When are you doing your first oil change?

[Neurobit]

Pardon my ignorance but do people do their own oil changes on new trucks?
I’ve always done it in my older cars but they were well outside warranty and I didn’t want to pay someone else to do it. The dealer told me there is no services included at all, not even an oil change after break-in.
Can you do it yourself in a new truck, is there no requirement to reset a computer or anything?

You certainly can do them yourself if you chose to. Computer can be reset by the end user.

Cheers,

 

[Goatmann]

Pardon my ignorance but do people do their own oil changes on new trucks?
Can you do it yourself in a new truck, is there no requirement to reset a computer or anything?

Oil changes are not difficult at all on the 5.7 hemi. there is a proceedure to resetting the oil life monitor documented somewhere.

 

[Bdog]

We have a 19, an 18, & two 17s At our house. The oil changes in all of them are easy and resetting the computer takes less than a minute and is detailed in each owners manual.

I have a lift, a bulk oil dispenser, and a used oil tank that gets pumped out when full. If I didn’t have this I would pay to have it done. I hate hauling messy used oil around to the collection center.

 

[Ramit392]

I second this, but to each his own

Being old school I second that as well. Changed mine @ 2000 Miles with PUP with SRT filter and will change about every 8000 unless the system urges sooner.

 

[Ramit392]

Oil changes are not difficult at all on the 5.7 hemi. there is a proceedure to resetting the oil life monitor documented somewhere.

Except for the darn steering sway bar in the way and making me drip oil all over the place to change the filter!

 

[User_3336]

MMMMM. PUP = liquid gold!

Need to stock up on some since walmart still has it for $24.97. (was a $10 rebate as well)

e

Being old school I second that as well. Changed mine @ 2000 Miles with PUP with SRT filter and will change about every 8000 unless the system urges sooner.

 

[The_Chemist]

I used to manage an oil and coolant sampling lab for a local Caterpillar dealer. I'm a chemist.

Just to add my 2 cents... Oil is cheap. A new engine is not. As the engine runs, it creates "wear metals or wear particles". That's like adding sand to your oil to be an abrasive. With the wear metals in the oil, components will have a shorter life. This is true, especially in a new vehicle during break-in. I've got under 500 miles on my truck now, but will most likely change oil at 1,000 miles. Then, for me, since I don't plan on putting a lot of Mike's on the vehicle, I'll most likely change oil every 3 to 6 months.

One thing to remember is that time is also the enemy, regardless of miles. Oil can pick up condensate water which can combine with sulfur to create sulfuric acid (sulfation), especially true in diesel engines. There may be trace amounts of sulfur in gasoline depending how pure it is. Regardless of Sulfur, water can cause cavitation erosion in the cylinder walls.

In addition, as oil ages, it picks up oxygen (it oxidizes). This is also corrosive to engine components.

Synthetic oil tempts people to change it less frequently because the oil lasts longer and resists break-doen. You still have wear metals being created when the engine runs as well as oxidation from time with synthetic oil. Changing oil frequently, eliminates these issues.

I don't want to start any debates, I'm just passing along what I taught my customers, and what Caterpillar taught me.

Everyone has their own opinion on oil changes. My view is oil is cheap, a new engine is not. I'm putting low miles on my truck now - saving it for retirement. It will be paid off then. I'll change oil frequently and drive it just enough for now to keep it from deteriorating and enough for me to enjoy this beautiful Longhorn!

Good luck to everyone with their Ram trucks as well!

 

[Ramit392]

MMMMM. PUP = liquid gold!

Need to stock up on some since walmart still has it for $24.97. (was a $10 rebate as well)

e

I order mine on Amazon cheaper than Walmart and if you Buy it in bulk Gallon jugs its really cheaper at Amazon over walmart. I order my filters from Amazon too. They have about any filter you choose to use. I agree on the Liquid Gold! I buy for the Scat Pack and Ram but cannot get the 0/40 in gallon jugs like you can the 5/20 .

 

[User_3336]

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w-20 is $24.97 both at Walmart and Amazon currently.

