Amazing how 4 years changes things

[RamFan]

I changed the oil in my mom's '08 Sebring with the 2.7l V6 so of course I read through the manual real quick to see which oil it wants but noticed that it calls for a 6mo/6k mi. OCI. That was it, no two schedules, just one 6mo/6k mi. schedule, it did however have a side note; "If driven off road for extended periods of time, change oil more frequently". Mind you this is with the manual refering to conventional oil.

This got me thinking. If manufacturers are finally coming around to the fact that 3k mi. changes are out of date for todays vehicles should I not worry about straying from my '04 Ram 4.7l V8 recommendation of 3mo/3k mi. OCIs. This isn't a warranty question since I've long gone past the warrant it is however a question of proper maintenance.

Since the Sebring's recommendation had only one "if" to its OCI should I be able to treat my Ram with the same OCI?

 

[willix]

3000 seems way short.

 

[beast3300]

5k with a normal conventional oil should be fine on your 4.7.

 

[S2500Dog]

Most brands of conventional motor oils can easily go 5,000 miles these days. After that, the additive package will start to wear off quickly and the oil becomes exteremly dirty. Stick to 6 months or 6,000 OCIs.

 

[tomcat27]

yes, you should be fine with extended OCI's on your ram. but, just for fun, consider the following:

the Chrysler 2.7L engine is a known sludger. period. even Amsoil recommends a 5k normal, 3k severe OCI on the 2.7. Yes, Amsoil, who advertizes 25k-35k OCI's, recommends short OCI's on sludge motors. the same with most of Dodge's Magnum motors: 94-99 3.9, 5.2, 5.9

and ths list is not limited to Dodge. VW and Toyota make the list too.

Oddly enough, while the 2.7 is a sludger, the 3.2, 3.3, 3.5 have no such reputation. Dodge modified the PCV system in 02 (by adding a heater to it - I have one on my 02 LH) but that did not seem to end the sludger status.

 

[hardcore302]

I amcomfortable with a 5k oci, regardless of what type of oil.

 

[Unleashedbeast]

I had the same discussion with my cousin today, who insisted he will never stray from a 3K OCI. He just wouldn't listen to my wisdom of new oil technology.

3K dumps(even on conventional oils)are a waste of money for most cars.