Hi everyone.I recently purchased a 1997 Dodge Dakota SLT 4x4.It has the Club Cab,automatic tranny and the V6 Magnum engine.The engine runs great but has high mileage,128,000 miles.What brands and weights of oil do you guys use and recommend?Due to the high miles should I be using any sort of oil additive as well?I live in the state of Tennessee with fairly hot summers and relatively mild winters.I'd really appreciate your input.Thanks in advance....Slan

I use diesel oil in all my engines.

Hey Slan,

I live in Indiana and I own a 2001 Dakota SLT reg. Cab. It has 40,000 miles on it and I bought it when it had 12,000.
I started using the Valvoline Syn Power Synthetic Oil and I noticed a huge boost in Horse Power. Drawback is that Wal-Mart sells it for $4.27/qt.. I talked to one of the Mechanics at Wal-Mart and He told me that the (Wal-Mart brand Oil) Syntec is made by Valvoline. It is only like $1.27/qt.. I may use the Sytntec next time and see what happens. He also told me "Oil is Oil" no matter what you buy. It is personal preference. Also, He said Fram (PH-16 for my truck) is better than the Syntec filters though.
I hope I have helped you make a decision because I know how mind boggling it is to stand in the automotive isle and read the labels of the different brand oils. They are all good ! LOL!
I know I don't have the answeres to this question because I know someone will tell me that I don't know what I am talking about, and maybe I don't, but I am learning just like you and going by what the Mechanic told me.
If you get a reply from someone that has some info on this we could use, please pass it along to me.
You are my first post to this site (besides my introduction post), nice to meet you!

Hey BleedDodge .....thanks for the reply.Could you give me more info as to why you use diesel oil?I'm really curious to know........Slan

Hi todklo ....nice to meet you as well.And thanks for your input on this matter.I actually was at Walmart today and puchased Mobil 1 Synthetic 10w30.I also own a motorcycle.It's a 1984 Honda V65 Magna.I recenty bought some Amsoil Synthetic motorcycle oil to use in that engine.Amsoil isn't available here in my little town so I had to buy it directly fom the company on the net.They claim Amsoil is superior to Mobil 1 but I'm sure that is debatable.After a bit of research I found that oil additives such s STP are not recommended.One Dodge truck owner didn't even recommend using the synthetic oil if you changed oil every 3,000 miles.He felt it was a waste of money since conventional motor oil is considerably cheaper than the synthetic.Maybe he is right but I'm not sure how many extra miles he would drive between oil changes with the synthetic.Anyway,it's great to make a new friend who is also a "newbie" like myself.Take care man and "keep on truckin'" :grinyes:...........Slan

I put it in everything. All the trucks have it, same with the cars and lawnmowers and the snowblower and whatever else. My brother's go-kart too. The trike...

Just convenience I guess. It's not far off from a 30 weight oil, and I haven't seen any negative effects yet and we have been doing it this way for years. That way when you go to change oil in something there's just the one type, and it works in the diesel engines, and everything else we have.

My uncle has a 1980 D-100 that he uses diesel oil and diesel fuel in and I'm convinced it will run forever. Just a yard truck is all it is.

Forgot to mention that the D-100 is a slant six gas engine. 225.

Just because I use diesel oil doesn't mean you should. I'm just saying that I use it and it works for me. Best of luck.

Thanks BleedDodge.I see what you mean.Obviously diesel oil is of the highest quality since it's used in the big rigs.You mentioned a slant 6 engine.My dad once had a 1970 Plymouth Valient with a slant six.That was a good little car.Later........Slan