The 6.4 HD Hemi Thread

[Jonthefireman]

I called the Mobil 1 tech line. They do not have an oil that meets MS-12633. They told me that their 0W40 has not been tested to those specifications.

So, at this time, it looks like only the Pennzoil Ultra (or the Mopar packaged version) meets MS-12633.

The Ultra was supposedly formulated in conjunction with Chrysler/SRT engineers and Pennzoil. It sounds like they came up with a new specification that would ensure exclusivity until other oil companies can test to the new specification and then re-label their product. From the perspective of maintaining the warranty it looks like you have to use the Ultra.

I do know that some SRT guys use the 0W40 Mobil 1. Rumor has it that it used to be the factory SRT fill.



Pennzoil Ultra 0W-40

PENNZOIL ULTRA™ 0W-40

Ultra-Class Full Synthetic

The motor oil that helps keep high-performance engines clean and protected so they perform better.

Pennzoil® synthetic technology has taken synthetics to a new level with the creation of an ultra-thin motor oil designed specifically to help keep high-performance and luxury engines as close as possible to factory clean. Pennzoil Ultra™ 0W-40 is the only motor oil trusted to be factory fill in every Chrysler® SRT8® HEMI® engine, and the new 2013 SRT® Viper®.4 And it's the exact same oil that Team Penske uses right-out-of-the-bottle in the IZOD IndyCar Series.




Olli

Wow, thanks Olli for doing all this research! Sound's like Ram and Pennzoil brokered a deal and cornered the market on our motor oil choices for a while! I've never been a big fan of Pennzoil, but I guess I'm stuck with it!

 

[Kidder]

What about Amsoil?

 

[Olli]

Amsoil does not make a 0W40 oil.

Olli

 

[Donelam304]

A guy at work has an SRT and that thing is a pain. He changed his 1 time and wont do it again. He tried doing it with 10W40 valvoline and it threw codes. Then tried the mobile 1 0W40 and it still threw a code. He had to take it to the dealership and have it flushed and then refilled. Supposedly there is a sensor that measures the viscosity in the oil and if it's wrong, it will throw a code and put the engine in to an limp mode where he couldn't go over 40mph. Lol. When he told me that I was like holy crap, that's messed up. That makes it to where those of us that always do our own servicing can't anymore. Grrrrrrr....

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[Jonthefireman]

A guy at work has an SRT and that thing is a pain. He changed his 1 time and wont do it again. He tried doing it with 10W40 valvoline and it threw codes. Then tried the mobile 1 0W40 and it still threw a code. He had to take it to the dealership and have it flushed and then refilled. Supposedly there is a sensor that measures the viscosity in the oil and if it's wrong, it will throw a code and put the engine in to an limp mode where he couldn't go over 40mph. Lol. When he told me that I was like holy crap, that's messed up. That makes it to where those of us that always do our own servicing can't anymore. Grrrrrrr....

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Oh man, that is some crazy s@#$%T!!! Well, I will stick with the recommended oil but I'm gonna continue to change it myself. I just don't trust anyone to mess with my baby unless absolutely necessary! Every time I do, she comes back with something just not "right"!

 

[Donelam304]

Oh I agree. Lol. I'm the same way with my vehicles. Especially my motorcycle. Lol. And I work at a bike shop on my off days from the fire Dept. We have a lot of guys that tide that will come in and get their bikes serviced only as long as it's by me. Lol. Because they know it will go out of there better and cleaner than it came in. Lol. But then if ya ever seen my bike ya would know I'm meticulous on my bike and all that chrome. Lol.

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[Jonthefireman]

Of course, what else would us old AF firefighters do on our days off!

 

[Olli]

Just remember to go shopping for the 0W40 Ultra before you actually need it. Especially if you want to find it for the best price. I doubt that Walmart will stock it. I don't know about Advanced Auto. I did find it last week at my local PepBoys. I think that it was about $9.xx /quart.

This is a direct link to buy it. Pennzoil Ultra 0W-40

And of course there is Amazon......Or your local dealer.

Just as an exercise try calling your local dealer and ask service or parts what oil they stock for the 6.4L. I did. They answered 0W40 Ultra. That gave me some confidence in them.
]

Olli

 

[Jonthefireman]

Just remember to go shopping for the 0W40 Ultra before you actually need it. Especially if you want to find it for the best price. I doubt that Walmart will stock it. I don't know about Advanced Auto. I did find it last week at my local PepBoys. I think that it was about $9.xx /quart.

This is a direct link to buy it. And of course there is Amazon......Or your local dealer. Just as an exercise try calling your local dealer and ask service or parts what oil they stock for the 6.4L. I did. They answered 0W40 Ultra.

Pennzoil Ultra 0W-40

Olli

Thanks Olli. Just out of curiousity....what kind of filter are you going with??

 

[nukeman]

Before I purchased back in December I researched the oil/filters. I saw the 0-40 spec, the 7 quart fill and the SRT spec. It's the primary reason I went with the dealer "$75.00 for 3 oil change" sell when I financed. I work a second job at autozone. The ONLY oil autozone sells that is spec'd for the 6.4 is the Pennzoil Ultra that Ollie has mentioned. It's $9.59 a quart.....so, $75 for 3 changes is a steal. I usually do all my own maintenance, but in this case, they can have it. Im hopeful that RP or Mobil 1 specs it soon, although I'm very skeptical that either in a 0-40 wouldn't work just fine.

