I get free oil changes from the dealer where I bought my truck. As winter has set in here in upstate NY I would like to run a winter grade oil. I just spoke to the dealer who told me that Dodge recomends running the 15-W40 up to 0 deg F. Now it does not get below that very often but runs closer to it for a majority of the winter. Do you guys think that it is safe to run the 15-W40 all winter or not? Thank you in advance for your help.

John

 

It get's pretty cold where I'm at in Michigan and I run 15W-40 year round...


Tony

 

Are you going to keep the truck for 10 years and 300,000 miles or get rid of it in 4 years and 100,000 miles. If I wasn't planing on keep the truck for a long long time then I would run just 15-40.

 

I wasn't sure what to do with my truck as I still contemplate going south for a few months. I had some Havoline URSA 15W40 and 10W30 in quart bottles so I mixed it 50 - 50. The 10W30 was noticeably thinner but I was surprised not to see any difference in my oil pressure gauge. We haven't gotten terribly cold yet, but it started at 22F no problem not plugged in. For upstate New York, similar to me, I would go straight 10W30 and drain it the end of March regardless of the mileage. OR just get some 5W40 Mobil 1 Truck & SUV and be done with it.

 

If you plug it in 15w40 is fine year round for down to -10. IMHO.

 

When changing viscosity's, just be sure that the oil is rated for use in diesels.

 

Hey Joker, I'm just around the corner near Binghamton I run 15-40 year round with no problems. My truck has been a north-east native since 1989 and the PO ran 15-40 for the five years he owned it. Pushing 400,000.
Greg

 

Up here where we live in "igloos" ,I run 15w40 year round. No issues. Even in the Ferd company truck.

 

I run 15/40 all year round in my big diesels and get 1,000,000 miles on them before rebuild.

 

If it is below 0 , plug it in or put it inside . Once the engine is warm 15/30 is to light for these engines . I would fear more damage from to light a oil than to thick . Run the 15/40 and on cold days give it a few more minutes to warm up before you put it under load and you will be fine . I had a friend in Michigan who had the dealer change his oil and they put in 5/30 in the winter and he spun a cam bearing . I am not a big fan of it my self but if you are that worried go with a synthetic oil . I have seen many large diesels with over a million miles on them that have run nothing but Shell 15/40 year round .

 

Both the 15W40 and 10W30 were URSA Texaco Diesel. Good point to be careful the 10W30 is diesel rated

 

I am running at 10W30 diesel rated dino oil this winter. Last winter I ran a 5W40 Synthetic. So far I feel and hear no difference in starting and will determine over the winter if this 10W30 is ok or not.
So far so good.

Scotty

 

Scotty- Why do you want to run a 30 weight oil? Isn't the top # the one you would be concerned with when starting??

 

I just dont like the idea of 10-30. The 30 is too light. It might be cold out and need lighter for better start ,but if you happen to hook on something heavy and work her that oil is going to get hot. Better off going with a syn 5-40 under those conditions. Remember theres lots of car diesels that never really work ,where a 10-30 would be ok.

 

Thank you all for your imput. It is greatly appreciated!!!! I think you have convinced me to just stick with the 15W40.

John