Which Motor oil For short Runs?

[frank1]

I've been running Amsoil 5w-30 HDD SYNTHETIC oil in all my trucks for the past five years along with the EA 080 oil filter. Oil is changed along with filter once a year (about 7,500 - 10,000 miles). The question I have is I run a Lawn and Landscaping company, my trucks run very short trips between client to client (maybe 2-5 miles), up to 25 clients a day. Alot of start and stopping of engine in a course of a day. The trucks pull 10,000 Lbs. equipment trailers. Should I switch to Amsoil 15w-40 AME during summer months and leave the 5W-30 HDD for the winter months? Any other suggestions to help prolong these great engines under these severe conditions would be appreciated. Frank

 

[CKelley1]

it is a waste of money to run synthetic. some of our trucks have near or over 1,000,000 miles on them using 15w-40 dello

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[rscurtis]

Navydood on another thread is on his fifth oil change in 166K miles. That doesn't sound like a waste of money to me. Of course, he has one of the clean running CR engines. I agree, however, that using synthetic in a newer 5. 9 or 6. 7 would be a waste of money due to the required short change interval.

 

[TGVET]

Navydood on another thread is on his fifth oil change in 166K miles. That doesn't sound like a waste of money to me. Of course, he has one of the clean running CR engines. I agree, however, that using synthetic in a newer 5. 9 or 6. 7 would be a waste of money due to the required short change interval.

I've been using Amsoil oil (and all their other lube products) in all my vehicles since 1975. My experience in having done rebuilds (top and bottom ends) and long term driveability has proven the product stated testimonials to be FACT using the recommended change intervals and filtration applications. You can retrieve statistics in lubricity comparisons from their website and you will see, Amsoil is superior in every way to any other oil.



Also, HDD 5w30 is the recommended year round weight for the non-6. 7 engines if not mistaken.



Just my . 02

 

[Mhannink]

for short hops such as that, i would stick with a light weight full synthetic oil. its going to provide the best protection. personally i use 5w-40 full synthetic in our diesels on 10k intervals with oil analyisis. i could actually go to 12 or 14 but it doesnt work out as well as 10. the oil itself doesnt really matter to much, you need to watch the oil analysis and change it based on that. that is the best way to ensure maximum engine protection.

 

[rjones]

Rotella T 15W40 in all my trucks 250k on my 96 with near perfect analysis

 

[Bob4x4]

I've been using Amsoil oil (and all their other lube products) in all my vehicles since 1975. My experience in having done rebuilds (top and bottom ends) and long term driveability has proven the product stated testimonials to be FACT using the recommended change intervals and filtration applications. You can retrieve statistics in lubricity comparisons from their website and you will see, Amsoil is superior in every way to any other oil.



Also, HDD 5w30 is the recommended year round weight for the non-6. 7 engines if not mistaken.



Just my . 02

Superior in every way... ... ... ... ... :-laf



5-3o is not recommended by Cummins

 

[BIGNASTY]

BOB 4x4 I use 15/40 but you would still use 15/40 in COLD MT winters Without heaters?

 

[Bob4x4]

No I would follow the cummins recommendations for the climate

 

[amsoilman]

I've been running Amsoil 5w-30 HDD SYNTHETIC oil in all my trucks for the past five years along with the EA 080 oil filter. Oil is changed along with filter once a year (about 7,500 - 10,000 miles). The question I have is I run a Lawn and Landscaping company, my trucks run very short trips between client to client (maybe 2-5 miles), up to 25 clients a day. Alot of start and stopping of engine in a course of a day. The trucks pull 10,000 Lbs. equipment trailers. Should I switch to Amsoil 15w-40 AME during summer months and leave the 5W-30 HDD for the winter months? Any other suggestions to help prolong these great engines under these severe conditions would be appreciated. Frank

If it were me, I would continue to use the HDD 5W-30 year round, and I would also get an oil sample done before you change out the oil at the end of the year. This way you will have a very good idea how the oil is holding up with your type operations.
As a side note, Foster Trucking Company, a large commercial trucking firm, with over 200 trucks with Cummins engines, use this oil exclusively in all their trucks.

The Amsoil 5W-30 HDD oil does meet the standards for the Cummins:

AMSOIL Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil is recommended for diesel engines, gasoline engines and other applications that require any of the following worldwide specifications:[END QUOTE]

• API CI-4+, CF, SL • ACEA A3/B3, E2 • Global DHD-1 • JASO DH-1 • Mack EO-M+, EO-N Premium Plus '03 • DDC Power Guard 93K214 • Caterpillar ECF-1-a, ECF-2 • Cummins CES 20071, 20072, 20076, 20077, 20078 • Volvo VDS-2, VDS-3 • MB 228. 1, 228. 3, 229. 1 • MAN 271/3275 • MTU Type 2

 

[frank1]

Thanks for all your replies and recommendations. I do an oil sample on each truck prior to oil changes (Oil Analysis Lab, Inc. ). On last years report for one of my 03's the copper level was at "158" and the letter "d" next to it, meaning Severe(immediate action). Also, at the bottom of the report it stated possible cause "wear metals probably break-in wear". At the time the engine had 97,000 miles on it. Everything else had the letter "A" that was tested, ie, Soot (2), Oxidation (17),Silicon (4), Lead (4) etc... The oil Viscosity@100 C (cSt) was at 11. 7. I will be taking samples on all trucks by mid April and complete oil changes along with fuel filters. Guess I'll stick with the 5w-30, thanks again - Frank