First Oil Change.

[hksvr4]

The truck has 2900 miles on it. Dealer sticker has it for 3000miles oil change. But the factory maintenance minder is at 60%. Should I wait for the factory to go down 0% or change it as per the dealer sticker.

Does anyone know how many miles is at 0%?


Thanks,

 

[PoMansRam]

Depends on your specific usage for the oil life monitor, but for my 2017 Pentastar powered ram, if I let the OLM run down to 0%, I'd have like 8 to 10k miles on the oil. I change mine at 30%.

 

[screamneagle]

The service manager at my dealership says to go by what the display says on your truck. He says the computer takes into account mileage, length of trips, how you drive ect. He said it could go 10K miles due to better oils, machining of parts etc. But I changed early. I'm not sure I trust computers, plus I'm old school

 

[RamCares]

The truck has 2900 miles on it. Dealer sticker has it for 3000miles oil change. But the factory maintenance minder is at 60%. Should I wait for the factory to go down 0% or change it as per the dealer sticker.

Does anyone know how many miles is at 0%?


Thanks,

Hey hksvr4,

Per your vehicle owner's manual, your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change indicator system that will remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for service. The time frame for the light to illuminate will vary, and I have included the information from your manual below!

"Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, and extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures will influence when the “Oil Change
Required” message is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions
can cause the change oil message to illuminate as
early as 3,500 miles (5,600 km) since last reset. Have your
vehicle serviced as soon as possible, within the next 500
miles (805 km).

Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel”.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a concern
for fleet customers.

Severe Duty All Models: Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or 350
hours of engine run time if the vehicle is operated in a
dusty and off road environment or is operated predominantly
at idle, or only very low engine RPM’s. This type of
vehicle use is considered Severe Duty."


Jennifer
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[misuracaf10]

Hey hksvr4,

Per your vehicle owner's manual, your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change indicator system that will remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for service. The time frame for the light to illuminate will vary, and I have included the information from your manual below!

"Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, and extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures will influence when the “Oil Change
Required” message is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions
can cause the change oil message to illuminate as
early as 3,500 miles (5,600 km) since last reset. Have your
vehicle serviced as soon as possible, within the next 500
miles (805 km).

Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel”.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a concern
for fleet customers.

Severe Duty All Models: Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or 350
hours of engine run time if the vehicle is operated in a
dusty and off road environment or is operated predominantly
at idle, or only very low engine RPM’s. This type of
vehicle use is considered Severe Duty."


Jennifer
Ram Social Care Specialist

How does the truck take into account the type of oil? Synthetic vs conventional vs a super high quality synthetic


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[SilverBullet85]

How does the truck take into account the type of oil? Synthetic vs conventional vs a super high quality synthetic


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The various sensors will just continue to do what they do...sense stuff. Synthetic's hold up very well near the end of their life in comparison with conventional (as I'm sure you're aware) so I would wager the sensors are just getting the information that keeps them happy longer. Between the differing conditions and different oils that's why the range can vary so much between changes.

 

[misuracaf10]

The various sensors will just continue to do what they do...sense stuff. Synthetic's hold up very well near the end of their life in comparison with conventional (as I'm sure you're aware) so I would wager the sensors are just getting the information that keeps them happy longer. Between the differing conditions and different oils that's why the range can vary so much between changes.

Would be interesting to see how the computer reacts with conventional and then be best synthetic, both getting changes at the same time at approx the same mileage and conditions


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[Ramnewbie]

Would be interesting to see how the computer reacts with conventional and then be best synthetic, both getting changes at the same time at approx the same mileage and conditions


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I'm pretty sure the computer doesn't sense what kind of oil is in there, it only senses engine use. My habits and driving style are pretty boring and are always the same, my olm has always decreased 10%/ 1000 miles no matter what brand or weight oil was in there.

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[jdavila99999]

I had them change mine first at 6000 miles .




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[wgreggking]

More often is better, peace of mind is pricless. Did my first at 4500, but i was on a trip.

 

[PoMansRam]

Like said above, there is nothing that actually senses or measures the engine oil itself. The oil life monitor system uses temperatures, number of cold starts, RPMs, run time hours, etc.. to count down from 100% and they base that count down on the fact you are using quality engine oils. I don't know if FCA is still wanting us to use oils with the MS-6395 spec on them, but oil with that spec is intended for use with extended drain intervals associated with taking the OLM down to 0% life left.

The way I see it, if you're going to follow the OLM, don't use dollar store closeout 5w30 or 5w20. Use a good synthetic.

I personally use Napa full synthetic when I can get it on sale for under $3/qt, or what ever I can get on sale. I still can't bring myself to go beyond 6-7K miles on the same oil/filter.

 

[misuracaf10]

I'm pretty sure the computer doesn't sense what kind of oil is in there, it only senses engine use. My habits and driving style are pretty boring and are always the same, my olm has always decreased 10%/ 1000 miles no matter what brand or weight oil was in there.

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Mine did the same, but was a 2014 so it just counted the miles pretty much. Seems to me the OLM is a flawed idea. Dealers normally just put a PYB conventional in if you don’t request synthetic, so running a conventional 10,000 miles cuz even if you baby your truck is scary to me


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[HammerHead]

How does the truck take into account the type of oil? Synthetic vs conventional vs a super high quality synthetic


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It can't, the onboard computer monitors many things related to oil life but it has NO IDEA what kind of oil is in the crank. We have seen many cam and lifter failures over the years, way to many to run 10k miles on whatever the dealership puts in it.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Frankly I ignore a computer telling me what to do or when to do it. I have more experience and common sense than a "controlling" line of code. First oil change,,,I would focus on getting what ever the factory pumped from the 500 gal tank out of your truck. Second, consider what your oil choice is.

