Originally Posted By: hitmanharleyk
My truck manual suggest that I use 5w20 motor oil and I run Amsoil with a wix filter. Aimsoil only makes a 0w20 and that is what I've been running, but I'm curious if I can run 5w30 which is the same as I put in my wife Durango instead of the 0w20 because it is in stock where I buy the Amsoil and the 0w20 has to be ordered. Will I be ok running the 5w30 here in the south where cold weather isn't much of a problem?
By the way, I have 146,500 miles on the truck with no problems and I've changed the oil every 22,000 miles and the filters every 11,000 miles. I'm pro Amsoil!
Amsoil actually does offer 5W20 in a couple lines as the resident Amsoil dealer Pablo said somewhere ^^^. If Amsoil is your preferred brand they have the correct weight for your truck.
Are you the original owner of the truck or did you buy it used? If you are the original owner those 22K OCI's are a BAD idea warranty wise. In 08 your truck would have come with a Lifetime Power Train Warranty. The MAXIMUM allowed for OCI on an 08 Ram with any gas engine is 6 months or 6000 miles( whichever comes 1st ). There is an OLM light( or a display on higher end models )but if it does not trip by the 6/6000 you have to change it to preserve that LPTW.
Note - Don't forget the mandatory every 5 year LPTW inspection by a dealer as well. It has to be done within 60 days of the 5 year anniversary( every 5 years )of the date of purchase. My 08 would have been due next year( I had a 2008 1500 QC 4WD SLT BH w/ HEMI ). So if you bought your 08 new, in late 2007, that means you are due for the inspection this year. Just an FYI.
If no LPTW then run whatever OCI's you want but if you do have it you have already put it at risk. IF you ever do have an engine problem the dealer/Chrysler is going to check maintenance history and you will be up the creek if you can only show 22K OCI's. Start following the warranty requirements if you have that LPTW and drop down to Amsoil XL or OE and change it within the allowed for time frame. Those 2 Amsoil lines are very good and they also are the only 2 lines that offer API certified oils which you also need for your warranty.
As far as the whole oil weight debate. Is this a Ram 1500( I forget if you said what model you had anywhere to this point )? If it is a 1500 then it has MDS and the oil used matters beyond warranty reasons. If it is a Power Wagon, 2500, or 3500 then you do not have MDS and actually can run a 30 weight. The 5.7L, other than MDS, is no different internally in 08 than it was in 03 when it came out. It spec'd 30 weight in 03 and 04 and then again in 07+ on HD's over 14000 GVWR. As long as there is no MDS, or it is disabled by a programmer, 30 weight can be run no problem.
MDS by design runs off the oil pressure so the weight used does matter. Special solenoids open when it activates allowing high pressure oil to travel through oil galleries to the MDS lifters. That high pressure oil then depresses a pin that lets the lifter collapse on itself as part of the cylinder deactivation process. It all works off the oil pressure.
I respectfully disagree with those who say you can run any weight oil and have no problems with MDS. Chrysler is very specific that if you have MDS to ONLY run 5W20( 0W20 would be ok as it is still a 20 weight at operating temp ). I would not run 30 or 40 weight, of any variety or brand, in a 5.7L w/ MDS. Even if it "just changes how it works" that means it is not operating as the mfg designed it to. I will go with the company that designed and built it vs the internet folks who say Chrysler is full of it.
Stick with the 20 weight. You said that cold temps are not a factor for you so 0W20 is giving you nothing over a 5W20. 5W20 should be cheaper. Run the Amsoil XL or OE, in 5W20, and change it by the max allowed for 6/6000 for warranty. If no warranty then run whatever Amsoil line you want and for as long as you want but stick with a 20 weight for mechanical reasons. There is nothing wrong with 20 weight oil. You have 145K on your truck now as proof.
