Thinking of Switching Oil

[Eventer]

I am currently using Shell Rotella-T 15W-40. I am thinking of switching to Delo 400 15W-40.



What are the benefits of using Delo over Shell? I don't have the smell that some do with Shell. I thought Delo was semi-synthetic so I might get better mileage for about the same oil cost.



My local Wally World carries Delo now so availability is no longer an issue.



What's the best for my truck. I drive about 25,000 miles per year, mostly highway, mostly unloaded.



Thanks for your input!

 

[chuck3]

Both Good Oils.

Its kinda personal prefrence thing, I started with Rotella but hated the smell after the oil change and went with Delo. If the shell works for you why switch?

 

[Neal Cassady]

I like Delo

Go to the web sites, navigate to the products/spec sections and check the numbers.



My computer link here at home is too slow now for me grab the specific pages.



http://www.rotella.com



http://www.chevron.com



Delo seems to come out on top in just about all categories.



Dave

 

[DGFoster]

Can you say Amsoil 5w30

 

[jwilliams3]

Ever think of trying Cummins Premium Blue 15W40, produced by Valvoline?

Works great in my truck, Also what Cummins uses for ISB at factory level.

 

[JJuliano]

Oil

How about Delvac 1300 super made by mobie, It is at any wal mart easy to get.

 

[Todd T]

I use a synthetic blend that was recomended to me on my first truck. I get it from a little company in downtown St Louis MO. called Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants. www.schaefferoil.com



they have ONLY been in business for 162 years (documented) and have a full line of lubricants and additives. I use their Supreme 7000 15W-40. which meets and exceeds API CH-4/CG-4/SJ, Cummins CES 2071 and 20076 along with numerous others.



I buy it by the case 6 (1) gallon jugs for $10. 43gal. thats $62. 58 a case and you can do 2 oil changes + have 2Qts left. here is a small comparison of it, and another famous brand.



SAE grade 15W-40 multi grade synthetic blend.



Schaeffers



vis 40C Cst astm d-445 =108-111

vis 100C Cst astm d-445 =14-16

high temp shear vis 302C =4. 3

vis index astm d-2270 =145

flash point F/C astm d-92 =496/236. 11

stable pour point F/C =41/42

per qt.

=$2. 60







Brand "A"



vis 40C Cst astm d-445 =108. 4

vis 100C Cst astm d-445 =15. 1

high temp shear vis 302C =3. 7

vis index astm d-2270 =146

flash point F/C astm d-92 =446/230

stable pour point F/C =36/32

per qt.

=$5. 05

as you can see they are pretty close in all respects.



Hope this helps. and yes, they will ship anywhere!

 

[Snow man]

Todd,I thought I was the only one here that used Shaeffers oil!Ive been using it for 4 yrs now. Its green in color,but I like it soi far. I absolutely love their grease,and injection pump lubricant.

 

[DGFoster]

Todd,can you send me some info on how to get it,might just give it a try. . Dave

 

[Todd T]

Snow Man, yep its green, I have been using it since 1995 and love it. I even run it in both my tractors and one is a gaser.



Dave, they are located at:



Schaeffers

102 Barton Street

St. Louis MO 63104



314-865-4100 or 800-325-9962 or www.schaefferoil.com

 

[DGFoster]

Thanks Todd,will give it a try. .

Gosh if I would have looked closer you already gave the address. .

 

[RJOL]

Chevron Delo 400

I've used Chevron Delo 400 since my truck was new. WHY?... . It meets all Cummins specs and I can get it by the case (6 X 1 Gal jugs) from Costco for about $34 a case. It's as simple as that...

 

[Cooker]

I'm suprised to see Schaffeurs brought up around here. I didn't know there was any TDR members running it. Anybody have oil analysis with the Schaffeurs.



To answer the question asked: The Shell and Delo are both good oil, but the Delo is the better of the two. The Delo has a much lower pour point than the Shell (20+ degrees lower) so in cooler weather the Delo is definitely the way to go, given the two choices.



The Delo is not semi-synthetic, but it is a Group II base stock so in that regards it is superior to Group I oils.



IMO - The Delo is the best conventional oil out there.



-Ryan

 

[D White]

Any Idea what the pour point is on Delvac 1300?



Thanks

Doug

 

[Cooker]

The pour point of:

Delvac 1300 Super 15w40 is -33*

Shell Rotella T 15w40 is -15*

Chevron Delo 400 15w40 is -38*

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Cooker

The pour point of:

Delvac 1300 Super 15w40 is -33*

Shell Rotella T 15w40 is -15*

Chevron Delo 400 15w40 is -38*

Where I live if it got down to -5 I would be staying home in bed under the covers I guess I will stick with Rotella T 15w40. I think it got down to "0" once since I moved here and I stayed home then. Normal winter temps here are lows in 20 to 30 range, 90% of the time. Like I said we have gotten a couple of days where it was colder but very unusual. Looks like if you live up north this other oil might be a good idea.

 

[D White]

Thanks for the info on the Delvac Ryan. Think I'll stick with it, seems to be a good oil and easy to find.



Doug

 

[Cooker]

As a general rule you want an oil that has a pour point at least 10 degrees cooler than the coldest temperatute you will be in. IE if air temp is -5, then you would want to run an oil with at least a -15 pour point. In cooler weather, obviously the lower the pour point the better.



The Delvac was recently reformulated. It was a pretty decent oil before, but I have no idea if it is better or worse now.



My $. 02,

Ryan

 

[Eventer]

Cooker,



Thanks for the info on pour points and whether or not Delo is semi-synthetic.



I think I may give Delo 400 a try next oil change.



One more question? Can the two oils be mixed. I use a drain plug (Fujimoto?) that leaves about 1/2 quart in the bottom of the oil pan.

 

[Cooker]

Eventer,

The Delo can be mixed with the 1/2 quart without any adverse affects, but there are a few things to consider.



First of all, when switching oil brands the additive packages within the oil sometimes "clash". Sometimes it will cause you to burn more oil than normal, and other times you'd never know a difference. This clash is not harmful, but it prevents you from taking full advantage of the new oil's abilities. This is not so much the case in your scenario, but when switching to synthetics and wishing to take advantage of extended drain intervals. This is the reason why Amsoil recommends a "flush" before switching to Amsoil.



The second issue here is the 1/2 of a quart of oil that is left in the pan at every oil change. The protrusion of the drain plug into the pan prevents the oil to drain off the bottom of the pan. This small amount of oil most likely contains the most harmful contaminates of the oil in the crankcase. Some may feel that this is being a little "anal", but you are obviously concerned about oil quality and protecting your engie so I thought I would mention it. There was a thread a while back where a member modified his drain valve so all the oil would drain from the pan. I obviously think it is best to drain all the old oil from the engine, regardless of which oil one is using.



-Ryan