Is 15W-40 oil really good down to zero degrees F like the manual says?

Here in Minnesota, I always used 10W-30 in the winter in my Powerstroke, but 10W-30 isn't on the recommended list.

Synthetic is not recommended until the engine is broken in. Do I just run 15w-40 this winter and pray I don't have to start at -10F like last winter?

Which synthetic is CI-4 rated and is somewhat inexpensive? I don't really want to pay $19 a gallon for Delvac 1 like I do for my TDI.

Brian Elfert

 

If you use your block heater you should have no problem. Set it on a timer and depending how cold it is, you may want it to start warming the motor for about 4 to 6 hours prior to use.

If it was -10, I think I'd give it at least 4 hours on the heater.

I don't bother pluggin mine in utnitl it gets down in the teens and then it's just so I'll have some heat a bit faster.

 

[quote author=mymaur link=board=20;threadid=20881;start=0#msg195992 date=1066000329]
If you use your block heater you should have no problem. Set it on a timer and depending how cold it is, you may want it to start warming the motor for about 4 to 6 hours prior to use.

If it was -10, I think I'd give it at least 4 hours on the heater.
[/quote]

The one time I had to start the truck at -10F, I wasn't near a plug.

I had a Powerstroke last winter, and I had to cycle the key and try starting it four times when it was -10F to get it started. I was starting to worry that the fuel had gelled up.

Brian Elfert

 

Well fortunately you're not driving a PS this winter. I wouldn't worry about the 15W-40 oil. Cummins recommends it; thats good enough for me.

My truck spent many a cold night without being plugged in last winter and she started fine every time. Granted, when its not plugged in and its 5F, she smoked blue for a few minutes. Just about as loud as a 2nd Gen too!

 

I ran 15/20 dino oil for years in several Cummins' Rams.
Year round...colder then you too. Good ole Saskatchewan.

:'(

Last yr was the 1st yr I switched to synthetic and ran a 5/40
I will do it again after break in...since I have it here. ;D

 

Like Scotty said- guys in Canada cold use 5w-40. I even used it last year winter. If it gets to be a sustained 15 deg f or lower, i'll change to 5w-40 again. I think it is so much easier on the engine. If you go to 5w-30, it might cause problems.

Mike

 

I think the best test for your own piece of mind would be to take a sample of what you're currently using, place it in your freezer overnight and see how it pours in the morning.

If you look at Chevron Delo 400 15W-40, it's pour point is around -38F, which makes it perform more like a 10W-40 motor oil, but is probably marketed as a 15W-40, because that's what everyone's used to seeing. Delo has about the lowest pour point of the big name conventional petroleum 15W-40 motor oils.

 

[quote author=belfert link=board=20;threadid=20881;start=0#msg195919 date=1065983271]
Is 15W-40 oil really good down to zero degrees F like the manual says?

Here in Minnesota, I always used 10W-30 in the winter in my Powerstroke, but 10W-30 isn't on the recommended list.

Synthetic is not recommended until the engine is broken in. Do I just run 15w-40 this winter and pray I don't have to start at -10F like last winter?

Which synthetic is CI-4 rated and is somewhat inexpensive? I don't really want to pay $19 a gallon for Delvac 1 like I do for my TDI.

Brian Elfert
[/quote]

Brian, my #1 choice would be Rotella "synthetic" that you can get at walmart for $12 a gallon. It's a 5w40 and not a true synthetic but group III dino oil. So technically your not using a "synthetic".

Thats what I would use! Also take a look at Petro Canada you should be able to find it up there as well.
Petro-Canada America Lubricants
980 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 1400, #1431
Chicago, Illinois
USA 60611

Telephone: 1 (888) 284-4572
Fax: (708) 246-8994
E-mail: E-mail@petro-canadaamerica.com

 

[quote author=msparks link=board=20;threadid=20881;start=0#msg196181 date=1066050415]

Brian, my #1 choice would be Rotella "synthetic" that you can get at walmart for $12 a gallon. It's a 5w40 and not a true synthetic but group III dino oil. So technically your not using a "synthetic".
[/quote]

Rotella Synthetic is not yet CI-4 rated which is also a requirement for these trucks.

I'll probably live with 15W-40 for this winter and think about 5W-40 for the next winter after the truck has some miles on it.

Brian Elfert

 

[quote author=belfert link=board=20;threadid=20881;start=0#msg196184 date=1066050882]

Rotella Synthetic is not yet CI-4 rated which is also a requirement for these trucks.
[/quote]

Are you sure? you can't always go by what is on their website, you should either email or call to be sure. Amsoil is the same way, sometimes slow to update their site. I had to get confirmation on the Cummins CES 200078 for a customer, as it wasn't listed online.

I would double check.

 

Check this web site for CI-4 rated oils this is straight from the API not everyone pays the big bucks for the lable on the oil.

http://eolcs.api.org/FindBrandByServ...eCategory=CI-4

 

[quote author=msparks link=board=20;threadid=20881;start=0#msg196247 date=1066064782]
Are you sure? you can't always go by what is on their website, you should either email or call to be sure. Amsoil is [/quote]

I emailed Rotella about 2 months ago and they confirmed their Synthetic oil is not yet CI-4 rated. Bottles at Walmart still show CH-4 on them.

Brian Elfert