 

[Olli]

Thanks Olli. Just out of curiousity....what kind of filter are you going with??

I will go with the Mopar .If I use an aftermarket one, Wix.

Olli

 

[Jonthefireman]

Hey guys....new question. This is my first 4x4 truck, so this could be completely "normal", but I figured I'd ask before I take to back to the shop and look like a moron. On occasion, not every time, but often when the truck is down shifting and drops back to 1st is really seems to hammer hard. I figure it's probably just the "torque converter" since it's 4 wheel drive, or am I just making that **** up to make myself feel all warm and fuzzy?? I mean it's not bad, but it's just seems a little harsh. My 1500 didn't do it, and I guess I'm starting to compare everything which is probably apples to oranges.

 

[Donelam304]

This truck does shift a lot harder than a 1500. I had a Silverado and this thing is a beast compared to it.

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[ajsuper8]

I have a new 2014 6.4.. i was sold the truck by the sales manager of the dealership that it would average 15mpg.. I got 9.5-10.5 now with 3600 miles and very conservative driving i get about 12-12.5. I took a trip to Nashville from lexington it seems if you go over 65 the mileage just doesnt matter .. I can go 90 and get the same..
it has been back to the dealer 4 times with complaints about the mileage after all i have a business and fuel costs are important. No luck and i even got Ram customer service involved and insisted on a engineer to confirm the mileage sucks.
the battle is too hard a fight and now that i have read this thread its obvious that mileage is not good.. Why have MDA?
Besides that i think its a great truck with terrific ride for a 3/4 ton and the laramie has just about everything i could ask for in comfort.
Will be towing a 30ft box trailer to fla. soon will see how it goes..

 

[Olli]

I have a new 2014 6.4.. i was sold the truck by the sales manager of the dealership that it would average 15mpg.. I got 9.5-10.5 now with 3600 miles and very conservative driving i get about 12-12.5. I took a trip to Nashville from lexington it seems if you go over 65 the mileage just doesnt matter .. I can go 90 and get the same..
it has been back to the dealer 4 times with complaints about the mileage after all i have a business and fuel costs are important. No luck and i even got Ram customer service involved and insisted on a engineer to confirm the mileage sucks.
the battle is too hard a fight and now that i have read this thread its obvious that mileage is not good.. Why have MDA?
Besides that i think its a great truck with terrific ride for a 3/4 ton and the laramie has just about everything i could ask for in comfort.
Will be towing a 30ft box trailer to fla. soon will see how it goes..

I'm not sure what to say......I know that the 6.4 isn't going to be an economy champ, but I don't expect it to get only single digit fuel economy either while driving empty. Is the bed empty? Do you have a lot of elevation changes where you are driving? How are you calculating your mpg? Do you use the remote start ? Lots of stop and go? Tire pressure? E-brake fully disengaging? Has the dealer checked to make sure that all brake calipers are not sticking? If you have a non-contact temp gun check rotor temps yourself after driving normally.

You typed "MDA". I think that you meant to type MDS.

Why not tell us more about your truck. Model, cab configuration, bed length, rear gear ratio, wheel / tire size.


Olli

 

[parkersdad]

That is the reason I just sold mine and bought the diesel. I get 15 to 16 in town not even being easy. Diesel is more but dang I was getting 10 with the Hemi.

 

[FF in MN]

You guys are killin me...here I was sold on the 6.4...now doubt is creepin in!

 

[Olli]

I'm not sure why Parkersdad even posted. He had a 5.7 (non-MDS) in a '13 chassis.

Starting with the '14 , the 2500 received the new chassis and has the new front electronic axle disconnect. That alone was done to improve efficiency. It is supposed to be good for 1 mpg. If there were no gains to be had, do you really think that Ram would have spent money on R&D, tooling, and manufacturing of a new part?

All I know is that in my 45 minute test drive I did not see 10 mpg. I had to put gas in the truck for the test drive myself. Of course the dealer gave me a voucher for the gas station that they use. The readout on the truck with 21 miles on it was 13.5 mpg. I reset the avg. mpg to zero. At the end of my drive it was reading mid 14. Even if you were to deduct 10% of that for inaccuracy, you would not be at 10.

The review over at PUTC wrote that they averaged 15.x mpg.

2014 Ram HD 2500-3500: First Drive - PickupTrucks.com News

Olli

 

[tradesman 1972]

Gave her a free reign for the first time yesterday just to see. Governor works, lol.

I didnt realize oil would be such a problem until I saw this thread. You have me curious now. I had planned on using amsoil. Apparently that is out.

 

[tommy_harrell]

Got my truck today, 2014 2500 4x4 6.4 crew cab short bed Outdoorsman, replaced a 2005 2500 4x4 Cummins quad cab Laramie/Sport. It is certainly going to take time to get used to it. The '14 is taller, longer, and quieter. Same trailer capacity, and increased payload. The shifts are firmer than my Uncle's '13 8speed hemi. You can hear the MDS, but not feel it. Hope to start on the flatbed next week.


Tommy