Oil Change Interval

[BLUKTY2]

I purchased a lifetime oil change when I ordered my truck. This was long before I ever head of the "Hemi tick" and cam/lifter issues. I can get up to 5 oil changes per year iirc, but I generally have it changed two or three times per year, which equates to around every 4,000 miles. I now add 15 ounces of Lubeguard with every oil change, just because I think it works and it is real cheap insurance.

 

[Doug Ram]

Ecodiesel that tows an RV all spring. I change it when the truck tells me to. I bought the truck on February 4. On April 2, after 8000 miles of towing, the oil life was at 2 percent. I got an oil change. Now at 14,000 miles, about half towing since April, the oil life is at 40 percent.

 

[RaptorHD]

Ecodiesel that tows an RV all spring. I change it when the truck tells me to. I bought the truck on February 4. On April 2, after 8000 miles of towing, the oil life was at 2 percent. I got an oil change. Now at 14,000 miles, about half towing since April, the oil life is at 40 percent.

I have diesels, I would never wait that long to change my oil... I change it right around 5-7K depending on whether I am pulling or driving..

 

[gfh77665]

I negotiated 5,000 mile changes when I bought my 2019 4.3 RAM Classic. On a new vehicle, I do not want to wring every last bit of life out of my oil. I am very content with 5,000 mile changes, even though I know some oil life is forfeited by doing so.

Once my vehicles are over 100K, I go to a longer interval, like 7,500 miles. Once they enter the home stretch, exceeding 200K miles, I go to a 10K interval. At that point I want to minimize every expenditure possible.

I feel this plan maximizes longevity and economy.

 

[Murphy Slaw]

Amsoil SS is just getting started at 8K....

 

[grizzstang]

This question gets asked a ton and you will get a whole bunch of different answers.

Firstly your 6.4 does not eat the cam and lifters as much as the 5.7. It does have the issue but you see it a whole lot less. Most likely because you are not forced to run 5W20.

Secondly the cam and lifter issues have generally been attributed to the engine design having poor cam oiling combined with high idle times and extended oil change intervals.

IMO oil is cheap, cam and lifter replacement runs about 5 to 7 grand so the answer is pretty simple to me.

I change mine every 6000 miles or 1 year. Do whatever makes you comfortable.

 

[2012RAM1500RT]

I guess all the people I know that have the 5.7 Hemi have been lucky so far. I have 2 5.7's one with 136,000 miles, one with 210,000 miles. My son has one with over 150,000 miles and I could name about 10 others I know but don't know their mileage, so far none of them has had cam & lifter issues. We change oil at 5000 miles, always have and always will. Not sure about all my other friends oil changes. Not saying that's why we haven't had issues but with all the others who've had issues I'd change mine even sooner before I'd change what oil analyst or EVIC tells me. It works for me so why change? I have a friend that just found out today his 2002 Zo6 Corvette has to have a cam and lifters at the tune of $4000ish, it has 44,000 miles. The Corvette specialist he took it to said that was unheard of but it doesn't change the fact that it did. He also changes his oil at 5000 miles so who knows. If I have an engine that has a oil design flaw and know it why would I even want to change oil later than sooner? That does not compute. Do what you feel works for you, don't know why it should bother others.

 

[Doug Ram]

I have diesels, I would never wait that long to change my oil... I change it right around 5-7K depending on whether I am pulling or driving..

How come?
The heavy duty maintenance schedule I am following says change the oil and filter at every 10,000 miles or when the oil change indicator reaches 0%. The three FCA diesel mechanics who I talked to told me they like the new Gen3 Ram Eco-Diesel after working on them for 2+ years, and the earlier ones for the last 10. These so called experts say that changing the oil more often than the manufacturer's schedule is just money wasted on this little diesel. Two of them mentioned that FCA got caught cheating on the Ram Gen 1 emissions (which resulted in owners getting $3,000 checks because the fix reduced MPG and performance. The third also mentioned the cracks in the EGR cooler in the Gen 2 engines. Neither had anything do do with oil, or would have been helped by more frequent oil changes.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Diesels are normally principally dependent on the amount of detergent dispersant additive in the engine oil - not so much oxidation resistance and shear strength today. Increased cylinder pressures and lower rpm have boosted the amount of blowby soot in the oil. Soot holding ability to saturation is what I'm talking about - once the additive has absorbed as much soot as it can, the soot plates out on the engine and causes rapid wear. Soot is extremely abrasive.

So - when engine makers and oil companies tell you to change your diesel oil, do it.

 

[Octane]

Diesels are normally principally dependent on the amount of detergent dispersant additive in the engine oil - not so much oxidation resistance and shear strength today. Increased cylinder pressures and lower rpm have boosted the amount of blowby soot in the oil. Soot holding ability to saturation is what I'm talking about - once the additive has absorbed as much soot as it can, the soot plates out on the engine and causes rapid wear. Soot is extremely abrasive.

So - when engine makers and oil companies tell you to change your diesel oil, do it.

I knew of a fellow with a 1 ton truck hauling cars.Business went bad and slow.He cheapened out on his oil changes and that soot and bad oil destroyed his engine.Then he had a equipment payment and a payment for a new engine.I see it happen from time to time with going too far on bad tires to skimping on maintenance and it always bites in the wallet anyway...big time

 

[Burla]

Extended intervals with diesels is the easiest thing to do, just invest in a bypass filter setup and use tbn booster. Bypass setup for diesels pay for themselves very quickly. Make sure your bypass setup includes a bypass filter and a regular filter. LOOK at the bypass versus full flow...

 

[RaptorHD]

Soot is a killer!

 

[Murphy Slaw]

I guess all the people I know that have the 5.7 Hemi have been lucky so far. I have 2 5.7's one with 136,000 miles, one with 210,000 miles. My son has one with over 150,000 miles and I could name about 10 others I know but don't know their mileage, so far none of them has had cam & lifter issues.

I never hear bad things about 5.7 Hemis except on this forum.......

 

[Doug Ram]

I never hear bad things about 5.7 Hemis except on this forum.......

I had 5.7 hemi in a 05 Durango. Sweet for 175,000 miles, then I totaled it.

 

[Bob Johnson]

I've been out of town for the past week. Thanks for all the answers. I think I'll get the oil analyzed and then go from there. I'm right at the 50% mark based on the dash readout.

 

[RaptorHD]

I had 5.7 hemi in a 05 Durango. Sweet for 175,000 miles, then I totaled it.

You know, there are easier ways to get a new truck..

 

[skbball06]

The oil life monitor takes towing into the calculation as it sees all the engine parameters and knows it’s under heavy load.

That said, I’m changing mine at 5k intervals. And I do all the severe service schedule maintenance.

5k all the way! I have friends that will argue amsoil and not changing it for 25k miles as the signature series promotes - but i just cant fathom not changing it even up to 10k! Plenty of less expensive options with a base oil and additive that will do just as good or better IMO

 

[2012RAM1500RT]

5k all the way! I have friends that will argue amsoil and not changing it for 25k miles as the signature series promotes - but i just cant fathom not changing it even up to 10k! Plenty of less expensive options with a base oil and additive that will do just as good or better IMO

I'm with you, 5,000 miles for me always! Whatever the savings you convince yourself you get going longer on oil changes won't come close to the cost if something wears and you have to replace. Oil is cheaper than metal. I haven't lost an engine in 45 years, trying to keep it that way!

 

[Doug Ram]

You know, there are easier ways to get a new truck..

That's for sure. Especially as I only had liability insurance on it.

 

[2012RAM1500RT]

That's for sure. Especially as I only had liability insurance on it.

That had to hurt!