2008 Dodge Ram (5.7 hemi) oil???

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
It's important to note that I don't need 4 pages to point out that if someone would look beyond just the manual's specifications they might see something!

There are a zillion Hemis out there, it's one of the most reliable engines ever built. And they're all not running 20w oil.


You really need to chill out man. You are a good guy but you take your indignation that some of us disagree with you on oil weight in MDS equipped 5.7L HEMI's just way too far over the top. Also, I have never said ALL HEMI's need/should use 20 weight. Just the 5.7L's with MDS. I have always said that non MDS HEMI's can run 30 weight. I had an 04 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L and it was spec'd for and I ran 30 weight. It actually didn't run good on 20 weight( increased HEMI tick ).

IMO the mfg provides us with an owner's manual for a reason. There is no reason for them to say only use 20 weight in the MDS equipped 5.7L's if there is no justification to say so. I am not some uneducated car newb here who would believe a car has a knuter valve or that a 60's VW bug needs a thermostat and water puump.

I know a little about vehicles so give me some credit. I even worked in the auto field in eveything from aftermarket parts, to dealer parts & service, to the auto body business as a supply salesman. If the designer of the system tells me in my owner's manual to only use such and such or problems may arise then that is what I will do. You do what you want with your car. No skin off my butt.

Relax and chill. You have your opinion and I have mine. Gees...

Also, let me point out that over 1/2 of my so caleld "4 pages" was unrelated to the MDS oil weight issue. I covered a lot more than just MDS and oil weight for the guy. IF you choose to make short posts and say little that is fine. I choose at times to make long posts with relevant info. Again, you need to chill a bit and not get so wound up.

We are both MOPAR guys who have a lot of experience. We just disagree on this issue. Post your view and I will mine and then the OP decide who to listen to. No need to get so darned upset about it all the time.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
The facts remain the same, MDS Hemi's are very tolerant of almost ANY oil grade. You can't possibly believe that Chrysler set the engine up so sensitively it could only run on one grade of oil?


If they were so sensitive, what would happen when the oil's cold, like even at room temperature, let alone -40? A certain grade might be optimal and things may certainly work best with a 20 grade, but to think that stepping up or down a grade is absolutely incompatible with the system seems to ignore how oil actually behaves over various temperatures.

I would use what's specified, but going to a 30 or even higher isn't going to cut one's mileage, power, or engine longevity by 50% or some other atrocious amount.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
It's important to note that I don't need 4 pages to point out that if someone would look beyond just the manual's specifications they might see something!

There are a zillion Hemis out there, it's one of the most reliable engines ever built. And they're all not running 20w oil.


You really need to chill out man. You are a good guy but you take your indignation that some of us disagree with you on oil weight in MDS equipped 5.7L HEMI's just way too far over the top. Also, I have never said ALL HEMI's need/should use 20 weight. Just the 5.7L's with MDS. I have always said that non MDS HEMI's can run 30 weight. I had an 04 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L and it was spec'd for and I ran 30 weight. It actually didn't run good on 20 weight( increased HEMI tick ).

IMO the mfg provides us with an owner's manual for a reason. There is no reason for them to say only use 20 weight in the MDS equipped 5.7L's if there is no justification to say so. I am not some uneducated car newb here who would believe a car has a knuter valve or that a 60's VW bug needs a thermostat and water puump.

I know a little about vehicles so give me some credit. I even worked in the auto field in eveything from aftermarket parts, to dealer parts & service, to the auto body business as a supply salesman. If the designer of the system tells me in my owner's manual to only use such and such or problems may arise then that is what I will do. You do what you want with your car. No skin off my butt.

Relax and chill. You have your opinion and I have mine. Gees...

Also, let me point out that over 1/2 of my so caleld "4 pages" was unrelated to the MDS oil weight issue. I covered a lot more than just MDS and oil weight for the guy. IF you choose to make short posts and say little that is fine. I choose at times to make long posts with relevant info. Again, you need to chill a bit and not get so wound up.

We are both MOPAR guys who have a lot of experience. We just disagree on this issue. Post your view and I will mine and then the OP decide who to listen to. No need to get so darned upset about it all the time.


See my explanation on the previous page. But I get it nothing is going to convince you other wise. I bid you a Good Day!

 

[hitmanharleyk]

Think I'll just use half 0w20 and half 5w30, does that make the oil a 2.5w25?

