Oil change intervals…which manual do I believe?

[RHOfan]

Noticed there is an owner’s manual in PDF form in our Ram app. It is way longer & more comprehensive than the paper manual that came in my RHO (400+ pages vs. 84 pages). It still doesn’t list our transfer case fluid, but it does show our engine’s oil capacity (7.5 qt).

Anyway, the PDF manual is very clear that oil change intervals on RHO should, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCEED 6000 MILES OR 6 MONTHS. It is also very clear that our oil change monitor does NOT keep track of the time.

The paper manual has no special mention of RHO & basically says to rely on the oil life monitor, but don’t exceed 10,000 miles or 12 months.

The Ram app has a vehicle health section that also states “the oil change indicator system will remind you” when maintenance is required.

My oil life monitor currently shows 83% oil life remaining at 1652 miles, which would indicate it’s programmed for 10,000 mile intervals.

See PDF and paper manual below.

So, which is it? Do I follow the PDF, paper manual, or Ram app that is linked to my specific truck?

 

[RHOfan]

Here’s my biggest concern…if the PDF is correct, what happens when a bunch of folks innocently follow the paper manual, Ram app & vehicle maintenance monitor and these RHO engines start blowing up, or burn excessive oil, at 30K miles?

Will Ram cover it under warranty? Even if they do, what will that do to the reputation and resale of our vehicles? You know the enthusiast sites are gonna blow up even harder than these HO Hurricanes!

 

[moparfiend]

I'm old school, and it's prob too often, but never (knock on wood) had an engine issue, even with the Hemi's

Oil: First oil change around 500 miles, then to 3000 miles or 6 months max
Transfer/diffs: first service at 3k miles, although i might do it at 500 on the RHO as it seems they don't fill them up

 

[MattH89]

Of all the ways to cut corners, not printing vehicle specific manuals is certainly a bold choice for RAM.

I would have to guess that the physical manual they give you would be a pretty good defense in a warranty dispute.

 

[RHOfan]

I'm old school, and it's prob too often, but never (knock on wood) had an engine issue, even with the Hemi's

Oil: First oil change around 500 miles, then to 3000 miles or 6 months max
Transfer/diffs: first service at 3k miles, although i might do it at 500 on the RHO as it seems they don't fill them up

That is “old school”! But, you definitely don’t have to worry about the discrepancies in Ram’s communication to consumers…you got it covered!

 

[RHOfan]

Of all the ways to cut corners, not printing vehicle specific manuals is certainly a bold choice for RAM.

I would have to guess that the physical manual they give you would be a pretty good defense in a warranty dispute.

I totally agree. It’s the way the industry is going.

My wife’s Tesla came with very little printed information. Even electronic information from Tesla is quite limited or hard to find. You have to rely on YouTube & enthusiast forums to really learn how your car works, which is a bit scary given how much mis-information is out there.

Thankfully, her car is more like an iPad than most traditional automobiles. It’s complex under the surface, but the consumer facing stuff kinda takes care of itself. I own an iPad & have never opened the manual. Guessing 90+% of iPad owners are the same.

 

[MattH89]

I totally agree. It’s the way the industry is going.

My wife’s Tesla came with very little printed information. Even electronic information from Tesla is quite limited or hard to find. You have to rely on YouTube & enthusiast forums to really learn how your car works, which is a bit scary given how much mis-information is out there.

Thankfully, her car is more like an iPad than most traditional automobiles. It’s complex under the surface, but the consumer facing stuff kinda takes care of itself. I own an iPad & have never opened the manual. Guessing 90+% of iPad owners are the same.

Yeah I guess my opinion is I really don't care if you print anything, but if you do, make sure it's accurate.

I'm personally far more likely to call it up on my phone where I can search for text strings, so I'd have probably never seen the recommendation in the physical copy. But some people will be the opposite.

 

[Cautionary Tale]

With twin turbos, 26 psi and a truck that lives in turbo fuel maps, I'd not go longer than 4 months to avoid damage from oil contamination. I send my fluids away for analysis so I'll update this when 2nd oil change comes up and I can verify additive breakdown, contamination levels and all that jazz.

