Synthetic Oil at 3000 miles?

[RRees]

I'm still sitting on the fence on this. On my Dodge Ram V10 (99) which was replaced by my new 06 Dodge CTD, had Mobil 1 in it after about 500 miles on it. And no problems with it (engine wise).



I'll probably wait until the 6000 mile mark and switch to synthetic. That's only 3100 miles to go. Probably sometime in January, which is when it can get cold here in Iowa.





Note: off topic: I did purchase the Mopar Winter Front also. Hopefully won't need it, but I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. $119. 00 spread out over 10 winters is cheap insurance. Plus I'm getting older. Somebody save some room for me in Arizona or New Mexico.

 

[DPKetchum]

Not seen one but the reply directly from a e/mail to Cummins has been posted several times in the past. I e/mailed them once off their web site and got the same reply. 15 to 20k depending on break in. Which they said(Cummins) depends on how much weight towed,how hard it was worked. E/mail them on their site and post their reply to you.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I have seen the email from Cummins posted a few times as well, but I'll be darned if I can find it.



Here is something I think originated with Cummins discussing break-in operation

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97120

 

[DPKetchum]

Everthing is subject to change. That dosen't mean the 06s or new engines coming down the pike it might be differant but on my 03 when I inquired it was after proper break in(that did leave a broad area) of 15 to 20k. Even on my gassers(new 06 Gran Marguis) I'm in no rush to go synthetic until some miles and more frequent oil changes on dino oil. I change oil in it every 5k now. Have 10k on the 4. 6 in the Marquis and will go synthetic in another 5 to 10k. Then will change it every 15k give or take.

 

[CarlsonR]

IMO it sounds like people somehow think synthetic oil is a magic concoction that stops all wear in an engine. From all info i have read on it,it's main advantage is it's ability to maintain adequate lubrication at extremely high and low tempratures, and maintain it's additive package longer. As far as it's accutual lubricating abilities it's only better than dino oil by a slim percentage.

 

[DPKetchum]

And a longer between drain interval. I put less then 12k a year on my 03 and change oil once a year using Amsoil full syn. 15w40 etc. I change oil in my 1500 once a year and it sees about the same mileage or less yearly. I did drive a 1985 Chevy Caprice Classic with 305 4bbl and 700r4 auto 252k with Amsoil lubes front to back with trans filters every 90k &fush,oil change every 25k and diff service every 90k with NO lube related failures other then the plastic timing chain gear set at 225k and drove and ran great when I sold itat 252k. Still see it from time to time. Even Amsoil wheel bearing grease. Worked for me,LOL

 

[klenger]

Why would you need written proof from Cummins one way or the other. If you want to run syn oil from day 1, go ahead and do it. It's not against the law.

 

[amsoilman]

IMO it sounds like people somehow think synthetic oil is a magic concoction that stops all wear in an engine. From all info i have read on it,it's main advantage is it's ability to maintain adequate lubrication at extremely high and low tempratures, and maintain it's additive package longer. As far as it's accutual lubricating abilities it's only better than dino oil by a slim percentage.

Not so. Many tests over the years have shown as high as 70 percent LESS wear on certain parts of course, as not ALL parts wear the same.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[pwr2tow]

IMO it sounds like people somehow think synthetic oil is a magic concoction that stops all wear in an engine. From all info i have read on it,it's main advantage is it's ability to maintain adequate lubrication at extremely high and low tempratures, and maintain it's additive package longer. As far as it's accutual lubricating abilities it's only better than dino oil by a slim percentage.

I agree totally.

It's just like snake oils everyone looks at to put in their engines thinking it will make the engines last forever but in reality all they are doing is spending more money on something that in most cases really isn't neccessary.

This is straight from my owners manual
NOTE: The same oil change interval is to be followed for synthetic oil as for petroleum based oil. Also, synthetic oil must meet the same performance specifications as petroleum oil.

 

[Diesel Nut]

I agree totally.



It's just like snake oils everyone looks at to put in their engines thinking it will make the engines last forever but in reality all they are doing is spending more money on something that in most cases really isn't neccessary.



This is straight from my owners manual

NOTE: The same oil change interval is to be followed for synthetic oil as for petroleum based oil. Also, synthetic oil must meet the same performance specifications as petroleum oil.

Well, I think its up to the truck owner to decide what is necessary. As for my truck, its a requirement in my mind.



As for the cost, its actually quite a bit less when you break it down. And test have shown it to perform better.





I agree what the manual says, but heres a different take for you. Amsoil's 15K mile interval for diesels is actually right in line with schedule "A" in the owners manual. So, you really aren't stepping outside the lines by much if you go off the manual.



Will your mot run longer with syn than without? No, not necessarily. However, you will spend a lot less time and money on routine maintenance over the life of the vehicle.



Jason

 

[DPKetchum]

My once a year and the mileageI put on my truck is in THEIR guidelines. I think the Amsoil Marine and truck oil just make me feel a little more warm and fuzzy then dino oil would at a once a year 12k or less a year interval. I used the same oil in a previous truck (93 W250)for 6 years.

 

[Buffalo]

I seem to recall reading on "bob is the oil guy.com" that Chevron Delo-400, 15W-40 actually tested out at an 8W-40.



I believe this was the new CI-4+ rated oil & was due to the addition of a nice dose of moly & boron. It has been said that the difference between conventional & synthetic oils is not as great, anymore.



