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My First Oil Change - Some Notes for those interested in trying it themselves

First time changing the oil on my 2019 Big Horn 1500 yesterday. Not the truck's first oil change, but it's approaching 16K miles and I'm heading to the racetrack in the desert next weekend. Gonna be 105F at least and some fresh synthetic should hold up well in the heat.

I did similar with the Rhino Ramps (6000lb x 2), took a couple tries to get the tires up top against the stopper. My driveway is at a slight incline, so it needed a smidge of gas to crawl (or launch) up them. The ramps looked solid under the weight of the truck. Tried using a creeper, but the beer belly was causing clearance issues.

I picked up the ramps, Mopar filter and two 5qt jugs of Pennzoil Synthetic 5w20 ($18/ea) at Walmart. Caught most of the oil drain as intended, but it was windy and got a little messy. I was able to break the filter loose by hand, however was out of gallon size ziplocks and had to settle for quart size.

Good thing I let the truck cool off a bit, hot oil running down your arm is no fun.

Been going to the dealer for my oil changes, but it's like pulling teeth to get in and you don't know what time you're getting your truck back. The dealer also keeps putting Syn Blend in the truck when I request Synthetic. Figured the added bonus is that it will allow me to pass down a handy skill to my little one when he's old enough to change his own oil.

On a side note, I was getting some bad vibrations from the MDS at low RPM and have not noticed it in the 20-30 miles I've driven so far. Hope it's not just placebo effect.
MDS - see what happens when you load up the back seat. Take a few storage containers or people and see if you notice a difference with the MDS. There is a thread on the MDS. The noise is more prevalent with people or things in the back seat. There is plenty of information on the below link. Best of luck.

 
In case some of you are interested, here is my oil analysis on my 2nd oil change. The first sample I sent last year somehow didn't make it to the lab. I'm actually pleasantly surprised by how low the break-in metals are on just the 2nd oil change.

Also, this truck does spend a bit of time on dusty roads and off-roading in the desert, so the factory air filter and oil filter seems to be excellent based on the very low insolubles.

Blackstone Labs - RAM Sample.JPG
 
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Old thread but wanted to say thanks for all the tips. Did first oil change today. Took over an hour which is pretty sad but i wanted to take my time and do it right with little or no mess.

I used the two ziploc bag technique taking off the filter-what seemed like 1mm at a time. I used a filter wrench with the pivoting handle, while the engine was still warm and it moved right away, but i wasn't sure when oil would start leaking out so i went super slow. I should've used the wrench more than i did, looking back, cause it took quite a bit of turning for the oil to start escaping. I did manage to remove it with no drops.

I only filled the filter about half full when i put the new one in cause i didn't want any spilling when i tried to manipulate it back into place.

Should be able to change it much faster next time. Not as fast as i can in my 3.6 Wrangler, but hopefully in more reasonable time.

Thanks again!
 
I just changed the oil and filter in my 2024 Ram 5.7 Hemi for the first time yesterday. Factory fill had 4,752 miles on it. From a cold start I drove the truck 20 miles round trip to warm up the oil so it would drain out more completely. It was 68 degrees outside, windows down and sunroof open and the trip was mostly on a flat road with cruise set at 60. As I pulled back in my driveway oil temperature was 221, trans 183, coolant 207, oil pressure was 48 and I got 20.4 MPG.

Changed the oil and refilled with Pennzoil Ultra Synthetic 5W-30 and Fram oil filter XG 10060. Took the exact same route with the only difference it was now 72 degrees outside. As I pulled back in my driveway oil temperature was 214, trans 185, coolant 205, oil pressure was 53 and I got the exact same 20.4 MPG. Other than a better oil pressure and slightly lower oil temperature which with fresh oil with a higher viscosity is to be expected everything was basically the same.

Other than trying to get my large hands through the opening to the filter the oil change was not difficult. I did use an oil udder on the filter (which worked flawlessly) and replaced the drain plug with a Fumoto F106N. Other than just a few drips from the filter housing after I removed the oil filter, I didn't spill any on my driveway.
 
After that oil has about 4-5k miles on it do it again, just curious to see after the oil starts breaking down.
 
Did my first oil change on the 5.7L this morning, at 4,725 miles, or 1 year since I purchased the truck. The build date was actually Jan 2019, so this oil was over 1 year 7 months old, so good idea to change it.

I went with Shell Rotella Gas Truck synthetic 5W-20 and Mopar MO-339 filter. Purchased two 5 quart jugs at Walmart for $22 each and the oil filter at $10. I love the fact these jugs don't have the foil seal to worry about falling into the crankcase when pouring in, just a clean top after your remove the cap.

