Which would you choose...5w40 oil?

[kentdiesel]

At my house the CTD gets top billing so I'll start with it.

In my 12 valve CTD I run Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 year round which is the same as Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40.

The things I like about this oil are:



For now it is still CI-4 plus(better additive package than CJ-4)

Synthetic with POA (who knows how much, mobil won't say)

Good cold temp pour point for winter

High flash temp for hard driving and summer when the turbo temps are high

Good TBN (12, which is detergent)

Readily available



I run Shell Rotella T 5W-40 Synthetic in my Kubota Diesels year round. They have a sticker under the hood that says do not use synthetic oil. I don't consider this Group III oil a true synthetic no matter how much its hydroprocessed.

However, for the money, avalibility, and performance this is oil is hard to beat. I do believe Group III oils like this are much better than Group II and soon to catch up to the Group IV oils if they haven't already. I also run this oil in our Mercedes Turbo Diesels (mine and my wifes).



My suggestion is on choosing an oil is:

If your truck does not have a particulate trap run a Group III or better, CI-4 plus oil. If you must run a Group II oil then I suggest Walmart Supertech 15W-40 because its still CI-4 plus for now.



IMO Group II Shell Rotella, Mobil Delvac, Chevron LE and all the other CJ-4 oils are a step down from CI-4 plus oils. CJ-4 was made to appease the Particulate Trap, not the internal workings of an engine.



Sorry this was so long, just trying to give some info to consider.

Kent

 

[steved]

I'm fairly familiar with the CI/CJ argument, I have been happy with my CJ-4 Rotella, which has ran good up until this last UOA (which was pretty hard on the oil). I may just change it out for a fresh batch (some had almost 30k on it), but I'm still undecided.



Rotella 5w40 is probably a CJ-4 oil by this point, I read about that change coming back in September. Most of the popular oils are CJ-4, if not soon to be CJ-4. I'm not into hunting for one or the other, since again, I travel and hunting for a particular API rating would suck.



steved

 

[kentdiesel]

Shell Rotella and Mobil 5W-40 are still CI-4 plus and available at Walmarts across the country but that could change any day. If your content with CJ-4 then that certainly expands your choices. I think CJ-4 is an OK oil. My hope is a CK-4 oil will come around in a few years that is better than CI-4plus is

 

[steved]

Well I chickened out... just changed the oil with CJ-4 Rotella again. Got a 5-gallon bucket for $47, compared to the $19/gallon Rotella synthetic... I need 4. 5 gallons/change with my GCF.



I just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger... besides, I think I figured out what happened. I believe I cooked this batch of oil towing in the Rockies... I was holding 1300*F EGTs for miles and miles out there. Plus I think I had a timing issue that I just fixed tonight (bare wire) that was causing excess soot and fuel in the oil; not to mention I have been rolling my GCF element too tight, which caused creases that allowed oil to circulate unfiltered.



So, maybe next time... I do appreciate all the input, it did help make that decision to go with Rotella 5w40 when I do make the change.



steved

 

[nickleinonen]

just to throw out another option...



0w40 esso XD-3



i run it year round.



if i could get delvac1 easier, i would definitely run that over my xd-3, but xd-3 is on the shelves at walmarts around me so i use it

 

[MA2LA]

I run the 5-40 rotella year round and its been great. The report in the lastest issue of TDR even gave ita very good rating. and its easy to get, heck i run it in almost everything i have.

 

[steved]

just to throw out another option...



0w40 esso XD-3



i run it year round.



if i could get delvac1 easier, i would definitely run that over my xd-3, but xd-3 is on the shelves at walmarts around me so i use it

I have really been impressed with what I have read about Esso oils... however, you cannot locate them here in the states unfortunately.



steved

 

[Cattletrkr]

One question: for those of you running 5w40, do you run it year round?? Or do you change back and forth?

steved

The "5" means it's better for cold. Once it's warmed up the "40" takes over. You can run a 5w-40 all year long if you want to. I have many many times. The last barrel of Amsoil was the 15w-40, the new one is 5w-40.