 

[redvettx2]

Just bought a new Cummins. I always ran Syn in my 04 after it had 20K on her but I went farther between changes. Dealer said he wouldn't waste the money as the computer is going to call for a change at the same time. Syn does give your engine extra protection.

 

[CoHam]

For the first oil change in a brand new engine? You’re already late. You shouldn’t go more than 1500 miles without changing the oil in a brand new engine. This is all new metal on metal. Brand new piston rings moving inside brand new cylider walls, new wrist pins, connecting rods, cam shafts, crank shaft, etc. All of this stuff and more will shed small particulate as the metal moves against other metal, which is carried away in the oil, most of this happens during the earliest miles of the engine’s life while these parts “break in”. Modern metallurgy and closer tollerance have reduced the amount of early wear-in, but it cannot elliminate it. It’s more important to change your oil at the earliest in a new engine than in an engine that has over 10k miles on it.

 

[Hootbro]

For the first oil change in a brand new engine? You’re already late. You shouldn’t go more than 1500 miles without changing the oil in a brand new engine. This is all new metal on metal. Brand new piston rings moving inside brand new cylider walls, new wrist pins, connecting rods, cam shafts, crank shaft, etc. All of this stuff and more will shed small particulate as the metal moves against other metal, which is carried away in the oil, most of this happens during the earliest miles of the engine’s life while these parts “break in”. Modern metallurgy and closer tollerance have reduced the amount of early wear-in, but it cannot elliminate it. It’s more important to change your oil at the earliest in a new engine than in an engine that has over 10k miles on it.

He is not "late". Millions upon millions of vehicles have gone to their first recommended oil change interval with nary a worry. Any wear material of any significance to cause damage will be caught by the filter.

The "change early" mantra is more of a mental health exercise and placebo affect than any provable benefit over the life of the vehicle.

I will not be a hypocrite and say I have not changed early, but I have also not sweat the times I did not. Unless one is actually within the definition of severe service, changing early is nothing more than a feel good exercise.

 

[corneileous]

The truck has 2900 miles on it. Dealer sticker has it for 3000miles oil change. But the factory maintenance minder is at 60%. Should I wait for the factory to go down 0% or change it as per the dealer sticker.

Does anyone know how many miles is at 0%?


Thanks,

That’s really up to you. Wait, did they put a sticker in your windshield saying you need to do your first change at 3000 miles?

If so, that’s strange. Well, to me it is. This truck I got is the first ever new vehicle I’ve had but it didn’t have a “pre” oil change reminder sticker in it when I bought it. Nor did it say anything about changing the initial oil that was put in at the factory at a pre-specified, one-time interval.

Besides, when I took mine in to get its first oil change from the dealer at about 3000 also, the service writer came to me an asked if I was sure I wanted it changed that early because pretty much like you, my oil change meter at the time said it was only at like 60% as well. I told him that whether or not if they actually use that nasty assembly lube in these motors, or if there really is or isn’t a purpose and a need anymore to getting that first batch of oil outta there fairly quickly, from all the shavings and whatnot from the motor getting broke in, I said I guess I’m just a little too old school, and that I learned too much about rebuilding old dirt track motors that, it certainly ain’t gonna hurt nothin getting that first oil change outta the way fairly quickly.

I’ve read where people treat that first oil change just like every other oil change and change it according to the OLM, and I’ve also read that some people do like I did and treated the first oil change like it was back in the old, old days of the ole Dino-bone oil that you did change out at 3000 miles.

I think it all just merely boils down to what you wanna do. The dealer looked at me kinda funny and kinda shook his head that I wanted my oil changed that early....lol.


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[corneileous]

For the first oil change in a brand new engine? You’re already late. You shouldn’t go more than 1500 miles without changing the oil in a brand new engine. This is all new metal on metal. Brand new piston rings moving inside brand new cylider walls, new wrist pins, connecting rods, cam shafts, crank shaft, etc. All of this stuff and more will shed small particulate as the metal moves against other metal, which is carried away in the oil, most of this happens during the earliest miles of the engine’s life while these parts “break in”. Modern metallurgy and closer tollerance have reduced the amount of early wear-in, but it cannot elliminate it. It’s more important to change your oil at the earliest in a new engine than in an engine that has over 10k miles on it.

Yeah, but is that still the case these days? Like I told the OP, the service writer at my dealer kinda gave my that “you’re crazy” look even when I told him that I had always heard basically what you said above.


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[corneileous]

He is not "late". Millions upon millions of vehicles have gone to their first recommended oil change interval with nary a worry. Any wear material of any significance to cause damage will be caught by the filter.

The "change early" mantra is more of a mental health exercise and placebo affect than any provable benefit over the life of the vehicle.

I will not be a hypocrite and say I have not changed early, but I have also not sweat the times I did not. Unless one is actually within the definition of severe service, changing early is nothing more than a feel good exercise.

That may be true with modern engines, tighter clearances and better engineered oil but still, I just can’t wrap my mind around 10,000 mile oil changes, even with a top quality filter and very good quality full synthetic oil. That’s just way outside my comfort range.


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