synthetic oil suggestions

[JRamirez]

Are the gains from synthetic worth the extra cost? Does anyone know how much hp one would expect to gain by changing? Finally what weight is everyone running? I want to run Mobile One any thoughts?

 

[amsoilman]

Are the gains from synthetic worth the extra cost? Does anyone know how much hp one would expect to gain by changing? Finally what weight is everyone running? I want to run Mobile One any thoughts?

The benefits of synthetic lubes are many. Superior wear protection, increased horsepower, cooler running engines, reduced deposits, reduced oil consumption, resistance to oxidation and breakdown, easier winter starts - they all add up to a better running, longer lasting vehicle.



Synthetic oils are frequently made from higly refined petroleum base stocks (VHVI and XHVI hydrocracked oils). So, the fully synthetic or 100% synthetic oils are very rare. In fact, most of the synthetic oils are petroleum based (mineral) oils.



As to the Viscosity (weight as you state) most Diesel engines should use 15W-40 for most temperatures. However, the SAE 30 grades are gaining in popularity, and will provide better fuel economy.



What HP gains? There have been studies that show an increase in HP, but generaly speaking, your not going to feel a lot of HP gain, but you will feel a smoother running Engine.



Wayne

 

[Cattletrkr]

Over the last 5 years I've run as much synthetic thru my engines as anyone here and I feel comfortable saying the only benefits you'll see are improved cold starts and less time in the shop changing.

Any mileage or hp gains will be strictly on a "one in a million" basis. I've heard of guys gaining 2 mpg just from the switch, but I don't believe it. I've run synthetic in my two CTD's and dad has in his 2 CTD's. Never seen any mileage improvement in any of them using Mobile, Amsoil, Rotella.

I'm certainly not arguing against synthetis, I run Amsoil 15w-50 in mine and will continue to do so for a good long time. However, mileage and hp do not factor into my decision whatsoever.

Mobile 1 is a good oil. I ran it for a while and then I started getting a better deal on Amsoil, to the tune of $10/gal cheaper.

 

[ChrisKringle]

I would go with Amsoil or Redline. Amsoil is poly-alpha-olefin (PAO) base group IV and Redline uses polyol ester (PE) base group V. The hype is true from what I have read. Mineral oil has many inherant disadvantages. I am going 25k between oil or filter changes thanks to Amsoil. 2. 5 times the distance of mineral. You actually save, by getting better gas mileage (measureable, with fleet on Amsoil.com), less down time changing oil, longer engine life.

 

[Deerezilla]

I like schaeffers oil my self been running it on te ranch for years in all of the equipment. I get the 7000 series 15w40

 

[Nelssen]

Shaeffer's 9000 for me. Quieter and smoother running engine. No joke!

 

[AKaiser]

I just put AMSOIL Series 3000 5W30 Heavy Duty Diesel engine oil in mine this weekend at 51,000 miles. Since it's an 05, I figured I'd take advantage of being able to run CI+4 instead of CJ and get an extra economy advantage from going from 15W40 to 5W30 instead of 5W40. Did some research on the 5W30 and it meets Cummins recommendations for using lighter weight oils. Seems to run easier due to less hydraulic friction. The only issue with it that MIGHT be a problem is the high levels of one of the additives (a Zinc compound) supposedly in non-API certified Amsoil products is supposedly destructive to catalytic converters in the quantities found in most Amsoil products. Darn the bad luck

 

[mberry]

... I've heard of guys gaining 2 mpg just from the switch, but I don't believe it...

I gained 2. 5mpg switching back to Amsoil 15w-40 and an Amsoil drop in EAa-189 air filter. You don't have to believe me.

 

[pwr2tow]

I don't beleave any of the claims made by any synthetic oil producer except cold weather flow characteristics. Why? Simply because in the 48 years of my life I've never seen any of their claims come true.

Yes, I've used synthetics in many different applications both gas and diesels over various vehicles and years but always go back to regular oils. Why? The synthetics never performed any better than regular oils and hardly no one keeps their vehicles long enough to warrant the extra cost.

If you really look at the whole picture and trade vehicles every 3-5 years and put on 50,000-75,000 miles why even change oil. Change the oil filter every 6 months add back the quart or so of fresh oil and let the next owner worry about it. :-laf

 

[JH8128]

The best benefit to synthetic oils vs. dyno oil is extended oil drain intervals and better wear protection. You will make the expense diference up in less oil changes and lower maintenance costs. I run AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy-Duty Diesel Oil and have had great results. AMSOIL now makes a great CJ-4. good luck

 

[amsoilman]

I don't beleave any of the claims made by any synthetic oil producer except cold weather flow characteristics. Why? Simply because in the 48 years of my life I've never seen any of their claims come true.



Yes, I've used synthetics in many different applications both gas and diesels over various vehicles and years but always go back to regular oils. Why? The synthetics never performed any better than regular oils and hardly no one keeps their vehicles long enough to warrant the extra cost.