I am, by no means, an oil expert but, I think one of the greatest advantages of running a quality synthetic is the extended oil drain intervals if used in conjunction with a bypass oil filtration system. If you do a lot of driving, as in commercial towing, etc. , the extended oil change intervals would require less maintainance proceedures.



The extreme temperature capability has to be a good thing, also.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[CarlsonR]

For Klenger, I don't need written proof, as stated in this thread I started us ing synth with 12miles on the odometer. I'm asking for written documentation because all you see on these sites is people saying not to use synth until after 10-20K miles which from all information I have read from cummins and other manufactuers is just not true, and appears to be old wives tales being passed down to all these new diesel owners looking for honest advice.

 

[pwr2tow]

For Klenger, I don't need written proof, as stated in this thread I started us ing synth with 12miles on the odometer. I'm asking for written documentation because all you see on these sites is people saying not to use synth until after 10-20K miles which from all information I have read from cummins and other manufactuers is just not true, and appears to be old wives tales being passed down to all these new diesel owners looking for honest advice.

As some one already suggested, send an e-mail to cummins.

 

[pwr2tow]

Well, I think its up to the truck owner to decide what is necessary. As for my truck, its a requirement in my mind.

As for the cost, its actually quite a bit less when you break it down. And test have shown it to perform better.


I agree what the manual says, but heres a different take for you. Amsoil's 15K mile interval for diesels is actually right in line with schedule "A" in the owners manual. So, you really aren't stepping outside the lines by much if you go off the manual.

Will your mot run longer with syn than without? No, not necessarily. However, you will spend a lot less time and money on routine maintenance over the life of the vehicle.

Jason

15K mile maintenance schedule

Amsoil 15-40 Approx. = $18. 00/gallon x 3 gallons = $54. 00 price goes up quite a bit for 5-30 or 5-40

Rottela T 15-40 approx. = $8. 00/gallon x 3 gallons = $24. 00
I can change my oil twice and have fresh oil every 7500 miles instead of running dirty oil for 15,000. This gives me a warm fuzzy feeling rather than running dirty oil all the way out to 15,000 miles.

Or I could leave rottela in for 15,000 miles like the maintenance manual says I can and use the other $30. 00 to buy beer for me and my buddies to have an oil changeing party.

Your first sentence I totally agree with.

 

[DPKetchum]

To each their own. I don't want to change oil with as little miles as I drive it every 6 months. I WAS a 3k or 90 days kinda guy for YEARS. Took me a while to get on the newer way of thinking with engines running cleaner and oils that are greatly improved over yester year. That 85 caprice I ran Amsoil 10w30 full synthetic from 80k to 252k with 25k oil changes and top offs with super clean pcv tube and valve and almost 0 deposits on top of the heads showed me something. It actually was CLEANER at 200k then it was at 80k of dino oil being used.

 

[DPKetchum]

I was going to e/mail Cummins again and ask. The site I was thinking of with the RED engines displayed etc. is down for maintance. Maybe someone else can find the Factory Cummins site that has a CONTACT US with the how soon to use synthetic. ON FOLLOW UP I have left a message with Cummin Corporate in West View at their techincal center. They also are in charge of the Cummins natural gas/propane burners as well as diesel.

 

[John Boyce]

Wow, this thread is getting a little involved! In response to a question about what the dealer used, they used "Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40". http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_Turbo_Diesel_Truck_5W-40.aspx I don't think it carries the "Delvac" name any more.



My only point was that the owner's manual clearly recommended synthetic 5W-40 for the temperatures I will likely encounter here in North Dakota, so that's what I wanted.



For what it's worth, our 2005 Saab 9-5 Aero (turbo, of course) comes factory filled with the only oil that is recommended, Mobil 1 0W-40.

 

[amsoilman]

15K mile maintenance schedule



Amsoil 15-40 Approx. = $18. 00/gallon x 3 gallons = $54. 00 price goes up quite a bit for 5-30 or 5-40



Rottela T 15-40 approx. = $8. 00/gallon x 3 gallons = $24. 00

I can change my oil twice and have fresh oil every 7500 miles instead of running dirty oil for 15,000. This gives me a warm fuzzy feeling rather than running dirty oil all the way out to 15,000 miles.



Or I could leave rottela in for 15,000 miles like the maintenance manual says I can and use the other $30. 00 to buy beer for me and my buddies to have an oil changeing party.



Your first sentence I totally agree with.

Lets talk "apples to Apples" here. RotellaT 15W-40 is NOT A SYNTHETIC oil. It is Highly refined petroleum oil. Much less Dollars to produce, and therefore $8. 00/Gallon.



Now if you want to talk Rotella T 5W-40, then that is a Synthetic product. And since the lawsuite brought against Castrol by Mobil !, the Word "Synthetic" is basicly a "Marketing" term! Most of todays "synthetics" are nothing but Hydroisomorized petrolium based (group lll oils. )



Wayne

Amsoilman

 

[pwr2tow]

Amsoilman

I was just pointing out to diesel nut the costs and the irrational theory he was trying to get accross. It would be hard to talk apples to apples as we are talking about 2 different grades of lubricating fluid, Group III vs. Group IV. Although petroleum products are refined so well these days there isn't much difference anymore between them and true synthetics. Check out this website www.bobistheoilguy.com there's alot of good information that isn't company slanted.

Rotella 5-40 is not a synthetic only called a synthetic because of a law suit.
Rotella 15-40 is not a synthetic either.