 

[dakotasport94]

Not to interrupt but from what ive learned...when the manual was written it is done so to the fact the most people will be using petroleum oil. now there is a big difference in synthetic and petroleum oils.

now using 30 weight petro in the Hemi with MDS may be a bad idea. now using a good synthetic might be ok.
If the guy has had no problems using 30 than go for it..

Ive got an 04 Hemi Ram and have used 5/30,5/20,0/20 and even used a 10/30 and had no problems whatsoever. now mine does not have the MDS but it still runs the same...just my $.05

 

[Highline9]

I have ran grades of oil from 5w20 to 5w40 in both my hemis. The challenger is runs on 4cyl alot on the highway back and forth to work. I could not tell any diffrence in the operation of the mds. Tick sounds quieter with 5w40. Challenger consumed more oil by far with 5w20. I read somewhere about oil pressure above 70psi something mds will not work. Don't remember specific oil pressure number, but it was way up there. My cruise oil pressure runs around 53psi with both grades of oil.

 

[hemitruck]

when i drove to florida from jersey last year, i did use 5-30 penz plat. mds was cutting in and out when it should have stayed on, changed oil at dodge dealer in delaware and had 5-20 syn put in. mds then acted normally. also showed me tsb on this. if any one wants i can dig out the tsb number. my experience is that heavier oil wts will affect mds in the ram 11 models.

 

[Thax]

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!
Just stick to what the manufacturer specs. Amsoil 0w-20 at long oci's seems to be working for you so why not stick with that? I would use Amsoil 5w-20 as Pablo says it is manufactured and available.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: hemitruck
when i drove to florida from jersey last year, i did use 5-30 penz plat. mds was cutting in and out when it should have stayed on, changed oil at dodge dealer in delaware and had 5-20 syn put in. mds then acted normally. also showed me tsb on this. if any one wants i can dig out the tsb number. my experience is that heavier oil wts will affect mds in the ram 11 models.


Perfectly true. As far as 'affecting' mds, you are right on the money. Changing even the brand of 20w oil may change the way the system operates. But most would never notice these subtleties.

The only point I am seeking to make is there will not be any damage, and mds will still function.

 

[hemitruck]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: hemitruck
when i drove to florida from jersey last year, i did use 5-30 penz plat. mds was cutting in and out when it should have stayed on, changed oil at dodge dealer in delaware and had 5-20 syn put in. mds then acted normally. also showed me tsb on this. if any one wants i can dig out the tsb number. my experience is that heavier oil wts will affect mds in the ram 11 models.


Perfectly true. As far as 'affecting' mds, you are right on the money. Changing even the brand of 20w oil may change the way the system operates. But most would never notice these subtleties.

The only point I am seeking to make is there will not be any damage, and mds will still function.



i said "i didn't know if this would cause damage. when i put in the heavier oil, i thought it would disable the mds, not make it go haywire. delayed engagement of the other 4 cyl. when i needed some more power to pass some rigs on 95. now that we have this all cleared up....whats next. i see some like a heated discussion. lol

 

[SteveSRT8]

No heat here, but there are some who need to tell us all something!

It's a discussion forum, expect posting and lots of it!

BTW, Hemitruck, you may want to read your own posts prior, as they are not nearly as conciliatory as you are now.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
No heat here, but there are some who need to tell us all something!


There sure are!

 

[dave1251]

It is only because you need to know!

 

[Annihilator]

Most reliable engines ever built? I think its a little too early to claim that.

 

[SteveSRT8]

With over one million built and one of the lowest failure rates in the auto industry it's hard to argue the Hemi's success.

 

[demarpaint]

Why not just stick with the spec'd 20 grade oil and call it a day? I have a buddy I've been working with that owns an 08 Ram Hemi, he uses 5W20 as spec'd. Heading to work yesterday I watched it roll over to 90,000 miles. It runs fantastic with the 5W20, and doesn't use a drop or oil, purrs like a kitten too. It'one of the best engines Chrysler ever produced IMO.

 

[TheBig2003]

Not to reopen this, but I run 10W30 Castrol Edge with absolutely no issues with the MDS even after mods and tune, which I keep the MDS operational for cruising speeds. No issues here and I am getting 8.8L/100km (26mpg) at 100km/h (62mph) - don't tell me the MDS is not working with those numbers.