Motor Oil Brands

[JLockhart]

I have a 3500 HO 6sp SWB QC on order, and am investigating sources for motor oil. I am the type that changes oil every 3000 miles, so when I get my CTD, I'll likely shorten the intervals from what Cummins recommends.



I see lots of discussion here about Rotella, which seems to be the most popular, and some mention of Delo and Delvac. Premium Blue is no longer carried by Wal-Mart. Today I noticed that Wal-Mart carries Pennzoil® Long-Life® Heavy Duty Engine Oil. Does anyone have any experience with Pennzoil, or is there a source for test results?

 

[Boonieman]

I used the 15-40 Pennzoil you're referring to on my last CTD. I considered it a very good oil, it just became hard to find in my area. I started the new truck out on Rottella, and I'll stick with it. Each person will have their own oil preferences for their own reasons. But you asked specifically about the Pennzoil, and my personal experience with it was good.

 

[Hunter1]

Delo man here, but to each his own!



Hunter1

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

The key to me is, look at the specs, Do you live in a cold climate? What's the pour point? What's the TBN? Here is a page that shows all the oils certified by the API.



Oil

 

[Dean Upson]

Rotella has proven itself to me over the years. Some folks have complained about the smell on the newly changed oil, I never noticed it. There are many good oils out there and most of us are pretty passionate about the "best oil", there have been some rather lively disussions on this topic in previous posts. Go with any oil that meets the specs and that you like.



Dean

 

[Tony T.]

I think Rotella or Delo either one would be fine to go, both seem to be the most commonly used. I have seen the oil your talking about before in Walmart never have tried it, may be good oil. I believe when comes down to it that it really does not matter what brand, that just making sure that it is kept changed when it is supposed to be and using a good reliable oil filter. I use the Delo 400 15w-40 and the LF16035 Fleetguard oil filters, my preference. I set my maintenance at 5000 to change, some may say that's to soon, and some may say that's to late. Choose whats best for you.

 

[DPKetchum]

THE "A" WORD HERE! after break in

 

[JLockhart]

Originally posted by DPKetchum

THE "A" WORD HERE! after break in

I've been lurking here long enough to know what the "A" word is! Thanks to all who responded!



John

 

[DPKetchum]

 

[LightmanE300]

Guys, its a techical fact - verifiable through oil analysis - that pretty much any oil you're using in an 03+ non CA engine is going to be wasted changing the oil at 3k miles. There is just so much oil compared to contaminants and wear, that it's silly. Cummins oil recommendations are based on tons of testing, and are conservative if anything... Then again, some enjoy wasting their money and time changing every 3k

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by JLockhart

I've been lurking here long enough to know what the "A" word is! Thanks to all who responded!

Just remember that if you don't live in California it may be tough to buy Avacado oil on a regular basis...

 

[Cooker]

Personally if your truck is an around town commuter, I don't think 3k miles is unreasonable. It is still overkill, but not a waste of money IMHO. If you commute a ways to work or spend alot of time on the highway 3k mile intervals is easier to consider it a waste of money.



As far as oil, I think when considering conventional dino oil, Delo 400 is hard to beat. With the shorter oil change intervals like you are considering, about any major brand oil will suit you just fine.

 

[DPKetchum]

One little question and a OIL war starts to build. Change it as often as not and run what you WANT!:-{}

 

[woodsrat]

oil brands

everyone has there brand. I ran rottella in everything we own until three years ago when we opened our new shop. I now use vanellis. It is supposed to be a litte better than rotella and about the same as delo or delvac cant remember which one, and is cheaper than rotella.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Dino oils I prefer Delo 400 but Rotella T should be as good, it's just stinkier when new.



I've heard horror stories about Pennzoil, from mechanic friends with firsthhand experience overhauling engines using Pennzoil. Apparently it doesn't do well with sludge & deposits because they're full of crud. It could be the PCV system wasn't working properly or something but there were enough cases both mechanics who told me this were convinced Pennzoil isn't any good. So I tend to put them in the same category as Fram. . . low quality stuff touted to be the best.



Vaughn

 

[DPKetchum]

Quaker state had same rep years ago. But I saw engines with 200k on them CLEAN as a whistle on Q/S. They had regular oil changes. I also had customers who ran ANY major brand that WAS on sale as long as it was proper weight and had spotless engines because they changed it on a regular basis. They bought whatever wally world or autozone etc had on sale did'nt care who's as long as it met specs and was the same weight. I ran Q/S for years and never saw deposits.

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by DPKetchum

Quaker state had same rep years ago. But I saw engines with 200k on them CLEAN as a whistle on Q/S. They had regular oil changes. I also had customers who ran ANY major brand that WAS on sale as long as it was proper weight and had spotless engines because they changed it on a regular basis. They bought whatever wally world or autozone etc had on sale did'nt care who's as long as it met specs and was the same weight. I ran Q/S for years and never saw deposits.

I agree with DP, I believe as long as the oil and filter is kept changed on a regular base's that you will not have the problems with sludge build up. There may be people claiming that there keeping it changed, but thats not always the case. I've used Pennzoil for years in my gassers, and I do believe it will sludge up, if not changed regularly. There's also some people that tend to trade vehicles every couple of years that never change the oil, just add to it when needed. They look at it hey I've got the money to trade, so why should I change it. :--)

 

[Chief USA]

I use John Deere 15W-40 Plus 50. Costs about $1. 29 a quart if you buy it in the 55 gallon drum. They also make a 0W-40 Plus 50 synthetic.



Plus-50™, 0W-40 Synthetic Engine Oil



Plus-50™ 15W-40 Engine Oil



Chevron makes the 0W-40 and 15W-40 for John Deere but in some areas John Deere contracts out the 15W-40 to local refiners.



I have been running the 15W-40 Plus 50 and Fleetguard Stratpore filters in mine since day one.



I use the John Deere oil primarily because I can get it at a great price; otherwise I would use what ever Wally World has on sale.

 

[RustyJC]

Delo 400 and Fleetgard Stratopore filters changed regularly are working fine.



Rusty

 

[Rman]

I had an old chrysler 5th avenue in highschool. The oil pump went out one day and i had to drive it home with no oil pressure. It was frightening but i made it by turning the engine off and coasting, starting at stop signs and flooring it, then coasting... you get the point. I heard the lifters banging and my main bearings being eaten, it sucked.



I ended up doing a california rebuild on it, and pulled the heads off to clean up the "mess". Well anyway, i was using pennsoil and fram oil filters (my god i was stupid in highschool) and well the "mess" was incredible. To this day i won't even look at a bottle of pennsoil, that stuff caked up in every passage, it turned to absolute sludge under the severe heat conditions.



Now this may have happened with any oil i was using, but after seeing how that particular oil held up to not so optimal conditions, i was convinced synthetics may not be that bad afterall. I switched to amsoil then, and have been using it ever since. So my vote is no on the pennsoil.