What octane are you running? 4.7 HO. Oil ?

[it's all dodge]

I just wonder if anybody felt a bit of performance gain from 89 to 91 octane in their ho 4.7 Dakota 4x4. I started out running the 87 octane, got to reading the owners manual, says run 91 when towing, "recomended" I think it feels stronger with the 89 now, but we are also talking about an engine with 1400 miles just breaking in. I heard no pinging on the 87, just wanna see if anybody has observed any performance gain, be it timmed or gas mileage. No sense in putting in what won't make a differance, if that's the way it is. I live and do most my driving at 1000 ft altitude. And anybody know who makes Walmart oil? Like if Valveoline makes Napa oil, and I heard O'Reilly oil was havoline, I wonder, Penzoil? Castrol? The way they label the bottle, I would guess Penzoil, which most people around here don't care for. And, is Quaker State not owned by Penzoil? What does Dodge use? I think Castrol.

[05DodgeDakota]

as far as your gas i have the 3.7 but run 93 all the time...i have noticed a slight more peppyness and mileage increase.....i recommend mobil one oil for your truck, but even if you choose something else, use a synthetic...better in all areas, wheter its mobil 1, amsoil, royal purple, etc.

[superdart]

I think Quaker State and Pennzoil are the same company.
I would run with the lowest grade of gas that doesn't effect gas mileage or make it ping. Probably 89 in an HO.

Your motor is still in break in mode, and I doubt the motor is fully advancing the timing right now (read: not making full power). Once it's out of the break in cycle, it may start to ping a little on 87.

As for every other car in Dodge's line up. Even Dodge states there is no reason to run anything other than 87 in any Dodge except for SRT, turbo cars. I think the HO 4.7 was the only other exception.

[SCjeep4.7HO]

I run 92/93 in my H.O. But I did when it was stock too. I have been using Mobil 1 synthetic oil but will be switching to royal purple soon. Royal in front and rear diff's and I am getting ready to change the transfer case when I can find a good synthetic to use..

[graythang]

I run plus grade fuel always in my HO. Octane varies among Fuel stations for plus grade. I'm changing to synthetic oil this next change and will run it for 6 to 7k instead of the 4k on reg. oil. I never use the 5W-20. I will use and continue to use 10W-30.

[it's all dodge]

Ok, I will stick on the 89, and flirt with the 91 + come warmer monthes with more advance. When trailer towing esp. Seems like it's eating lots of gas, as easy as I am on it. Maybe they REALLY take a LONG time to break in? I think the gas gauge is like my old 03 SRT-4 was, quick to drop, bet way off, meaning when you thought you had about 2 to 2 1/2 gallons, it really had about 4 still in the the tank, when the fuel light comes on. Does Dodge look past the 6000 miles oil change interval if you have a problem while using synthetic? 3000 is the recommended interval. I know synthetic is way better, I just don't see paying the big dollar for it every 3000 miles. I'll tell you this, on the Chevy I got rid of, my driving style, and type driving and conditions never made the oil change due light come on, sometimes past 5000 miles-not the first one tho, that was more like just before 3000 miles. I'm not sure how good that oil life monitor is, sounds like a good idea, seeing as people that do longer highway trips mostly, not running it hard, and the fact that I don't drive in a dusty envirement much at all, contribute. There is lots of people changing oil way early (I know, better than too late) But, if there is a warrantied engine problem, I believe they have to prove it was (the longer interval) that made the engine go bad.

[graythang]

My dealer said that 5k if they change it with Syn oils. 3k reg like the manual says. I say crap to both. 4 to 4.5 reg oil & 6 to 7k Syn. unless you drive what is known as severe and you know who you are than oil changes at 3k is a waste.

[SCjeep4.7HO]

I use all SYN oil and I still change every 3K.. Cheaper than another motor in my opinion.

[it's all dodge]

well, according to the owners manaul definition of severe, it doesn't take much to be called "severe" And diffs., it says I believe 15,000 miles, are you sticking to that with the Royal Purple synthetic? And the sure grip additive, do you add that? That stuff cost alot. (Both of them) Of course, I ran Mobil 1 in my SRT 4, it's a turbo thing. Least Dodge coulda added drain plugs, considering they requiring fluid changes so often in the diffs. Oh well, I got a pump. Oh, I like WIX filters

[it's all dodge]

hey superdart, kinda off topic, but 2.45 gears and overdrive, how much rpm is that 80?! I mean, how little? I have a 70 Swinger 340

[graythang]

I had a 72 340 Duster and it had the 3:23 suregrip. I later changed it to a 4:10 The 340 in 72 was 245 hp and the 70 & 71 was 275 HP

[SCjeep4.7HO]

I did add the additive from dodge then when I changed my diff oil i seen it's all wheel drive but open diff front and rear so I don't think it was needed. The royal purple says that you don't need any additive but I just think of it as cheap insurance. I just changed it a little bit ago and I am considering 2 sets of gear for (front and rear) so it may get changed again relatively soon. I would consider mayybe every year and a half- two year. I don't tow which is where alot of severe stuff comes into play...

[ricbrk]

I use Pennzoil synthetic oil, and change the oil every 6,000 mles, but I change the filter at 3,000 miles and add a quart. On newer engines, "except high performance", the owners manual may tell you to not use higher octane fuels, as it plays with the sensors, and can actually cause engine driveability problems.

[SCjeep4.7HO]

I also use 10W 30 oil. Anyone know of a good transfer case oil/lub? I see that the manual says use ATF +4 but is there anything better out there opposed to just stock mopar oil?

[ricbrk]

Valvoline makes a full synthetic ATF+4 engineered just for Chrysler. You can go to their web site and check out. My truck just ran out of warranty, so I am thinking of going to that. Didn't want to while still in warranty. Amsoil has a synthetic one to, but it isn't specific to ATF+4, so I'm leary of it.

[superdart]

I and a bunch of people have been using Amsoil ATF in our Dodges (both 2wd and 4wd) for years, with no problems at all. Amsoil is very specific about what ATF their stuff is compatible with, so I wouldn't worry.

I use Amsoil in everything on both my vehicles. The engine (5w-30) I change every 15,000 miles, the trans (ATF) every 30,000 with both filters, and the axle (75W-110) every 50,000 miles.

hey superdart, kinda off topic, but 2.45 gears and overdrive, how much rpm is that 80?! I mean, how little? I have a 70 Swinger 340

Actually I don't know. :) I am currently only running it as a 3spd until I get the axle built (Moser axles, 3.55 gears, limited slip, rear disc brakes). My dad had a 340 Swinger also, with 3.91s...kinda steep for the street, but man was it fun to drive. :D

I had a 72 340 Duster and it had the 3:23 suregrip. I later changed it to a 4:10 The 340 in 72 was 245 hp and the 70 & 71 was 275 HP

Mine is a 350hp 360 for now, haven't chassis dynoed it yet, but it should be 280-ish hp at the tires. I have the block/crank to build a 349 stroker that is going to pound out 500hp. :rck:

[it's all dodge]

I would run a good synthetic, and longer than the 3000 miles if I knew that if something else screwed up the engine, Dodge wouldn't hold the longer interval against me. But I guess they have to prove the longer interval was the cause, be it a warranty issue. I really think 3000 miles is over doing it unless you off road, drag race, or lots of stop and go, or live down or drive down alot of dirt roads (not me) Can't get 5/20 syn. oil? I wonder what is the best time to put in synthetic, they always say break in on the other, course, no flat tappet cam anymore