First oil change

[FL-RAM]

I'm at 3,600 miles on my 2020 1500 but the oil service indicator on the dash says it's still at 60%. Just curious about how often do you change your oil. Do you do it every 3,000ish miles or go by the service indicator?

 

[phantomfixer]

I don't use the indicator...5000 miles for me with full synthetic

 

[misfit77]

No sooner than 5 no later than 10.

Had my truck for nearly 4 years and never once did the computer ever appear to trip sooner than 10. I think the algorithm is bogus.

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[Rado]

I also do not follow the indicator !

I do 100% synthetic at around 5/6k ( yes over Kill) but for the extra couple bucks IMO it is cheap insurance ! I do what makes me feel good !
My last oil change they used Dino Oil by mistake so I will change that around 3/4k

 

[danoday]

I would pull the first break in oil change now. All subsequent oil changes I would follow the indicator unless you perform severe duty with the truck then maybe earlier. Oil changes seem to be a very personal preference pending brand, frequency, oil type, filter type and so on, at minimum follow your owners manual schedule.

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[Zoe Saldana]

I'm at 3,600 miles on my 2020 1500 but the oil service indicator on the dash says it's still at 60%. Just curious about how often do you change your oil. Do you do it every 3,000ish miles or go by the service indicator?

What does your manual say?

 

[Richg87]

I also do not follow the indicator. Plan is to change the oil & filter every 5K miles.

 

[kurek]

I did a first change after 1000 miles when the truck was new, after that have been changing it around 6-7k miles when convenient. I think the lowest I've seen the oil life indicator has been about 12%. Maybe overkill but I also still have no ticks or other engine irregularities after 5+ years so we'll see how that goes.

 

[PoMansRam]

I'm at 3,600 miles on my 2020 1500 but the oil service indicator on the dash says it's still at 60%. Just curious about how often do you change your oil. Do you do it every 3,000ish miles or go by the service indicator?

Looks like yours is the pentastar. They hold a lot of oil for a small engine (6qts) and the filter elements are big on them. Just be mindful not to over tighten the oil filter housing cap. Reefing too hard on it can crack the oil filter / cooler housing. I don't trust most shops with the pentastar oil filter design. DIY is always safer.

If you followed the oil life monitor for the pentastar or hemi, they'll go like 8000-10000 miles before the OLM prompts for an oil change.

I do my 2019 hemi at 5000 miles and the OLM will typically be 50% oil life remaining or so.

When I had my 2017 w/ pentastar, I'd go 6000 miles.

 

[Ludville1]

On any new vehicle that I get, I change the oil/oil filter at 1000 miles to a full synthetic oil with a high quality oil filter, then every 5000 miles thereafter. This method has treated me well over the years resulting in good running, very long lasting engines.

 

[Loudram]

I did my first one at about 6400 miles. It has 32% left. I used Pennzoil Platinum 5w-20 full synthetic, a NAPA (made by Wix) platinum filter, and threw in some Liqui Moly.

Now I'm going to change it when the computer says so or maybe a little sooner depending on the weather.

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[Pull Ya]

Just as a side note--if it's your first oil change I would recommend you let the dealer do it. They have an 800-pound gorilla install the filter at the factory(actually it's a robot) at about 1000 ft pounds of torque. I always let the dealership deal with the filter the first time, then I do my own service after that.
Jay

 

[GsRAM]

I had a free dealer oil change with the purchase, so I had it changed at 1500 miles to get the OEM oil out and any break in debris out.

Now I change it every 5k or annually and use redline 5w40 full synthetic ester based and a royal purple 20-820 oil filter. Both very high quality items. I like the 5k interval because it's a good time to rotate the tires also, which i do at every PM.

My Personal preference though....just like anything else.

 

[16Ram4x4]

I always go to the dealership and have the first oil change done in the first 1500 miles.
The reasoning behind having the dealership do the first oil change is so they have proof of it being serviced.
Also during the first 1500 miles make a note of any and all quality issues that you have and get taken care of also.
I do the oil changes myself after the first one and I keep a matinence record with dates, mileage, description of service.
Plus I keep receipts for all required fluids, filters and repair parts to cover my ass incase of a warranty claim

 

[Pull Ya]

It's a shame that you spend 50+ for some of these trucks and then have to protect yourself from the dealership when it comes to warranty work.
Jay

 

[Burla]

For those who have the courage to fight against dealers, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act hurts dealers who don't pay legit warranty claims. They have to prove what you did caused the failure, not that you didnt service it like they "require." A dealer refused to fix a cross member bolt in a chevy I had, instead of getting mad, I hired a lemon law lawyer and won 13 grand, lawyer got 3 of it. And that was the settlement on courtroom steps, because judges do not favor dealerships and they know it. If someone tells you that you need to eat a **** sandwich, say no thank you sir I prefer apple pie. It was one of the best days in my life when my lawyer handed me that check.

On a side note, never tell the dealer or their minions what your service records are, just tell them to freaking fix it or refuse in writing and say the words Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. If you say something it becomes evidence against you, it helps them not you. Again, they are the ones that have to prove a legit reason to deny, it is their burden not yours. If they refuse to give you a refusal in writing, send them a certified mail with your contact info and make a legal statement you feel that they violated your rights. Under Magnuson they get punitive damages for unjustly denying warranty, which is why they settle on courtroom steps, they simply will not allow a case go to judgement, not to mention they have lawyer fees to pay.

Sometimes you just got to fight that big bully.

 

[FL-RAM]

I have absolutely zero issues with the truck so far. I used to get my BMWs serviced at the dealership because they are pretty heavy on electronics and part of the oil change service was updating any computer versions that were available. I assume Ram does the same. The only problem is that both local Ram dealerships are about an hour away.

 

[danoday]

I have absolutely zero issues with the truck so far. I used to get my BMWs serviced at the dealership because they are pretty heavy on electronics and part of the oil change service was updating any computer versions that were available. I assume Ram does the same. The only problem is that both local Ram dealerships are about an hour away.

I would follow your maintenance schedule in owners manual. But it's definitely nothing like BMW who keep you leashed to the dealership for services. So unless you have some new truck complaints to resolve with dealer, you are probably okay elsewhere.

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[FL-RAM]

On any new vehicle that I get, I change the oil/oil filter at 1000 miles to a full synthetic oil with a high quality oil filter, then every 5000 miles thereafter. This method has treated me well over the years resulting in good running, very long lasting engines.

It is amazing what simply changing the oil regularly can do. I was the fleet maintenance manager for a concert company for 3 years. I had over 160 concrete mixer trucks in my fleet. When I got there truck availablity was horrendous. Trucks were constantly broken down, many with severe engine issues. Oil changes were not a priority and largely neglected. I made oil changes a priority. Six months later, breakdowns were rare and we had the highest truck availability in the company.

 

[danoday]

It is amazing what simply changing the oil regularly can do. I was the fleet maintenance manager for a concert company for 3 years. I had over 160 concrete mixer trucks in my fleet. When I got there truck availablity was horrendous. Trucks were constantly broken down, many with severe engine issues. Oil changes were not a priority and largely neglected. I made oil changes a priority. Six months later, breakdowns were rare and we had the highest truck availability in the company.

I agree, lube, oil and coolant services are the best for longer life and far cheaper than repairs for the lack of.

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