If this doesn’t convince you…

[BlackRhino]

So…did you get the Mopar fluid or Ravenol?

See my post above for updated Mopar fluid#s.

Amsoil, and thanks for the update. Very helpful

 

[Wrinkled_Donut]

Serious question- if this is so necessary, why wouldn't Ram specify it as part of the maintenance plan?

 

[RHOfan]

Serious question- if this is so necessary, why wouldn't Ram specify it as part of the maintenance plan?

Good question.

IDK. Maybe because the drivetrain warranty is only thru 50K miles? Maybe they don’t want to scare off potential buyers with maintenance costs/hassles.

Think about the ZF transmissions Ram (and many other auto makers) install in their vehicles. The popular tag line from auto makers is that ZF installs “lifetime fluid”. ZF says it should be changed every 60K-80K miles. Why does this discrepancy exist? Maybe because the fluid change, if done with OEM parts, is over $800!

The “industry standard” has practically mandated that cars only need oil changes every 10K miles. That’s all most people want to hear.

Hey, my dad didn’t believe in spending unnecessary $$$ on maintenance. So he changed the oil in his last Buick every 10K miles, if he remembered to change it at all. That car was still running with 250K miles. The transmission slipped a bit. It ran hot going up hills. It smoked if you floored it.

The average gas engine lasts only 140K miles in the US…that’s for all makes. Thinking most people do the minimum & still get over 100K miles.

Heck, I’ve never owned a vehicle (since my 1st car…a ‘77 Monte Carlo) past 50K miles. So why do I do it? That’s a good question. IDK.

 

[MattH89]

Tech confirmed the rear diff fluid was trashed this morning when I got it changed. Wish I'd have known about this sooner but doing it at 9k is better than not doing it.

Cost me like $220 at the dealership.

 

[Lsujker]

Appreciate the heads up on this!

Odd fluid situation with my previous Ram 2017 2500. At 10K miles, it would buck on turns. Towing or hot weather made it worse. Felt like the limited slip was locking up. Changed out the factory oil for Amsoil I believe. Problem never came back.

little preventative maintenance never hurts. Just hope this truck has a drain plug.

 

[NM_Life_Defender]

All this talk about the rear diff. Any concern regarding the front?

 

[BlackRhino]

All this talk about the rear diff. Any concern regarding the front?

According to others that have changed it early and sent it off for analysis, the front diff fluid does not seem to be as much of a concern.

 

[NM_Life_Defender]

According to others that have changed it early and sent it off for analysis, the front diff fluid does not seem to be as much of a concern.

Thanks!

 

[gram10]

According to others that have changed it early and sent it off for analysis, the front diff fluid does not seem to be as much of a concern.

I changed front, transfer and rear at 5k., I did not send off for analysis, but the front diff and transfer case were both much, much cleaner than the rear diff. I figure if you're doing 1(rear was definitely the easiest), that I might as well does the rest too.

 

[Steadi]

If we want to remove the diff cover for cleaning, does anyone know of the gasket is reusable?

 

[Drogon]

What is everyone using for fluid?
Having this done next week at the dealership.

 

[Lsujker]

If we want to remove the diff cover for cleaning, does anyone know of the gasket is reusable?

My 2500 had one. Or you could rtv it.

 

[BlackRhino]

What is everyone using for fluid?
Having this done next week at the dealership.

I’ve done my first oil change already and doing rear differential and transfer case tomorrow. All Amsoil fluids for me.

 

[Drogon]

I’ve done my first oil change already and doing rear differential and transfer case tomorrow. All Amsoil fluids for me.

That is what I am leaning toward.

I only have about 1,700 miles on the clock. I figured I will get it done early. The dealership was surprised with the request.

 

[BlackRhino]

That is what I am leaning toward.

I only have about 1,700 miles on the clock. I figured I will get it done early. The dealership was surprised with the request.

Just went to change mine and discovered I only had two quarts of fluid for the rear diff.
Ordered another quart and will try again next weekend... DOH!

 

[Steadi]

Did the rear diff diff fluid yesterday and made a rookie mistake. Maybe jinxed myself by asking this thread earlier this week if the gasket is reusable.

Anyways, I drained the old oil, definitely grey color, smelled bad, then started pumping new oil in with an Amazon hand pump that worked pretty well. BUT, the end of the tube had a black plastic nozzle with little “keepers” on the end. That got pushed into the diff too far and when I pulled the tube out, the plastic nozzle fell off INTO THE FUCKING DIFF! Damn it! Got new oil, tried to find a replacement gasket but apparently only one dealer in CA has it and it’s nowhere near me. So I pulled off the cover, removed the plastic nozzle from inside the diff, reinstalled, and filled back up.

So far so good. Lesson learned. 20 minute job turned into 2 and a half hours

 

[cconnorhtx]

Did the rear diff diff fluid yesterday and made a rookie mistake. Maybe jinxed myself by asking this thread earlier this week if the gasket is reusable.

Anyways, I drained the old oil, definitely grey color, smelled bad, then started pumping new oil in with an Amazon hand pump that worked pretty well. BUT, the end of the tube had a black plastic nozzle with little “keepers” on the end. That got pushed into the diff too far and when I pulled the tube out, the plastic nozzle fell off INTO THE FUCKING DIFF! Damn it! Got new oil, tried to find a replacement gasket but apparently only one dealer in CA has it and it’s nowhere near me. So I pulled off the cover, removed the plastic nozzle from inside the diff, reinstalled, and filled back up.

So far so good. Lesson learned. 20 minute job turned into 2 and a half hours

Oh man that really blows!

 

[Eighty]

I've heard of people sticking in just the tip, but I can't say I've ever heard of anyone losing it.

 

[goldlifter]

I've heard of people sticking in just the tip, but I can't say I've ever heard of anyone losing it.

Many have lost quite a bit from putting in “just the tip”

 

[ScooterInTX]

Always been a fan but they list way too many options for the RHO. Has anyone picked up the Amsoil oil? Which ones did you buy?
Amsoil for RHO