2000 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2l

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I just inherited my Dads 2000 Dodge Ram, single cab long bed 2wd, with the 5.2l engine. In the 6 years he owned it, he barely drove it. I think the oil and filter are from the change he did in 2010 (he was busy fighting cancer before you judge him on not changing the oil). He probably drove it 4000 miles in 5 years. The truck has a total of 147,000 miles on it. The oil in there right now is still translucent.

So after fixing the transmission governor pressure solenoids and actually getting it to drive, I am on to changing the oil. The manual says 10w30 is preferred, but 5w30 is ok to use in all temps. It is summertime(ish) here in Michigan and it might actually get over the 70 degree mark eventually and stop raining, lol. With that being said, I plan on using the truck to tow a light trailer back and forth to our cabin, and maybe our jet boat (2000lbs). I will be using it a lot more than my late Father. Probably 10k miles per year.

I would love to hear your oil recommendation. Brand and weight please!

 

[addyguy]

I'd put the 10w30 high-mileage oil of your choice in...they are all good. I've heard anecdotal stories of 318's sludging up; but I think they are rare.

Even if it doesn't leak, it will keep the engine clean, and hopefully prevent possible leaks. Maybe use a syn 10w30 oil if you wanted to go to once-a-year changes

 

[nwjones18]

I think any 10w30 would serve you just fine. That's what I ran in both my dodge trucks but I didn't keep them long enough to tell how they liked it.

 

[[email protected]]

I have two 5 quart jugs of Super-S Semi-syn high mileage 5w30, bought it on sale at Kmart for $6.74!!
Or I have 5 quarts of Valvoline synpower in my stash. But everything I have is 5w30.

Ok to use? Or should I go out and find some 10w30?

 

[addyguy]

5w30 would be just fine to use...that Super-S stuff would be...well...SUPER!

(sorry, just had to..!)

 

[KCJeep]

Defy or Pennzoil High Mileage 10w30 would be just the ticket for that truck. Rotella T5 would be a really good choice as well.

 

[R80RS]

Sorry about your Dad. My condolences.

 

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted By: R80RS
Sorry about your Dad. My condolences.


Thanks. I was very close to my Dad, I was his caregiver and he lived with me the last 6 months of his life. I helped fill his bucket list with him, and we theorized what could be wrong with his 2000 Dodge.... he thought the trans was shot and told me to sell it on craigslist. I told him that I could fix it, that I had researched on the internet about the solenoids. Unfortunately, the last month of his life, he required 24 hour assistance so I never got to fix the truck while he was alive.

Finally a few nights ago, I received the solenoids in the mail and tore right into the transmission. Wouldnt you know?? the truck immediately started shifting and moving great!! I had a smile on my face because I knew my dad would be so happy I fixed it and would say his "good show!" to me.

Anyways, this Sunday will be 4 weeks since he passed. I have been honoring his every last wish the last 4 weeks and will continue to do so. He was an amazing human being.

So I just went to the garage and was picking through my oil stash- I found a 4 quart jug of Rotella T5 10w30! I just need 1 more quart and an oil filter. Ive noticed already - just by driving the truck around town for maybe 40 miles, this thing gets (no surprise) horrific gas mileage!! Would there by any fuel economy advantage to using 5w30?

Btw, to the person who said they heard past rumors of the 5.2l engine sludging up...well, I wouldnt call it sludge but there is a good amount of baked on oil/carbon under the oil cap and valve cover baffle.

 

[901Memphis]

I would use Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30, which will help year round and still be able to crank easily in those chilly Michigan winters.

 

[Chris142]

FYI. There is a coolant bypass hose under the bracket that holds the ac compressor and alternator. You can't see it. When it blows and it will you will dump the coolant real fast.

Possibly burning up the engine before you realize it's leaking

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: [email protected]
I have two 5 quart jugs of Super-S Semi-syn high mileage 5w30, bought it on sale at Kmart for $6.74!!
Or I have 5 quarts of Valvoline synpower in my stash. But everything I have is 5w30.

Ok to use? Or should I go out and find some 10w30?


5w30 will do you just fine year round. No need to buy extra oil.

 

[Joel_MD]

I would use one of the 5w30 oils you have. No need to overthink the situation. Hope you enjoy your pop's truck.

 

[toneydoc]

Sorry about your father.

Use what you have in your stash. That 5w30 will be just fine.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Wasn't the Ram 1500 of that era the one that the auto magazines got single digit mileage out of during all of their testing?

 

[Joel_MD]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Wasn't the Ram 1500 of that era the one that the auto magazines got single digit mileage out of during all of their testing?

That sounds about right, or it might have been the 360 CID V-8. The newer ones with the 5.7L Hemi are a lot better.

 

[nwjones18]

I had a 01 Ram 1500 360 4wd and it got 11 around town empty.. Which is pretty much in line with what Fords got 96-earlier with the 351.

 

[[email protected]]

LOL.. funny you mention that, this truck gets ABYSMAL gas mileage - and its got the 5.2 and 2 wheel drive (I'd hate to see what a 5.9l 4x4 would get!). I put fresh gas in it today (the gas thats in there is probably at least 2 years old!) with a bottle of Chevron with Techron concentrate.

Today Im going to grab an oil filter, and it sounds like I should be fine tossing in the 5w30 I have sitting on my shelf. Cool, saves me money.

 

[nwjones18]

Originally Posted By: [email protected]
LOL.. funny you mention that, this truck gets ABYSMAL gas mileage - and its got the 5.2 and 2 wheel drive (I'd hate to see what a 5.9l 4x4 would get!). I put fresh gas in it today (the gas thats in there is probably at least 2 years old!) with a bottle of Chevron with Techron concentrate.

Today Im going to grab an oil filter, and it sounds like I should be fine tossing in the 5w30 I have sitting on my shelf. Cool, saves me money.


I also had a 99 2wd with the 5.2 and it wasn't much better than the 5.9 12 MAYBE 13 around town.. None of them are good.

 

[dlundblad]

I love the 5.2/ 5.9 engines, but I'd never get one for fuel economy. Someday I'd really like to find a special edition 1998 5.9 Jeep Grand Cherokee though. Just for cruising and looking at though. Not DD purposes.

5w30 will be fine for your truck. Use what you've got before buying more. I'd stick with a High Mileage oil after this though.

 

[hansj3]

funny you mention a 5.9 liter ZJ there is one less than 3 blocks from my house. I Drive past it everytime I go to McDonalds it kind of just sits there. but it does put a smile on my face what with those goofy hood vents... back to the op...

Make sure to check chassis and drive line, sitting that much a u joint might have seized or what ever