Oil Opinions, 5w-40

[PFranzese]

I am a new diesel owner (2009 6. 7) and I want to give my cummins the best possible treatment after purchasing this thing. So with that said I am preparing for an oil change in the future, around 10,000 miles. I noticed in the owners manual it states that I can run 5w-40 synthetic(Amsoil) for all temperature ranges. I live in northern NJ so it doesn't get really hot or really cold but I like the idea of faster oil pressure on cold starts.



Any opinions on running 5w-40 year round?

 

[rjrkihap]

I run 5w-40 Valvoline Prem. Blue Extreme (Cummins Oil) year round and have for quite some time. Some people will tell you it's overkill, but I think of it as an extra layer of protection (needed or not). To be honest, it's probably more important to use a good quality oil and change it frequently (expecially with the 6. 7's emission systems) than it is to run a synthetic.

Just my opinion.

Ron

 

[Grizzly]

I have alway believed that you have to break-in the engine before switching to synthetic, unless these new engines are different. I have also been told that it takes about 15K miles to break-in a Cummins diesel engine.



I use regular conventional oil for diesels and don't plan on switching to synthetic.



Welcome to TDR and do include your signature.

 

[PFranzese]

Thanks for the replies. This site has been very informative about the truck and diesel engine.

I tend to go overboard on maintainence and I don't want to do something here that may hurt more than help. Especially since this engine is an entirely new animal for me. I am surprised more people don't have an opinion or experience on this subject.

 

[tempforce]

just getting to 28,000 miles, still running standard 15-40 motor oil. mileage and power increased untill i got to 20,000. still thinking of using syn, but with the egr +, i don't want to leave the oil in more than 5,000 miles at a time.

 

[2Rowdy]

I switched to Schaeffer's syn. 5w-40 at 20,000 miles. I now have 80,000 miles and have had good uoa's. I am running the fleetguard stratapore filter and a fs-2500 bypass filter.

 

[MAllen1]

I'm a big believer in Amsoil. I also believe there are other good sythetics as well, Amsoil fits my needs on all my vehicles and that's why I promote that oil company. Whichever oil you use, I would definitly suggest running synthetic, but, i'd wait at least 15k miles for a good break-in. When you do get 15-20k miles and swap to synthetic, going to a decent sythetic should allow you to go up to around twice as long on a oil change. I would use a 5w-40 on a 09, or for that matter, just about any diesel in New Jersey with the winters what they are.

 

[Drdorian]

going to a decent sythetic should allow you to go up to around twice as long on a oil change.

Synthetics wont necessarily buy you 2X improvement in oil change intervals, recall that the oil change monitor goes off when the fuel-in-oil dilution reaches a threshold. Synthetic oil will not assist/give you more miles with too much fuel in the oil, it is the same as with conventional. It is best to watch for the monitor and change it when it goes off or change beforehand.

 

[Grizzly]

I'm a big believer in Amsoil.

I'm NOT a big believer in Amsoil. In fact I'm not a big believer in any synthetic oils in my crankcase. Synthetics are good for differentials and such.



I am a believer in changing my engine oil every 5,000 miles instead of extending the oil change intervals to 10K or more miles. You still get water condensation and debris that needs to get flushed out.

 

[rjrkihap]

I also don't believe that a synthetic oil will allow for a greater oil change interval. The additive pack and the oils ability to suspend particles is no greater with synthetic than conventional oil. The synthetic base stock simply does not "break down" like its conventional counterpart. Synthetic also seems to be more resistant to temperature extremes (flowing better in the winter and note coking as easily). I also understand that because of the molecular shape of the synthetic base stock, it is able to lubricate more efficiently in tighter spaces (not very scientific explanation).

Just my opinion.

Ron

 

[hwebster]

I currently run 15-40 in the summer. I just deleted a few components and I did a quick change with straight oil to flush the crankcase. I'll go to either 5-40 or 0-30 for the winter. Now that the DPF / Cat are gone, I don't think CJ4 oil is a must either...

BTW 0-30 is great in the winter. My Gen 1 had to be plugged in to start with heavier oils but spun right up with the 0 weight oil...

 

[PFranzese]

Thanks for all the replies, this has helped me make my decision. I will probably go with 5w-40 synthetic but I will wait for more miles before going to synthetic. Thanks again.

