You can color me a newbie but here goes...

2006 Ram diesel with 1800 miles

I checked my oil for the first time today. I haven't used a drop but the oil is black. Is this normal or should is it something I should be concerned about.

 

In a diesel, you can change it, crank the motor and let it run for a few minutes and then drain it, and it will be blacker than an ace of spades. Just be sure that the level is high enough and that u do regular change intervals. By the way, welcome. Dont worry about being new,, everyone of us was new at some point,, and don't be afraid to ask a question,, if you don't know, thats what this site is here for,, to help.

 

Thanks for the quick response. Was getting ready to take off on a 3 state trip and the oil had me concerned.

 

Yeah, don't be scared, I do it all the time. No biggie.

[sm=welcomesign.gif]

 

keep tabs on mayfairs post, he asks the questions that everyone else is afrait to

 

At what miles to you recommend changing the oli for the first time? The truck has 3500 on it and I have heard that i need to change between 3000 and 7500, what you would recommend?

 

For the FIRST time, I duno, but I change mine every 5000 miles.

 

I do mine every 5000, but some like to go longer. When I hit 15k, I'm probably gonna swithch to amsoil and go every 10k.

 

I just did mine at 2500.More of a feel good change. My truck was built in Nov 05 (near as I c an tell) and I bought it in ~ june so i just wanted a clean slate. I'll start doing them at 7500 increments now.

 

Drop that oil fast and get some fresh oil in it, you don't want that old oil full of metal running in your engine that long, IMHO anyway. Yes 7500-mile oil change is ok to do and approved by Cummins.

Just make sure you DO NOT use FRAM oil filters, as they will not hold up in your CTD. Many use Use Fleet Guard oil filters, you will not have any problems with them and are Cummins approved.

I'll be switching over to 5w40 this next week as it has been on the cool side around here and I don't like the sound when it first starts. The this summer I will go to full time Amsoil 5w year round as I will have close to 20,000 on it. I will then go to 10,000 mile oil changes.

One other thing load that puppy up heavy and run it as long and as far as you can non stop to help seat the rings and break-in your engine.

Just My $0.02