New ram owner

[Michiesh]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm a new owner of a 2015 6.7 ltr HD ram crew cab auto trans. It is a tradesman but It came from the dealer with what I believe to be an icon 4.5" lift kit (although the shocks don't look like the ones I have seen included in the kit online). Has nitto 34" tires and spray in bed liner. I'm very excited about owning this new truck. It is a lot of truck and I don't have anything to tow at this point but I love to fish and hope to get a boat soon. My commute to work is very shot about 5 miles. I am not a mechanic and have never had a diesel truck or a dodge. I have some very broad and basic questions I'm hoping some people may be able to lend some advice on.

1. I live in CA and I know this truck has lots of emission controls. I don't even really know what the DEF is. Where to buy it? What to look out for?
2. Does anyone have any CA specific experience? Does this truck need to be smogged? If so is it exempt for several years based on the fact it is new?
3. I bought the extended 7 yr warranty. I have heard that not only will an after market air intake and exhaust add slight Hp it can also improve fuel mileage? Does anyone have input on this and recommendations for good products? Has anyone had problems with these interfering with the factory warranty?
4. The dealer tells me an initial oil change at 1000 miles is not neccisary, but I have always heard this is good practice?
5. Any other diesel tips, tricks, and pitfalls would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys! Look forward to hearing from you.

Sam

 

[Michiesh]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4kqun0w560mtpp1/New Truck.jpeg?dl=0

 

[Michiesh]

I probably should have been reading the forum a bit more before clogging it up with another "Dodge Owner Newbie" post but you know what they hey.

I would like to revise my question "3. I bought the extended 7 yr warranty. I have heard that not only will an after market air intake and exhaust add slight Hp it can also improve fuel mileage? Does anyone have input on this and recommendations for good products? Has anyone had problems with these interfering with the factory warranty? "

It seems like from what i have read that doing much exhaust work with out deleting the emission control is not really productive? Also that deleting emission controls is illegal and will void warranty. For these reasons i have no intention of deleting the emission controls. So if this is the truth my new question would be 3. Are there any improvements that ARE worthwhile doing that are safe with the emission controls in the 15' CTD?

Thanks!

 

[NWRQC]

I probably should have been reading the forum a bit more before clogging it up with another "Dodge Owner Newbie" post but you know what they hey.

I would like to revise my question "3. I bought the extended 7 yr warranty. I have heard that not only will an after market air intake and exhaust add slight Hp it can also improve fuel mileage? Does anyone have input on this and recommendations for good products? Has anyone had problems with these interfering with the factory warranty? "

It seems like from what i have read that doing much exhaust work with out deleting the emission control is not really productive? Also that deleting emission controls is illegal and will void warranty. For these reasons i have no intention of deleting the emission controls. So if this is the truth my new question would be 3. Are there any improvements that ARE worthwhile doing that are safe with the emission controls in the 15' CTD?

Thanks!

Replacing the intake will do nothing for power or for fuel economy. As far as the exhaust goes you are limited to replacing just the tailpipe, which will also do nothing for you. . . unless you delete the emission equipment.
Without adding tuning of some sort, you're stuck staying stock if you want to keep your warranty.
There is emission intact tuning available, but you'll still have to say goodbye to your warranty.

 

[Power247]

Congrats on your new Cummins!

For #3 I echo everything NWRQC said. An aftermarket intake will add a bit more turbo sound but that is it. For the exhaust... As long as the emissions equipment is intact all other changes are basically for looks. All tuners will leave a footprint on the ECM and therefore will void you warranty if you have an engine related problem. Since you paid for the extended warranty adding a tuner would be pretty foolish. Just enjoy driving the truck

#1 DEF is diesel exhaust fluid. It should be sold anywhere you can purchase diesel fuel. Either in jugs or larger stations will have a separate pump beside the diesel pumps. It would be best to check out the stations close to you so you can get a game plan before you need it.

#2 I don't live in CA but would expect that you take it in for inspection just like every other vehicle. I am sure Google can help you find the specifics. If you are staying stock wouldn't worry too much about what they do for the inspection. If it does fail for some reason you will be headed back to the dealer for warranty repairs.