I ordered some from Amazon, and it had a manufacture date of 11/16. I immediately sent it back (had been sitting in a warehouse in Memphis, TN I found out)
Ordered thru walmart, and manufacture date was 5/18.

the $10 off a 5qt jug goes thru 12/31/18.

I order mine on Amazon cheaper than Walmart and if you Buy it in bulk Gallon jugs its really cheaper at Amazon over walmart. I order my filters from Amazon too. They have about any filter you choose to use. I agree on the Liquid Gold! I buy for the Scat Pack and Ram but cannot get the 0/40 in gallon jugs like you can the 5/20 .

 

[Ramit392]

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w-20 is $24.97 both at Walmart and Amazon currently.

I ordered some from Amazon, and it had a manufacture date of 11/16. I immediately sent it back (had been sitting in a warehouse in Memphis, TN I found out)
Ordered thru walmart, and manufacture date was 5/18.

the $10 off a 5qt jug goes thru 12/31/18.

I can never find the 5/20 5 Qt jugs at two local Walmarts here and cannot find 0/40 for the Scat Pack at any Walmart's or Local parts houses local at all in one quart bottles or jugs. But that is the same price I get it for with no tax and free delivery. Never paid any mind to the production date. I would think it has no bearing on the quality of oil in sealed container stored out of sun light in controlled temps. but may be wrong.

 

[jkratze1]

I have 4900 miles on my truck and the oil life monitor in the dash says I still have 49% oil life left. I could probably go 9k miles before using up the oil life but I will probably be safe and change it around 6K miles.

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

Just changed mine this evening at 2910 miles. I wanted to do it at 2500 to get the break in oil out. Did it tonight to get ready for holiday travels.

I used the factory recommended Penzoil 5w20 with an STP filter. The factory filter was on too tight. I had to cut a bike innertube to make a rubber grip ring for my strap wrench to grip. I put a gallon ziplock bag around the filter and didn't spill a drop. I also cut the bottom out of a 20 oz plastic soda bottle at an angle to make a funnel that redirected the drain pan flow away from the stabiizer bar straight down to my catch pan. No mess at all.

It held 7.75 quarts and was 1/8th inch from full on the dipstick with the engine at 150°F. It may rise a bit when hot so I left it there.

Overall....the 2019 is a PITA to change the oil!

 

[Joker4L]

I had the dealer change mine about 3 weeks ago at around 3,800 miles. It was her first oil change. I requested a full synthetic oil change and these ****ers put regular oil in and didn’t even change the oil filter!!!

Army has taught me one thing for sure and that is TOO TRUST BUT VERIFY! I crawled under the truck and looked at the filter and it was cover it dirt and cobwebs and even had a stamp stating factory installed. It also didn’t have a drop of oil on it or around it.

I immediately drove back to the dealer and raised hell. They immediately took the truck in put the correct oil in and new oil filter.

I hate dealerships, I sincerely do

It was the Macon Five Star dealership here in middle Georgia FYI.

 

[Jako]

I had the dealer change mine about 3 weeks ago at around 3,800 miles. It was her first oil change. I requested a full synthetic oil change and these ****ers put regular oil in and didn’t even change the oil filter!!!

Army has taught me one thing for sure and that is TOO TRUST BUT VERIFY! I crawled under the truck and looked at the filter and it was cover it dirt and cobwebs and even had a stamp stating factory installed. It also didn’t have a drop of oil on it or around it.

I immediately drove back to the dealer and raised hell. They immediately took the truck in put the correct oil in and new oil filter.

I hate dealerships, I sincerely do

It was the Macon Five Star dealership here in middle Georgia FYI.

Nice job on your part.
My wife went to Metro Honda in Jersey City NJ for her 2006 Honda Accord and was charged for a valve adjustment and they also tried to sell her brakes that she didn't need. They left someting on the leather seat which caused damage to the finish. The back of the driver seat does not stay on after they "fixed" the heated seat under warranty. They bitched when they got a sub par rating.
Very difficult to find 100% reliable service. I've had 6 qts of oil put in my 2001 ram 1500 that requires 5 and loose and missing lug nuts.
Major BMW motorcycle dealer did an "abortion" on my 2016 tail luggage rack.
I don't know what the issues are. The hourly rate should have everyone (employees/owners) satisfied.

