Trailer Life says Rotella synthetic not approved for Cummins

[Dieselnerd]

I just got the latest issue of trailer life and someone wrote in asking if they could use the new Rotella T 5W-40 synthetic in their Cummins. It was a long involved answer but they ended by saying Cummins only wants you to use 15W-40 or 5W-30 if it's continually below 20 degrees. I just purchased the Rotella 5W-40 synthetic to use in my engine and I think that answer in Trailer Life is hogwash. Amsoil makes a 5W-40 for our engines and I understand that Cummins now offers a 5W-40 synthetic too.



Opinions from the members?

 

[RADdodge]

Please no more oil wars...

Does the new Rotella T 5W-40 synthetic meet API CH-4? Besides the weight of the oil, I think they were looking at warranty issues, even though the reader’s rig has 171,000 miles on it. Either way, as long as the oil is clean, the engine is going to last a long time. If the oil type and change interval is an issue, they did suggest oil analysis to gain insight to the wear on the engine. After all the oil threads and heated debates, it seems more of a personal issue. Unfortunately, my Cummins will probably last longer than I will regardless of the oil I use.

 

[Dieselnerd]

RAD, I wasn't trying to start another oil war, just seeking information since I bought 4 gallons of the synthetic and then saw the answer in Trailer Life. I did some more research on the Rotella website http://www.rotella.com/ and after reading a lot of information I changed my mind about the 5W-40. Rotella says the new synthetic is OK for all diesels including the Dodge/Cummins but they add that if you don't do a lot of cold weather starts the normal Rotella T 15W-40 is as good or better than their synthetic. They said that Rotella T 15W-40 is better at preventing deposits in your engine than their synthetic and in most applications the oil life is about the same. I was very surprised to see this on their website. I took the 5W-40 back to the store and exchanged it for the 15W-40. They also mentioned the 5W-40 may seep from your seals.

 

[Jeff H]

Truckers have seen engines with a million miles with just Rotella T 15-40. I think In the there was a story in TDR book about a Ram with over a million miles with Rotella T 15-40. Stay with what works.

 

[Midnite]

Dieselnerd--since you live in Arizona this doesn't really apply to you, but I was not at all happy with Rotella T 15w-40 up here in Alaska when temps dipped below freezing around October. That engine REALLY didn't sound good at all unless I plugged in my oil pan heater for awhile prior to starting.



In cold weather the normal Rotella just plain sucks.



Mike

 

[Dieselnerd]

Midnite, I live in Minnesota and spend January thru April in Arizona so I have plenty of experience with the cold. But, my truck is in a heated garage and I don't park it outside in the Winter for more than a few hours without plugging it in. I live in my fifth wheel in Arizona and use the truck to haul it down there. If I did leave it outside overnight in the cold, you are right, that 15W-40 gets pretty thick. The truck has sat in the cold for 5-6 days without running while deer hunting but during that time of the year it seldom gets below 15 degrees and if it does I plug it into my portable generator for about 4 hours before I start it. Even then it cranks kind of slow.

 

[Jff24Gordn]

valvolene has a new 5w40 that was developed with cummins. If its as good or better than the shell, that is for gene and don m to argue out.

 

[Jeff H]

In the winter I use Rotella 10-30. As cold as it wants to get.