Winter Oil Choice

[DaveHess]

Haven't seen too many Northern Tier posters but I was curious what the TDR members who live in extreme cold climates do for oil in the winter time. In case you're curious, our temps here in Bismarck, ND can be pretty darn cold. We have been known to go weeks without getting above zero Fahrenheit. Also, not looking to start any war here just want to know what you experienced CTD owners do. Thanks!

 

[mberry]

I haven't lived in temps like that, however, I personally would run a high quality (choose your own brand) synthetic 5W-30 with the proper API ratings for our diesel engines. Possibly even an 0W-30. Also I would do everything I could to make sure I plugged in when the engine was not running.

 

[BHolm]

Dave, My work trucks sit outside all winter in rural central MN. We get some nice winter temps there as well I have always run 15-40 Rotella in the diesels all year around. The trucks need to be plugged in on really cold nights but I have had them start down to 0*F without the block heater. The Cummins starts very well in the cold.



I have been running Amsoil Series 3000 5W-30, which is targeted specifically for trucks like ours, in my '05 since its first oil change at 5000 miles. I have been pretty pleased with it though it hasn't been in there during the winter yet. Its probably a good idea to run one of the diesel specific 5-40s, Rotella, Delo or something like the Amsoil.

 

[Slow Six]

Cummins 5W40 year around. Works good. Use it in my Kubota powered Grasshopper year around too. Temps here range from +40c to -40c.

 

[nickleinonen]

0w40 maybe? i am running that currently this in summer... esso xd-3 pao base stock... just slightly lower hot oil pressure idling than 5w40 [1-2psi]

 

[Cattletrkr]

We did a little UNscientific test last winter. I cut a V-shaped notch in one end of a paint stick and we dipped it in 4 different oils and timed it to see how fast the oil would make it to the peak of the inverted V. Here's the results. Time was simply counted off, that's why a range. Dad counted and he has no loyalty to any oil and there were two of us there to verify "accuracy". Oil was set outside in -10F and then brought into the shop for the test.



Amsoil 3000 5w-30 (currently running in mine)------ 3-4secs

Rotella T 5w-40------- -------------------------- 5-6 secs

Mobile 1 Delvac 5w-40--------------------------- 7-8 secs

Mobile Delvac 15w-40 conventional---------------- 12 secs



All this little test was for was to see which one should give the easiest cold starts, nothing more. I've had the Amsoil in two different trucks, but never in the winter, just bad timing. I used to like the Mobile, but not after that test. Rotella is by far the cheapest at $13. 48/gal from Walmart, compared to $20 something for the Mobile. I'm probably going to go with Amsoil 15w-40 when my supply of 5w-30 runs out. It's supposed to one heck of a good oil, but I'm gonna change it at 10-12K anyway so $28/gal is way too much. I can get the 15w-40 in a 30 gal container for dealer cost, which is less than the Rotella from Walmart. It helps to buy all my tires from an amsoil dealer.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

If JJW_ND sees this he'll chime in, he ran a lot of extended drains w/sampling and usually ran Amsoil 5W30 in ND.

 

[LandShark]

My first choice, if money is no object, is Mobile Delvac1 5w40 synthetic. Second choice is Shell Rotella 5w40 synthetic.

 

[rbattelle]

Synthetic oil was originally formulated specifically for cold weather performance. If it were me living in ND, I'd run some kind of 5w-40 synthetic during the winter and conventional 15w-40 during the spring/summer/fall.



-Ryan

 

[DCaswell]

I have been running Esso 0W-40 for 4 years winter & summer in temps from -40 to +40

 

[Hohn]

Haven't seen too many Northern Tier posters but I was curious what the TDR members who live in extreme cold climates do for oil in the winter time. In case you're curious, our temps here in Bismarck, ND can be pretty darn cold. We have been known to go weeks without getting above zero Fahrenheit. Also, not looking to start any war here just want to know what you experienced CTD owners do. Thanks!

Try Rotella 10w-30 or Delo 10w-30. A synthetic 5w-30 is also a good choice. PLUG IT IN! That's a big help too.



