2004 Hemi What oil???

[hollywood]

I just bought a 2004 Ram 1500 with the Hemi. I checked the book and it recomends 5w30. I have been reading that people are useing 5w20 with no problems. What oil should I use.

 

[Oil Changer]

I believe the 20 weights are only used with the MDS. If yours specifies 30 weight I'd stick with that. In Canada you have excellent choices in the 0W30 oils (P-C, Esso, GC). That's what I'd use.

 

[thooks]

I'd run 20W50 and forget about it.

 

[AndyH]

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I'd run 20W50 and forget about it.

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LOL. I wouldn't...not in Canada in the winter.

 

[cos]

3K-6K OCIs - 5W30 Pennzoil dino (yellow bottle), Havoline, MC
6K+ OCIs - 5W30 Pennzoil Platinum

 

[Whimsey]

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I'd run 20W50 and forget about it.

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You CAN'T REALLY be serious? The poster lives in Alberta Canada! Plus even if they lived in GA I'd still not use 20W-50 in a newer vehicle that spec's 5W-30

. In your part of Canada I'd use a good synthetic 0W-30 all year round.

Whimsey

 

[KBFXDLI]

I'd run Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 or M1 5w30 or maybe GC 0w30

 

[hollywood]

I am just looking into GC 0w30. I seen it at wall-mart last night. I can get Petro-Can 0w30 for cheaper. In the summer I will most likely run a 5w30 oil.

 

[Dually]

If your Hemi has the MDS system you must use 5W-20 as per owners manual and there is a TSB out on the oil weight.Joe

 

[oliver88]

My hemi seems to like Havoline or Schaeffers 5w30...I could swear that it is quieter and smoother with those oils...Ran one interval of M1 5w30 and had lifter knock at startup...

 

[Quest]

In Alberta, I would say 5W30 ~10W30.

20W50??? I bet ya somebody isn't reading this properly (try cranking it over in -30C outdoor winter and you'll be sure having loads of fun and laughs from the towtruck drivers whizzes by...)

 

[Ramjet Roger]

I have the 2005 Hemi that spec's 5W20. I've used Exxon Superflow 5W20, M1 5W20, RP 5W20, all with similar UOAs, engine noise, oil consumption, and MPG results. Of all I've tried so far, M1 5W20 was these easiest to find everywhere. I've only averaged 3k-5.5k mi OCIs. I'll be stretching to 6kmi OCIs and I will be trying Qpower Torquepower 5W20.

BTW, I know the 04's spec 5W30. I was just using my example to illustrate that most quality oils will produce similar results. If you go with 3kmi OCIs, Superflow works great and actually gave me the best UOA in the lot by a whisker.

 

[hollywood]

I am thinking I am going to try going with a 5w20 oil. I need all the MPG I can get. I am sure its not going to harm the engine. Maybe I will mix it with some 5w30. Thanks for all the info. I love this site.

 

[BlazerLT]

Nah,m stick to the 5w20 and you will be fine.

The 2005 Hemi block is the same and it uses 5w20 no problem hence why you can use it no problem as well.

Don't worry about the mixing, it isn't needed.

 

[dave1251]

I agree. 5w30 quickly becomes a 20wt anyways. Use 5W20 and you will have no ill effects.

 

[jorton]

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I am just looking into GC 0w30. I seen it at wall-mart last night. I can get Petro-Can 0w30 for cheaper. In the summer I will most likely run a 5w30 oil.

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0w-30 when the low ambient temp is below -5C and dino 5w-30 when it's warmer? That's ok but 0w-30 can handle summer temps so you could use it yearound if you want.