Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 5W-40 synthetic

[DPellegrin]

I'm thinking of changing to a 5W40 synthetic like Delvac 1 or Rotella 5W40 synthetic. I live in Minnesota where cold starts are a major consideration. I have historically used 15W-40 Delvac 1300 without problem. I noticed that the lastest engine oil recommendation from Cummins allows the use of a 5W-40 oil in ambient temps from 5 to 120 degrees F. I understand that Cummins allows extended oil drain intervals if you use 5W-40 Premium Blue. However my local Cummins distributor is adamant about using the 15W-40 mineral oil.



I am looking for a dialog or the opinion of someone who has made the switch from a 15W-40 product to a 5W-40 synthetic, either in winter or year round.



Thank You

 

[LandShark]

I switched to 5w40 Delvac 1 at 100,000 miles. I switched to Rotella synthetic at my last oil change because the Delvac is so hard to find.



Oil useage has stayed the same (none). I have been changing the synthetic at about 12- 16,000 with a oil filter and 2 qts. of makeup oil at 6 to 8,000 miles.



The only real difference I can tell is that on cold (below 40F) starts the engine, injection pump, or what ever, makes much less noise upon starting and the starter cranks faster. That's good enough for me.

 

[JohnE]

I'm thinking of changing to a 5W40 synthetic like Delvac 1 or Rotella 5W40 synthetic. I live in Minnesota where cold starts are a major consideration. ...

I am looking for a dialog or the opinion of someone who has made the switch from a 15W-40 product to a 5W-40 synthetic, either in winter or year round.



Thank You

Delvac 1 is the best oil I have used to date. Tried a popular 5W-30 brand but it was to thin for summer usage. Got lots of misting out the breather tube.

I really like 15W-40 oils for summer, but decided to stick with Delvac and change twice per year. I use it in the Mommy van, too. Why stock multiple grades of oil when a single jug will do the job.



I'll email jjw-nd to post. He has used many different oils and is currently using Delvac 1, too.



If you're worried about cold starts get an Espar or Webasto. I very rarely have cold starts. I smile on cool January or February days when the grid heaters don't even cycle.

 

[RDLeader]

My last oil change got me 30K out of Delvac 1. It was still good as new. When I switched over at the 50K mark, I ran some blend for about 3K, then did the full switch. I have heard, that when switching to a synthetic, you should run it about 3-5k, then drain and fill again. With the availability of the truck and suv oil, it's alot easier to get ahold of now, and a little cheaper too.



Roman

 

[Cooker]

I am running 5w40 year round (currently Petro Canada Duron Synthetic) and IMHO it is the best overall grade of oil to run in a northern climate. There are no ill effects of running a 5w40 year round and in a northern climate the benefits during the winter months over a 15w40 are huge.

 

[JJW_ND]

5W40 Fine for year round use

I started out using PB2000 and 6K changes. Grab a sample and dumped the oil every 6K. At around 60K I started using 15W40 Amsoil. I was after an oil that help extreme cold starting when not plugged in (temps less then -20 F) and an oil that I could run 15 - 25K between changes.



The 15W40 had no problem making it out to 24K (longest I went) but it still seemed "thick" when really cold. I Switched to the 5W30 and found it noticable better with cold starts. I had the lowest oil temp with this oil but also had a fair about of misting from the breather tube. As compared to the 5W40 Delvac I now use, I can not say the oil comsumption was any worse with the 5W30 versus 5W40.



I did get the highest wear readings with the 5W30 but this was a cumlative thing and only occurred at end of the 24K drain. Never had a sample flagged to be drained!



I ran two 24K intervals with 15W40 and four 24K intervals on the 5W30. I changed the Stratapore filter every 6K and grab a sample. No bypass.



I have been running Delvac 5W40 for the last 40K miles. Between the headgasket work I had done and high silicon readings just after the head work (after a good drain and refill with clean oil) I have just about reached the first 18K on the oil and will see how it is doing. At 12K it was very good.



I used to pull alot more but was not as overfueled as I now am.



I have not tried the newer group III synthetics (Valvoline Extreme, Rotella, Delo). There is no doudt the group IV (true synthetics) like Amsoil, and Delvac do great in very cold weather. They just cost $20 per gallon or more.



If your going to run the good stuff, I would run 10 - 12K with a filter change at 5 -6K. With analysis there is not doudt it would be fine out past 18K.



With out a doudt if cold weather starting and operation is your goal, go with a 5W oil.



jjw

ND

 

[TSterken]

All year. I have it in my 95. John deere also has 0w40 good for year round. I'm going 20,000 mile with oil samples at every 5,000 filter change at 10,000. So far it looks good. At 9,000. My oil guy has truck fleets that go 75,000 mile on oil.

 

[Jerred]

No AMSOIL users out there?? I'm shocked!! I've been running the heavy duty diesel and marine synthetic for about 30k miles, so far so good. I did the sample program on the first oil change and it came back clean after 16k miles. I got a little concerned and changed it anyway thinking I needed to protect the turbo with all the perf. upgrades I've done. Then I read that story in the last issue of TDR about the guy with a 97 that went almost 300k between oil changes using the sampling program and changing filters at regular intervals. I'll be sampling mine every 15k or so and changing the two filters as recommended in the future. Anyone else use AMSOIL at extended drain intervals with "enhanced" engines?

 

[RWhites]

I can say I have used synthetic motor oils since 1981. Glad I did. Spent 10 years as a marine mechanic and saw thousands of engines broken. The best testimony I have ever saw was connecting rod machined improperly from the factory that ran onto the cheek of the crankshaft. At 500hrs I disasembled the engine smooth as a babys bottom,,,, steel on steel... Mobile 1. For the past 10 years Amsoil has been my choice of lubes because I have a commercial account making the prices OK, but I can pick up the phone and the stuff gets delivered to my porch. I also use ridiculously long drain intervals. 25k Rich