Hi - I'm seeking input on the best oil for a somewhat unique vehicle situation. The vehicle is described below and sits for 1-2 weeks at a time with no use. Currently, it has about a 5-mo old G-OIL 5w-30 fill and a Fram Ultraguard filter.
1. What kind of vehicle you have
My dad has a 2000 Dodge Ram Van with the 3.9L pushrod V-6 (3/4ths of the 318 V8) and 3-speed auto (yes they still made those in 2000) he picked up from a friend for next to nothing. The van has 105,000 miles and appears to be reasonably well maintained.
2. What your owner's manual says -- not just viscosity, but certifications (look for acronyms like API SM, ILSAC GF-4, etc.) and change intervals as well
Manual recommends 10w-30. This engine went into a lot of Dodge vehicles at the time.
3. Where you live
Northern Indiana - full range of climate conditions from sub-zero to searing heat. Van is generally garaged.
4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?)
Generally the van is driven in a sane manner - its a slow van with a wet noodle for a steering wheel.
5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?)
Most trips are either very short, with a 10-mile round trip to town on 55 mph highway every 2-3 weeks. Occasionally, the van goes on a 55 mile highway trip to a larger city.
The van sits idle for 1-2 weeks at a time in the garage, which is my reason for posting - what oil would work best here?
6. Whether your car has any known problems.
Nothing specific to the engine.
Looking forward to your input.
1. What kind of vehicle you have
My dad has a 2000 Dodge Ram Van with the 3.9L pushrod V-6 (3/4ths of the 318 V8) and 3-speed auto (yes they still made those in 2000) he picked up from a friend for next to nothing. The van has 105,000 miles and appears to be reasonably well maintained.
2. What your owner's manual says -- not just viscosity, but certifications (look for acronyms like API SM, ILSAC GF-4, etc.) and change intervals as well
Manual recommends 10w-30. This engine went into a lot of Dodge vehicles at the time.
3. Where you live
Northern Indiana - full range of climate conditions from sub-zero to searing heat. Van is generally garaged.
4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?)
Generally the van is driven in a sane manner - its a slow van with a wet noodle for a steering wheel.
5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?)
Most trips are either very short, with a 10-mile round trip to town on 55 mph highway every 2-3 weeks. Occasionally, the van goes on a 55 mile highway trip to a larger city.
The van sits idle for 1-2 weeks at a time in the garage, which is my reason for posting - what oil would work best here?
6. Whether your car has any known problems.
Nothing specific to the engine.
Looking forward to your input.
Last edited: