New to RAM - from a $72k Denali to a $20k Tradesman

[turkeybird56]

Truck comes with blended 5W-20W synthetic. I had to tell/inform the SA (Service Advisor) at the dealership I take the truck to (for my lifetime $18 oil changes) to have Full synthetic put in, not blended. Costs me $20.00 more because they R not using bulk but in my mind (senile, etc), worth it to me, all IMHO...

 

[meedom]

So is the OEM oil made by Pennzoil a none synthetic oil? Here the Pennzoil oils listed for this 2018 5.7:

Premium Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-20
Standard Pennzoil Gold 5W-20 Synthetic Blend
Alternative Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 Full Synthetic

And that Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-20 comes back as a fully synthetic EVERYWHERE I look.
So why keep people saying that they switched to synthetic when the truck comes with a synthetic oil to begin with? Or did that change in 2018 and older trucks came with none synthetic oil?

I would go with the 5W-30 PUP, the 5W-20 is too thin for these powerful V-8's. Go with a fully synthetic oil filter like the Royal Purple 10-48 or the larger 20-820. If you ever develop the Hemi tick and it doesn't turn out to be broken exhaust manifold bolts, bite the bullet and switch to the more expensive, but worth it Red line 5W-30 oil and do yourself a favor and start reading the Synthetic oil forum, gobs of information and personal experiences there....

 

[crockett]

I would go with the 5W-30 PUP, the 5W-20 is too thin for these powerful V-8's. Go with a fully synthetic oil filter like the Royal Purple 10-48 or the larger 20-820. If you ever develop the Hemi tick and it doesn't turn out to be broken exhaust manifold bolts, bite the bullet and switch to the more expensive, but worth it Red line 5W-30 oil and do yourself a favor and start reading the Synthetic oil forum, gobs of information and personal experiences there....

I went with 5W-20 PUP, because I needed to get that oil change done. Was a month ago. I read somewhere that the 5.7 HEMI has lubrication issues, which is why it needs thin and fast flowing oil. I got no ticking, Engine revs very powerful - almost like a forced induction engine, and I did a proper hear break-in as well. No oil burning in 2k miles. I did buy a Mobil filter specifically made for synthetic oils.

 

[huntergreen]

I went with 5W-20 PUP, because I needed to get that oil change done. Was a month ago. I read somewhere that the 5.7 HEMI has lubrication issues, which is why it needs thin and fast flowing oil. I got no ticking, Engine revs very powerful - almost like a forced induction engine, and I did a proper hear break-in as well. No oil burning in 2k miles. I did buy a Mobil filter specifically made for synthetic oils.

What Mopar filter is made specifically for synthetic oil ? Thanks

 

[crockett]

What Mopar filter is made specifically for synthetic oil ? Thanks

Not Mobil, BOSCH. I bought a BOSCH D3334 Distance Plus Oil Filter.

 

[Burla]

I encourage to read the oil filter thread in my signature, good info in there.

 

[huntergreen]

Not Mobil, BOSCH. I bought a BOSCH D3334 Distance Plus Oil Filter.

Sorry, read it as Mopar, not mobile.. I use 5/20 pup myself.

 

[pacofortacos]

Congrats on the new truck. 4X4 has many pluses and few minuses today, esp. if you are considering moving to the states you listed!

I use 5-20 except for 1 quart, I add 1 qt. of Redline 0-30.

5-30 worked ok but gave me a weird buck on cold startup - my truck sits for weeks.

 

[zogg]

I feel your pain....I just traded my older Escalade for a 2018 Ram Express....it was my third Escalade money pit. I am so done with GM. My son was a long time GM truck guy and just bought a 2016 Ram Bighorn and wonders why he waited so long to make the switch.

If you're going to tow, I'd sure opt for the Hemi. If you don't want to spring for the 4x4, then the Anti Spin is an absolute must. I've owned 4x2 trucks without Anti Spin and had to be towed out in a muddy campground with only one wheel digging itself into a hole!! I got 4x4 because that's all that the dealer had, but it's great to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it. Mine has both 4x4 and Anti Spin.

I like the Express with the color matched grill and bumpers....I had the black bumpers and grill on the outdoorsman on a previous Ram and grew to hate it. I spent $600 to have them painted to match....

SO the Express with the Hemi and 4x4 it a great package....If I didn't need the long bed, I opt for the short bed so it is easier to park and I think they look more sporty....

Good luck what ever you choose....

 

[crockett]

For the fun of it. Almost 6 years later and still running like new. Zero issues. That being said, I'll let go of it because I don't use it. Only 12k miles tells the story. I turned a Minivan into a camper and I spend most of my time visiting the beaches in my home state Florida.

Not a single scratch on it.