Synthetic Fluid Choices

[brillmtb]

I guess I just realized that our differentials out of the factory do not have synthetic, at least this is what they told me over the phone when checking TSB today.



In order of preference I would like to know which synthetics you all are using in the



1. Rear end

2. Front

3. Transfer case

4. Engine



Synthetic recommendations only please.



I have an auto transmission so I guess I need to go with the DC fluid there.

 

[draymorris]

Amsoil on all 75-90 on front and rear, ATF on Transfer case, 20-50 in engine - Amsoil web site will give you more or you can e-mail Amsoil tech support.

 

[LightmanE300]

1&2 Mobil 1 75w90 synthetic gear oil



3. Same as transmission oil I believe but haven't had to change either yet. .



4. Mobil Delvac 1 5w40. If I was going to be staying in the south I'd use Amsoil 15w40 HDD/Marine - it's at terrific oil and a bit cheaper than D1.



Good luck, you'll get 8 million different replies =]

 

[Bertram65]

Amsoil 2000 75/90 in front and rear diffs. http://www.amsoil.com/products/tgr.html

I will not use it when I change the fluid again because as far as I can tell it is not API certified which could cause problems in a warrantee issue. If I am wong on this someone will correct me.

 

[LightmanE300]

Bertram you are correct. Most of Amsoil's products are API "rated" and not certified. Most customers recognize it to be a good oil regardless of certification, but as far as the warranty goes, you know they would love to deny your claim for any little reason they could, so I play it safe.



Mobil1 synthetic is very easily available, and certified. Same with the Mobil Delvac 1 5w40. CI-4 certified.

 

[PLaFrombois]

Not wanting to start "another oil debate", but they can't void your warranty, unless it is proven to be oil related. As long as the oil meets/exceeds the API standard you're covered. It doesn't need to have a doughnut on the bottle to be approved oil for your vehicle.



If you need to see the doughnut on the bottle, Amsoil has a 15W-40 Blend that can be used.



Paul

 

[dieselpilot1969]

royal purple 75/140 rear, 75/90 front

mobil delvac 1 engine

transmission, still factory fill

transfer case, still factory fill, will switch both those over to redline in early spring

 

[Steve M]

Chrysler's ATF+4 and the factory fill in the differentials is synthetic. I use Valvoline fully synthetic 75w-90 in the differential and Chrysler ATF+4 in the transmission. If I go synthetic in the motor (one guy only got 1,114,000~ miles out of his Cummins on dino Rotella) I'll likely go with Vavoline Premium Blue 2000. Premium Blue 2000 is Cummins' own recipe. Used to be brewed by Castrol, now by Valvoline.

FWIW, why doesn't Amsoil get their oil certified? Of course it's expensive but, so is their oil.

 

[Bertram65]

My point on the warrantee issue is, if there is a problem with say the ring and pinion DC could say the oil is not GL-5 certified as required. I don't think DC is going to care if you say "well Amsoil is as good as GL-5 they just choose not to prove it", it is not certified to that standard so it does not meet the requirement set by DC.

I have Amsoil in my truck, I think it is good oil, but you should be aware of this fact if you are going to use it.

 

[brillmtb]

Steve,





I was told over the phone that the diffs do not contain synthetic out of the factory and that even the techs sometimes dont know this. This was over the 1-800 number to check on recall and tsb info.

 

[Tony T.]

Synthetics

Originally posted by brillmtb

Steve,





I was told over the phone that the diffs do not contain synthetic out of the factory and that even the techs sometimes dont know this. This was over the 1-800 number to check on recall and tsb info.

brillmtb: This is odd that they would tell you this, which I'm not doubting you, that it was said, but page 340 Schedule (B) of the 03 owners manual shows front and rear axle fluid 2500/3500 models to contain GL-5 SAE 75W-90 Synthetic. Also if you will look at schedule (B) maintenance it shows to change fluids every 15,000 miles. Schedule (A) has no mention of changing the fluids at all. So if you was one of the few that used schedule (A) there is not maintenance schedule to change the front and rear fluids. Thus this telling me that the fluids would have to be synthetic. I for one use the schedule B maintenance but, do not tow every day. There show be a schedule for moderate towing.

