I recently picked up an 06 cummins 6 spd, 128,000miles. This is my first diesel truck and Ive got a few maintaince questions. I live in central ohio were the coldest it normaly gets in winter would be single digits if that makes a difference for oil weight etc.
1.) what brand and weight of motor oil? filter brand?
2.) what brand of fuel filter?
3.) should I run a fuel addititive yr around? if so what kind?
4.) Id like to do cai and exhaust over the winter...any suggestions?

I bought the truck for a dealer, so not knowing a for sure backround of the truck is there any other maintaince things I should look in to?

 

Welcome to Diesel Bombers!! A lighter viscosity synthetic oil will fill the bill for those cold starts. Something in the 5w-40 synthetic oil. Pretty much any type of syn brand. everyone has a favorite and that discussion can go on for days without resolve. If your truck does not have a block heater electric cord, ya might wanna get one. The engine should already have a block heater element located on the passenger side, just behind the oil filter, and just under the exhaust manifold. You will see a black plastic cap. Just twist it off and you will see the electrical connections to the block heater. Plugging in the block heater will keep your coolant and engine at about 120-140 degrees. Starting an already warm engine is easier than starting a super cold one.I also have an 06 CTD. I use Fleetguard or Wix oil filters. In a pinch ive used K&N oil filters with no issues. As for fuel filters I use Fleetguard which I pick up at Cummins. You can get them at the stealership also, but pretty pricey. Or you can go with a FASS, AIRDOG, and the like in-line kits. DO NOT, by any means skimp on fuel filters...no cheapies. You will pay dearly with injector repairs or replacements. As for fuel additives, Power Service in the white bottle works well in the winter b/c it has an anti-gel additive. In the summer months PS in the grey bottle works well also. Or, you can also mix Supertech outboard 2-stroke motor oil (TC-W3 ashless) in the blue gallon container, from wallymart. A common ratio is 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce per gallon of diesel. There is a plethora of other additives out there, but I stick with what works for me. I run the 2 stroke oil year around as well.
There are equally numerous CAI kits out there. All claim to be better than others. Research and compare. They all pretty much do the same task in filtration. Depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. Others will chime in with additional info. soon enough.

 

first is i'm guess it's 5.9, i run 15w-40 year round,i use the the oil from sanel part plus i been using rotella the last couple of times i just got some all fleet 15w-40 that i get at tractor supply all seems to work just fine. For filters is use Wix for oil and fuel but you can go with the factory ones but the wix are just as good if not better and for a little less money, i also use the powerservice for fuel i also put some right in the fuel canister when i change the filter also,this time because i had a injector going i use HOT SHOT oil addtive that helps. also if the truck has that many miles on i would change the fluilds in the front and rear diffs and trans. case. i live in the northeast i very rarely plug the truck it also lives in a car port so it stays outta the wind. for mods i did the air box mod drilled like four two holes in the (Stock)air box also pull all crap out of the intake tube and you can also take the silencer ring off the turbo i have Flowmaster exhaust it on with 4" pipe with 5" tip and it sounds pretty good hope this helps

 

My first mod was exactly that. I turned my stock airbox into swiss cheese and added an afe drop-in replacement air filter. Later, I bought a Torque tube to replace the stock air tubing to the turbo and replaced the airhorn with a PUSHER intake horn. Then removed the silencer ring for more whistle. Then cut out the kitty and replaced with straight pipe. Later I replaced the exhaust system with a turbo-back exhaust system and an MBRP muffler. Then I ditched the stock airbox and got a BHAF (Big Honkin Air Filter) and made my own filter box (CAI style) out of aluminum sheet metal, for more air and turbo singing. On and on and on etc,etc,etc. It important to help your engine breathe better, in and out. Afterwhich you can plan on other mods in the future.

 

Thanks for the help so far! I also have a 2001 trans am no Im not a total beginniner with the mod side of things..just with the diesel..1st thing I did to car was intake,full exhaust and then tune. Air in + air out =efficent, happy motor. Thats my goal for the truck once I get the maintaince side of things under control.

 

You wont regret it. Efficiency and reliability is where its at. Glad to help.

 

After the computer adjusted in mine figured out WHOA i'm getting more air (Fliter minder redered UNLESS cause it just get sucked in there so much air now) and before the mod i was getting 12 mph city highway or towing, then got 15-16 mpg and now that i just put the HOTSHOT oil addtive it in and the new injector getting almost 18 mpg all the way around not bad for a truck with 410's

 

Youre off to a good start bro. cheers