Oil weight question

[Tom Williams]

hey guys! My 13 ram 1500 5.7 hemi is due for an oil change, I looked the owners manual and the 1500 series says 5w-20 but the 2500/3500 series says 5w-30. Can I run 5w-30 or should I stick to 5w-20? I’m going to use a full synthetic mobile or amsoil.

 

[CG2742]

I have 2013. Been using redline 5w30. Engine runs smooooooth!!

 

[HammerHead]

hey guys! My 13 ram 1500 5.7 hemi is due for an oil change, I looked the owners manual and the 1500 series says 5w-20 but the 2500/3500 series says 5w-30. Can I run 5w-30 or should I stick to 5w-20? I’m going to use a full synthetic mobile or amsoil.

How many miles on your rig?

 

[Tom Williams]

Almost 97k

 

[HammerHead]

Almost 97k

I think it’s harder to give someone oil advice as engines get older. 5w30 at a minimum, that is for sure. Now selection is more complicated, full synthetic oils with high detergents can clean the inside of the engine so well it will cause leaks or weeps. Unknown maintenance history?
I’d try Amsoil or Redline in 5w30; monitor engine, oil levels and pay special attention to engine noise.
I would be thinking about all the major area of concern. Transmission, differential(s), coolant, t-case and plugs.

 

[Tom Williams]

Thank you for the advice! At what mileage would you do the diffs, trans and plugs?

 

[HammerHead]

Thank you for the advice! At what mileage would you do the diffs, trans and plugs?

I do my rear diff every 30k, front diff depending on use, a transmission Transfusion every 10k (6 speed) and a pan drop with filter change every 30k. Plugs depending on what kind of plugs came in the truck. The 30k coppers I change at 30k, the 100k plugs I do at 50k.

This is the pump I use for my transmission Transfusions. Super easy!

 

[Fitz-0518]

Tom, I would pay close attention to what Hammerhead said. Specificaly his disclosure regarding older engines with miles. Keep in mind that Redline and Amsoil are clearly Tier 1 oils. But they are also a thin oil base. My POV, they are both great effective wear choices for new low mile engine. Both of these oils have high detergent formula's. Using them in an older high mile engine can result in the sludge being removed and clean rotating parts can make noise. i.e. lifters. When I went from Royal Purple to Amsoil and then Redline in my 03 5.7 Hemi with 230k, the engine got noisy. Just what you would expect to hear from the engine with that many miles. I now run Pennzoil high mileage 10-40 and the engine is butter smooth and quite. I am not suggesting that you should do the same with your 5.7 at 97k. But I would agree, nothing less than 5-30. If you have the time and the curiosity, the synthetic thread in the archives is a great resource for understanding what has changed in oil over the last 5 years.

 

[HammerHead]

Tom, I would pay close attention to what hammerhead said. Speci9ficaly his disclosure regarding older engines with miles. Keep in mind that Redline and Amsoil are clearly Tier 1 oils. But they are also a thin oil base. My POV, they are both great effective wear choices for new low mile engine. Both of these oils have high detergent formula's. Using them in an older high mile engine can result in the sludge being removed and clean rotating parts can make noise. i.e. lifters. When I went from Royal Purple to Amsoil and then Redline in my 03 5.7 Hemi with 230k, the engine got noisy. Just what you would expect to hear from the engine with that many miles. I now run Pennzoil high mileage 10-40 and the engine is butter smooth and quite. I am not suggesting that you should do the same with your 5.7 at 97k. But I would agree, nothing less than 5-30. If you have the time and the curiosity, the synthetic thread in the archives is a great resource for understanding what has changed in oil over the last 5 years.

Yup, all my older engine did Much better on conventional oils. On my old 1999 Dodge magnum it started to eat oil Around 140k if I remember correctly running 5w30 synthetic. Switch it to a conventional 10w40 and my oil consumption was reduced by 50%. Overall engine noise was fantastic.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Yup, all my older engine did Much better on conventional oils. On my old 1999 Dodge magnum it started to eat oil Around 140k if I remember correctly running 5w30 synthetic. Switch it to a conventional 10w40 and my oil consumption was reduced by 50%. Overall engine noise was fantastic.

I realize that for some of us it is just common sense. But back in 03 there was Mobil 1 synthetic and it was not widely accepted. 03 engines were built assuming they would run on conventional oil.

 

[HammerHead]

I realize that for some of us it is just common sense. But back in 03 there was Mobil 1 synthetic and it was not widely accepted. 03 engines were built assuming they would run on conventional oil.

My dad only runs conventional oil, still runs 10w30 year round. Even in cold Michigan Winters. His oil analysis consists of rubbing the oil between his fingers, looking at it, feeling it, and a good visual. And smells it lol. He has more vehicles over 300k than anyone I know.

 

[Tom Williams]

Is penzoil platinum a good oil to use?

 

[HammerHead]

Is penzoil platinum a good oil to use?

I don’t think so, but the Pennzoil “Ultra” Platinum (PUP) is a fantastic oil. PP is an average off the shelf oil imo. Very thin by design.

 

[Tom Williams]

I don’t think so, but the Pennzoil “Ultra” Platinum (PUP) is a fantastic oil. PP is an average off the shelf oil imo. Very thin by design.

Thank you very much for the excellent advice! I will try the ultra platinum!

 

[HammerHead]

Thank you very much for the excellent advice! I will try the ultra platinum!

How many miles on your rig?

 

[Tom Williams]

How many miles on your rig?

97k

 

[HammerHead]

97k

I’d try Amsoil, Redline or PUP 5w30, all are fantastic oils imo. Since your at 97k keep an eye on oil levels through out your oil change interval, and do good visual inspections of the outside of the engine also. The 3 oil as stated have Really Good cleaning characteristics. Sometimes that causes issues with higher mileage engines.

 

[Tom Williams]

I’d try Amsoil, Redline or PUP 5w30, all are fantastic oils imo. Since your at 97k keep an eye on oil levels through out your oil change interval, and do good visual inspections of the outside of the engine also. The 3 oil as stated have Really Good cleaning characteristics. Sometimes that causes issues with higher mileage engines.

Thank you again! What mileage interval would you suggest? 3k or 5k

 

[grizzstang]

On PUP I do 6K (or 1 year), 3K would be a waste of good oil IMO.

Oil is cheaper than a new engine by far so if you have the time and money change it as often as you like.

 

[gdawg55]

I've been using Redline 5w30 since my first oil change at 2500 miles. Now have almost 20k miles and engine is running smooth and quiet. Not sure how it would effect an engine with almost 100k miles, but I would recommend a 30 weight oil no matter what brand oil you choose.