Help Out a New Cummins Owner

[1263millwright]

New owner here. I definitely have some questions about stuff since this is my first new diesel truck. I did previously own a 6.0 PSD, but I bought that truck used.

1. Break in recommendations... What is needed to get good ring seating in these motors? Gentle driving? Hard driving during break in? I know torque management is a thing, and you cant jut hammer it like a gasser, so what’s best practice?
2. First oil change/OCI? I’ve always changed out my factory oil right around 500 miles on my gassers, just to get any break in oil, assembly lube and initial wear metals out. After that what’s everyone’s OCI on say Rotella synthetic blend or Valvoline blue?
3. 68RFE I’m hearing as long as you’re not tuned These trannys are pretty solid. I don’t plan on doing any tuning or deleting, at least within powertrain warranty period. How often should I do a drain and fill and filter change?
4. CP4.2 Should this pump be considered a maintenance item like a timing belt? Say if you do a 75K service interval on this pump would that save any potential grenading of the fuel system? What about diesel kleen or another additive? I live in the south, so fuel gelling in cold months is not a concern.

I want (have) to run this truck trouble free for as long as possible. I will be doing the vast majority of my own basic maintenance. Fluid and filter changes, brakes, etc. So real world (not owners manual) intervals would be greatly appreciated! TIA

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[watersupply189]

New owner here. I definitely have some questions about stuff since this is my first new diesel truck. I did previously own a 6.0 PSD, but I bought that truck used.

1. Break in recommendations... What is needed to get good ring seating in these motors? Gentle driving? Hard driving during break in? I know torque management is a thing, and you cant jut hammer it like a gasser, so what’s best practice?
2. First oil change/OCI? I’ve always changed out my factory oil right around 500 miles on my gassers, just to get any break in oil, assembly lube and initial wear metals out. After that what’s everyone’s OCI on say Rotella synthetic blend or Valvoline blue?
3. 68RFE I’m hearing as long as you’re not tuned These trannys are pretty solid. I don’t plan on doing any tuning or deleting, at least within powertrain warranty period. How often should I do a drain and fill and filter change?
4. CP4.2 Should this pump be considered a maintenance item like a timing belt? Say if you do a 75K service interval on this pump would that save any potential grenading of the fuel system? What about diesel kleen or another additive? I live in the south, so fuel gelling in cold months is not a concern.

I want (have) to run this truck trouble free for as long as possible. I will be doing the vast majority of my own basic maintenance. Fluid and filter changes, brakes, etc. So real world (not owners manual) intervals would be greatly appreciated! TIA

Welcome friend! I change my oil every 10k or 1 year which ever comes first.

I use to run Royal Purple 15w40 full synthetic but recently changed over to Amsoil full synthetic.

Rotella is a good oil also.

As changing your oil the first 500 miles that’s up to you but it’s not necessary.

Take it easy driving for your break in period. You don’t want to break something.

The metals and gears need a break in.

Pump wise just keep both your fuel filters changed out regularly and you should be fine.

I recommend the OEM Mopar filters but that’s my preference.


2016 Ram Laramie 3500 (DRD), G56, 6.7, Rough Country Leveling, HID headlights, Morimoto LED fogs plus a whole lot more!

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[cumminsdieselfreak]

New owner here. I definitely have some questions about stuff since this is my first new diesel truck. I did previously own a 6.0 PSD, but I bought that truck used.

1. Break in recommendations... What is needed to get good ring seating in these motors? Gentle driving? Hard driving during break in? I know torque management is a thing, and you cant jut hammer it like a gasser, so what’s best practice?
2. First oil change/OCI? I’ve always changed out my factory oil right around 500 miles on my gassers, just to get any break in oil, assembly lube and initial wear metals out. After that what’s everyone’s OCI on say Rotella synthetic blend or Valvoline blue?
3. 68RFE I’m hearing as long as you’re not tuned These trannys are pretty solid. I don’t plan on doing any tuning or deleting, at least within powertrain warranty period. How often should I do a drain and fill and filter change?
4. CP4.2 Should this pump be considered a maintenance item like a timing belt? Say if you do a 75K service interval on this pump would that save any potential grenading of the fuel system? What about diesel kleen or another additive? I live in the south, so fuel gelling in cold months is not a concern.

I want (have) to run this truck trouble free for as long as possible. I will be doing the vast majority of my own basic maintenance. Fluid and filter changes, brakes, etc. So real world (not owners manual) intervals would be greatly appreciated! TIA

Welcome to the forum. Here's my personal routine, so take it for what it's worth.

1. Change factory oil between 500-1000 miles.
2. Use Hot Shots Secret Blue Diamond 5w-40 or Amsoil Signature Series 5w-40(I recommend trying both and then using only one.) Both with the Amsoil EAO-80 oil filter.
3. Change oil and both fuel filters every 10k miles.
4. Use Hot Shots Secret LX4 Lubricity Extreme fuel additive at every fill up.
5. Use Hot Shots Secret Diesel Extreme fuel additive every oil change.

My opinion, stay far away from Diesel Kleen and use Valvoline Premium Blue over Rotella.

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[1263millwright]

Welcome to the forum. Here's my personal routine, so take it for what it's worth.

1. Change factory oil between 500-1000 miles.
2. Use Hot Shots Secret Blue Diamond 5w-40 or Amsoil Signature Series 5w-40(I recommend trying both and then using only one.) Both with the Amsoil EAO-80 oil filter.
3. Change oil and both fuel filters every 10k miles.
4. Use Hot Shots Secret LX4 Lubricity Extreme fuel additive at every fill up.
5. Use Hot Shots Secret Diesel Extreme fuel additive every oil change.

