Hey guys and what few gals we have here...
So RAM recommends I change the differential fluid in my 2014 RAM 3500HD every 15,000 miles if towing frequently. I do nothing but towing freight with the beast, and have been following the maintenance schedule until one day, the light bulb goes off in my head...
My question is, since I NEVER engage the front axle and only drive with the dually's doing all the work, is it really necessary to change the oil in the front axle? I mean, sure the gears are spinning since the front tires are rolling but they aren't getting any LOAD, unlike the read axle does. Why on earth would RAM suggest I dump perfectly good oil from the front axle every 15k miles? It doesn't make any sense to me.
The last time I changed the fluid, the rear axle lube looked a bit darker then it went in and was loaded with metallic bits floating in it, the front looked clean as the day it went in! with not much metal in the oil.
Who else thinks that Chrysler is out to get my money and nothing more with this absurd maintenance schedule for the front axle, which isn't even in use!!
I recently changed the rear axle lube on schedule but decided to go 2x the distance before changing the front axle's lube.
Who else feels I'm perfectly fine doing so? Depending on how the fluid will look after 30k miles, I'm thinking of extending the oil change interval even further, to save money.
Thoughts, comments?
So RAM recommends I change the differential fluid in my 2014 RAM 3500HD every 15,000 miles if towing frequently. I do nothing but towing freight with the beast, and have been following the maintenance schedule until one day, the light bulb goes off in my head...
My question is, since I NEVER engage the front axle and only drive with the dually's doing all the work, is it really necessary to change the oil in the front axle? I mean, sure the gears are spinning since the front tires are rolling but they aren't getting any LOAD, unlike the read axle does. Why on earth would RAM suggest I dump perfectly good oil from the front axle every 15k miles? It doesn't make any sense to me.
The last time I changed the fluid, the rear axle lube looked a bit darker then it went in and was loaded with metallic bits floating in it, the front looked clean as the day it went in! with not much metal in the oil.
Who else thinks that Chrysler is out to get my money and nothing more with this absurd maintenance schedule for the front axle, which isn't even in use!!
I recently changed the rear axle lube on schedule but decided to go 2x the distance before changing the front axle's lube.
Who else feels I'm perfectly fine doing so? Depending on how the fluid will look after 30k miles, I'm thinking of extending the oil change interval even further, to save money.
Thoughts, comments?