Opinions? Rotella T Syn 5w-40

[buzzinghalfdozen24]

Hey folks,

Just curious on thoughts on switching to synthetic 5w-40. I'm currently running Rotella 15w-40. Have been doing a lot of research on oils lately and seems that Rotella T Syn is just about the BEST oil out there, period. For anything. It's also JASO motorcycle rated, as I am an avid motorcyclist and off road rider, this is really beneficial. For the bikes, it is "way" cheaper by volume than any other Jaso ma-ma2 rated oil. The fact that it's CJ-4, jaso ma, and SN rated means it's the best of all three. Thoughts?

But sometimes facts aren't enough, how about experience?

Thanks guys

 

[AH64ID]

CJ-4 is not better than CI-4 for your 2005, if you can find a CI-4 I would run that. Not too many left, Amsoil AME 15w-40 is one of them.

I would like to see this test done with current oil offerings. Only 4 or 5 of those oils are still available.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/TDR57_Oil.pdf

 

[buzzinghalfdozen24]

I forgot to say, biggest reason that this is on my mind now is cold start performance. Its been -10 lately and colder than usual. Truck starts beautiful still, but cranks like its pumping molasses through its veins...

 

[buzzinghalfdozen24]

Cj is the newest right? If it is, how is it not better than a CI rated oil?

 

[AH64ID]

I forgot to say, biggest reason that this is on my mind now is cold start performance. Its been -10 lately and colder than usual. Truck starts beautiful still, but cranks like its pumping molasses through its veins...

The pour point of the Rotella you listed is -43°F, the CI-4 I listed is -44°F even thou it's a 15w-40.

Cj is the newest right? If it is, how is it not better than a CI rated oil?

CJ-4 is a more current oil, but it was designed around emissions. It has lower TBN (longevity), and doesn't have the ZDDP additive of CI oil. ZDDP is an anti-wear additive that is very important in flat tappet motors.

CJ oil is not designed to be run as long as CI can. I am not sure what the 2013 did to the cam/tappets for 15K mile oil ratings on CJ oil, but time will tell.

CI-4 is a more robust oil for non-DPF engines.

 

[buzzinghalfdozen24]

Interesting. I just happen to have a gallons of Cat 10w-30 ULS DEO beside me as I write this. I know it's not the oil we're refering too, but it's round API label reads CJ-4, CI-4, and CH-4, and CI-Plus. So that would mean that this oil meets all requirements, and would be an acceptable oil to run in my '05? I'm curious what other brand have a multi rating like that.

As far as the cold goes. That interesting what you say about the pour point of the oils. I didn't realize they would basically have the same rating. But that doesn't mean that they would have the same viscosity at "0" though, correct. I know several people who claim that cold cranks were much easier.

 

[buzzinghalfdozen24]

just for kicks...

"At lower temperatures, using Shell Rotella® T6 5W-40 can help your engine start more easily than using a 15W-40 viscosity- grade product.
Shell Rotella® T6 5W-40 can help protect the durability of the starter and battery in harsh winter climates."

copy and pasted from shell's website. Their specs are hard to find though, to prove it.

 

[RustyJC]

A 5W-40 oil will flow more readily than a 15W-40 oil at low temperatures - that's why it's a 5W. All you wanted to know about the API oil viscosity classification and rating system HERE.

Rusty

 

[AH64ID]

Interesting. I just happen to have a gallons of Cat 10w-30 ULS DEO beside me as I write this. I know it's not the oil we're refering too, but it's round API label reads CJ-4, CI-4, and CH-4, and CI-Plus. So that would mean that this oil meets all requirements, and would be an acceptable oil to run in my '05? I'm curious what other brand have a multi rating like that.

As far as the cold goes. That interesting what you say about the pour point of the oils. I didn't realize they would basically have the same rating. But that doesn't mean that they would have the same viscosity at "0" though, correct. I know several people who claim that cold cranks were much easier.

CJ-4 meets CI-4 specs, or should I say is backwords compatible.. That doesn't mean that its as good as in certain areas.

A 5W-40 oil will flow more readily than a 15W-40 oil at low temperatures - that's why it's a 5W. All you wanted to know about the API oil viscosity classification and rating system HERE.

Rusty

Not arguing that point, but 2 oils with similar pour points are going to flow about the same at a given cold temp. i.e. the AME vs T6. Unfortunatly they do their CCS testing at different temps, but the AME is thinner at -20° than the T6 at -30°, no idea how to correlate that.

 

[RustyJC]

Not arguing that point, but 2 oils with similar pour points are going to flow about the same at a given cold temp. i.e. the AME vs T6. Unfortunatly they do their CCS testing at different temps, but the AME is thinner at -20° than the T6 at -30°, no idea how to correlate that.

That's somewhat true only at the similar pour point. Viscosity moving away from that point will depend on each oil's viscosity index. If they are dissimilar, then ease of flow will be dissimilar as well. For further discussion of viscosity index, refer to the link I provided.

Rusty

 

[AH64ID]

It is, but there are tests that tell more than the w rating. Its too bad both of them don't have the CCS at the same temp, that tells a better story.

The Amsoil AME is a much thinner oil at -20° than the Amsoil DME, both are a 15w-40.

 

[amsoilman]

Any CJ-4 oil is backwards compatible, but as AH64ID has said, not as much ZINK, PHOSPHOROUS, in the CJ-4 oils due to emission systems on 2007 and newer Diesel engines

 

[mpaulson]

I was looking through my manual for the 2014 that I just bought and was surprised to see that they spec'd the Shell Rotella oil in the manual. I don't have the manual here, so I don't know exactly what designation, but it had a 5W-40 and a 15W-40 for the season variance.

 

[buzzinghalfdozen24]

To go back to the API rating issue, all the oils I've looked at recently are all cj-4 and CI-4, I cannot find one that is ci4 only

 

[AH64ID]

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...ty-diesel-and-marine-motor-oil/?code=AMEQT-EA

 

[Tractorat]

The Cummins is not a flat tappet engine, is it ?

 

[AH64ID]

#ad

 

[buzzinghalfdozen24]

Wow, the price is three times as much. Is it really worth it

 

[AH64ID]

For $10 you can get 6 months of preferred pricing and drop the cost.

I think it is worth it, and it's what I run.

 

[Tractorat]

AH64ID,
Please forgive my ignorance. But are you saying that is a picture of a flat tappet ? If it is, do all years have flat tappets ? Or at a certain point, are they no longer flat ?