 

[EMD-Run8]

Why does this API thing keep coming up? Gang, you can buy "API Certified" oil for less than $1. 00 a quart but would you use it? Not I thanks! Amsoil or any of the other top line synthetics far surpass the requirements of API. Amsoil does in particular because it is the only one of the top line synthetics that is formulated for "extended drain service" ---------something like 35,000 miles and indeed much longer with an oil sampling program. The auto industry has been extending the drain interval on engines in recent years precisely because Amsoil and perhaps others have been leading the way. As I recall it, Amsoil didn't submit to API's certification because doing so would require them to use only a set type of basestock oils. Amsoil wanted to be able to buy better basestocks as they became available instead of having to be limited to just certain ones. Constantly upgrading their basestock oil and maintaining API certification would mean recertifying again every time they changed the base oil get it? Amsoil is more concerned about making the best oil they can make (customer satisfaction) than they are about satisfying the antiquated requirements of the API.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Originally posted by dieselpilot1969

royal purple 75/140 rear, 75/90 front

mobil delvac 1 engine

transmission, still factory fill

transfer case, still factory fill, will switch both those over to redline in early spring

Has anyone noted any negative consequences using the 75W140 synthetic in the rear end? For those that have temperature sensors, any difference in the reading while towing?

 

[klenger]

Has anyone noted any negative consequences using the 75W140 synthetic in the rear end?

I think that some people have the impression that 75W140 is as thick as butter. I've used Amsoil 75W140 since new, and it has always worked fine, even in sub zero temps in Colorado.

 

[rbattelle]

1. Valvoline Synpower 75w90 full-synthetic.

2. Same as 1.

3. Mopar ATF+4

4. Valvoline Premium Blue

 

[BHolm]

I use the same brew in all four of my diesel trucks. Amsoil 75/90 in the front diff, Amsoil ATF in the T-case, Amsoil 75/140 in the rear diff.



I run Rotella in the engines at 5000mi intervals except the Chevy. That one has a computer that says I can go 10,000 miles, so I do. I also plan to dump that one before the engine warranty expires, so I don't worry about exceeding the reccomendations for oil changes.



I run standard ATF in the transmission's. They get changed every 30k anyway which is twice annually on the work trucks.



BTW, no adverse affects from using the 75/140. I have had it in the dually for over 10k miles of towing now.

 

[amsoilman]

My point on the warrantee issue is, if there is a problem with say the ring and pinion DC could say the oil is not GL-5 certified as required. I don't think DC is going to care if you say "well Amsoil is as good as GL-5 they just choose not to prove it", it is not certified to that standard so it does not meet the requirement set by DC.

Gear oils do not have an API "Donut". The only oils you will find "Donuts" on are engine oils. These "Donuts" are available for a huge fee from the API, and are only there to show the general public that the oil does meet "minimum" standards.



When it comes to the Amsoil engine oils, they do have some that are API "Certified", and are allowed to carry the "Donut" on the containers. The better oils from Amsoil do not have the "Donut" on the container, but are much higher in quality.



One thing to consider, is the fact that Amsoil has now been producing and selling these "uncertified" engine oils for more than 30 years now, and they have never had a claim on engine failure that was attributed to engine oils used in accordance with their recommendations.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[EB]

Amsoil 75/90 in rear end, 10/30 in transmission, ATF in power steering pump and 15/40 in the engine. I have run Amsoil for over 500,000 miles now, (in two trucks) and have never has a oil related problem. My present truck, a 2003, 3500, now has over 90k and my last truck had over 416k when I sold it. Never any oil related problems.

 

[COBRAJET]

Amsoil 75/90 is in the front and rear diffs. Amsoil ATF is in the transfer. I run Redline MTL synthetic in the transmission. I run Amsoil 15W/40 oil when towing the 38' 5th wheel. Otherwise it gets whatever my local Dodge dealer is putting in it... . I got FREE!!!! oil changes for life at 3K miles with the purchase of the truck.



For what it is worth I have been using Amsoil products for 9 years and 550K in my diesel trucks and 255K in my wifes vehicle's. Never a problem... . just better mileage and awesome oil analysis results. The DARR Caterpillar in Irving can't believe how well the oil tests after 5-6K hard earned miles..... CJ

 

[YOOPERVIC]

My owner's manual for my '01 says to use 75w140 , synthetic

lube if you are pulling a heavy load. I am. Was using Mobil lube

and recently switched to Redline 80-w140 'c ause I could buy it

by the quart, rather than 5 gals. Both work great. The Redline

says that you do not need to use a friction-modifier with it, and

so far I cannot dispute that.