Oil Change at 2500 Miles?
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, New York
- total engine revolutions
- total engine revolutions over 1500 - 4000 RPM
- oil temperature <> time (RPM)
- number of engine starts/restarts
- number of cold cycle starts under 80 F (40 F) (20 F) ( 0 F) (-20 F)
- number of shifts
- clutch indexes (automatic only)
- distance of trips
- RPM constant
Regards,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, dual exhaust, 20” wheels
Legend
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,663
Likes: 8
From: Central Oklahoma
They restrict how much you can take advantage of the oil changes I'm gonna guess.
Oil chang indicator light uses complex algorithms based on the length of cummute, rate of speed, how often you cycle the ignition, average time the engine is at operating temperature sorta stuff. My oil change light illuminated at 2800 miles AFTER I already did 2 oil changes...
I did my first oil change at 1kmi, another at 2500kmi, another at 5kmi and again at 10kmi. The first 10kmi of engine life is the most crucial. The most metal deposits from the initial wear/break-in happens within this timeframe. Running your first oil change to 5kmi off the bat is a bad idea and I just dont understand why manufacturer doesn't state otherwise.
I went to Synthetic after the first oil change @1kmi. Brand new cars come off the line with Synthetic from the start so it's not like your hurting anything. That "myth" is just that. Synthetic provides better overall protection than conventional no matter how you slice-n-dice it!
My wifes 2012 Subaru comes with Synthetic oil from the factory and only reccomends Synthetic oil every 7500miles. Her first oil change will be at 2500miles and every 5-6kmi thereafter as she does alot of highway travel.
Oil chang indicator light uses complex algorithms based on the length of cummute, rate of speed, how often you cycle the ignition, average time the engine is at operating temperature sorta stuff. My oil change light illuminated at 2800 miles AFTER I already did 2 oil changes...
I did my first oil change at 1kmi, another at 2500kmi, another at 5kmi and again at 10kmi. The first 10kmi of engine life is the most crucial. The most metal deposits from the initial wear/break-in happens within this timeframe. Running your first oil change to 5kmi off the bat is a bad idea and I just dont understand why manufacturer doesn't state otherwise.
I went to Synthetic after the first oil change @1kmi. Brand new cars come off the line with Synthetic from the start so it's not like your hurting anything. That "myth" is just that. Synthetic provides better overall protection than conventional no matter how you slice-n-dice it!
My wifes 2012 Subaru comes with Synthetic oil from the factory and only reccomends Synthetic oil every 7500miles. Her first oil change will be at 2500miles and every 5-6kmi thereafter as she does alot of highway travel.
You're mode of thinking is still stuck in the 1980s and earlier. Machined tolerances are much closer today than they were in years past, plus the differences in the metals used for engine construction along with the chemical composition and viscosity of modern oil. That's why there's no such thing as "break in oil" for vehicles off the assembly line, or the need for that initial oil change at the dealership.
Today, just start it and go. No need for the type of engine break in as was done in the past. Just follow the recommendations in the service section of the owner's manual.
Amateur
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Warrensburg, MO
It seems the vehicle computer calculates your oil change times based not only on mileage but driving habits. If you're doing mostly in-town driving, you can expect to see your oil change reminder come on well before 3,000 miles.
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 419
Likes: 7
I have an 09 Ram 1500 CC/Hemi with 55000 miles. I change the oil every 5000 miles and the only time that my oil change due message has come on is the one time that I forgot to reset it after an oil change. It finally appeared at around 7000 miles. I drive a mix of highway and city. There have been a few times when it was mostly city driving and still never had the memo come on prior to changing the oil at 5K.
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, New York
Maybe it wasn't reset correctly. Mine typically goes off between 5000-6000 miles.
On one occasion I had my oil changed at a local garage and it was telling me after 1600 miles I needed another oil change. I suspect that since the fellow who did the work was very young and very new he just forgot or was not properly trained.
Bests,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 95,000 miles.
On one occasion I had my oil changed at a local garage and it was telling me after 1600 miles I needed another oil change. I suspect that since the fellow who did the work was very young and very new he just forgot or was not properly trained.
Bests,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 95,000 miles.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 1
Ther is way to much of this going on at the dealership level today...unacceptable
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Any dealership recommending an oil change interval < than specified by the manufacturer is just trying to squeeze more pennies out of you. Anyone changing conventional oil @ < 5K miles and a synthetic @ < 10K is wasting money. The days of changing oil @ 3K miles is long gone. I worked for Exxon as well as Valvoline and have seen engines torn down and each part inspected to determine wear rates. Also keep in mind the manufacturer's suggested mileage change interval is about 15% less than what was actually determined to be adequate. Oil manufacturer's data shows the oil can far exceed oil change intervals by as much as 5K, much of the specifications require this type of longevity just to get the service label.
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, New York
Any dealership recommending an oil change interval < than specified by the manufacturer is just trying to squeeze more pennies out of you. Anyone changing conventional oil @ < 5K miles and a synthetic @ < 10K is wasting money. The days of changing oil @ 3K miles is long gone. I worked for Exxon as well as Valvoline and have seen engines torn down and each part inspected to determine wear rates. Also keep in mind the manufacturer's suggested mileage change interval is about 15% less than what was actually determined to be adequate. Oil manufacturer's data shows the oil can far exceed oil change intervals by as much as 5K, much of the specifications require this type of longevity just to get the service label.
Traded my 2010 Big Horn for a 2014. The oil change interval of the 5.7 Hemi is now 10,000 miles, and the owner's manual DOES NOT specify that synthetic oil must be used. On the premium display there is even an Oil Change Gauge that shows current state relative to the 10,000 mile oil change.
Regards,
Dusty
2014 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP70, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 003400 miles.
Last edited by Dusty48; Jul 10, 2014 at 09:37 AM. Reason: add emphasis
Champion
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,497
Likes: 1
From: MN
Traded my 2010 Big Horn for a 2014. The oil change interval of the 5.7 Hemi is now 10,000 miles, and the owner's manual DOES NOT specify that synthetic oil must be used. On the premium display there is even an Oil Change Gauge that shows current state relative to the 10,000 mile oil change.
Regards,
Dusty
2014 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP70, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 003400 miles.
Regards,
Dusty
2014 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP70, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 003400 miles.
That is not what the manual actually says - what it says is that the interval is monitored by the truck and under no circumstances should you go over 10K. I'd be surprised if you get anywhere near 10K before that light goes on.
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions
such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or
cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Oil Change Required” message is
displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
1500 Models Only
• Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months on
1500 trucks, whichever comes first.
