When are you folks changing your fluids?

GTyankee · Jun 8, 2022

I am very comfortable changing my Eco-diesel Motor oil at 7,000 miles
I really don't care what the owners manual states what is the Maximum miles, they don't state what is the minimum or give you a Min. - Max. Range

Dan Topp · Jun 8, 2022

I changed the trans both difs and transfer at 15 k. Engine and blower(6 oz) every 3k. The trans wasn’t a one man job getting the temps right,and I stuck with a integrated filter mopar pan.

gfh77665 · Jun 8, 2022

18CrewDually said:
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.

Good point. As far as the "lifetime" recommendation, what manufactures really mean is "lifetime" of the warranty, not the vehicle. They all honestly don't care what happens afterwards. That's the owners problem.

Its hard to apply a round number like 50K or 90K to Trans fluid. Its really dependent on how the vehicle is used. If used to tow a lot, or lots of stop-and-go city driving, then I might target 30K or 40K. If its a highway cruiser with little or no towing, then I target 100K. Judge the trans fluid by driving style, and color. Its pretty easy to see fluid degrade appearance wise.

IdaRam4x4 · Jun 9, 2022

2014 Ram 1500 4x4 gets motor oil changed at about 5000 miles, not the 10k the manual says. All other fluids changed at the recommended intervals. I purchased the lifetime warranty and get all maintenance done at the Ram Dealer. If anything breaks, it’s $100.00 deductible, and it will be very difficult for them to deny the claim. Lifetime tranny fluid? OK, we shall find out.

BLUEDERANGO · Jun 10, 2022

I am just going to chime in here,,, ZF wants the trans oil changed at 75K, all the other manufacturs that use the ZF trans say to change it at 75K or so..I did mine at 100K, the dealer (I was being Lazy) wanted $850 to do it, I did it myself for about $300 in parts using factory pan and fluid. I say change it, if it beats a tranny failure why not and this was on my 2014 Durango Hemi with the 8 speed.

RJL1 · Jun 10, 2022

BLUEDERANGO said:
I am just going to chime in here,,, ZF wants the trans oil changed at 75K, all the other manufacturs that use the ZF trans say to change it at 75K or so..I did mine at 100K, the dealer (I was being Lazy) wanted $850 to do it, I did it myself for about $300 in parts using factory pan and fluid. I say change it, if it beats a tranny failure why not and this was on my 2014 Durango Hemi with the 8 speed.

Very odd that Dodge, or Ram in this case does not put a definitive mileage recommendation for this transmission. And as you said ZF wants in changed between 70,000 and 90,000 miles.

Gr8bawana · Jun 10, 2022

GTyankee said:
I am very comfortable changing my Eco-diesel Motor oil at 7,000 miles
I really don't care what the owners manual states what is the Maximum miles, they don't state what is the minimum or give you a Min. - Max. Range

This is very true. I doubt you'll ever have a problem because your oil is too clean.

GTyankee · Jun 10, 2022

I will also mention, that the oil monitor is a piece of junk

The oil monitor sometimes reads 5% of life left, when the truck has only 4,000 miles on it.
Only the dealership has done my services, so there was no Quik Trip oil & filters used

RJL1 · Jun 11, 2022

GTyankee said:
I will also mention, that the oil monitor is a piece of junk

The oil monitor sometimes reads 5% of life left, when the truck has only 4,000 miles on it
Only the dealership has done my services, so there was no Quik Trip oil & filters used

I never go by the monitor. Mileage for me in the Ram and my Jeep. Time for the Challenger and her Saturn. I don't drive the Challenger much and she hardly drives her Saturn.

Her Sky is an 07 and she just turned 14,000 miles.

stenerson · Jun 11, 2022

Going by my oil life monitor it wants me to go to 10K on my 3.6vvt. I usually change at 7K, sometimes get lazy and go to 9K.

joesstripclub · Jun 14, 2022

I changed my differential and transfer case fluids at 10k to get the break in oils out and get good synthetic fluid in. I just changed them again last night at 42k miles. The rear was a little dirty but not terrible. Transfer case and front diff fluids still looked great and definitely could go a lot longer. Transmission I changed out at 30k and will probably keep that interval since I'm in colorado and do a little towing in the mountains.

njjeff201 · Jun 15, 2022

Never heard of fresh tire air, that’s definitely a new one on me. Regular air?

