at work i've driven ford trucks for years.. putting over 200k miles on them and never having the rear lube changed.. or the trans fluid... and never had a problem.. why does dodge call for fluid changes at 15,000 and is it necessary? or is it ust another dollar in the big-oil pocket book?

 

I don't know the answer to why Dodge calls out every 15,000 miles, but I do know that in all of our work trucks, we have NEVER changed the rear diff oil in less than 50,000, and most of the time it's closer to 100,000 miles. I would be skeptical about the 15,000 miles if I were you. There has to be a tech expert here who knows why. Is it only after the first 15,000 miles, and then it's different? I do know some mechanics that will change the fluids after breakin. Let us know when you find out the answer. My dad just picked up an '07 6.7L last month.

 

chenge it at 30 and be done with it. . .

truithfully, alot can happen to a pintion and ring gear in 15K if the wrong fluid is used. I may be having to battle that with my little toyota when I used cheap-o coastal oil in it, now the tranny doesnt wat to go into 1-2 or 3 right. I have to ride the clutch. I just hope I havent smoked the syncros. anyway, useing a good synthetic will extend intervals.

 

Drew, what style is your Toyota? I had a 96 Tacoma with the 4.3 V6 manual 5-speed. They have a history of getting hard to shift into first unless the truck really slows down. I talked to a mechanic at a transmission shop who had the same issue with his Tacoma, and apparently it had nothing to do with the transmission, but was all in the clutch.

 

30 sounds like good common sense... and i'll go with good quality synth oil.. do the hemi-halfs have the same 15k recommendation as the ctd's? i thought maybe it was because of the added torque requiring maintenance more often..

 

I had never noticed the 15k interval until I was at 60k

I can honestly say I waited almost too long. I don't think I damaged anything, but the fluid was certainly past its prime. The oil had an extremely burnt odor. 15k might be a bit far to the opposite side of the spectrum, but I'll certainly be doing it again before another 60k passes....

 

98 SR5 x-cab, 2RZFE W59 tranny. . .first gear is hard at a stop. . .it just started not long ago. it got better when I dumped the oil and pit in amsoil. but has gotten worse again[:@]

 

I think 15k is overkill... 30~45 makes more sense to me, it reminds me of the power steering flush discussion we had... a few of responses of why do it?... because it's a fluid under stress, same as the rear end IMO...

 

I changed my rear end oil at 15K. There was some metal from break in. I plan to change it one more time at 30k and then go to every 30k. I do pull a 5th wheel camper and tractor allot. So that is why I changed it. I'm going to change out my transmission fluid at 30k and then every 50k or so.....................

 

does this apply to the front axle as well?? and what about transfer case?