Oil Change Intervals, 06 5.9 Cummins ?

[Rprecision]

I have heard a number of differant things from the extremes of 30K oil changes to 3k. Dealer's around hear suggest 3k. Seems a little soon, given 98% of my driving is highway. Little of this includes towing.

What are you guys doing ?

 

[mrose]

My dealer recommends every 3-5k, or every 3 months. I usualy have 3800 on it within the 3 months, it's the same motor as yours and there haven't been any problems.

 

[ndmtnsledder]

Kinda curious to. I have a 08 F250 with a 6.4L my first diesel pickup. I asked the dealer when they wanted it for the first change being its free and they said 3000miles i thought that was ridiculous especially when I got the pickup with 2400 on it already. Book says 5000 for heavy service and 10000 for regular service. I fit under regular but dealer was adamant on the 3000. We don't have a piece of farm equipment with requirements set at less then 1000hrs some are even more. We even have a Iveco that the manufacture supposedly recommended 5000hrs but Case NH wouldn't agree.

I was considering watching the hour meter which mine has. Even new GM gas vehicles that are based off Hrs and RPMs are usually going to almost 10000. I personally think its just there way of keeping there service departments full especially with the purity of new oils. Be nice to hear a non biased opinion from a mechanic. I might send in a sample sometime to just see what it comes back as after 5000miles or something.

 

[Beels]

We have a M11 Cummins in one of our buses and we change it at 8,000 miles. It seems to start using oil right before that.

(Not that it applies to the 5.9, just sayin...)

 

[Rick!]

Severe Service on my 04.5 Cummins is 7500 miles which is when I change oil. Regular Service is 15,000 miles. Oil analysis results typically show that the oil is good well past 10K and upt to 20K miles unless you have a crappy air filter. If you run centrifugal separators or the toilet paper roll thing, you could even go longer. Oil changes at 3K on a 14 qt capacity diesel are a waste of money, IMHO.

 

[GlennRMK]

Dealers also want to make money on $100 oil changes too!

Personally, I run Amsoil in my 03 and change between 6 and 7.5k. Which is also way overkill, but I only have put about 7k on in a year. Most of my trips are 15 miles, with a few longer highway drives and pulling sleds is most of the miles.

If you are driving 98% highway, I see no reason why you can't go 6-8k miles. I would go 15k on synthetic. Possibly changing filter at 7500 and adding a quart of oil.

If I remember right, the Cummins book says 15k oil changes under normal service and 7500 on severe (heavy towing, trips under 10 miles, city driving).

 

[sledman05]

04' 5.9 Cummins

I've stuck to Schedule A in the maintenance manual of an oil change every 7,500 miles. When I bought my truck there were two warranties that came with the truck. One is through Dodge for the powertrain; 7 years or 70,000 miles. The motor had a second warranty for 7 years or 100,000 miles and they would warrant the motor with an oil change interval of 15,000 miles. Just my $0.02...

 

[GlennRMK]

Isn't the engine warranty 5yr/100k?

Mine has the 7yr/70k. If it was 7yr/100k on the engine, that would be great as I have 66k on mine

 

[Squirrelchaser]

If you have a place to send in oil samples for analysis that would be the best way to see how long you can go on a service. Also by hour is better than by milage. If you have nowhere to send samples, figure your service on driving habits and oil (conventional, synthetic, long trip, short trip, dusty roads, hauling a heavy load, temp outside,ETC) I have a 06 cummins and run full synthetic, change my oil at 10,000 when the truck is getting worked, and 12,500 to 15,000 under normal use. I am a truck and equiptment mechanic and the only problem I see with extended drain intervals is the lack of mantinance on the rest of the truck. In that 10,000-15,000 miles I change a fuel filter and clean my air filter, check all the boxes, trans fliud, ps, and coolant. Just remember you probably won't have a major engine problem under your warranty.( not saying it can't happen ) If you plan on keeping the truck over a 100,000K oil is cheap engines are not. It may be overkill to change at 5,000-7,000 but it is safe.

 

[big_wally81]

on my 2002 5.9 the extreme duty is 3750 miles and the regular is 7500. i think the newer common rail cummins hold more oil so the are different. not sure though

 

[philsummers21]

Ok im a certified Diesel mechanic and have been for 10 years. I own a 2007 Dodge 6.7. I change my oil every 5000 miles and change fuel filter every oil change. I drive about 50/50 highway/town. Dodge says every 10,000miles(THAT is too long.) Now there is 3 Older guys i work with as well that have duramax's. They change there oil ever 3,000miles and there fuel filter every other time. We all run Rotella. So my suggestion is every 3000 if you can afford it and be conservative. Change it every 7500 if you like to get every penny out of something BUT could cost you in long run. OR every 5000 if you like to get what you pay for but still be on a safer side.