Rotella synthetic for half the price of Mobil1

[jsimpson]

... at Wal Mart. Am I saving money on the short run but costing me money in the long run? How can their oil be as good for half the price? I ran it in my 94 with no problems. 5-40.

 

[RustyJC]

The answer is - it's not as good for 1/2 the price. The Rotella synthetic is a group 3 (severely hydrocracked dino) base stock oil while the Mobil 1 is a group 4 (polyalphaolefin, or PAO) base stock oil.



Is the Rotella synthetic better than most dino oils? Yes. Is it as good as a true group 4 synthetic? No.



Rusty

 

[jsimpson]

Then I guess I can afford to change it twice a year insteadof once a year.

 

[jelag]

I just noticed something in the post above... . I wouldn't use a multi-grade in my truck if in fact it was a 5-40... ... I'm thinking that Cummins suggests a 15-40 as a minimum standard... . someone correct me if I'm wrong... .

 

[nickleinonen]

I just noticed something in the post above... . I wouldn't use a multi-grade in my truck if in fact it was a 5-40... ... I'm thinking that Cummins suggests a 15-40 as a minimum standard... . someone correct me if I'm wrong... .

they recomend 15w40 for warmer weather, but when the temps go below 0°f, they say good to go on 5w40 synthetic... i use 5w40 base3 synthetic year round [i'd use delvac1 if i could get it for a good price... ]

 

[jsimpson]

I just noticed something in the post above... . I wouldn't use a multi-grade in my truck if in fact it was a 5-40... ... I'm thinking that Cummins suggests a 15-40 as a minimum standard... . someone correct me if I'm wrong... .

The chart in the owners manual shows 15-40 for fossil oil or 5-40 for synthetic.

 

[Sixpac2]

where is there more info on group 3 and 4 oils. I have never heard of this. Thanks

 

[MDietrich]

I noticed that the Rotella 5W-40 that I used from Wally Mart is only CH-4 rated. Recomended use for our engines is CI-4. I ran it for 4000 miles and dropped it, switched to Royal Purple 15W-40.

The owner's manuel reads that synthetic 5W-40 is good for year round use. And it does make a huge difference in the winter for starting, I'll agree to that!



MD

 

[jsimpson]

I noticed that the Rotella 5W-40 that I used from Wally Mart is only CH-4 rated. Recomended use for our engines is CI-4. I ran it for 4000 miles and dropped it, switched to Royal Purple 15W-40.

The owner's manuel reads that synthetic 5W-40 is good for year round use. And it does make a huge difference in the winter for starting, I'll agree to that!



MD

I have a leftover gallon from last year that says CH4 as well, but the oil I just bought says CI4. I don't know whetrher or not the older oil would meet the new spec and they just relabeled it, so I'm using it in my Bobcat.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Pull your dipstick at 0*F with Delvac 1 and the oil is stringy. Not real impressive for $22/gal. We did a little cold weather test a couple months ago and Rotella blew Mobile away as for as which was thinner at -10*F. Amsoil was the clear winner and dino was laughable. But between Rotella and Mobile, Rotella was way better. The test was just a timed dip test, nothing scientific. I have no idea which one performs better in a running engine, but I know which one will start it easier.



I've been running Delvac1 for a couple years, but as soon as I run out I'm switching to something else. I might go to dino in the summer and then to Amsoil in the winter, or maybe go Amsoil year-round. I like the thought of using dino in the summer, I'm kinda getting sick of the synthetic smell.

 

[Tomeygun]

I have a leftover gallon from last year that says CH4 as well, but the oil I just bought says CI4. I don't know whetrher or not the older oil would meet the new spec and they just relabeled it, so I'm using it in my Bobcat.

Hmm... Well i just switched to rotella synthetic 5w-40 --- And now I find out that it is not up to par?



So I should be looking for the CI-4 rating, right???

 

[Tomeygun]

On second look - It appears that Rotella t synthetic IS CI-4 rated:





http://www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/RotellaTSynthetic.pdf

 

[jsimpson]

yep, unless you have some old oil.

 

[MDietrich]

Darn Wal-Mart here in town is still putting CH-4 rated oil on the shelves. I checked yesterday to see if any of it was CI-4. I just assumed that was the only rating it was going to come in and Wal-Mart is the only place, so far, that I can find Rotella 5W-40. I would consider going back to it.



MD

 

[RustyJC]

where is there more info on group 3 and 4 oils. I have never heard of this. Thanks

HERE'S ChevronTexaco's writeup on it - there are many more. Try a Google search on "synthetic oil group 3 4".



Rusty

 

[Sixpac2]

Thanks rusty, I will give it a look