Best oil for 12v?

[Fordiesel69]

Hopefully this is the right place. Is supertech 15w-40 meeting CI-4 specs ok to use? Truck has 250k on it and the engine looks clean inside. I never usually rack up enough miles, but rather a year will pass and I just change it out.





I have no problem using the "best" oil, however, oil is oil as long as it meets the specs, right?

 

[amsoilman]

Hopefully this is the right place. Is supertech 15w-40 meeting CI-4 specs ok to use? Truck has 250k on it and the engine looks clean inside. I never usually rack up enough miles, but rather a year will pass and I just change it out.





I have no problem using the "best" oil, however, oil is oil as long as it meets the specs, right?

If the oil is API rated as CI-4, it would be OK to use in your application. As to your take on "Oil is Oil" if it meets the specs, this is a incorrest. There are many differences in oils even if they do meet the specs.



Best regards,





Wayne

 

[Fordiesel69]

What I am trying to get away from is "nit-picking" things on the newly aquired ram. All my vehicles, I have over cared for, bought the best oils, filters, etc... . and still have major issues. I was just curious if the supertech was recommended or if I need to buy a brand name, shell, valvoline, shell to put in.

 

[LMcCary]

Which oil to use

I have used Mobil One and find little or no wear after 300K. Others like to used Chevron Delo, Shell Rotunda, Amsoil and Vavoline Blue. Cummins uses Vavoline Blue, which is a realy good oil. As far as Super Tech, it is probaly good in some cases (check Bob's the oil guy), but I still perfer to use NAME BRAND oil, because they send millions on research to make the best possible product for the money. If you want to some time in research, go to Mobil oils site as well as others. I am speaking from experience as I have been repairing things mechanical for 46 plus years and driven millions of miles plus work for the worlds largest package delivery company running millions of miles per month out of one truck center.

By the way, you can find Valvolines prem. blue at NAPA. Just pick the best oil for the money and don't worry about anything except changing at recomended intervals.

LMcCary

Master ASE in Auto, Truck, Equipment, etc.

Instructor of Diesel Equipment

46 year mechanic

 

[AFoulk]

The past few TDR issues had really good articles on the additives in CI-4 and the new CJ-4 oils. The general concensus was to stay away from the new CJ oils if at all possible. the Walmart and Napa oils were pretty much middle of the pack in the CI oils with the Napa being slightly better. I wouldn't worry about running either in your truck

 

[AABEN]

Valvoline has an oil that is called Classic Engine Oil that is the old Premiun Blue oil. IT has the CI-4 Plus CI-4 CH-4 CG-4 CF-4 CF/SL . This oil was made for Cummins and Caterpillar Drtroit Navistar,Volvo and otherheavy duty diesel engines. You can only find it at NAPA part # is 591839 -5GAL Pal only. I hope this helpes you out BEN

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The new CJ-4 specification for emissions engines throws another major element into decisions about what oil is best. It's pretty much agreed that the older spec oils (CI-4 & CI-4 plus) are the more desirable ones, but it's getting increasingly difficult to find.



As far as the TDR article rating oils based on oil sample results I wouldn't put much weight on it. . . it's only considering a few of the many properties that make up a good oil.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

What I am trying to get away from is "nit-picking" things on the newly aquired ram. All my vehicles, I have over cared for, bought the best oils, filters, etc... . and still have major issues. I was just curious if the supertech was recommended or if I need to buy a brand name, shell, valvoline, shell to put in.

have your other vehicles been Cummins?



a 12v will take an unreal amount of abuse, so it feels good to spoil them a little because they respond favorably



I use Rotella T synthetic because it's CI-4+ You should get 10k+ miles on a change unless you're rolling a lot of smoke. I also use Fleetguard Stratopore filters. They're not expensive by any stretch, and they give you that warm/fuzzy feeling you were seeking w/ your other vehicles

 

[Fordiesel69]

have your other vehicles been Cummins?



a 12v will take an unreal amount of abuse, so it feels good to spoil them a little because they respond favorably



I use Rotella T synthetic because it's CI-4+ You should get 10k+ miles on a change unless you're rolling a lot of smoke. I also use Fleetguard Stratopore filters. They're not expensive by any stretch, and they give you that warm/fuzzy feeling you were seeking w/ your other vehicles

Thanks for all the replies.



