If it dosen't leak now it shouldn't leak after. I've changed over a number of high mileage vehicles with no leaks or ill affects.

 

Changing next week to Amsoil XL 5w20 with ea fillter. That will increase oil cap a bit. My change message seems to come on every 2500-3000 miles. I just clear it out. I believe it goes by hours and mileage.

 

I have a 2004 ram 1500 and have been using 5w-30 based on what the 2004 factory service manual listed. Is 5w-20 the new recommendation from dodge? Will I benefit from this change. And I just did my oil last week....Mike

 

I have a 2010 ram. With the MDS they are stating u need to use 5w20. I heard that using any other weight messes with the MDS. 2004 may be different. Stick with you are using.

 

I have read most of the posts here and thought I would throw out my $.02 worth. I have been changing oil in my vehicles since 1973 and read many things regarding better oils and extended runs between changes. I even remember when you were reccomended to change your oil filter every other change. My process now is to change oil and filter with a high quality oil every 5000 miles and rotate my tires every 10000. This works great for remembering when to change and rotate. The only additional thing I do is around 60000-75000 miles i switch to the same BRAND high mileage oil. I have never blown a motor, or even had to do any internal repairs and have had over 20 vehicles including 3 new ones all of which went over 100,000 miles. My son is currently driving a 97 Ram 1500 with 185,000 miles that he got from me with 150,000 and it uses/leaks 1 quart and is 1 quart low when due for the next change at 5000 miles. I know this is long but just wanted you to see I have some history to back up what I feel is good practice for engine protection. Use high quality, same brand oil, changing regularly and consistently, with good filters and you will be good for lots of trouble free miles. BTW I have always used Valvoline but would be just as comfortable with some other brands like Pennzoil.

 

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You own a Viper and had to ask a parts man plus one not in a Dodge dealer what oil to use? Now your on a Dodge TRUCK forum? You are kidding right? Have you tried PEP boys. They have Viper specialists.

 

I use royal purple 5w-20w and a k&n drop in air filter gained an additional 3.9 miles per gallon 17.8 city 22.9 highway 0n a 2012 1500 ram with the 5.7 liter hemi. Allen c.

 

My 2013 has 3400 miles or so, still haven't gotten the oil change message, in fact I checked the oil life, and it says 56%. I've been towing a 18' tin boat since 1,000 miles. And most mile are towing. After reading this 10 page post, I'm changing oil tomorrow!!!! I'm going to go with Mobile 1 full synthetic and a Dodge filter.

Short story, I called Mobile 1 a few years ago, since they never said how long to run the oil. The lady told me "Change it?" "You don't change it, remove the filter at 5,000 miles, and install a new filter, and add a quart" Well I got off the phone with her, and said YEA RIGHT, WATCH ME!!!!!!!

 

Well I did my oil change today. The truck had 3619 miles on it. I used Mobile 1 full synthetic, and a Dodge 899 filter. When I bought the truck the salesman told us NOT to change the oil early, and to wait till the message center told us to. Well after most of the 3619 miles are towing (probably about 2200 of them) I figured it was time, and I wanted to get the Mobile 1 in it. When I went to reset the oil life meter, I saw the last reset was 3610 miles ago. And the oil life message said there was still 56% of the oil life left. So now I'm wondering if the oil was changed at 9 miles, or if the reset meter was just reset. If they did change the oil, what happened to waiting till the message center said to. I don't see how changing the oil a little early could do damage. It's hard to understand what to do, when the salesman says to do one thing, and the manual says to do something else. I'm guessing the manual is the right thing to follow. Any thoughts. Thanks.