Oil Question

[Dean Upson]

Is there any real reason why different brands of oil can't be used when changing the oil as long as the required specs are adhered to. I personally have allways used Rotella, Kendall or Valvoline. Just Rotella 15-40 for the past few years. Sometimes when traveling, I have to have the oil changed by someone other than myself. I always carry either a Mopar or Cummins filter. Thanks.



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

Good morning Dean,



I prefer to stick with the same brand of oil for the life of the engine. I believe the idea of not changing oil brands started with WWII aircraft engines. Engines had plates affixed to them actually indicating what oil was put in at the factory and woe to the guy who put a different brand it. Of course oil technology was a lot different back then so the practice probably is not really relevant today. Old habits die hard and I guess I am an example. This one will be raised on Rotella T 15W40.



Cheers, Casey

 

[amsoilman]

Dean,

Different brands of oils, even if they meet the same specifications, use different additives, and sometimes base stocks. Example:The Amsoil series 3000 5W-30 oil and the 15W-40 engine oils are entirely different in their makeup, yet they meet the same API requirements, and engine manufactures specs. The SAE grades of course are different between these two oils.



Bottom line. In a pinch, I would not hesitate to mix different brands, but I would not consider going from brand to brand between oil changes.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Dean Upson]

Casey and Wayne, I agree with both of you, and I am speaking about in a pinch. I always carry extra oil on a trip and do not switch brands as a rule. Sometimes you cannot find a place to change it yourself with the disposal problems that we have today and many campgrounds flat wont let you do it period. I also have used Rotella for years and one of the reasons is that is so readily available. thanks.



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

Dean,



If you are presented with limited options then you have to go with the best choice available. If your rig's favorite brand is not available then you are forced to use the next best choice as long as it meets the manufactures requirements. There certainly would be no warranty issue with switching however. Lots of people do without any apparent harm to the motor. Like you, I always carry an extra gallon of my Rotella. I still can't get over how clean that oil stays in this new motor.



Casey

 

[Dean Upson]

Casey,



I usually carry enough for a change if I'm going on a long trip. I used to have the oil drain with the tube from Gino's. On my 98. 5 I carried an empty Rotella can and drained the oil into the emptys. It was a pretty slick deal and not messy at all because you could shut off the oil flow as you filled the empty container. If disposal was a problem, I just carried the used oil home with me. I am a little antsy about putting a similiar arrangement on the new truck. Like you, I am amazed at how clean the oil stays. I checked it this morning before I fired the old girl up and it was just like new and I had 53 miles on the engine this morning ! I think I'll be using the "B" schedule, 7500 miles between changes if the oil looks good (we still use the King's measure, thank God) . Thanks for the info.



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

I will follow the B schedule as well but at 10,000 kilometer intervals which is around 6200 miles or six months. Works out pretty close and it is easier for me to remember when service is due. Of course I don't put as many miles on the truck as you do. My brain has refused to convert to metric. So I buy my oil in the US. Cheaper too. I picked up 12 gallons of Rotella T on vacation in September so I am good for two years now. Cheers.



Casey