My opinion, stay far away from Diesel Kleen and use Valvoline Premium Blue over Rotella.

Fair enough.

I am really trying to be a sponge here.

I know there are a lot of these trucks used for hot shotting, and I know there’s a fair amount of trucks out there with trouble free high mileage, which is ultimately my goal.

Seeing as you’re a vendor, and an owner, I’d assume your knowledge is pretty extensive.

A 10K OCI isn’t that bad, I think I’d treat the cost of premium lubricants as an insurance policy.

Just curious as to why you make the recommendations that you do?

Aside from running these products in your own rig, are there any articles or sources I can indulge myself in that cut marketing hype and just state facts?

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[cumminsdieselfreak]

Fair enough. I am really trying to be a sponge here. I know there are a lot of these trucks used for hot shotting, and I know there’s a fair amount of trucks out there with trouble free high mileage, which is ultimately my goal. Seeing as you’re a vendor, and an owner, I’d assume your knowledge is pretty extensive. A 10K OCI isn’t that bad, I think I’d treat the cost of premium lubricants as an insurance policy.

Just curious as to why you make the recommendations that you do? Aside from running these products in your own rig, are there any articles or sources I can indulge myself in that cut marketing hype and just state facts?

This is just what I've decided to do after many years of ownership with 7 Cummins.

As you said, premium lubricants are an insurance policy and when they're paired with early change intervals I sleep very well at night.

Could you go by the owners manual and use cheap oil that fits your application and still get 300k miles, more than likely.

My recommendation on the fuel additives are that this ULSD(ultra low sulfur diesel) is dry, it's very dry.

With these trucks now having 2 fuel filters they need lubricity more than they need a cleaner every day, hence why I do the LX4 every fill up vs an additive with cleaner.

I feel confident the Diesel Extreme(highly concentrated cleaner) will remove any deposits at the 10k mile interval when I change the oil & fuel filters.

Power Services aka Diesel Kleen used to put alcohol in their formula robbing fuel of it's lubricity.

Again, simply my opinion on what to do.

https://hss-cdn-lubricationspeci.net...-4-16-2018.pdf
https://www.hotshotsecret.com/wp-con...HSS-DE-TDS.pdf

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[acorn]

Joe, don't mean to steal the thread but it goes along with everything else you posted so I figured I'd ask...what's your recommendation for G56 fluid change? I just picked up a 2016 with a G56, and I remember swapping the ATF in my 2006 G56 to a gear oil. Any recommendations or did you just stick with the ATF?

Welcome to the forum. Here's my personal routine, so take it for what it's worth.

1. Change factory oil between 500-1000 miles.
2. Use Hot Shots Secret Blue Diamond 5w-40 or Amsoil Signature Series 5w-40(I recommend trying both and then using only one.) Both with the Amsoil EAO-80 oil filter.
3. Change oil and both fuel filters every 10k miles.
4. Use Hot Shots Secret LX4 Lubricity Extreme fuel additive at every fill up.
5. Use Hot Shots Secret Diesel Extreme fuel additive every oil change.

My opinion, stay far away from Diesel Kleen and use Valvoline Premium Blue over Rotella.

 0 Comment(s)

[cumminsdieselfreak]

Joe, don't mean to steal the thread but it goes along with everything else you posted so I figured I'd ask...what's your recommendation for G56 fluid change? I just picked up a 2016 with a G56, and I remember swapping the ATF in my 2006 G56 to a gear oil. Any recommendations or did you just stick with the ATF?

Hello acorn, Mecedes Benz spec'd the G56 for 50wt oil and FCA said nope we'll run ATF in it because that's what we have on hand.

MB didn't care because FCA is the one paying the warranty bill.

I'd personally run Amsoil manual trans oil in it.

If you need help placing an order just shoot me an email or PM on here and I'll get you fixed up.

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[watersupply189]

Hello acorn, Mecedes Benz spec'd the G56 for 50wt oil and FCA said nope we'll run ATF in it because that's what we have on hand.

MB didn't care because FCA is the one paying the warranty bill.

I'd personally run Amsoil manual trans oil in it.

If you need help placing an order just shoot me an email or PM on here and I'll get you fixed up.

What weight oil is the Amsoil Joe?

I can’t remember how many quarts the G56 takes?


2016 Ram Laramie 3500 (DRD), G56, 6.7, Rough Country Leveling, HID headlights, Morimoto LED fogs plus a whole lot more!

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[cumminsdieselfreak]

What weight oil is the Amsoil Joe?

I can’t remember how many quarts the G56 takes?


2016 Ram Laramie 3500 (DRD), G56, 6.7, Rough Country Leveling, HID headlights, Morimoto LED fogs plus a whole lot more!

*Disclaimer= FCA calls for ATF in the G56 so use other fluids at your own risk.*

7 quarts of the Amsoil 75-90 MTG oil. The 7th quart has to be done through the shift tower or park the truck higher on the fill side.

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[Lunnzz17]

Welcome to the forum. Here's my personal routine, so take it for what it's worth.

1. Change factory oil between 500-1000 miles.
2. Use Hot Shots Secret Blue Diamond 5w-40 or Amsoil Signature Series 5w-40(I recommend trying both and then using only one.) Both with the Amsoil EAO-80 oil filter.
3. Change oil and both fuel filters every 10k miles.
4. Use Hot Shots Secret LX4 Lubricity Extreme fuel additive at every fill up.
5. Use Hot Shots Secret Diesel Extreme fuel additive every oil change.

My opinion, stay far away from Diesel Kleen and use Valvoline Premium Blue over Rotella.

What size bottle of the LX4 are you using at each fill up I assume either the 4oz or 16oz?

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