#4 true. All Cummins motors are broke in at the factory before ever being put in a truck. Just drive it till the notification pops up. Should be somewhere between 3500 and 7500 miles depending on idle time and driving conditions/style.

#5. Know where to buy you fuel!!!! Find stations that sell lots of diesel and buy from them. Bad diesel will ruin your fuel system. Change your filters at the suggested intervals. I do mine at every other oil change. Others do it more than that. Spend some time reading your owners manual. There is lots of good info in there too.

Greg
2012 CCSB CTD 2500 | XRT PRO w/MCC by Double R Diesel

 

[Hemifatboy]

Hate to sound like a bummer but I don't think the dealer did you any favors selling you that truck , it's not built to be a short haul commuter and that might cause problems with the pollution control systems , it's really built to pull heavy loads , he should have saved you money and potential problems and sold you a big gas truck , hope it all works out for you , you sure bought a lot of truck

 

[Michiesh]

Thanks guys for the comments. I really appreciate it.

1. I found online a couple suggestions for the CAT Cummins second fuel filter and water drop out add on. Looks like it mounts below the drivers side seat under the cab. Comes with some nice mounting hardware. The only thing is that it looks like you cut metal fuel lines and splice them with rubber ones and compression fittings. I would like to make all my connections with more stainless line and threaded swage. Does anyone have any experience with this add on? Pros? Cons? Here is the link
http://catfuelfilterkits.com/cummins_fuel_filter_kit.html/

2. I read you can get a little more turbo noise from removing the foam and baffle from the stock intake? Thoughts on this? I watched one video which looks like there is some foam around a plastic piece. Would you remove it all? Just the foam?

Hemifatboy: You make a good point and although it seems to me the cummins has always been thought of as the godfather of high mileage and reliability the regulators (government) are making it hard for diesel engines to cope with all the standards. I would love to hear some more about the current and future status of these engines having to deal with the reality of the extensive emission control systems from other cummins owners as well as gas truck owners.

Thanks!

 

[Power247]

I pulled the entire insert out of my intake. I didn't like the idea of foam being in between the filter and the turbo. It could of made it a little louder but not by much.

 

[CTD]

Thanks guys for the comments. I really appreciate it.

1. I found online a couple suggestions for the CAT Cummins second fuel filter and water drop out add on. Looks like it mounts below the drivers side seat under the cab. Comes with some nice mounting hardware. The only thing is that it looks like you cut metal fuel lines and splice them with rubber ones and compression fittings. I would like to make all my connections with more stainless line and threaded swage. Does anyone have any experience with this add on? Pros? Cons? Here is the link
http://catfuelfilterkits.com/cummins_fuel_filter_kit.html/

2. I read you can get a little more turbo noise from removing the foam and baffle from the stock intake? Thoughts on this? I watched one video which looks like there is some foam around a plastic piece. Would you remove it all? Just the foam?

Hemifatboy: You make a good point and although it seems to me the cummins has always been thought of as the godfather of high mileage and reliability the regulators (government) are making it hard for diesel engines to cope with all the standards. I would love to hear some more about the current and future status of these engines having to deal with the reality of the extensive emission control systems from other cummins owners as well as gas truck owners.

Thanks!

No need to add a second fuel filter on the newer Cummins they already come with two. There is one on the rear next to the fuel tank and another under the hood on side of engine. The one in the rear is a fuel water separator which is a 5 micron filter and the one in the engine bay is a 3 micron filter. I drain the one in the rear every couple fill ups but have yet to see any water in it. Make sure to use either Mopar or Fleetgaurd fuel filters.
As far as oil changes go the 2013 + trucks are recommend every 15000 miles, 500 engine hrs or every 6 months with every comes first. This is do to these 2013 + trucks are now using the new emissions system with the def fluid so the engine uses much less egr (engine gas re-circulation). I usually change mine every 7500 miles for peace of mind. If you change the oil your self it just cost about 65$ and the engine cost about 12,000$, so the way I see it why would you not.
I agree with power247 pull the baffle and foam out. Don't know who thought it would be a good idea to put foam that will dry rote in the air intake. Also if your looking for a little more sound from your engine the Afe cold air intake with dry filter will do just that, but that is all it will do.

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[1ATony]

Thanks for joining
Tony