 

[Rammit]

I do wish they would of changed the oil filter location to the top like in the pentastar V6. The hemi dumps oil everywhere when dropping the filter.

 

[Joker4L]

Nice job on your part.
My wife went to Metro Honda in Jersey City NJ for her 2006 Honda Accord and was charged for a valve adjustment and they also tried to sell her brakes that she didn't need. They left someting on the leather seat which caused damage to the finish. The back of the driver seat does not stay on after they "fixed" the heated seat under warranty. They bitched when they got a sub par rating.
Very difficult to find 100% reliable service. I've had 6 qts of oil put in my 2001 ram 1500 that requires 5 and loose and missing lug nuts.
Major BMW motorcycle dealer did an "abortion" on my 2016 tail luggage rack.
I don't know what the issues are. The hourly rate should have everyone (employees/owners) satisfied.

I am originally from Bayonne NJ and I would never go to any dealership off of rt440. My buddy used to work for the Kia and Nissan and would tell me horror stories. It is Jersey city though .

 

[User_3336]

Yep, they screwed up, but always makes you wonder if they botch something else because they had to re-do the work.
Like, did they really put synthetic back in the second time or just use regular oil?

that's why I always do my own.

I had the dealer change mine about 3 weeks ago at around 3,800 miles. It was her first oil change. I requested a full synthetic oil change and these ****ers put regular oil in and didn’t even change the oil filter!!!

Army has taught me one thing for sure and that is TOO TRUST BUT VERIFY! I crawled under the truck and looked at the filter and it was cover it dirt and cobwebs and even had a stamp stating factory installed. It also didn’t have a drop of oil on it or around it.

I immediately drove back to the dealer and raised hell. They immediately took the truck in put the correct oil in and new oil filter.

I hate dealerships, I sincerely do

It was the Macon Five Star dealership here in middle Georgia FYI.

 

[Ramit392]

Just changed mine this evening at 2910 miles. I wanted to do it at 2500 to get the break in oil out. Did it tonight to get ready for holiday travels.

I used the factory recommended Penzoil 5w20 with an STP filter. The factory filter was on too tight. I had to cut a bike innertube to make a rubber grip ring for my strap wrench to grip. I put a gallon ziplock bag around the filter and didn't spill a drop. I also cut the bottom out of a 20 oz plastic soda bottle at an angle to make a funnel that redirected the drain pan flow away from the stabiizer bar straight down to my catch pan. No mess at all.

It held 7.75 quarts and was 1/8th inch from full on the dipstick with the engine at 150°F. It may rise a bit when hot so I left it there.

Overall....the 2019 is a PITA to change the oil!

bravo! Will use your idea!

 

[Biga]

I had the dealer change mine about 3 weeks ago at around 3,800 miles. It was her first oil change. I requested a full synthetic oil change and these ****ers put regular oil in and didn’t even change the oil filter!!!

Army has taught me one thing for sure and that is TOO TRUST BUT VERIFY! I crawled under the truck and looked at the filter and it was cover it dirt and cobwebs and even had a stamp stating factory installed. It also didn’t have a drop of oil on it or around it.

I immediately drove back to the dealer and raised hell. They immediately took the truck in put the correct oil in and new oil filter.

I hate dealerships, I sincerely do

It was the Macon Five Star dealership here in middle Georgia FYI.

That sucks I lived in Macon in highschool and bought my first truck from them a used 95 Ram, it ended up having a lot of problems.

 

[geotex1]

Both as an old school gearhead and practicing engineer for longer than I wager most forum members have been on earth, I'm not changing my proven ways. Motor is broken on through a full range of regular driving conditions (no red light throttle drops) for 500 miles. That gives good metal seasoning and gentle settling in around the tolerances. Oil is changed and filter cut open to inspect. Next grand I drive it like normal, which is aggressive as my nature is to lead, not follow. I change it again and inspect the filter. If all good, 6K or 6mos for synthetic. I also inspect and change trans and differentials after the 1500. Lube is cheap, and how well mechanicals mesh directly equate to greater reliability. This is me, YMMV.