In regards to miles, it VERY much depends on how hard you drive it. In my head I start at 6k interval, knowing 4 months will likely supercede it and start reducing the miles base off how much I push it, off-road and such. All my vehicles for past 20 plus years live to ripe old ages and its possible I'm just lucky but blew lots of race engines when I was young and through out all the hand me down knowledge and rebuilt from ground up. It's possible I built on uneven ground and have a leaning tower of opinions, lol.

 

[RHOfan]

With twin turbos, 26 psi and a truck that lives in turbo fuel maps, I'd not go longer than 4 months to avoid damage from oil contamination. I send my fluids away for analysis so I'll update this when 2nd oil change comes up and I can verify additive breakdown, contamination levels and all that jazz.

In regards to miles, it VERY much depends on how hard you drive it. In my head I start at 6k interval, knowing 4 months will likely supercede it and start reducing the miles base off how much I push it, off-road and such. All my vehicles for past 20 plus years live to ripe old ages and its possible I'm just lucky but blew lots of race engines when I was young and through out all the hand me down knowledge and rebuilt from ground up. It's possible I built on uneven ground and have a leaning tower of opinions, lol.

28 psi, no?

 

[Cautionary Tale]

28 psi, no?

Oh yeah! Good catch! So adjust my calculations by another .009 or I might just round down because who wants to do math twice

 

[MattH89]

Oh yeah! Good catch! So adjust my calculations by another .009 or I might just round down because who wants to do math twice

Can I pay you a retainer to just take care of my vehicles? My man, you have it down to a science.

 

[Cautionary Tale]

Can I pay you a retainer to just take care of my vehicles? My man, you have it down to a science.

LOL. One of these days I'll have to set up a youtube and do a shop tour and interview with my wife on how she throws chaos into my systems by not noticing oil lights or any other dash light. I started setting up her oil notice intervals 2 months and 2k miles early and magically now she points it out...2 months early . Can't win. That could also be a title to a book about marriage

 

[Joe86]

The engine oil change indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the engine oil change interval may fluctuate, dependent upon your personal driving style.

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, and extremely hot or cold ambient temperatures will influence when the “Oil Change Required” message is displayed. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible, within the next 500 miles

Above is what I found as far as how the app/ oil monitor reminder works.

The correct oil change for the RHO is every 6k miles.. RAM anticipated that RHO will be driven for what it was built for. While Limited / tungsten can go up to 10k if driven as a daily driver without towing.

So.. If the owner driving the RHO as a daily driver, technically your good until 10k but If the owner is driving it for what it meant for, then change every 6k or in my case I'll do every 5k.

 

[Joe86]

last to add.. the owners manual that you have is for the other trims. RAM is just being cheap. Also, you do have a valid point, when it comes to owners following the physical copy.

 

[RHOfan]

last to add.. the owners manual that you have is for the other trims. RAM is just being cheap. Also, you do have a valid point, when it comes to owners following the physical copy.

Well, both the printed manual and PDF manual are for multiple trims. The PDF one is just more comprehensive.

Regardless of driving style, the PDF manual says UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE RHO OIL CHANGE INTERVAL EXCEED 6000 MILES OR 6 MONTHS.

Since the oil life monitor doesn’t track time, we have to do it…like put a reminder on your Google calendar. And, my monitor seems to be good with 10K miles +/-. Guessing I’d have to beat the crap out of it & only take short trips to get it anywhere close to the “end of the road” 6K mile oil change alert!

 

[jb37]

Well, both the printed manual and PDF manual are for multiple trims. The PDF one is just more comprehensive.

Regardless of driving style, the PDF manual says UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE RHO OIL CHANGE INTERVAL EXCEED 6000 MILES OR 6 MONTHS.

Since the oil life monitor doesn’t track time, we have to do it…like put a reminder on your Google calendar. And, my monitor seems to be good with 10K miles +/-. Guessing I’d have to beat the crap out of it & only take short trips to get it anywhere close to the “end of the road” 6K mile oil change alert!

agree!! ive read through the PDF more than any other manual I usually throw away with the cardboard box .... but still tough to have a 1500 general manual when the RHO has so many intricacies.

 

[tchokaeewe]

With twin turbos, 26 psi and a truck that lives in turbo fuel maps, I'd not go longer than 4 months to avoid damage from oil contamination. I send my fluids away for analysis so I'll update this when 2nd oil change comes up and I can verify additive breakdown, contamination levels and all that jazz.

