Is 15W40 safe to run all winter?

[D White]

I have been looking over posts for 3 days now trying to answer this question without having to bug you guys. Couldn't find the answer, so here goes. Is Rotella T 15W40 safe to run year round? With winter coming, the temp. get in the teens at night. Sometimes even Zero and below. Last winter I had no problem with starting and I never used the heater. At 15K I plan to switch over to Amsoil, but till then I need to get through winter and the break-in period. I have learned a lot from you guys already and am sure it will be a never ending learning adventure from here on.



THANKS

 

[KatDiesel]

I ran my first winter on Valvoline Premium blue 15w-40 (non syntehtic). Truck was fine, I only plugged it in if it was going to dip below 0° It will take a bit longer to start come winter tho, it took me about 6 tries to start it the first really really cold spell because I was letting off of the ignition too soon (out of habit).



You should be fine, it won't sound too happy tho

 

[GFoley]

Thats the oil I ran through the winters in MN before I was moved south. It even started after the WAIT light went out once when it was -20 and not plugged in. I traveling and not able to plug it in, that was a Jan 00 trip to WI.

 

[Cooker]

If the lowest temps you see are in the teens, 15w40 will be fine, although I wouldn't recommend the Rotella T 15w40.



The pour point of the Shell is only -15. Not that you will see temps that cool, and even if you did if the truck was plugged in it wouldn't be an issue. But I personally prefer an oil with a lower pour point because of better cold flowability.



JMHO,

Ryan

 

[D White]

What oil brand has the best pour point in cold weather. I will be changing it for the first time soon and would like to use 15W40 unless there something better out there. Can't wait to change to Amsoil Syn. but that might be a while before I get to 15K.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

Rotella T - Synthetic blend

I found Rotella synthetic blend in 10-40 at a Farm Fleet store. Wish I had stocked up on it, because they only had straight 15-40 last time I was in. The analysis numbers I got back from the syn blend at 7500 mile change were great, so I'm looking for it for my next oil change. Ray

 

[Cooker]

IMO, and I think a lot of others on this board, the Delo 400 is hard to beat when it comes to conventional oils. The Delo 15w40 has a pourpoint of -38. No doubt the Amsoil (or any other quality synthetic) will be better in cold weather, but it seems like you will have to wait until next winter to run the Amsoil.



JMHO,

Ryan

 

[D White]

Ok Ryan, Thanks. Guess I'll try to find some of the Delo 400 before I make the oil change. I'd feel better with an oil that pours down to -30.