Sweeper54

4x4 I've got an 04 and the 3750 oil change is only for CA Low Emissions vehicle only. Look at the footnote. My service manager didn't even read it.

StrokeThisCTD

or you could just go to the website of the people who make the engine and find out that it is indeed 7500/15,000 miles

http://www.everytime.cummins.com/eve...aintenance.jsp

1sttruck

The 2003 CARB engine (CA engine) has a cat, no egr, and a 3750 mi severe service oil change interval, evidently due to the increased soot level from the lower temps that it runs at. I wouldn't be surprised if the Canadian vehicles had a 3750 mi oil change interval, due to the potentially cold temperatures. I'd also stick with the recommended change intervals during warranty, as 'my synthetic is good for 25,000 miles' probably won't cut it.

djbikeman

I have two books that came with my 04.5 that contradict themselves in regard to oil change intervals. Both these books tuck into on of those cheap vinyl holders. Maybe this is where the confusion is coming from.

The book titled "2004 Ram Truck Diesel Owners Manual" says:

Schedule B -- 7500 miles (page 388)
Schedule A -- 15000 miles (page 396)

The book titled 2004 Ram Truck Diesel Maintenance Logbook" says:


Schedule B -- 3750 miles
Schedule A -- 7500 miles

The Cummins website also states 7500/15000

I change my oil every 7500 miles or 6 weeks, whichever comes first...its usually the miles.

6 2 Carl

I was also confused about the oil change interval on my truck when I first got it. I knew the proper interval was 12,000km/24,000km. However it looked like my manuals showed 6000kms. After closely reading them I discovered that the maintenance does require a service every 6000km, but the oil is changed every second 6000km interval. It seems Dodge wants you to bring in the truck every 6000km to check the filter minder, brake hoses and a few other things.

The owner’s manual is also confusing, since the list the oil changes at every 6000km for the 235 California versions. The fine print must be read so that you are not tricked into changing every 6000kms.

Carl

J&L

lightman and strokethisctd are right. All '03 and up HPCR HOs are 7500/15000 oil change intervals. Some ain't reading the little crosses and diamond symbols in their maintenence/service manuals. This has been a big selling point for the new engines. The service tech at my small town dealer says he has giving schooling to a lot of customers that want to use the 3500 mi schedule when they come for a oil change. My '03 HO doesn't start to change color until 6-8000 mi. ........JIM

4x4not

djbikeman: Actually, mine is the same way. The log book lists 3750/7500, while I believe the MANUAL says 7500/15000

djbikeman

There are no little crosses and symbols refering to CA emissions in the 04.5 and 05 owners manuals.

Lightman and strokethisCTD are right about the interval being 7500/15000, but all of you referring to the symbols for CA emissions etc. own 03's and 04's. As far as I know, those symbols aren't necessary in the books for 04.5 and 05 and were deleted.

I think we all understand now that the Schedule B oil change is 7500 miles and the schedule A is 15000 miles for 03-05 HO CTD's.

CRXsi

I have actually emailed Chrysler Canada on this issue and am awaiting a reply. I also agree that the 04½ manual does not have any cross hair or diamonds in the owners manual and the diesel maintenence log book (the only log book supplied with my truck) has oil changes at every 6000km interveal as well as the usual inspections and what not.

I will let everyone know what Dodges position is when or if they reply to my enquiry.

CRXsi

I just ran out to the truck and grabbed my book...I partially lied, there are diamonds and cross hairs with reference to tier 1 epa and California LEV but there is also a plain old 'X' every 6000km which to me means this is when it is due unless it is one of the crosses or diamonds. I am going to post the pictures in the picture gallery.

Now I see where the confusion comes from...does the 'X' mean that all vehicles require it or does it mean that only the ones with the diamond or cross hair require it? I am assuming because there is an 'X' that it is all? Maybe I am wrong on this one? Either way take a look at the photo's and let me know what everyone elses take is.

ptm600

As 6 2 Carl stated, my log book and owners manual have a page for service at 3750, but that is for other service checks. The oil change is on everyother of those pages. Which is every 7500 miles. So mine states 7500 or 15000.

CRXsi

You know what...feeling kinda dumb now...I just noticed the same as well. The owners manual has an 'X' every 3750miles ans well as a '◊' and a '†'. So I was asuming because there was an 'X' that this meant do it. However it now appears that if there are other symbols that it means only do it if the other symbols are there? Likewise when I looked through my maintenance log book with the tear off pages it does indeed only have oil changes on every second page for the B schedule. The first oil change I did very early, the second was at the time the first should have been done and then the 3rd I switched to synthetic for the winter (I know other opinions are out there about this as well but 15W40 doesn't flow well at -35°C to -40°C) and have since stuck with the synthetic. I wasn't really following the oil change guidelines anyways till now because of the circumstances so I guess this is how I overlooked the fact that the maintenance manual, not the owners manaul, does indeed skip an oil change every other service.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WAS PERSISTENT IN THIS MATTER and helped srtaighten me out as it is definitly a little confusing how it is written between the owners manual and the maintenance log?

Lightman

You're welcome Gord and others who missed the symbols. Hope that helps people save some money and time. 7500 is nothing. If you guys note, it says in the a/b maintenance logbook - use schedule b if you 'usually' drive in the below conditions. I think most people are somewhere in between schedule a and b.

moterhead

I think the DC manual writers are purposely told to write about those change intervals in as confusing a manner as possible! Reading those things is like trying to do your own income taxes!!! DC and the dealers WANT you to bring your truck in every 3750 for an oil change. Heck, they'd like it if you'd bring it every 1,000, or even 100 miles. An oil change is easy profit for the company. They use low paid labor to do oil changes, not a real tech and charge full retail for everything. JOIBO!

ptm600

I'm happy I could be of help. I think most people don't read close enough and just assume they need to change oil an filter at 3750.