A Couple Maintenance Questions
 

Hey all...a few questions...

1. Should the first oil change be done at 3K or can you wait until 6K? And do you use 5w20 as rec?

2. I've read a bit on the forum about the maintenance for the front/real axle and the transfer case as early as 18K. Does this need done if you not running 4x4 on a pretty regular basis. The manual does really not address it other than checking the levels as part of your regualr check up routine.

Thanks!

I would recomend for the first oil change to be done at the 3K mark. You're gonna have the break-in gunk and crap and want to get it out of there. And use what the manual recomends for oil weight.

Also if you're not beating your rig you should be fine with the diff fluid until the 18K mark. Just remember if you do happen to go "boating" with it that all bets are off. And don't pay a dealer or anyone else to change the diffs....it's easier then changing the motor oil.

Lot of people on here will do there first oil change sooner 1000k or less to get rid of bits of metal etc. from the builing process. Gi

I'm a tech and I guess I'm old school in suggesting to change the oil within 500 miles on a new engine. Done this over the years building big fuel slobbering big blocks and it's always good to get all of the break in lube and metal out of the system. On newer engines, it's not as necessasry, but a good practice. I changed mine on the JK at 200 miles and went straight to Mobil 1 5W-20. I changed the fluids in the axles and the t-case at 5K and went to Mobil 1 75-90 synthetic and GM Dexron Synthetic in the t-case. I beleive in getting all the break in materials out of these too. You'll see the break in materials on the drain plug magnet for the axles. Have always been anal about this on my own vehicles, but I've never blown an engine, drive axle, or t-case in any vehicle I've owned. I did blow apart the case on a TH400 tranny once though with a Olds 455 motor I built while drag racing :thumbsup:

Everyone is different. I did my first oil change at 500miles and switched to Royal Purple. I will do my first gear oil change (front and rear axle) at 10,000 and I will change the oil in the manual tranny and transfer case at 15000 miles.

I've done this for decades with every new vehicle I've ever purchased. And I will continue to do it. Having said that, let me also add that my '07 JK was the first vehicle on which I did it that the oil came out looking clean, clear and almost new. Usually, at first oil change the used oil looks like it has more like 15,000 miles on it! :yup:

I, too, like to do an early change on a new engine but agree that it is probably less of a issue now then it was 20 years ago. Did my first at 700 miles, was shooting for 500 but that was the way the schedule worked out (I had the dealer do it because it was December and it was in the shop for a new XM antenna).

I believe there is no longer a need to wait to change to synthetic and you can do it at your first or second change. I like Mobil 1 every 6,000 miles/6 months (per warranty requirements, otherwise I would go 10,000 or 12 months).

I also agree with an early change on the t-case and diffs. I am changing them and going to synthetic in those now that I am at 5,000 miles. Sooner probably would have been better but shouldn't really matter too much.

I am going to start a thread on the difference between synthetic 5w-20 and synthetic 5w-30. See if I can't learn something new. :thumbsup:

500 miles:eek2: ive done 11300 on mine and havent changed the oil. i wanted the dealer to do it a 6500 but they refused and said it did not need to be done until the 12000 mile mark.

Diesel is a little different than gas. My dad has the Ram 3500 with the turbo cummins, dealer did the first oil change at 15000.

My first oil change was done the first day, because who knows how long its been sitting around and what about the first start-up. changed again at 3000 miles and then again at 6000 with amzoil now....