This January Im going to be moving to SW Montana from Va and Im thinkin it would probably be a good Idea to switch over to a synthetic5-40 (how do you guys like rotella's 5-40) for the cold temps. Ill be pulling 7500lbs worth of gooseneck and my favorite horse on the 2300mile trip and was wondering if I would run into any problems w/ the thinner oil(yea i know, its not that heavy of a load but I got your attention didnt I )? My truck has run on 15-40rotella for all of its 55000miles and I was concerned that pouring some 5-40 down the tube and then going on such a long hard pull might be too much of a slap in the face for my CTD? That concern originated from always hearing about how your not supposed to run synthetic for the first 10000miles of driving. I could make the trip on dino oil and switch over to a synthetic but that would be quite a waste of oil. THanks for any input, Drew Stuart

-Do you think I should post this on the towing/hauling section of DTR too?

 

I doubt you'd hurt a thing swithing to synthetic now. But living in Montana it is not mandatory to switch, you'll be fine with dino oil. Where in Montana are you moving? I've spentsome time there and didn't find 1 spot I couldn't spend the rest of my life, beautiful country from plains tp the mountains.

Jed

 

mines spend most of its life on full synthetic 5w-40, i've got the reciepts. Not even a hour ago, I put in Rotella SB 0w-40 for the winter.

 

The Rotella 5w-40 isn't a true synthetic oil- rather a more highly refined oil than the 15w40. I wouldn't hesitate to put the 5w40 in.

 

my 5w-40 was Valvoline premium blue full synthetic. never treated me wrong, I just want the 0w-40....I've got a bad feeling its going to be a harsh winter this go around.

 

5w-40 is not a 'thinner oil' at operating temp.... still a 40 wt... same as 15w-40! When I had an oil temp gauge I observed oil temps were 'up' within 5 minutes of starting.

Change your filter @ 5,000 miles and oil @ 10,000 as a safe PM program.... but best to confirm with occasional oil analysis.

With synthetic, you'll have easier starts in the cold, better protection if oil gets hot and no problems towing any load.

RJ

 

I've been running AMS/OIL 5w-30 for about 85,000 miles and no problems so far.

 

I use 10w30 Mobil 1 synthetic throughout the winter, don't think you'll have any issue with 5w40 synthetic, as 40 designates it protects like a 40w oil. It sure makes for much easier starting in the winter.

 

I have been using Mobil 1's oils for 20 years now.
Torque: Sorry don't think that the 10W/30 is turbo diesel rated ? Think that it is only turbo gas rated? Don't stop at the engine oil run on synthetic's keep changing them as well. I have it in most of the places.

 

Nope it's diesel rated also- with a CF rating.

 

You may want to consider changing. CF Rating came out in 1994 and does not have the reduced contaminates (soot) levels of the newer oils. Was not designed for direct injection diesel engines. I would not use a 30 wt oil for towing and would be reluctant to use it in my 24v if I didn't have to..... Just my $.02.

RJ

 

Not sure where you are getting your info from RJ, but a CF rated oil IS approved to use in any 2001 Cummins engine as stated in owners manual.

Also All Cummins 5.9L Diesels ARE also direct injection engines, they do not have a pre-combustion chamber(as an indirect injection diesel does-IDI).

A 10w30 synthetic can safely be used for towing throughout the winter climates, if not pulling a heavy trailer(if you are-use a 15w40 synthetic or 10w-40 synthetic). I would recommend only using a 15w40 for the summer(dino or synthetic) as I use, it all depends on the climate in your area, and what you are doing with the truck.

 

No offense....did not say it would not work.... just tried to say it's not the latest or best choice, IMO.
Catapillar lists 30 wt engine oil as usable in their hydraulic systems (because it's all that's available in 3rd world countrys). Does not make it the best choice, either.

Did not say CTD's were not direct injection. I said CF oil was spec'ed out for indirect injection engines and not designed with direct injection engines in mind. (I personally don't think this is a biggy.... just mention it FWIW).

My source is Lubrizol Co Reference Manual and 13 years in the oil business.... buying & selling crude and Mfg. high quality Lubricants.

Once again....Just my personal opinion.

RJ

 

None taken RJ, but I'm sure Cummins would not approve it to use in 2001 model, if it didn't meet their specifications at the time, and it does. I change my oil out at 150-200 hour intervals, well within acceptable guidelines.

The reason I use it, is because I bought about 20 jugs of 4.4L, about 4-5 years ago when oil was cheap and on sale(paid about $16 cdn for each jug). I am almost out of it now. When I buy more it will be just a newer rating CG,CH,or even CI, whatever will be left on shelves, probably not CF anymore.

There is no harm running an APPROVED rated oil in any engine, as long as it at least meets or exceeds that particular engines specifications, which in this case it does. I don't tow in the winter(too cold and too much snow here for that year round, thus the 10w30 designation in winter).

Picking a proper grade of oil all depends on your location and temperature range, and use of truck at that time. I am not concerned one bit about my choice, this coming from my experience as a H.D. mechanic with over 25 years total experience, including 9+ years as a Service/Fleet Manager, and now self employed as a consultant. Hope this clears it up.

 

5w40 is not thinner oil than 15w40. They both act like a 40 wt oil when they are up to temp. I run 0w40 in the winter here in Canada, and have no problems. You may be confused on how oil is rated. "15" is the weight the oil is when cold (ie acts like a 15 wt oil), "w" means it's winter rated, 40 is the viscosity when up to temp.

15w40, 5w40, and 0w40 will all have the same viscosity when up to operating temp.

Check out bobistheoilguy.com forums to learn more about oil that you thought you could ever learn.