OCI Guidance

[Hohn]

My research has uncovered the 5.7 Hemi MDS system prefers a lighter weight oil due to small orifices in the system. I now have 216k miles and have upped the oil weight to 5w-30 Pennzoil syn from the recommended 5w-20. I bought the truck pre-Covid with 200k miles.
There is plenty of owner info on the Ram forums.

Perhaps a used oil analysis after 3-4,000 miles will help you determine your best interval. Good luck, John

What temperature does the MDS become active? How thick is the spec oil at that temperature?

Thicker oils still flow. They just flow more slowly through through a given orifice.

 

[97f150]

What temperature does the MDS become active? How thick is the spec oil at that temperature?

Thicker oils still flow. They just flow more slowly through through a given orifice.

MDS comes on at all temperatures. As soon as the parameters are met it activates. I’ve had it come on almost straight out of the driveway.

 

[Hohn]

MDS comes on at all temperatures. As soon as the parameters are met it activates. I’ve had it come on almost straight out of the driveway.

Then that removes any concern with thicker oils.

 

[tired]

I have considered biking and/ or walking and still do play with the idea from time to time. I may end up buying a bike but I doubt it will be a long term solution to get to and from work but I would be able to use it at work to ride around the plant rather than walking.

It’s more than laziness. I’m sure everyone suggesting such is looking at it in the most straight forward manner.. bike to work at 0900 and back home at 1700, what the big deal? But I am working nights right now so my schedule looks more like 1800-0600, which means I’d have to ride home in the dark. Next month I’d be riding both home and to work in the dark, alongside an unlit 50 mph highway and crossing another 55 mph highway in a curve. That coupled with the humidity and mosquitos that are so plentiful here makes travel in anything less than an ATV of sorts a deal breaker. It’s not that I am lazy, I walk around a plant up and down stairs all night on a 11/3 schedule. Those who have never experienced the humidity here in real time don’t even need to comment. Seriously it’s like walking around with a damp hot towel wrapped around you. Finally, I am there for 12 hours. Do others generally go to work with no lunch, extra clothing, etc? At the very least I’m carrying a 13 qt Engel cooler with my food and drinks and a backpack.

I realize I replied to previous poster suggesting this in a snarky fashion and didn’t bother to fully explain my situation and that is a mistake on my part. I really would love to leave this thing parked, but for me it isn’t feasible. I’d much rather change oil than arrive to work every single day humidity soaked before even starting work, eaten by mosquitos and on a possibility that I may not be able to leave on time the next morning due to pop up showers that are extremely common here as well. It just doesn’t sound like a good time to me.

I've been in a similar situation. I lived down near your neck of the woods, and someone suggested I bike to work. I thought they were crazy. It seemed so daunting. How would I get my lunch to work? What about getting sweaty? However, I thought about it, and decided to give it a shot, and I really liked it. I gained a lot of fitness. It really cleared my mind. I also worked nights too, so I know how daunting it seems to have to bike home after a long night at work. But I came to really enjoy it. I didn't always do it. I checked the weather and made adjustments. I also brought my own food to work. I used a backpack.

Anyway, not trying to twist your arm or beat a horse to death, just saying I've literally been in your shoes (with a longer commute, about 3 miles on bike, but with mosquitos and humidity and full risk of swamp @$s--turns out it's easy to out bike mosquitos), and I never thought I'd be biking to work, but I gave it a shot and really liked it. I found a route that took me through a college campus which was kind of fun (and safer). I bought some USB chargeable lights for the front and back. The gas savings paid for those in a week or so. It was just a nice way to start and end my work days. Buy a cheap bike on FB marketplace if you don't have one. Can always re-sell it if it totally doesn't work. But maybe it will and will be a net benefit for you for your health!