For lifting the truck, I used a set of Rhino Ramps 16,000 lbs capacity ($50 amazon). They held up great, absolutely no issues driving up and down ramps, zero signs of tension on the ramps. I also used two waterproof tarps to lay under the truck for oil spillage.

My greatest worry (as is many) was that the oil filter would be really hard to remove. Luckily for me, it easily came off. I wonder if it's because I got the engine to full operating temp before I did the oil change? Maybe the 200F heat made the filter easier to remove? Either way, I used a strap wrench (Lisle Small Oil Filter Wrench $13 amazon) from the back side and it easily broke the seal.

Note - I didn't spill a drop of oil removing the filter. I used a two zip lock bag method. After breaking the seal and loosening the filter a bit, I put the first bag on. I continued to loosen until oil started pouring out of the filter. After the oil stopped pouring out, about 1 minute, I removed the first bag. Then I slipped on the 2nd bag and finished unscrewing the filter. Once the filter came off, about 1/4 quart of oil poured from the oil filter mount. Hold the bag there for about 10 seconds to capture this oil. Then remove the bag and filter and you are good to go.

This was honestly one of the easiest oil changes I've done in a while, I think getting the motor up to temp before you perform it may help with that notoriously over-tightened factory filter. Or maybe the ape who normally installs them was off at work when my engine was being built?.

Note - The drain bolt removal and pouring on the sway bar wasn't an issue at all. Even though my oil was very thin because it was hot, it came out easily and didn't make a mess. The trick is to leave the oil fill cap on tight during the first part of the drain. This will make the oil come out slower from the oil pan. It does hit the sway bar, but that isn't a big deal. Within a minute or so, it's just drips falling straight down and into your drain pan no longer hitting the sway bar. Once it's down to a slow drip, then loosen your oil fill cap and dip stick to aid in draining.

The oil drain bolt is 13mm and the torque spec is 25 ft-lbs. The truck took exactly 7 quarts to get it just at the 2nd dot on the dip stick. I took a sample of the oil and sending to Blackstone Labs, will update when I get it.
When you do your next oil change, try using the filter with the bolt head on the bottom (K&N) with a crows foot wrench, easy peasy! Also using the fumoto valve with a length of clear hose keeps things spotless on the bottom side. When done place a rubber nipple over the valve, reinstall the plastic retaining clip & done!
 

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Which Fumoto fits the 2019 ?
I'm using

Fumoto F106N FN-Series Drain Valve with Long Nipple with Lever Clip​

 

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Easy peasy.
Used a empty plastic bottle to cut a funnel for the drain plug problem, and used a plastic bag for the filter problem (and a few zip ties to lock them in place).
Left a few drops on the swaybar, due to bad funnel engineering, but that's about it.
Similar procedure as to the old RAM models, except for the swaybar maneuver.

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This is so much easier!
 

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I just changed my oil at 2,000 miles. Truck was built in January 21, bought in March. I used the Wix XP full synthetic filter and Amsoil XL. I have a good friend that gives me the Amsoil at cost. Took a little over 7 qts. The original filter was a mutha to break loose. I have a 6" lift so no ramps or jackstands needed (unforeseen benefit lol).

The Amsoil XL is rated for 12,000 miles, but I'm going to change it every 10,000. I didn't read anything about oil changes on these trucks and the swaybar got me. Splashed right up my nose. I know now ha.

I just don't trust anyone to touch my vehicles anymore. Absolutely no one. Last truck I had I took it to the most trusted place I know of to have my tires rotated. The impact got away from them and chipped my rim. I don't have to wait in line, wonder if someone is having a bad day or anything. Just me and my truck doing some bonding. Good thread!

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Try the fumoto valve, it's makes it real easy!
 

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When you do your next oil change, try using the filter with the bolt head on the bottom (K&N) with a crows foot wrench, easy peasy! Also using the fumoto valve with a length of clear hose keeps things spotless on the bottom side. When done place a rubber nipple over the valve, reinstall the plastic retaining clip & done!

Thanks for the tips. I rather use the OEM filter though, with me installing them now it's easy to remove, and super clean with my 2x zip lock bag method.
 
Try the fumoto valve, it's makes it real easy!
Oh man this seems so long ago now. Now I'm changing every 3-4,000 miles. I have the Pacbrake filter relocation kit and the Valvomax drain valve. Love it
 

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