I have been running Amsoil synthetic in my truck and now I am thinking of using the Rotella synthetic instead.
The Amsoil costs about $75 for a case of 12 quarts vs. $15 a gallon of Rotella.

What is your opinion?

 

Personally, I think it is better to change the oil more often, than to use high end oil. I am nto saying I use the cheap wal-mart brand stuff, but I'd rather buy Rotella and change it more often then buying Amsoil and making myself drive on it longer because I paid more for it. Just my opinon. I use standard Rotella and change it every 5,000-6,000. Either way, I think you will be fine.

MSandt

 

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/TDR57_Oil.pdf

I have been running Shell Rotella T for 60,000 miles (Mopar 15,000 before that) and it seems fine. But this coming oil change im switching to Rotella Synthetic because it is still CI-4+ rated. Unless you have a 6.7 Cummins, this article above suggests strongly to stay away from the new CJ blend oils.

Valvoline is supposed to be coming out with "Premium Blue Classic" which is the older blend...before the CJ stuff. But since it isn't out yet and my next self imposed 5K mile oil change interval has come up again...im making the switch to Rotella Synthetic 5w40 for now. I can't give any assessment of it yet though....but I expect it to be great.

 

Very interesting! I might just have to consider the brand of oil I use. Good article, thanks for the input.

 

Yes great article... And some of the Best Oils are still resonably priced...

Now my next question, what are some of the draw backs to changing brands and also going to a synthetic?

I am and always have been running good ole Rotella T... That is what every one I have ever know to have diesel runs so that's what I have always run... I change at 7500miles just like the book says.

 

as long as you dont use syth before the break in period of the motor its not a big deal cummins says wait at least 2 oil changes before going to syth i prefer syth because its a stronger base on the molcule level then standard oil thats why it trad last longer then regular oils. the reason why you dont use it for the break in period of a motor is convential oil helps in the seating of the piston rings and so on this is a quote taken from the cummins website hope it helps
Is it OK to use synthetic oil with my Cummins engine?
Cummins recommends that you not use synthetic motor oil during the break-in period of 5000-20,000 miles, based on the type of driving, to allow proper seating of the piston rings. Beyond that mileage it is OK to use synthetic oil

the only true draw back to a synt oil is the cost but in the end you are getting a higher quailty oil and if you buy amsoil like i do buy it off the web site and then become a perferd customer and the price for 12 quarts goes from 80 down to 58 i became a prefered cost. and bought a bypass filter that is 175 and it went down to 130 so i saved a bunch of money and the prefered cost. deal only cost me 20 bucks for a year so i saved a few hundred since i buy my oil by the 55 gallon drum and my additives by the case, I use amsoil in my 310 sg deer backhoe as well as my truck hope this helps

 

Wish they would of talked about mobile delvac 1, CI4+. I thought about using this, but after reading that i might just go with the rotella. Anybody use the Delvac 1?

 

What is the difference between CI-4 Plus and CJ-4 lube oil? This article does not explain the difference between the two, and when I did some research (I just googled it) the API and others claims CJ-4 oil exceeds the ratings of CI-4 Plus, so why would this not be benficial to our use? I know we dont have EGR or Particualte traps and this oild was designed for those, but how would not having EGR or DPF have a negative effect on this oil. I am by no means an oil or diesel engine expert, so if someone could explain to me why I do not want CJ-4, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

M Sandt

 

The big difference between CJ and CI is the lower Total Base Number with the CJ. The lower TBN is because of EPA mandates and the use of ULSD.
What it means for us is most likely more frequent oil drain intervals with the CJ.

MikeyB

 

you said you were thing of switching to rotella syn. oil ,you cant buy syn. oil for 15.00 $ a gallon. did you mean regular rotella?

 

I have seen Rotella Synthetic for $15.89 a gallon. I think I might switch to that also.

Interesting thing I found out, according to Valvoline's website, the Premium Blue is a CJ-4 rated oil, and the TDR article, it is a CI-4+ oil.

Click this link and then look under Product Specs, they say it meets API CJ-4, CI-4+, CI-4, etc.

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...sp?product=112

I was going to switch to Valvoline Preimum Blue, but the whole idea was to get away from CJ-4 oil. hmmmm, what to do.

 

The Delvac was a great oil, but it has made the switch to CJ blend also.

 

Premium Blue is now CJ4, I think they will be making a Premium Blue Classic, from what ive read

 

Regular Rotella...is $8.88 a gallon at my local Walmart. Rotella Synthetic is running around $16 a gallon. It is not a TRUE Synthetic....but has some Synthetic qualities. Maybe somebody can explain it better. But it is a very good oil and rated highly in the TDR article.


But it will probably be switching to the CJ blend too.

 

Mobile Delvac 1 is still CI4+, but nobody seems to use it???