How long before first oil change?

[Firebird]

What is the general consensus on the best time to do the first initial oil change? I've been thinking about going to Redline 0w40, but wasn't sure how many miles I should put on her before I switch. Have 900 miles on it now. Thanks in advance

 

[R.D.J.]

Dont really go by me, I have a bad, bad habit of overmaintaining things. Obsessive levels.

I changed my oil at 1000 kms, and then again at 4500 kms. When I overhaul big diesels, I like to load them up, and change oil within 2000 kms. Inevetibily there will be some metal in there when the engine is breaking in. I want that out.

 

[Jimmy07]

Whenever the oil life indicator says to, or 8000 miles, or 12 months...whichever comes first. Initial oil change doesn’t need to be done any sooner than the other ones.

 

[Firebird]

That's kind of what I thought, but with the oil life meter, I wasn't sure on the first change.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Another, don't listen to me member. Change oil and filter every 5000. Changed oil twice in the 6.4 at 1000 and 4000 during break in period. Keep my trucks for 200-300k, so wear protection is my obsession. Just do not buy into the OCI that the marketing dept of oil companies claim today. I want to try the RL next in my other two vehicles. Need to stay with Amsoil and PUP as they are the only two I found have the MS12663 cert.

 

[PW2018PW]

Meh, I'm gonna change mine every 10k miles.....the manual days not to exceed 10k miles between changes so thats what its gonna get.

Im sure this synthetic oil is capable of going 20k plus miles between changes

 

[Firebird]

Another, don't listen to me member. Change oil and filter every 5000. Changed oil twice in the 6.4 at 1000 and 4000 during break in period. Keep my trucks for 200-300k, so wear protection is my obsession. Just do not buy into the OCI that the marketing dept of oil companies claim today. I want to try the RL next in my other two vehicles. Need to stay with Amsoil and PUP as they are the only two I found have the MS12663 cert.

If I really like this truck, it could potentially be my last one, so I want to do the break in service properly. I have always traded frequently, but I'm at an age where I need to slow down and keep one.

 

[Ramnewbie]

Meh, I'm gonna change mine every 10k miles.....the manual days not to exceed 10k miles between changes so thats what its gonna get.

Im sure this synthetic oil is capable of going 20k plus miles between changes

Do yourself a favor and get a UOA around 5/6 thousand then make up you're mind. Marketing hype isn't necessarily true, especially for the hemi.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Fitz-0518]

Do yourself a favor and get a UOA around 5/6 thousand then make up you're mind. Marketing hype isn't necessarily true, especially for the hemi.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Understand. My last new truck purchase for the same reason.

 

[McBroom]

What is the general consensus on the best time to do the first initial oil change? I've been thinking about going to Redline 0w40, but wasn't sure how many miles I should put on her before I switch. Have 900 miles on it now. Thanks in advance

When the EVIC says 15% life or the oil change light comes on


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[McBroom]

If I really like this truck, it could potentially be my last one, so I want to do the break in service properly. I have always traded frequently, but I'm at an age where I need to slow down and keep one.

Me too. And it’ll make the wife happy to see me keep one more than 1.5 years


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[gilleydog]

let the dealer do the first one (free) 4000 then went redline 5w30 and royal purple filter ,this set up is pricey

 

[SouthTexan]

Quick question. What are the main factors that determines an engine's oil change intervals?

 

[McBroom]

Quick question. What are the main factors that determines an engine's oil change intervals?

Mostly manufacturer engineers spec’s


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[ScottFL]

Are you telling me I have to change oil?

 

[SouthTexan]

The main factors that determines an engine's oil change intervals is the engines oil pan capacity, fuel consumption, and driving habits. The oil is suppose to collect contaminants so they can collect in the oil pan, but an oil pan can only hold so much contaminants before it starts effecting engine wear.

Then there is fuel consumption. The testing when I was at Cummins showed that there is a direct correlation between oil contamination and fuel consumption so the more fuel you use(ie. towing or racing) the more contamination you will have versus using less fuel in the same amount of miles driven.

Then there is driving habits like short trips where the engine oil is not getting hot enough to burn off any water condensation on the oil. Driving environment also plays a role if you mostly drive in dusty conditions which leads to high silicon contaminants in the oil.

For most people the 10k( or whatever it is for the 6.4L) will do fine, but if you were towing a lot, do a lot of short trips, or drive in dusty conditions on a regular basis then you might want to consider changing it sooner then that depending on what your UOA results.

 

[coobie]

What is the general consensus on the best time to do the first initial oil change? I've been thinking about going to Redline 0w40, but wasn't sure how many miles I should put on her before I switch. Have 900 miles on it now. Thanks in advance

Changed mine to redline oil after 3,000 miles..

 

[HammerHead]

I changed my oil in my new 2500 at 2,400 miles; and had the oil tested at Blackstone. Sure glad I changed my oil, my copper wear metals were off the chart at 271 parts per million. And that's at 2,400 miles; I was shocked and glad I spent a little bit of money to protect my 45k investment.

 

[Ramnewbie]

I changed my oil in my new 2500 at 2,400 miles; and had the oil tested at Blackstone. Sure glad I changed my oil, my copper wear metals were off the chart at 271 parts per million. And that's at 2,400 miles; I was shocked and glad I spent a little bit of money to protect my 45k investment.

My engine ought to be well flushed. Did first oil change at 2000 miles, between there and 10000 miles I changed the oil 6 times trying to find an oil and viscosity that satisfied me as to what I think my engine should sound and run like.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[mohemipar]

On the Ram and Chargers I did the first oil changes around 2000 miles. My drives during the week days tend to be a LOT of idling and stop and go. And there were some long highway trips in between. Considering this, I wanted to get the vehicles past their initial break in and do the first one early. It just makes me feel better and I don’t find it to be difficult or too much money. So why not. After I do the first change, I give them the beans every chance I get. I refuse to baby anything with a Hemi. They seem to be running stronger than ever now.

Early or not, I don’t think you can go wrong with the modern synthetic now. But it is important to be in tune with your specific habits and vehicle like South Texan described. Very good info.