So, I have a brand new 2013 Ram 1500 I bought exactly 1 month ago. I used to drive a Chevy Cobalt that I bought with 20,000 miles on it. That vehicle had an OLI and it would activate roughly every 4-5K miles, and the dealership strongly suggested to go by that activation. I always did, and had no problems with the engine on my car. (Plenty of suspension problems, but that's another story! )

The question that brings me here is my Ram's OLI. This vehicle has the OLI that includes the percentage that I'm at. Currently it says 81% and I have 2,000 miles on it. That looks like I'll be driving 10,000 miles before changing my oil!! That doesn't seem right. Anyone have experience with this? Is this normal for my OLI, or is it maybe broken? Should I just change ever 5-6K? Thoughts?

 

Just go by the operators manual "service interval" and ignore the idiot indicator in the dash.

 

Here's what is in the 2013 1500 Owner Manual:

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
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).
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring
to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.

 

I too have noticed the oil life but I will continue to go by what I have done for the last 20 + years of driving and change my oil at the 3,000 mile mark come hook or crook.

 

I use synthetic oil... (HEMI) changed every 4,000 miles... still clean @ 4,000 when drained.
Anything i`ve used regular dino oil in, i`ve always changed it at 3,000 miles.
50+ yrs, never a problem with oil or engine issues either.

EDIT: I dont use my truck as a truck was intended... no towing or hauling... its just my daily driver 7 days a week.

 

Is this for ALL 1500 trucks no matter what engine it has...???
Reason i ask is, your statement mentions E85, i didnt know the HEMI was E85 compliant. Last i knew, it wasnt.

 

For my 2011 the estimated driving distance is 13000km (8000 miles).

My first duty cycle change notice came at 6000km, but has been pretty much 13k since.

 

I would change the oil 5,000 miles or when the OLI tells you. Whichever comes first. I find the OLI more useful in higher temp zones and if you are a fast (aggressive) driver.

 

My first oil change was at 12,000km, and still had 24%. Go by the OLI, it calculates between stop and go and highway driving. 2 of my works caravans (bought same time) one went 6500km other went 8500km, one had alot more highway driving.
However I believe the OLI on most new are based on SYNTHETIC oil. If I was using normal oil id change at a lower set amount of km.