My truck has 25,000 on it, but this will be it's first oil change with me as the owner. The dealer kept all of the initial owner's documents and he did all his own oil changes with standard 10W30.

My question is what should I do when she's due in another couple hundred miles? I've always taken my gas dodge to the dealer and been very happy with the way they treat me. What about this one? Take it to dealer or do it myself? Standard oil or synth.?

thanks,
daniel

 

10W-30 in a diesel ?? He probably didn't tow. My Dodge dealer does it for 35 dollars. I do my own with Fleet Guard filters[all] and 15W-40 Rotella oil. I have had eight different trucks[2 diesel/5gassers] and put 150000-220000 mi on each one and have never used a synthetic. JIM

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I dont think there is a 10W30 Oil that is Diesel certified. For your truck any 15W40 that is CI-4 Certified will be fine. Buy 3 gallons(12 quarts) and a fleetguard filter. No special tricks, very straight foward to change it yourself. I'd have an oil analysis done on that truck. JMO.

 

Ooops, I just had another look at the previous owners reciepts and it does look like he bought 15W-40. Also, does the oil really need to be changed every 3000miles on these engines? Johnny, why an oil analysis done?

-daniel

 

Only because you said it had been run with 10W30 oil. Since it was 15W40 youre fine. I go every 5000 miles, and that is probably an overkill. The manual calls for 7500 or 15000 miles, depending on how you use your truck. The opinion around here is that almost everyone falls into the 7500 mile category. Good luck and enjoy the truck.

 

JFYI, There is diesel certified CI-4/SL 10-30 oil. It is usually used for winter applications.

 

The new diesel spec 10w-30 is for the infamous Ford 6.0L Powerstroke. Believe it's the factory fill.

MikeyB

 

I didnt know that. You learn something every day. Thanks

 

It's not new and it's not formulated around Ford diesel applications. Diesel 10-30 has been around for many many years. CI-4/SL is just the latest formulation for all diesels. Before CI it was CH before CH it was CG and before that it was CF etc. etc.

 

Really?? I have never seen 10w-30 diesel spec oil on the shelfs unit now. At least down in this part of the world.

MikeyB

 

Born and raised on a farm here in ND (46+ years ago). Have seen it almost as long a multi grades have been around. I'am not saying I have seen it 46 years ago what I am saying is it has been around almost as long as multi grade oils. Back in the days before multi grade oils there use to be straight 30 weight you used in the winter instead of straight 40. Even straight 30 is as thich as cold tar in the winter weather.

 

Ok, I'm only a few miles now from needing an oil change (if I go by the sticker the dealer put in my windshield) BTW, that is at 3000 miles... why would they put that sticker in my window when the manual states 7000 miles...unless I'm mistaken.


So, what will the oil change cost me at the dealership? What will it cost me to do it myself in the garage?

thanks,
daniel

 

Yep....I've seen Rotella-T 10W30 in five gallon buckets at parts houses and Tractor Supply.
Greg

 

Because he is either dishonest and out to drain your wallet or he's just oblivious to the Cummins requirements. Your choice.

 

This is not official but here's my interpretation of the oil change interval:

2004 owner's manual calls for 7500 or 15000

early 2004.5 manuals call for 7500 or 15000 (I think Dodge was using up their remaining manuals instead of throwing them away) I have a 2004.5 truck and my manual calls for 7500 or 15000.

I think some late 2004.5 and 2005 trucks call for a 3750 interval (or something close).

I think Dodge and/or Cummins wants a shorter oil change interval on the 600/610 engines (because they are working harder?) and they were too cheap to print new manuals when the 600 came out in the 2004.5 model.