Good to another see NDer on here. My Dad Lloyd Hohn lives on SunnyView Place (north of town out past Century ave). Works for the Trib.



I love Bismarck!



jlh

 

[DaveHess]

Man, I love this website!!! Thank you to all you guys. I have been running Rotella T 15W-40 all year round. The truck is in a heated garage at night and only sits outside for about 9 hours at work during the day. She doesn't come out much in winter actually since my wife can't drive in the dark and here in the great white north it's only daylight in the winter from about 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. I use her Honda and leave my baby in the warm garage. On the occassions I have to drive it in the sub-zero temps, it always starts nicely and oil pressure comes up relatively quickly. It just makes me nervous. The owners manual stated to use a synthetic 5W-30 but I am also not a big fan of swapping oil brands and weights on a regular basis. No scientific backing for that, just don't like doing it. Thanks again guys!

 

[LightmanE300]

Dave - get yourself a high quality 5w40 synthetic. Then you can run it year round and not have to mess with anything for different seasons. Once you get below 10F, 15w grade oils really start to lose out to the 5w's and 0w's in cold flow pumpability and protection. I wouldn't recommend using a 15w40 synthetic in your area, let alone rotella dino 15w40... I don't think most people understand what it's like starting an engine at -40F.



I prefer mobil delvac 1 5w40 synthetic - also sold widely (most walmarts) as mobil 1 truck and suv 5w40. I have done some runs with the amsoil series 3000 5w30, but the oil analysis results in my three diesels have always shown higher wear metals than delvac 1. I also am not comfortable with a 30 weight thickness when it comes to high temp high load operation.



When you switch to synthetic you will be surprised at how much quicker the oil pressure shoots up and changes, and may notice a slightly smoother running engine. If not for the simple sake of proper protection, you can justify the extra cost of the d1 for the fact it can go nearly twice as long as rotella before needing a change...



For what it's worth - you can probably do fine with rotella t synthetic 5w40 or valvoline prem blue extreme 5w40 syn - they are just a tad cheaper and dont use the same quality basestocks as delvac 1/amsoil/redline use. .

 

[Cattletrkr]

... The owners manual stated to use a synthetic 5W-30...

I'm pretty sure the manual says 5w-40, not 30.

 

[DaveHess]

Hey Hohn! Are those Bilstein Shocks on your Ram? Tell me more about them would you? Also, I sent you a private message but don't know if it went or not as I am just learning to use this website.

 

[DaveHess]

LightmanE300. I am one of those guys if the manual says change the oil every 3000 miles I do it every 2000. The dealer told me to use the severe schedule because I am either towing or sitting. Or operating in extreme temps. So, instead of the recommended 3,750 oil changes, I change at 3,500 religiously. I too prefer synthetics over dino oils but with the frequency of my changes, I am not sure if it is worth the added expense. Ok, in my mind it is for the wear protection, but to the Accounting and Finance Department (spouse), it is overkill. I'll mull it over some more.

 

[DaveHess]

Another quick question. Are the API ratings ( if they use API for diesel engines) the same as dino oil ratings? In other words, if I walk into Wal-Mart and pick up Mobil Delvac 1 or most probably Mobil Truck or SUV, How do I know it is acceptable for my Cummins? This may sound like a stupid question but I don't like to play around with my work horse!

 

[mberry]

The API ratings are the same for dino or synthetic. What to look for the is ratings on the bottle i. e. CI-4 or CI-4+.

 

[nickleinonen]

I change at 3,500 religiously

i don't think i have ever done that, or could ever do that... my oil changes happen 2x per year... and end up being from 7500-10000km between changes... i had just over 10,000km last change, and the oil still looked good... it was dark in the drain tub, but on the dipstick, you could still see through the oil to read the stick. . my next oil change will happen in oct/nov... will see how the xd-3 0w40 holds up...

 

[rbattelle]

So, instead of the recommended 3,750 oil changes, I change at 3,500 religiously.

Got you beat. 3k even for me!



-Ryan