Filter Change Timing For Low Mileage Use

[Dusty]

2011 RAM 2500 with 6.7L Cummins and 6-spd manual. 124K miles. It has been over 34 months (!) since the oil, filter and fuel and air filters were changed but have only put on about 5500 miles. I was planning on changing the oil and filter now but I’m looking for comments and recommendations regarding how best to manage the overall service schedule, given the low rate of miles driven per year. Btw, normally towing is not done but this year I did haul a 24 ft enclosed trailer to pick up a vehicle - about 1700 mi round trip. Thanks.

I can't comment of fuel filter changes, but there's probably no better operating scenario than yours to justify an oil analysis to find out what's going on inside the engine. An analysis might guide you to a appropriate oil maintenance strategy.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 140568 miles.

 

[truck2014]

I can't comment of fuel filter changes, but there's probably no better operating scenario than yours to justify an oil analysis to find out what's going on inside the engine. An analysis might guide you to a appropriate oil maintenance strategy.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 140568 miles.

I personally have never understood this oil analysis , mostly the cost . You are spending money for someone to basically tell you , you can go longer on your oil change intervals . They come back with the analysis saying your oil is not contaminated enough , go another 5k or whatever . Just spend the money ,and change your oil on the recommended intervals .

I understand oil analysis if you suspect an issue , may show excessive wear ,but then what ? Probably should have been changing your oil more frequently in the first place instead of trying to extend it .

Fleet vehicles where you have many vehicles ,that oil analysis would make sense as far as cost of maintaining them all , but for a single vehicle ,just change your oil when it's recommended or even before like a lot of us with low mileage , pick a time interval , for me it's a year ,and around 7K as said before .

 

[Dusty]

I personally have never understood this oil analysis , mostly the cost . You are spending money for someone to basically tell you , you can go longer on your oil change intervals . They come back with the analysis saying your oil is not contaminated enough , go another 5k or whatever . Just spend the money ,and change your oil on the recommended intervals .

I understand oil analysis if you suspect an issue , may show excessive wear ,but then what ? Probably should have been changing your oil more frequently in the first place instead of trying to extend it .

Fleet vehicles where you have many vehicles ,that oil analysis would make sense as far as cost of maintaining them all , but for a single vehicle ,just change your oil when it's recommended or even before like a lot of us with low mileage , pick a time interval , for me it's a year ,and around 7K as said before .

For some an oil analysis is for those that are naturally curious to those that live on the edge of paranoia. Others just want to make sure they're using an effective oil strategy.

My suggestion was really based on the possibility that there's a lot of moisture in the oil since the OPs vehicle has a very sporadic usage. The outcome of an oil analysis could reveal the oil change interval is too long for that style of usage.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 140596 miles.

 

[truck2014]

For some an oil analysis is for those that are naturally curious to those that live on the edge of paranoia. Others just want to make sure they're using an effective oil strategy.

My suggestion was really based on the possibility that there's a lot of moisture in the oil since the OPs vehicle has a very sporadic usage. The outcome of an oil analysis could reveal the oil change interval is too long for that style of usage.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 140596 miles.

I hear what you are saying , and I agree for sure living on the edge of paranoia .

Just makes sense for the average individual ,and the one or two vehicles to just change your oil within a reasonable time , the expense is minimal , money well spent instead of trying to see how far you can stretch an oil change . On warranty I changed mine according to the manual ,after warranty as said once a year .

 

[chaosh1]

I also do annual changes as i get 3k miles a year at most. Most of it is towing or 2-3 hour highway driving.

 

[LouM]

One benefit of oil analyzeing is the possibility of catching problems before they go past help and minor repair. Wear metals and water contamination and such.

 

[06 Dodge]

One benefit of oil analyzeing is the possibility of catching problems before they go past help and minor repair. Wear metals and water contamination and such.

UOA are also good for letting you know if your oil is contaminated with fuel and if so how much, if I had not pulled an oil sample an set it off with in the first 5K I would not have found out that regens can put a good amount of fuel into my oil... I change oil at 7000 miles some times less or one year and at the time I took my first oil sample I was using Rotella T-6, because of that oil test found that Rotella T6 does not hold up well in my engine with 3.8% Fuel Dilution so I now use better oil even though it cost more....

