Whether you’re towing heavy loads, navigating job sites or maybe even heading off-road, the 2025 RAM 2500 equipped with the legendary 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel engine was built to put in the work. It’s the perfect partner, but even the toughest trucks require regular care to ensure reliability, efficiency and longevity. If you take pride in your rig, which you certainly should, you’re going to want to stay on top of your maintenance. That’s why we’ve put together some tips for your oil, filters and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to follow.
When Should You Change Your Oil?
Oil is incredibly important for any vehicle, as it’s the lifeblood of your engine. It’s crucial to stay on top of your oil change interval, as your oil can become contaminated with debris and all sorts of stuff that can impede or even damage your engine if left untended. RAM recommends that you change your oil every 15,000 miles when operating under ideal conditions.
However, if you’re using your RAM 2500 for frequent towing, long periods of idling or regularly driving through dusty environments, you should consider changing more frequently, possibly even every 7,500 miles. Here are some additional pro tips to consider in regards to changing your oil:
- Utilize AP CJ-4 or CK-4 certified diesel engine oil
- Always replace the oil filter when changing oil
- Warm up the engine before draining; this ensures full oil flow
- Relieve pressure from filter cap before removal; this helps to avoid spills
When Should You Replace Your Filters?
We already touched on your oil filter, which should be replaced on the same interval as your oil changes considering they go hand in hand. But there are a few other filters that you should be replacing regularly as well. In particular, you should stay on top of your fuel filter, as diesel engines are sensitive to fuel quality. Contaminants can clog injectors and reduce performance, so it’s essential to keep your fuel filter fresh.
- Depending on the quality of your fuel and the conditions in which you drive, you should change your fuel filter every 15- to 30-thousand miles.
- You should also inspect your air filter every 15,000 miles and replace as needed, especially if operating in frequently dusty or off-road environments.
- Lastly, your Diesel Particular filter (DPF) is crucial to making sure your truck meets emissions standards. It goes hand in hand with DEF, which we’ll touch on in the next section. It should last anywhere from 75- to 120-thousand miles with proper maintenance, but can be reduced by things like poor fuel quality and frequent stop-and-go traffic. Avoid extended idling and regularly drive at highway speeds to allow regeneration to aid in longevity.
When Should You Top Off Your DEF?
Unlike engine oil, your DEF does not need to be changed on a regular basis. However, it does need to be topped off on occasion like some of the other fluids in your vehicle. Much like the aforementioned DPF, DEF is a critical system when it comes to meeting emissions standards. It should also be noted that keeping your emissions system healthy isn’t just a thing you need to do to ensure compliance, but rather something that helps to protect your engine’s health and longevity as well. Here are some additional DEF tips:
- Top off DEF every 3- to 5-thousand miles; depending on driving habits
- Use API-certified DEF; to avoid system damage
- Store DEF in cool, dry place; heat can degrade its effectiveness
If you have any questions regarding any of these tips or your 2025 RAM 2500 in general, don’t hesitate to give us a call here at Jim Glover CDJRF. We’d be happy to help in any way we can, including taking care of your regular maintenance for you. Schedule an appointment or get in touch with us whenever you’re ready!