In regards to miles, it VERY much depends on how hard you drive it. In my head I start at 6k interval, knowing 4 months will likely supercede it and start reducing the miles base off how much I push it, off-road and such. All my vehicles for past 20 plus years live to ripe old ages and its possible I'm just lucky but blew lots of race engines when I was young and through out all the hand me down knowledge and rebuilt from ground up. It's possible I built on uneven ground and have a leaning tower of opinions, lol.

I like this approach. On my vehicles I've always followed the schedule of 6 months/4k-6k miles depending on severe use with full synthetic oil. How early did you do your first oil change?

Curious what is it about higher boost that contaminates oil. Is it the pressure and/or heat that impacts it? Something else?

Those Ecoboost motors seem to get longer life out of their timing chain/cam phasers when subject to more frequent oil changes around 5k miles.

This also leads to another question I have on what brands of oil people are using. The online manual states the Hurricane HO needs oil that meets API-SP or can go down to API-SN+ but that the API-SN certification is not approved and voids the warranty. I've found Castrol, Pennzoil, and LiquiMoly make 0W-40 with API-SP. Valvoline's website has 0W-40 with API-SP but if you look at retailers online the Valvoline jugs is printed with API-SN.

 

[Cautionary Tale]

I like this approach. On my vehicles I've always followed the schedule of 6 months/4k-6k miles depending on severe use with full synthetic oil. How early did you do your first oil change?

Curious what is it about higher boost that contaminates oil. Is it the pressure and/or heat that impacts it? Something else?

Those Ecoboost motors seem to get longer life out of their timing chain/cam phasers when subject to more frequent oil changes around 5k miles.

This also leads to another question I have on what brands of oil people are using. The online manual states the Hurricane HO needs oil that meets API-SP or can go down to API-SN+ but that the API-SN certification is not approved and voids the warranty. I've found Castrol, Pennzoil, and LiquiMoly make 0W-40 with API-SP. Valvoline's website has 0W-40 with API-SP but if you look at retailers online the Valvoline jugs is printed with API-SN.

Its necessarily the amount of boost, but it is the fact that it is nearly impossible to drive in negative vacuum and once boosting the turbo fuel maps kick in and they run RICH RICH RICH. You can watch this in real time on your instrument panel. Running as rich as it does is where you'll likely see increased contamination. This is purely anecdotal as we do not have any real data points yet, but I'd imagine the data will bare this out but could be wrong.

In regard to first oil change, it was supposed to be done last weekend but someone drove into a steel gas pump protector hours after picking up the truck (it was me). Got the substantial dent out, need to do the paint correction still and then FINALLY, ceramic and then wrap. I also was in the ER for some nifty bug thing I picked up in Texas and couldn't breathe. (I like to keep busy) lol.

I did go oil shopping and did pick up a filter but like you I am on the fence as too which oil I want to roll with here. I planned to get tranny and dif fluid changed out too but I've pushed back the timing to 2k mark for that. I'll have those fluids tested as well (I like data points).

 

[gram10]

I like this approach. On my vehicles I've always followed the schedule of 6 months/4k-6k miles depending on severe use with full synthetic oil. How early did you do your first oil change?

Curious what is it about higher boost that contaminates oil. Is it the pressure and/or heat that impacts it? Something else?

Those Ecoboost motors seem to get longer life out of their timing chain/cam phasers when subject to more frequent oil changes around 5k miles.

This also leads to another question I have on what brands of oil people are using. The online manual states the Hurricane HO needs oil that meets API-SP or can go down to API-SN+ but that the API-SN certification is not approved and voids the warranty. I've found Castrol, Pennzoil, and LiquiMoly make 0W-40 with API-SP. Valvoline's website has 0W-40 with API-SP but if you look at retailers online the Valvoline jugs is printed with API-SN.

Api-sp, as well as the Chrysler ms-a0921 rating, I'm sure the other api-sp 0w40's are fine, but the manual calls for the Chrysler rating too. As far as I've seen there's o ly 3 oils that have that, I'm using g the amspil signature series 0w40

 

[DinoNuggets]

If you had to choose… would everyone put more “weight” on the API -SP rating or the MSA-0921 ?

This sounds really weird but the SRT oil NOT coming in 5 quart jugs really bothers me . Like, are they doing that on purpose ?