Synthetic oil
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From: Greenville, South Carolina
Synthetic oil
I have been driving the CTD now for about ten years and have always used Shell Rotella. Now, for the first time, I have a brand new engine. What if any synthetic engine oil would you guys recommend.<br><br>Also, how about syntheic gear lube in the 6 speed?<br><br>Thanks for the info.<br><br>Gary
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From: Beaverton, Oregon
Re:Synthetic oil
Go with the best in the market AMSOIL. It may cost more but its worth it's weight in gold. Put in AMSOIL synthetics everyplace. The will help with tranny temp and are much better than gear lube that came in the rig. AMSOIL currenly has the only synthetic tranny fluid that is certified ATF+4. I have replaced all of my fluids with AMSOIL and it has paid off already with only 4500 miles on my rig. I found out htat the rear end was 2 quarts low and the front end was contaminated. Just think DC would have just said it was my fault for keeping the fluid level correct and letting water in the front end.<br>You can get AMSOIL via the internet @ http://www.amsoil.com/.
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From: SW Utah
Re:Synthetic oil
How has Amsoil paid off already? Were you expecting problems that didn't happen becase of Amsoil? If that's the case, Mobil 1 has paid off in my diff's, and Rotella-T has paid off as my enine oil. :
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From: NE Wisconsin
Re:Synthetic oil
Amsoil is a small speciality oil blender. Their products are multi-level marketed, and expensive. I truly do not see how they can pay off in only 4500 miles. Sounds like "marketeer" hype to me. <br><br>I'm currently using Amsoil. It's a true PAO/ester synthetic and of good quality. However, you shouldn't extend your oil change intervals unless backed by oil analysis, that costs extra, to buy online from them you must pay a $30/year fee, oil is heavy and shipping is expensive. <br><br>I'm going to use Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40 for my next change. Compared to Amsoil's Series 3000 5W-30 diesel oil, it's less expensive, API certified, a 40 wt. oil, and I don't have to join a club to buy it. <br><br>The fluid in the 6 speed should be "fill for life," and probably is already a synthetic. Red Line MTL is an excellant synthetic transmission fluid.
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From: Sturbridge, Taxachusetts
Re:Synthetic oil
Shell Rotella Synthetic, and as a bonus it's currently on sale at Wal-Mart for $12.88 a gallon, 6 bucks less than what it usually sells for. Yes, and wait until about 20K unless you pull.
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From: Schuylkill River Valley, Pennsylvania
Re:Synthetic oil
I wouldnt even bother with synthetic.<br><br>I run it in my mustang's engine. That is the only vehicle I run it in an engine. And only because when I drive it...I drive it hard.<br><br>I do have synthetics in the tranny and rear axle in my eclipse. But that is due to return on cost.<br><br>For the cummins, I would run conventional oil. Lots of bang for the buck given that conventional shell rotella over history has seldom let anyone down due to oil breakdown.<br><br>Just change your oil as scheduled.<br><br>Just my 0.02.
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From: FL
Re:Synthetic oil
syn oil shines in the cold cold weather. 0w40 pours a heck of a lot easier than 15w40 when it is frosty out. But then why would I be starting my truck????? usually hiding under the covers when it gets below 40!!!!!!! 
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From: Desert Northwest (Pasco WA)
Re:Synthetic oil
With all the injector changes I've seen between different trucks and the valve covers I've seen removed, those running synthetic have considerably cleaner engines.<br><br>On my 2001 I ran synthetic and did oil analysis every 10,000 miles and changed my oil every 20,000 miles.<br><br>I ran Amsoil 5W30, 15W40 and Delvac 1. I saw my best wear numbers with Amsoil 15W40, Delvac 1 very close to that, but the poorest results were with the Amsoil 5W30 which was comparable to Delo 400 dino. I attributed part of that to the very hot weather in Eastern Washington since I ran the 5W30 when it was over 110F. Too hot for it IMO.<br><br>Vaughn
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Re:Synthetic oil
Now for that $64 question Vaughn - how many miles on your last truck when ya got rid of it - and how many EXTRA miles did ya get from using Amsoil instead of conventional oils (dino)?
