I was wondering about my oil pressure. I just bought a ’03 2500 CTD 4x4 with 24,500 miles and my oil pressure is always within the operating range. When cold it is always at the high mark but when hot it moves from just inside the high mark to about 1/8th of in inch inside the low as engine rpm changes from driving to ideling, and I was wondering if this is normal because some vehicles I have had always show almost the same pressure at idle and off idle when hot. I ask because a friend made comment that is CTD always shows high oil pressure. I don’t know if a very low viscosity oil was used at the last oil change or not, it was done by the dealer when they took the truck on a trade in. Also since I don’t know when the fuel filter was changed is it a good idea to go ahead and change it?

Thanks

Jeff

 

The gauge in the dash is not a real oil pressure reading. It is estimated by the computer. If you are worried, get a real one hooked up. It is normal from what I think you are describing.

 

YEP!! NORMAL!!!

 

mine is the same way.when its cold the the gauge is pegged.and then drops when it gets warmed up.

 

anything over 6psi, the ecm tells the gauge to move around and pretend it is a real gauge.. it is a glorified idoit light

 

I am curious why DC would just make the needle wonder. I guess this weekend I will put a oil line and real pressure gauge on to see what it does.

Jeff

 

To save money.

 

I have a mechanical in the cab from the filter housing. When stone cold it idles at 82psi, when warm and cruising down the turn pike, it is about 68psi and the engine temp is 189. The idiot gauge in dash at cruising is a bit above 40. so your probably running about 60-65psi if the stock gauge is in the so called good range.