Attention: TDR Forum Junkies One of the first things in 2014 that caught our attention about the EcoDiesel was the Chrysler specification for the lube oil, MS-11106, a fancy “European 3” oil made for Chrysler for Pennzoil.
Since this oil is about $10 per quart and the EcoDiesel holds about 10 quarts, the price of the do-it-yourself oil change (the oil filter runs about $50) is $160. Ouch.
Our article from Turbo Diesel Register (TDR) Issue 86, “Lube Oil for Your EcoDiesel” was four pages that discussed the what-ya-gonna-do about the high cost of an oil change. Oil expert, John Martin, analyzed the virgin factory fill/Pennzoil Ultra, and discussed the factory warranty versus his personal recommendations. John and I only sampled seven oils, but his recommendation was a 5w40 or 10w30 Shell Rotella T Full Synthetic. Issue 86 has the complete story.
In TDR Issue 88 (page 84) we listed some other oils that TDR Members found that met the EcoDiesel MS-11106 specification. But these oils were still in the $10 per quart price range.
Now the big, money-saving news.
Chrysler Technical Service Bulletin 18-078-16 was published July 20, 2016, and gives us an update. A new oil has been approved for the EcoDiesel; 5w40 Shell Rotella T Synthetic. The TSB tells owners to update their Owner’s Manual, and then add a “5w40” decal to their fill cap. Some software enhancements are also a part of the Technical Service Bulletin.
Click here to download the full Technical Service Bulletin.
I wish I could bring you the insight behind the change to Shell. Regardless, the Shell can be purchased in one-gallon or five-quart jugs at most auto parts or big chain stores. The price per quart is typically $5. Now if we could only find an approved oil filter to replace the Mopar 402AA which is almost $50.
For the Cummins Turbo Diesel Crowd: In the TDR Issue 86 EcoDiesel oil evaluation, John Martin compared the Shell 5w40 of the day to the Shell 5w40 oil that he analyzed for the TDR’s Cummins audience way back in TDR Issue 76 (May, 2012). We wanted to see if the Shell additive package formula had changed. The good-to-know answer from John, “Not really.” Granted, it is now 2016. But I think we can use the Shell Synthetic product with confidence. But a look back to TDR Issue 76 shows that the 5w40 Shell Rotella Synthetic was the most expensive of the ten lube oils that we sampled. Granted, eight of the ten were mineral oils – only the Shell and one Mobil 1 oil that we sampled were synthetic.
Why the emphasis on mineral-based oils? Remember, John is a no frills, cost-per-mile guy with experience in the big-rig truck fleets. The TDR Issue 76 article explained the pros (high temperature stability and cold temperature flow) as well as the cons (high price) of synthetics. John focused on saving you money. His choices back in TDR Issue 76:
- 15w40 – Shell Rotella mineral oil
- 15w40 – Castrol Tection mineral oil
That’s it for now. Thank you for your support of the Turbo Diesel Register.
Robert Patton
Editor, Turbo Diesel Register
Since this oil is about $10 per quart and the EcoDiesel holds about 10 quarts, the price of the do-it-yourself oil change (the oil filter runs about $50) is $160. Ouch.
Our article from Turbo Diesel Register (TDR) Issue 86, “Lube Oil for Your EcoDiesel” was four pages that discussed the what-ya-gonna-do about the high cost of an oil change. Oil expert, John Martin, analyzed the virgin factory fill/Pennzoil Ultra, and discussed the factory warranty versus his personal recommendations. John and I only sampled seven oils, but his recommendation was a 5w40 or 10w30 Shell Rotella T Full Synthetic. Issue 86 has the complete story.
In TDR Issue 88 (page 84) we listed some other oils that TDR Members found that met the EcoDiesel MS-11106 specification. But these oils were still in the $10 per quart price range.
Now the big, money-saving news.
Chrysler Technical Service Bulletin 18-078-16 was published July 20, 2016, and gives us an update. A new oil has been approved for the EcoDiesel; 5w40 Shell Rotella T Synthetic. The TSB tells owners to update their Owner’s Manual, and then add a “5w40” decal to their fill cap. Some software enhancements are also a part of the Technical Service Bulletin.
Click here to download the full Technical Service Bulletin.
I wish I could bring you the insight behind the change to Shell. Regardless, the Shell can be purchased in one-gallon or five-quart jugs at most auto parts or big chain stores. The price per quart is typically $5. Now if we could only find an approved oil filter to replace the Mopar 402AA which is almost $50.
For the Cummins Turbo Diesel Crowd: In the TDR Issue 86 EcoDiesel oil evaluation, John Martin compared the Shell 5w40 of the day to the Shell 5w40 oil that he analyzed for the TDR’s Cummins audience way back in TDR Issue 76 (May, 2012). We wanted to see if the Shell additive package formula had changed. The good-to-know answer from John, “Not really.” Granted, it is now 2016. But I think we can use the Shell Synthetic product with confidence. But a look back to TDR Issue 76 shows that the 5w40 Shell Rotella Synthetic was the most expensive of the ten lube oils that we sampled. Granted, eight of the ten were mineral oils – only the Shell and one Mobil 1 oil that we sampled were synthetic.
Why the emphasis on mineral-based oils? Remember, John is a no frills, cost-per-mile guy with experience in the big-rig truck fleets. The TDR Issue 76 article explained the pros (high temperature stability and cold temperature flow) as well as the cons (high price) of synthetics. John focused on saving you money. His choices back in TDR Issue 76:
- 15w40 – Shell Rotella mineral oil
- 15w40 – Castrol Tection mineral oil
That’s it for now. Thank you for your support of the Turbo Diesel Register.
Robert Patton
Editor, Turbo Diesel Register