Forest,



All my other vehicles were fords, the 6. 9L diesel which is also know for durability, however not for power and perfrmance. I had 2 roller lifters stick and wiped the cam lobes off. I found the head gasket would have went south in just a few more thousand miles when I tore it down. When the heads were off, there was still noticable crosshatch patters on the cylinders, although after the top end refresh, the oil consumption, and blowby did not resolve. 1 qt to 500 miles and lot of smoke in the crankcase.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

with a top end refresh, you sealed up the top and exposed high mile rings



we don't have to worry about roller lifters, timing chains, etc. These are very "industrial" engines.



I go 5k on my oil, but I roll a good amount of smoke

 

[DMoon]

It's the additives

I'm a predictive maintenance engineer for a large industrial gas production company and as a function of my job title look at all of our oils on a routine basis so I feel comfortable in weighing in on the subject of oil performance.

With few exceptions modern oils, both conventional and synthetics typically have highly refined base stock and don't vary greatly from one manufacturer to the other. Modern base stocks are pretty much "bullet proof".

That being said, the "magic" of modern oils is in their additive packages. So, which ever manufacturer you are using if you are serious about oil performance have it tested!

I've seen this suggestion posted many, many, many times on this website and elsewhere and it's sound advice. You can't determine the condition of an oil based on color, smell, feel or otherwise. Only an analysis, testing for additive depletion, TBN, karl fischer ,wear, etc. can alert you to how your oil is performing.

In analyzing oils the two most important parameters I look for are, indications of oxidation and additive package depletion. It's more complex than this but if either of these factors come into question I'll most likely recommend an oil changeout.

Of course, in automotive oils if you utilize the manufacturer specified oil, change your oil every 3-5k miles and use a quality filter you'll seldom have oil related issues and can most likely dispense with testing however, in todays world of "global warming" and "petroleum economics" this might not be the best course.

I test my oil and use a quality by-pass filteration sytem and my current oil has nearly 15k miles on it. I have had to top off once or twice but I feel very confident in my oils performance.

 

[AFoulk]

what oil are you using if you don't mind me asking?

 

[DMoon]

Valvoline Premium Blue

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Fordiesel69 welcome to the Cummins world! I don't think the claims here will prove exaggerated—after I had someone put 1/2 a tank of regular in mine and run it for awhile Cummins NE mechanics laughed when I was worried there would be block and head issues. They would apparently consider that concealed damage (their words) and since the warranty was still in force when it happened…That was 6 years ago. Still running great. I've also used the supertech oil—in fact I found at one point it is suposedly made by Valvoline (or same processing as Valvoline)?? Best advice has been given above—and the great references continue to this month's TDR!

 

[AFoulk]

I believe Valvoline also makes Napa's oil as well. We've always used their oil in our shop vehicles (gas engined) and have few with over 200k miles on them. I've was using Rotella in mine, but since reading more about the CJ-4 oils, I think I'm gonna switch to either Napa's stuff or the Premium Blue Classic.

 

[dpuckett]

The way I see it, the engine manufacturer recommends a specific oil category for your year vehicle (CF4 for my 1stGen, I think). Until the CJ-4/ EPA feedlot flooring, anything after that (CG4, CH4, CI4) was better than the minimum required. I figure, if it meets the CI4 requirements, then it will do just fine in my CF4 specified engine.



Are there better oils than the Super Tech out there? I'm certain of it. But, considering the price difference (S. T. 15w40 is ~$7. 50/gal) and with my use and mileage, I doubt I'll have any trouble getting to 500k with my engine. I'll probably get tired of the pickup by then, esp at 10K/yr. These engines are TOUGH, esp when near stock in a pickup. Most dont see heavy use, and will go 5-750K on cheap oil and cheap filters.



Daniel

 

[DodgeWarlock]

I believe Valvoline also makes Napa's oil as well. We've always used their oil in our shop vehicles (gas engined) and have few with over 200k miles on them. I've was using Rotella in mine, but since reading more about the CJ-4 oils, I think I'm gonna switch to either Napa's stuff or the Premium Blue Classic.

According to my local Napa, you're right. Unfortunately, according to them Napa is also switching to the same CJ-4 multi-spec formula as the new Prem Blue.