Non Valk oil question

[DaveD(MI)]

i have a new Ram 5.7 Hemi. I just changed the oil at 3800, and switched to valvoline synthetic. Another guy on the Ram board said he waits till 10k to make sure rings are seated. Any thoughts?

[PatrickDoss]

You should be fine.  Just make sure you don't use anything thicker than that 5w/20 or the cylinder deactivation system won't be able to function and your gas mileage will go to hell.

[roboto65]

Well most cars nowadays come with synthetic oils from the factory so I would check your manual but 10000 seems fine for todays cars with the tolerances of today!!!

[Tropic traveler]

You will be fine. Engines of today are significantly different from the way they were 15-20 years ago. Better metals & machining processes make thinner oil & synthetics right from the get-go perfectly fine.
You will enjoy better protection & longer oil change intervals.  

Do stick to the OEM recommended weights!

[DaveD(MI)]

I used 5W 20, just like what is stamped on the oil filler cap. I really cant tell yet, but my mileage seems to have gone down by about 1-2 mpg. Go figure.

Thanks for the replies. I  figured it would be ok, I think the guys on this board are more knowledgable about oils and engines in general than other blogs.

[Patrick]

I have an '05 1500 Thunder Road Ram 5.7.. Its had Shell 5-40 in it since 3000 miles and it gets changed every 7-8000 miles.. If the vehicle is driven correctly [hard] the rings will seat quickly.. Mine is old enough to have all 16 sparklers going all the time,but, I don't really think the newer models would care either ..I get 15mpg putting around town and 19+ on the highway.. Does anyone even make a 5-20 synthetic??

[Bob E.]

I have an '05 1500 Thunder Road Ram 5.7.. Its had Shell 5-40 in it since 3000 miles and it gets changed every 7-8000 miles.. If the vehicle is driven correctly [hard] the rings will seat quickly.. Mine is old enough to have all 16 sparklers going all the time,but, I don't really think the newer models would care either ..I get 15mpg putting around town and 19+ on the highway.. Does anyone even make a 5-20 synthetic??

Is that a 4x4?  I had an 04 Ram 1500 4x4 Quad Cab with the little 4.7 in it and was lucky to get 11mpg just driving around and about 14-15 mpg on the highway.  I hated taking it anywhere because it cost a fortune to drive.  So I got rid of it, bought the wife a new Grand Caravan to haul the kids around and picked up a used 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport with a 6cyl and 5-speed with 124,000miles for about $3000.  That thing gets 21mpg city, and up to 29mpg highway.  You can call BS if you want...I couldn't believe it either.  But that thing is awesome on gas when driven reasonably.  I just hope it keeps running good.

[R J]

I used 5W 20, just like what is stamped on the oil filler cap. I really cant tell yet, but my mileage seems to have gone down by about 1-2 mpg. Go figure.

Thanks for the replies. I  figured it would be ok, I think the guys on this board are more knowledgable about oils and engines in general than other blogs.

My Hemi has the needed weight on the oil cap.   Use that weight & you will be good to go.............  These engines have a lot closer tolerances than even my old 426 Hemi & it asked for 10w30,  I'm using Mobil 1 & changing between 4,500 & 5,000.      Break it in like you plan on driving it...

[Patrick]

No, its not a 4x4.. I used to always get 4x4s but not anymore.. I now get 2 wheel drivers with limited slip differentials and that truck will go thru snow that the 4x4s won't even with regular summer/highway tires[I think its the nut behind the wheel that makes the difference though  and not the truck].. The 4.7 Chrysler is terrible on fuel,kinda like the 360 was.. Some guys get bad fuel mileage with the 5.7 but others get good mileage and I don't what the difference is..I think that if the engine speed is kept at or below 2000 it certainly helps and thats 70mph..