IF you didn't get anything "extra" from using a high priced synthetic (other than perhaps a warm and fuzzy feeling), why bother? If we can expect 400 thousand miles outta the Cummins with dino oils, how many here really expect to keep their trucks that long - and if not, why high priced oils, to make the truck a better buy for the second or third owner? It sure isn't likely to gain much of real value for the FIRST owner! ;D ;D ;D
For hotshot, or commercial drivers who run their trucks into the ground, maybe - but even at that, I'd bet my next social security check that VERY few commercial truckers feel high-priced synthetics deliver enough "bang-for-the-buck" to make it worth the extra investment, in fuel savings OR service life of the engine...
I drove my 1st Dodge/Cummins 11 years and 120,000 miles - I would have to live ANOTHER 20-30 years to have worn out that Cummins - I don't think I'd make it - and doubt very many here will ever actually wear one out, either! ;D ;D ;D
It's not really an issue of how good Amsoil, or any other synthetic, is - but how practical it is to extend the life of an engine WE will never benefit from, even further than it's already capable of with easily obtained, lower priced, but entirely adequate stuff...
IF you didn't get anything "extra" from using a high priced synthetic (other than perhaps a warm and fuzzy feeling), why bother? If we can expect 400 thousand miles outta the Cummins with dino oils, how many here really expect to keep their trucks that long - and if not, why high priced oils, to make the truck a better buy for the second or third owner? It sure isn't likely to gain much of real value for the FIRST owner! ;D ;D ;D
For hotshot, or commercial drivers who run their trucks into the ground, maybe - but even at that, I'd bet my next social security check that VERY few commercial truckers feel high-priced synthetics deliver enough "bang-for-the-buck" to make it worth the extra investment, in fuel savings OR service life of the engine...
I drove my 1st Dodge/Cummins 11 years and 120,000 miles - I would have to live ANOTHER 20-30 years to have worn out that Cummins - I don't think I'd make it - and doubt very many here will ever actually wear one out, either! ;D ;D ;D
It's not really an issue of how good Amsoil, or any other synthetic, is - but how practical it is to extend the life of an engine WE will never benefit from, even further than it's already capable of with easily obtained, lower priced, but entirely adequate stuff...
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From: Claremont, Virginia
Re:Synthetic oil
: :<br>I wasn't going to say anything but I have too now.<br>Lets see, DD4X4's hours spent lying around under the three trucks changing engine oil in the last 13 to 14 years??? I would guess somewhere around 16 to 20.<br>142000 on the first truck (89), 88000 on the second truck (95), 132000 plus on the third truck (99).<br>Time to change oil filters on remote systems, about five minutes.<br>Negative effects from this synthetic oil and filter set up, not one to date (in 362000 miles and three trucks).<br>Negative oil samples in 13 to 14 years, none.<br>Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with conventional motor oils if you like laying around under the truck. I personally have better things to do than that. I am not that concerned about cost, I value my time more and lying around under a truck is not what I call quality time. Someone has to keep those dino oil manufacturers in business.<br>Keep up the good work.
:<br>I wasn't going to say anything but I have too now.<br>Lets see, DD4X4's hours spent lying around under the three trucks changing engine oil in the last 13 to 14 years??? I would guess somewhere around 16 to 20.<br>142000 on the first truck (89), 88000 on the second truck (95), 132000 plus on the third truck (99).<br>Time to change oil filters on remote systems, about five minutes.<br>Negative effects from this synthetic oil and filter set up, not one to date (in 362000 miles and three trucks).<br>Negative oil samples in 13 to 14 years, none.<br>Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with conventional motor oils if you like laying around under the truck. I personally have better things to do than that. I am not that concerned about cost, I value my time more and lying around under a truck is not what I call quality time. Someone has to keep those dino oil manufacturers in business.<br>Keep up the good work.