So I got an oil change today. Rotella 5-40 synthetic. Switched form my usual Valvoline PB . I am curious to know how long is this oil gonna last. It sure cost enuff . Is it gonna be worth it to continue running the synthetic? The only noticeable difference for now is the engine idles a bit quieter. Thats about it.

 

An oil analysis of your own oil would be the only way to answer that. The way you use your truck may not be like anyone else and therefore might break down sooner or later than someone else. I've used that oil in mine for the last couple of years. I wait 5000-7500 miles depending on how i've driven my truck during that time. i.e. a bunch of cold starts, short trips, pulling loads vs. long highway drives unloaded. I used to change the regular rotella around 3000miles.

 

Igot 7500 on the Valvoline PB for half the cost. Did I just make a costly error assuming that this oil is good for like 12k miles. I know folks that run Rotella regular and go 10k miles between changes no issues.

 

Well like i said, it probably depends on your driving habits. I just aways remember that in the long run oil is relatively inexpensive compared to a new engine. I personally have never gone that long before changing the oil so I can't really offer any proof that it's good or bad. I doubt you'd have any trouble going 10-12K miles before the next change under normal driving conditions as long as your motor doesn't burn any oil.

 

i don't know that you made an error, but I just can't make mysefl switch from Val PB. I run it 5-6,000 depending on when I get my butt under there to change it. I don't have the time to even mess with sending samples off. How much do you really save by time you pay for the sample?

I don't run the synthetic because I know I won't be able to make myself leave it in there longer. just my situation.

 

I think your better off counting how many cold starts.
Last year I was moving accross Canada pulling a very heavy 35 ft trailer.
Each trip was 5250 kms or 3260 miles and I done 5 of them!
Each trip would only be 6 or 7 cold startups.
After doing all 5 trips the oil was still not even dark but I just had to change it to be able to sleep better
Now after driving it around here all winter the oil is blacker than the inside of a coal mine and I havent went 1500 miles and didnt tow anything!
Cept for a couple of cars out of the ditch!
I have been using the 5-40 synthetic as well and did average 19 mpg Canadian (I think about 15.6 US) pulling the trailer.
Truck and trailer combined were 28,400.00 lbs on heaviest load and 24,600.00 on lightest one.
So maybe the oil does better when they are working harder or its just the cold starts that make it collect more soot
Apparently from what I have read the soot is non abrasive, Just looks bad!

 

Yes RSOPNCO1 I thank you did wrong PB is a very good oil the cost is also good ! Why pay more?

 

I just got a sample back from Blackstone on Rotella T 5W-40 synthetic which I use in the winter because of easier starting. All the trace metal elements were below universal averages, but fuel dilution was at 3% which is slightly above what they would like to see. This is due to excessive idling on cold mornings. Someone mentioned they don't have time to get their oil sampled, It only takes the same time as writing a check to pay a bill. The test is to give you peace of mind that your oil is doing the job of reducing wear and your air/oil filtration is working also.

 

Im sorry some may disagree but I dont think people should use synthetic for extended oil changes, you would be better off adding an additional oil filter if thats the case. No matter regular or synthetic you are going to be getting the same contaminents into your oil, infact you may get MORE at first with switching over to synthetic since it breaks stuff loose.

I have a lot of miles on my truck pretty much ALL towing mileage and not once have I used synthetic nor have I sent out for an oil analysis, I use either regular Rotella or Valvoline PB both in which I change out every 3k miles but have gone up to 6k miles on busy months.

My uncle has been an OTR trucker for more years then I can remember and when I was talking to him about when to change the oil he asked me if I burn any, I said I will MAYBE use a quart in 3k miles and he said once you start using it is when it should be changed. Now while that isnt the BEST way to go about it but He just bought a new truck he retired his old one with 2.5 million miles on it....

 

My two cents is that you should not extend the oil drain interval as you still get the same amount of soot/contaminents, fuel dilution, etc. as you do with dino oil. Even the Owner's Manual says to not use synthetic to extend oil change intervals, take that for what you will.

As for oil analysis, the cost is well worth knowing what is in your oil and can give early information on problems. It takes almost no time to pull the sample while you are changing the oil.

 

I've been using Amsoil 15-40 since 20k miles, now at 85k. I change it every 12-15k. Oil analysis always comes back good. The oil is inportant but even more so is the filter effiecency. check out thier site for test and details.

 

All two of my changes have been at about 6000 miles each (I've only got about 12k on the truck, different story though). I used Rotella each time and my analysis came back showing that I was about halfway through the life of the oil. They recommended I not change till around 8k this time.

My next change I'm going for the JD Plus 50 oil. Its got a great TBN (higher than everything I've seen including Amsoil), it looks to have an excellent additive package along with being CI4+ rated.

If you were concerned you could always do an analysis at the point where you think you should change the oil and decide from there. Blackstone has a sucker that will pull enough oil for a sample. You can just as easily make one using tubing you find at a hardware store, a bottle and something to produce vacuum. You can get your sample into a clean, dry coke bottle and you would be good to go.

 

You could also go to a fomoto valve which makes changing oil effortless.

 

I've never done it, I just know they have the sucker bottle. I'm running the genos magnetic drain plug anyway.

 

Yeah they are great had one on my 96 and on my 04.