How many oil related engine failures have we had here? as long as you use a good oil and filter and change when needed will it matter? how many of us plan on seeing the 200K + miles it takes to come close to wearing out these things. A 300k motor inside a 200k body. it's all the little stuff that starts to go that causes us to trade them, at least it does me.

 

In my 97 I use Castrol because I like the color of the can. I changed it every 5000 to 7500 miles. I do believe that synthetic has advantages over dino, and I might start using it. Other than the differences between synthetic and dino as long as you are using the correct weight for your climate and a good oil filter I think oil is oil. At least I haven't had any issues in over 290k miles.

And at that mileage other than the carpet and the drivers seat wearing out(I'm a fat guy) my truck is as solid as they come.

 

I run Valvoline extreme 5/40.

It will pump through my bypass filter and through my 1/8" return line at first start up in -50C, ( 2 weekes ago) unlike the 15/40 I used to run.

 

Exactly.

I once did several months of UOA's and found out that regular house brand oil that carried the proper specs ran well provided the proper intervals were used (i.e. factory approved).

I'm to the point where I just use a good filter and what ever 15w40 oil is on sale. Last week I just scored Motor craft 15w40 CI+ Powerstroke oil for $1.25 a qt. And yes it meets Cummins spec.

 

I agree. But I also run Schaeffers 9000 5w-40 synthetic. It's one of the best out there. And since I live in cold weather and have somewhat more than stock horsepower, it is cheap insurance and makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

 

FWIW, I've done hundreds of UOAs on industrial equipment and my 97 (when I had it) and every machine has different results because of usage and ambient conditions, even with like machines. You really need to do your own UOAs. But anyway, my 97 did better on RP products than Amsoil and my RP UOAs were better than 98% of the UOAs, bar none, I've seen on bobistheoilguys site. I put 25k on RP 15w40 (with bypass) with excellent UOAs over the entire interval. I had to drive to the middle of Phx to get RP so I switched to Schaeffer 7000 in my 03 but I just found RP at a nearby Checker, so I might switch back. Cummins is also nearby and I've thought about trying PB Blue Ext. I would still drive any distance to get RP gearbox lubes - they're that good! Craig

 

But they didnt even test the two most commonly used amsoils... the 15w-40 AME or the 5w-30 HDD... not only are they the common oil, but they are the best oils... Seems a little fishy to me... but oh well...

 

I thought it was the best write up I had seen so far. He does state that he could not look at every oil. But it does stimulate some good discussion on the oils.

 

Right, but if you can only look at 2 oils from a company wouldn't you want to look at the common ones, especially since HDD may be the best oil on the market... that would be on the top of my list to test, unless you want something else to be better....

 

Does the Mobile 5-40 smell as bad as Rotella 5-40 after an oil change?

 

Too each their own. I still stand by that it was good to see some information on the oils. Most people would appreciate it. Conspiracy theories aside....

 

What that test showed was the huge difference in CI versus CJ based oils.

 

"What that test showed was the huge difference in CI versus CJ based oils."


Absolutely True... Made me run out and track down some CI- 4 Plus.

 

It is group iv. Schaeffers does have a website with a dealer listing.

Another vote here for Supreme 1000.

 

Actually they did test both the 15-40 and 5-40 amsoil diesel oil. It was a typo on the CI oil that read 5-40, should have read 15-40. The CJ oil was the 5-40 amsoil diesel oil.