If you really look at the whole picture and trade vehicles every 3-5 years and put on 50,000-75,000 miles why even change oil. Change the oil filter every 6 months add back the quart or so of fresh oil and let the next owner worry about it. :-laf

I certainly wouldn't want to buy a vehicle from you, if you do that kind of maintenance!

 

[pwr2tow]

I certainly wouldn't want to buy a vehicle from you, if you do that kind of maintenance!

Didn't say I did that kind of maintenance, wayne you of all people should know how anal I am about my vehicles and maintenance. We've had these oil related discusssions before.

 

[amsoilman]

Didn't say I did that kind of maintenance, wayne you of all people should know how anal I am about my vehicles and maintenance. We've had these oil related discusssions before.

You're right, I do know. I was being somewhat sarcastic!

 

[pwr2tow]

You Amsoil guys must be slipping. You missed the opertunity of an advertising plug. Here I'll do it for yah.

Originally posted by pwr2tow:
If you really look at the whole picture and trade vehicles every 3-5 years and put on 50,000-75,000 miles why even change oil. Change the oil filter every 6 months add back the quart or so of fresh oil and let the next owner worry about it.

Amsoil sales person:
Going 50,000-75,000 miles without an oil change would be the perfect reason to use Amsoil extended drain intervals. :-laf :-{} :-laf

 

[AKaiser]

Having put nearly 100,000 miles on a 99 Ram gasser, ran oil analysis on it on a regular basis, I am a believer in Amsoil with bypass oil filtration and extended drain intervals. That's my plan for this truck. I put probably 25-35,000 miles/year and it's just a daily driver.

 

[betterthanstock]

Doesn't anybody read owner's manuals anymore?

It recommends 5W-40, not 15W-40 synthetic. It has to do with cold start thickness. That's the only way to save $$$ with synthetic. Better cold mileage. These engines take about 10 miles to warm up, so cold mileage matters to all but longhaul drivers. Why do they even make 15W-40 synthetic? I think Amsoil is the only one with that, and that's one way to waste money. Mineral oil cannot be made 5W-40 because it would take excessive additives, and you would need to start out with 5 weight, rather than 10 weight, and it would cause excessive deposits in the engine as the additive breaks down. Synthetic does not need those additives, so it does not break down, staying cleaner.

 

[Grizzly]

The benefits of synthetic lubes are many. Superior wear protection, increased horsepower, cooler running engines, reduced deposits, reduced oil consumption, resistance to oxidation and breakdown, easier winter starts - they all add up to a better running, longer lasting vehicle.



Synthetic oils are frequently made from higly refined petroleum base stocks (VHVI and XHVI hydrocracked oils). So, the fully synthetic or 100% synthetic oils are very rare. In fact, most of the synthetic oils are petroleum based (mineral) oils.



As to the Viscosity (weight as you state) most Diesel engines should use 15W-40 for most temperatures. However, the SAE 30 grades are gaining in popularity, and will provide better fuel economy.



What HP gains? There have been studies that show an increase in HP, but generaly speaking, your not going to feel a lot of HP gain, but you will feel a smoother running Engine.



Wayne

I don't believe any of your claims about what your product will do and neither does my Dodge dealer. I'll stay with Delo400.

 

[AKaiser]

Doesn't anybody read owner's manuals anymore?

It recommends 5W-40, not 15W-40 synthetic. It has to do with cold start thickness. That's the only way to save $$$ with synthetic. Better cold mileage. These engines take about 10 miles to warm up, so cold mileage matters to all but longhaul drivers. Why do they even make 15W-40 synthetic? I think Amsoil is the only one with that, and that's one way to waste money. Mineral oil cannot be made 5W-40 because it would take excessive additives, and you would need to start out with 5 weight, rather than 10 weight, and it would cause excessive deposits in the engine as the additive breaks down. Synthetic does not need those additives, so it does not break down, staying cleaner.

My 05 calls for 15W40 in warmer weather, and 5W40 in cold temps. The new engines require CJ 5W40 due to emissions control devices. Did my research, and Cummins says you can use a CI-4 type 5W30 as per below:



"Cummins Inc. has required that all xW30 oils registered under CES 20078 (API CI-4) must meet the minimum High Temperature / High Shear viscosity of 3. 5 cSt. These can be used over a wider temperature range than other 10W30 or 5W30 oils. " from http://cummins.dk/fileadmin/dokumenter/Pdf_filer/Cummins_Litteratur/Olie_3810340-04.htm

 

[AKaiser]

The best benefit to synthetic oils vs. dyno oil is extended oil drain intervals and better wear protection. You will make the expense diference up in less oil changes and lower maintenance costs. I run AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy-Duty Diesel Oil and have had great results. AMSOIL now makes a great CJ-4. good luck

Unfortunately, they had to cut back the TBN in the CJ oils. That makes oil analysis that much more important and perhaps cost effective.

 

[amsoilman]

I don't believe any of your claims about what your product will do and neither does my Dodge dealer. I'll stay with Delo400.

I certainly think you have that right! Believe what you want, and I'll believe the FACTS!



Wayne