NEW D/C Press release - 09/01/02 - Payload/tow ratings, model availability, etc

[dpetre]

I have been using Shell Rotella 15/40 weight for the past 10 years and have not had any problems. I run the same weight oil year round. I have a block heater, silicon oil pan heater, and silicon battery heaters. When it gets 40 below and cold your vehicle has to be plugged in or you needed an Espar type heater. Coldest that I have seen here is -72 below with out wind. Besure to check your anti-freeze up here 60/40.

 

[JyRO]

other weights...

Jeremiah - let me/us know what you find out about other weight Valvoline Premium Blues.



dpetre - How do you live? I can't imagine -72°F. I'd just stay inside.



- JyRO

 

[Jeremiah]

Winter oil

Originally posted by dpetre

I have been using Shell Rotella 15/40 weight for the past 10 years and have not had any problems. I run the same weight oil year round. I have a block heater, silicon oil pan heater, and silicon battery heaters. When it gets 40 below and cold your vehicle has to be plugged in or you needed an Espar type heater. Coldest that I have seen here is -72 below with out wind. Besure to check your anti-freeze up here 60/40.

Precisely the kind of information I am looking for! Great comments! The factory block heater heats the water jacket which supposedly keeps the oil in the block warm. And I know about battery blankets, which the owner's manual says are available at the dealerships.



I've not seen a silicon oil pan heater or Espar type heater mentioned anywhere. Are they still sold anywhere?

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: other weights...

Originally posted by JyRO

Jeremiah - let me/us know what you find out about other weight Valvoline Premium Blues.



dpetre - How do you live? I can't imagine -72°F. I'd just stay inside.



- JyRO

Following are comments from Cummins. It occurs to me the oil of choice might be 5W30 dino, not synthetic. Only problem is, I haven't found it yet.



Oil

I received this answer from Cummins when I posed the question to the tech support folks:



Summary: ram isb03 o&m hdeo winter



Solution:

Thanks for the email Casey. We hope we're straight on F vs. C. We can't believe it's already below zero degrees F up there! All of the major oil companies make 10W-30 diesel CH-4 and now CI-4 oils. We know that Esso up there makes such products, in fact they have an excellent 50% synthetic heavy-duty diesel oil (HDEO) that uses both polyalpha olefin (the common synthetic base stock) and the more expensive polyol ester base stock. Refer to the below temp chart:



WARNING

An SAE 10W30 designation on a product is a viscosity designation only.

This designation alone does not imply that the product meets Cummins requirements. Only 10W30 oils with diesel performance credentials listed in Table 1 may be used in Cummins Engines if the reduced ambient temperature indicated in Figure 1 is observed. Only 10W30 oils meeting CES

20078 (API CI-4) can be used in the ambient temperature range similar to 15W40 oils



Recommended SAE Oil Viscosity Grades vs. Ambient Temperatures



Oil Viscosity Season Ambient

Ratings Temperature Range (deg F)



5w-40 or 15w-40 All seasons Temps above +5 deg F

10w-30 and CI-4 " " -5 deg F to +115 deg F

10w-30 Winter Conditions -5 deg F to + 70 deg F

5w-30 " " -15 deg F to +70 deg F

0w-30 Arctic Conditions Temps below 32 deg F



According to the chart above the proper classification 10W-30 should be good to below zero Farenheit.



We thank you for your interest in Cummins products.



__________________

 

[dpetre]

In Fairbanks all the auto stores carry the silicon pads. I got mine at NAPA I think they where $10 each. Espar heater you will have to go on line to find a dealer in your area.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by dpetre

In Fairbanks all the auto stores carry the silicon pads. I got mine at NAPA I think they where $10 each. Espar heater you will have to go on line to find a dealer in your area.

I'll check w/the local NAPA store and ask about 'em. It sure gets cold in Fairbanks. I have a friend who lives there and she keeps me posted on what's going on. Like -40 for days in a row!

 

[OHale]

Dang, I've been avoiding this confession successfully for 24 years!



I bought a new Toyota Land Cruiser in 1978. Mobil One was a fairly new thing then. I asked about switching to it right away and the mechanics thought it was a great idea.



The rings never seated and it was sucking oil like mad in a few thousand miles. The cylinders never scored properly I was later told. Had to have new rings at about 5000 miles. A few years later it was common wisdom to not use synthetic oil during break-in. As one diesel mechanic put it, 'you want the oil to break down somewhat to wear-in the parts during break-in. The synthetic doesn't break down. '



I waited until the full 3,000 miles for my first oil change on my new '95 Cummins. My 12-valve still runs like new, uses NO oil and has 131,000+ miles as of this writing. I would keep it but I need an auto.



I personally would run 10,000 miles (or more) before I went to synthetic on a Cummins.



I use Rotella 10-30w in the winter here (Maine. ) Makes a big difference starting and isn't too thin. Rotella 15-40w the spring-summer-fall. Oil & filter every 3-4k.



Can't wait for the extreme pleasure of breaking in a new Cummins myself! It's been seven long years and over 131,000 miles since the last time. Looks like next spring I'll order one.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I went to full synthetic after only 3000 miles on a new gas engine and I dont think it ever did brake in. After nearly 30K, it still uses oil. (This was a Mr. Goodwrench eng in a Caddy)

I agree with OHale, wait at least 10k or more.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by OHale

I bought a new Toyota Land Cruiser in 1978. Mobil One was a fairly new thing then. I asked about switching to it right away and the mechanics thought it was a great idea.



Wow, that is a confession - driving a Toyota!



I personally would run 10,000 miles (or more) before I went to synthetic on a Cummins.



I use Rotella 10-30w in the winter here (Maine. ) Makes a big difference starting and isn't too thin. Rotella 15-40w the spring-summer-fall. Oil & filter every 3-4k.



Can't wait for the extreme pleasure of breaking in a new Cummins myself! It's been seven long years and over 131,000 miles since the last time. Looks like next spring I'll order one.

That's good advice and I am taking it. Now all I have to do is convince the CarQuest shop to take back my case of Valvoline synthetic and swap it for Rotella.