 

[AClayton]

I'm NOT a big believer in Amsoil. In fact I'm not a big believer in any synthetic oils in my crankcase. Synthetics are good for differentials and such.



I am a believer in changing my engine oil every 5,000 miles instead of extending the oil change intervals to 10K or more miles. You still get water condensation and debris that needs to get flushed out.

George,



Can you agree that with mostly Interstate mileage,your intervals can be increased somewhat. I drive in the evenings with my truck and generally only put about 12K a year..... so I change more often. Many CTD owners will use their trucks for continual service,towing moderate to heavy loads. Can it be assumed that you can increase mileage to say 15K when conditions like this exist?



I also use a 5W-40 synthetic... mostly due to the relatively short driving trips I encounter... . sometimes les than a 1/2 hr. I wondering now if I should go back to conventional oil and change more often.



Alan

 

[MAllen1]

I don't know how these new emissions affect the 6. 7s. I know on my 93, 99,02, and 04 is change the filter every 3750 and get an oil sample every 7500 on them. The shortest distance i've gone is 25000 miles on synthetic.

 

[Grizzly]

George,



Can you agree that with mostly Interstate mileage,your intervals can be increased somewhat. I drive in the evenings with my truck and generally only put about 12K a year..... so I change more often. Many CTD owners will use their trucks for continual service,towing moderate to heavy loads. Can it be assumed that you can increase mileage to say 15K when conditions like this exist?



I also use a 5W-40 synthetic... mostly due to the relatively short driving trips I encounter... . sometimes les than a 1/2 hr. I wondering now if I should go back to conventional oil and change more often.



Alan

Alan, yes I can agree that one can increase oil change intervals under those circumstance.



In my situation, I am still on the free oil changes every six months for another two years from the dealer, I usually have less than 5,000 miles when I take my truck to the dealer to have my oil changed, except for long trips to Alaska or to the Pacific Northwest. With my free oil change coupons I can have my oil changed at any Chrysler/Dodge dealer. When in Alaska, I had my oil changed in Anchorage with more than 6,000 miles and again at my dealer when we came home again with more than 6,000 miles.



When I run out of free oil change coupons, I'll be changing my own oil with conventional oil every 6 months, which in some cases will be less then 5,000 miles, which is what I have always done with all my vehicles.



I strongly feel that it is more important to change oil every six months that to try to get 9 or 10K miles out of any oil, synthetic or conventional.

 

[bheiting]

I am a new diesel owner (2009 6. 7) and I want to give my cummins the best possible treatment after purchasing this thing. So with that said I am preparing for an oil change in the future, around 10,000 miles. I noticed in the owners manual it states that I can run 5w-40 synthetic(Amsoil) for all temperature ranges. I live in northern NJ so it doesn't get really hot or really cold but I like the idea of faster oil pressure on cold starts.



Any opinions on running 5w-40 year round?

Cummins recommends conventional oil for the first 10,000 mi. , but I

wouldn't wait that long to change it. Read your owners manual, then

read John Martin's comments in the latest issue of TDR.

 

[pcarlson]

For us "Northerner's" 5w-40 is required per the owners manual when it is zero or below. What happens if the truck isn't broken in yet or someone buys one brand new in the winter time? Is break-in just delayed?

 

[SBeretz]

With the Cummins starting very easily, even in very cold temps, I wouldn't worry about running a 5w in the winter. I know alot of folks that run 15/40 all winter in Upstate NY and Canada, and none of the Cummins guys have ever had an issue with the truck not firing over. I think the 5w oil will help in the long run, but today's 15/40's have a very versatile pour temp that works well unless it is below zero alot. Scotty

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

Amsoil

I use the Amsoil 15-40 good for 50,000 miles Its new still change my filter every 5,000

 

[therabbittree]

I run the 5w40 synthetic either delvac 1 now called "turbo diesel" mobil synthetic or the rotella synthetic. . lately more rotella synthetic. . I know its a not from synthetic base stock but it works well and is signifacantly cheaper $ wise then the Delvac 1 or Turbo diesel mobil synthetic. . I change it at 5000 miles in all my vehicles... 2 vw tdis and two cummins 12vs... I beleive the synthetic helps with faster warm up starts in cold weather. . 90% of my trips are short and low miles. . so less friction is always better. . also all my diffs and transfer cases run synthetic. . even dads atf... becasue of higher temp cap... etc

Thanks,

Deo