2003 Dodge Ram 5.9, high mileage- what oil ?

[Jase]

Hey everyone!
Would love some feedback on oil choices. Just bought the truck and know nothing of it's past. It has 214,000 kms and I am going to do an oil change right away. Was going to buy PYB and a canadian tire oil filter (chinese made)but thought I would look here for some feedback. I do not want to use synthetic for cost reasons and have heard many myths about syn blends. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
P.S. The area I live in seems to have the best deals on Castrol GTX then any other oils. This oil seems to be disliked because of manufacturer?

 

[daman]

Usually synthetics will save you $$ by going extended and doing LESS oil changes,you can get PU/PP or M1 from WM reasonable and they will do a very good job in cleaning up a neglected engine.

i switched my 225,000 mile z71 over the first day she hit my driveway,no issues.

 

[Boczech]

Hello,
Is that the diesel engine ? If so just about anything on sale (Shell,Delo,Mobil) 15w40 in your area. If it gets really cold you might want to try a synthetic.

Cheers
B

 

[Jase]

I never thought about extended drains...
It has the 5.9 gas engine.

 

[Summerwind]

I have a 5.9 Magnum in a '99 Durango. I run MaxLife 10w30 in it year round, seems to do a fine job. Wouldn't mind trying PYB HM, but hard to find it here for some reason.. FWIW, I shouldn't think you would have any "problems" at all with Castrol GTX HM

 

[hounddog]

Use a decent dino 10w30 and change it every 3k to 4k. That engine is known for some carbon/sludge issues.Oil pump screens get covered in carbon chucks.In fact I'd stick with 3k oci.Now if using a extended mileage synthetic I'd roll it 6500 to 7500 miles but probably no more then that.

 

[Jase]

sorry for my ignorance...are all hm oils synthetic?
I was not aware of the sludge issue and am now worried. This was a farm truck and may have been "worked" without the pampering.

 

[Gene K]

Take your average US MPG and multiply it by 300. Thats your OCI for conventional oil such as GTX or PYB. Buy whichever is cheaper.
12.4 MPG = 3720 Miles or 6000 km


My actual preference for that vehicle is a HDEO such as Shell Rotella T5 10W30. On that I would use a 500 Multiple.
12.4 MPG = 6200 Miles or 10000 km

I never had any sludge issues in the 5.9L Magnum following that formula.

 

[Jase]

Thanks everyone for the help.
I really liked the Rotella T5 idea but I doubt I will see that in my wallymart. I am going to check out the prices of Pennzoil high mileage and Castrol HM as well, I love the new HST tax here! This truck will be lucky to see 10,000 kms a year so maybe I'll spring an extra few bucks on HM oils. Thanks again!

 

[Andyge]

Johnny recommended Quaker State High Mileage oil over Pennzoil High Mileage oil .

Andy

 

[Hokiefyd]

How often do you drive the truck? I use 10W-30 as well in my Dakota (5.2L) and change at 2k mile intervals, or about every 6 months. If you don't drive it a whole lot, you'll want to cut back on your intervals I would think. Any high mileage 10W-30 should be fine. I've used the Valvoline MaxLife and Pennzoil HMV oil and both are good. I also like Rotella 10W-30 in it. My local Walmart carries the Rotella in 10W-30 grade, in 1-gallon jugs.

 

[VNTS]

I would just run PP and change it once a year if you dont put a ton of miles on it, use a good filter and you can get the PP in 5w-30 or 10W-30 for 15$ for a 5qt just after coupon at Walmart.

 

[Jase]

I am probably only going to rack up 1000 kms a month.
I just put in 10w30 Castrol GTX with a Napa Nascar filter.
I was unable to find a HDEO 10w30 in my area, but I actually had the Quaker State HM in my hands. Just put it back on the shelf because of doubts.Slim pickings in my area.
Esso XD-3 0w30 was $35.14 for 4 litres at my wallymart, I thought that a tad expensive with no litre bottles to buy for the 5th litre I needed.