual.

And they think some random poster is smarter than the mfg.

Britome · Jun 6, 2022

I know I'm the odd man out and I'll get criticized but... I follow what the manual says for my power wagon and my last two Silverado's. That means I follow the computer's countdown and change it when it says I should. Have never had a problem even though the mileage makes me nervous.

Rodney Belair · Jun 6, 2022

2017 Hemi. Change mine about every 7000. Good oil filter and Rislone every other change. No Hemi tick.

HEMIMANN · Jun 6, 2022

Elkman said:
I started owning and maintaining vehicles in 1968 and the engines changed and the motor oil and other lubricants have changed tremendously over the past half a century. In the 1970's tetraethllead was eliminated from gasoline and that alone doubled engine life. Synthetic lubricants have also improved greatly over the past 20 years and multi-grade shearing is much less of a problem.

Why in 2022 do people still follow practices that originated in the 1950's? Do people enjoy wasting their time and money? I change lubricants based on the manufacturers' recommendations and use their specified filters and lubricants.

With my 2011 heavy duty diesel pickup the manufacturer recommended adding grease at 8 zerk fittings every 3,000 miles and I did this. Oil change intervals varied depending on the duty severity and it was always going to be greater than 3,000 miles so I did the front end grease additions myself. My 2022 light duty pickup with its gas engine does not have zerk fittings for lubricating the front suspension - go figure.

Diesel is a very dirty fuel and fouls the motor oil but this is a special case and with this problem the importance of motor oil with a good additive mix is important. Nonetheles people pay double for Amsoil motor oil that has an inferior additive mix.

I could change my motor oil every 1,000 miles and put in new filters at that time and change the coolant as well and deflate and re-inflate the tires to put in fresh air. That will have zero impact on the odds for components failing and the need for future repairs.

Read up on Hemi Tick for some answers.

18CrewDually · Jun 6, 2022

Zoe Saldana said:
Because people don't read their owner's manual.

And they think some random poster is smarter than the mfg.

Manufacturers are "extending" intervals for a reason, to lower the Annual Maintenance Costs to brag about and to please the Feds. Period. Depending on use and driving habits, the long intervals can lead to sludge and failure. It's well documented. Heres an article for example.

Cummins Diesel 6.7L Engine Oil Change Interval [Avoid Costly Repairs] - XL Mechanical Service Ltd.

The Cummins Diesel 6.7L is a great engine but there are things to really consider regarding oil change intervals. The important point to consider is that not all drivers are created equally. Do you just make short trips? Are you making consistently long hauls? Are you running conventional 15W/40...

xlmechanicalservice.ca

Also I've seen where for a 2017 Cummins truck they recommend 7500 interval. 2018 it miraculously doubled to 15,000! How!? Same exact engine.
Just something to think about. I'll keep doing what I'm doing regardless of a manufacturers recommendation that was influenced by a bean counter. After all, it's a "recommendation".

HEMIMANN · Jun 6, 2022

18CrewDually said:
Manufacturers are "extending" intervals for a reason, to lower the Annual Maintenance Costs to brag about and to please the Feds. Period. Depending on use and driving habits, the long intervals can lead to sludge and failure. It's well documented. Heres an article for example.

Cummins Diesel 6.7L Engine Oil Change Interval [Avoid Costly Repairs] - XL Mechanical Service Ltd.

The Cummins Diesel 6.7L is a great engine but there are things to really consider regarding oil change intervals. The important point to consider is that not all drivers are created equally. Do you just make short trips? Are you making consistently long hauls? Are you running conventional 15W/40...

xlmechanicalservice.ca

Also I've seen where for a 2017 Cummins truck they recommend 7500 interval. 2018 it miraculously doubled to 15,000! How!? Same exact engine.
Just something to think about. I'll keep doing what I'm doing regardless of a manufacturers recommendation that was influenced by a bean counter. After all, it's a "recommendation".

It's all better with hydraulic valve lifters, I guess? (that's sarcasm, btw - hydraulic lifters more sensitive to deposits than solids).

18CrewDually · Jun 6, 2022

HEMIMANN said:
It's all better with hydraulic valve lifters, I guess? (that's sarcasm, btw - hydraulic lifters more sensitive to deposits than solids).

Nope. Hydraulic lifters didn't start until 2019. (Another reason I jumped on a 2018 instead of a 19)

swapwap · Jun 6, 2022

Had a 15 1500, got dealer recommendation and changed trans at 100k, you can only use dealer fluid and it damn well cost nearly as much as them doing the job. don’t really see a need before then especially if you not pulling anything.

farout75 · Jun 7, 2022

I change my oil ever 6,000 miles and I do not two anything. So I will change my axle fluid as the book says at 120,000 miles/ I did my plugs and emissions valve both at 98,000/ I use top tier gas and the dealer said my throttle body was very clean. My brakes are at 75% still there. II have 106,700 miles in it and my driving is more distant than local by a long shot. I try to keep things by the book. Money is getting tighter so I don't change oil any sooner that 6,000 miles. as it seems a waste to me. I have the MOPAR 84 month unlimited mileage max care package. I expect at 120,000 brakes and axels, transfer case will be then.

KC5TGQ · Jun 7, 2022

I don't know about the ZF tranny but a GM transmission specialist I know told me that if you have not changed it by 70k never change it. By then there are particles in the fluid that are actually keeping the transmission from slipping. If you flush them it can make the unit start slipping. I don't even begin to understand this but this technician is as good as they come.

When are you folks changing your fluids?

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