Zoe Saldana · Jun 15, 2022

joesstripclub said:
I changed my differential and transfer case fluids at 10k to get the break in oils out and get good synthetic fluid in. I just changed them again last night at 42k miles. The rear was a little dirty but not terrible. Transfer case and front diff fluids still looked great and definitely could go a lot longer. Transmission I changed out at 30k and will probably keep that interval since I'm in colorado and do a little towing in the mountains.

I don't think anyone has used break in oils in diffs for many years.

joesstripclub · Jun 16, 2022

Zoe Saldana said:
I don't think anyone has used break in oils in diffs for many years.

I guess I should have said factory oil. Not break in oil but they are in use while you break in the truck.

Gr8bawana · Jun 17, 2022

GTyankee said:
I will also mention, that the oil monitor is a piece of junk

The oil monitor sometimes reads 5% of life left, when the truck has only 4,000 miles on it.
Only the dealership has done my services, so there was no Quik Trip oil & filters used

My oil and fuel filter life monitors are quite accurate. They both count down lower and lower as I approach the 15k mile change interval.
I change fuel and oil filters by mileage not 6 month intervals.

GTyankee · Jun 17, 2022

My oil life light came on just this week, it's at 1 %
Last change was 2,100 miles ago

I want to find the invoice, because i have not been driving much in the last year.
The monitor may have a way to sense length of time, like 6 months or a year

......................................

I can't really complain
I have had FREE Oil Filter & Synthetic Oil changes since it arrived from the Warren Michigan Assembly Plant on January 16, 2016

It was some kind of special package, repeat Ram buyer, Business Link Member, etc.

HEMIMANN · Jun 17, 2022

GTyankee said:
My oil life light came on just this week, it's at 1 %
Last change was 2,100 miles ago

I want to find the invoice, because i have not been driving much in the last year.
The monitor may have a way to sense length of time, like 6 months or a year

......................................

I can't really complain
I have had FREE Oil Filter & Synthetic Oil changes since it arrived from the Warren Michigan Assembly Plant on January 16, 2016

It was some kind of special package, repeat Ram buyer, Business Link Member, etc.

Ok, I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna ask since we are people of a certain age - did you remember to reset the oil life monitor @ the last oil change? You can double check by going to the screen in the EVIC because it also notes mileage @ oil change. At least mine does - a 2017 Ram.

GTyankee · Jun 17, 2022

The reminder reads that it was reset 2,1xx miles ago
That is why i want to find the invoice
it will give me the date & mileage at the time the oil change was done

At my dealership they no longer put the oil service sticker on the windshield or the driver door

They never put the correct Oil Type sticker under the hood for when they changed the ECO-Diesel SAE Weight
They told me that they don't have any stick on stickers, that i should write it in my Owners Manual

I told them that some Dodge Technician might go by the old sticker that is still under the hood.
They just walk away mumbling

In the last year, every one of the Service Writers is new
7 new Service Writers just in the regular service area, i have not been over to the Commercial area, where they have their own Service Writers & techs

HEMIMANN · Jun 17, 2022

Yeah, I hear ya. Just more evidence the Stealerships have dumbed-down the routine maintenance services no better than the quickie lube joints.

I've switched to a vetted private shop staffed by frustrated ex-factory techs. These guys are terrific.

GTyankee · Jun 17, 2022

I go to an Auto Electric Shop, it is a 3 man operation
Its a 3 bay interior shop & they also have 4 outdoor spots
Auto Club Approved, BBB Approved, ASE Certified

Auto Air Marine Electric

We are a fully licensed, bonded and insured auto electric shop for your protection and peace of mind.
We have over 30 years of experience in providing quality electric repairs.
All of our repairs are 100 percent guaranteed.

They work on Classic Vehicles too

When are you folks changing your fluids?

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Junior Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page