Another example my wife's 2021 Toyota, I pulled and oil sample on it it 15K just for S&G an I had never done one on a gas engine and to my surprised the oil test came back that the oil had 5+% Fuel Dilution at 9K and the dealer said so what, that sample showed me cost of oil testing is a good idea even on gas engines as it let me know to save $$ so I could trade if off at 36K

 

[ppine]

Annual service is best. For low mileage use, you can change the oil and leave the filter.
34 months is way too long.

 

[Bobatwoie]

I have a 02 5.9 with an AFE cold air, 4” straight exhaust, FASS with a beans. I run Valvoline Blue (Cummins recommended) and a Mopar filter. I live in Colorado and mainly use it for towing my 10k bumper pull. I change every 10k. I haven’t had any issues. However, sounds like I might want to try a different filter???

 

[06 Dodge]

I have a 02 5.9 with an AFE cold air, 4” straight exhaust, FASS with a beans. I run Valvoline Blue (Cummins recommended) and a Mopar filter. I live in Colorado and mainly use it for towing my 10k bumper pull. I change every 10k. I haven’t had any issues. However, sounds like I might want to try a different filter???

I would use either the Donaldson DBL7349 15 micron or the Fleetguard Stratapore 16035 25 micron filter, that Mopar oil filters is IMO nothin more than a rock catcher at 30 micron, yes both filters run about $20 each but they are also a much better oil filter, btw to get the price of the Donaldson DBL7349 down to $19.33 each delivered price I have to buy them 3 at a time from Crossfilters: https://crossfilters.com/products/d...ll-flow-donaldson-blue?variant=42426482721021 Just order 3 more oil filters today from them.... Not sure who has the lowest price for the Fleetguard 16035 oil filters you may want to check out Geno's Garage, FYI do not to buy your filters off of Amazon or flea bay as to many are fake oil filters from China...

 

[DILLIGAF]

I personally have never understood this oil analysis ,

Thats because your not a gear head. Without oil analysis how else would we know 0w20 is absolute garbage

 

[truck2014]

Thats because your not a gear head. Without oil analysis how else would we know 0w20 is absolute garbage

No,not a gear head . I do all my own maintenance , repairs that whatever expertise I have I do , thats as far as it goes . Just took my boat ,and dropped it off in Montana so when I pull my fifth wheel up there for the 25th year fly fishing a certain river , I will have this new boat for me there to fish the lakes . I'll let the rest of you guys agonize over oil analysis . I'm going fishing .

 

[Grams]

HERE is what ALL my Ram owner’s manuals say :

“Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed …… 12 months …..”

So, I believe THE ANSWER IS; Annual Oil changes at the Minimum….regardless of accumulated mileage.

 

[truck2014]

HERE is what ALL my Ram owner’s manuals say :

“Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed …… 12 months …..”

So, I believe THE ANSWER IS; Annual Oil changes at the Minimum….regardless of accumulated mileage.

Pretty simple , that seems to be made difficult here with these threads with oil analysis etc etc . I believe 1 year or 15K .

 

[06 Dodge]

Pretty simple , that seems to be made difficult here with these threads with oil analysis etc etc . I believe 1 year or 15K .

Well doing UOA will tell a person if they can truly run 15K oil change intervals as some engines can have high fuel contamination and that fuel in the oil shortens your engine oil life, UOA's can help prevent future engine damage..

 

[Curmudgeon]

 

[truck2014]

Well doing UOA will tell a person if they can truly run 15K oil change intervals as some engines can have high fuel contamination and that fuel in the oil shortens your engine oil life, UOA's can help prevent future engine damage..

I completely understand , but I have been reading these oil threads in these forums for years ,and I do mean years . When I owned my old 7.3 Powerstroke , I read very little about engine problems with the 7.3 , cavitation was a bit of an issue ,but that was taken care of with the coolant additive . Now the 6.0 ,and 6.4 Powerstroke that was another story .

Having owned this 2014 6.7 Cummins since new , pretty much the same ,oil related issues or whatever with these 6.7's seem almost non existent . About all I read about with these UOA's is seeing how far one can stretch out an oil change .Makes sense to me for the average guy owning one diesel truck , just change the damn oil ,and filter in a timely manner or reasonable mileage . Save the money on UOA's ,and spend it on oil ,and filters . Been doing it with my diesel trucks now going on 29 years , without a single oil analysis . I would venture to say ,there are more of me ,and some that don't have a clue about sending their oil to be analyzed .

To my point , I will do what I have always done ,and I am sure you will do the same . As said , I am going fishing ,leaving tomorrow with fifth wheel in tow for Montana .