Hoss

You guys may not have noticed, but I live in central Texas where it rarely drops below freezing. The shelves at any auto parts store, Walmart or Tractor Supply are loaded with just about any 15W-40 you want, but you pretty much have to go online if you want 5W-40. For the temps around here I'm not at all worried about using 15W-40. And I believe Valvoline Premium Blue was CI4 if not CJ4. Besides that, the bottle said it was endorsed and recommended by Cummins so it can't be that terrible.

Lubemanager

It would most likely be difficult to get a 5W40, or a 0W40, anywhere south of the northern states. If I didn't live in a "snowbank" 6 months of the year, I would probably use a 15W40. I don't like camping if it gets down below -20°c at night. LOL. As for using synthetics, during the break in period, it was recommended at one time to wait a few oil changes to ensure the rings seat. With the group 3 refined "act like synthetics" it is not an issue anymore, as it was with the PAO's. Where I live, where the truck goes, plugging in limitations, I run a 0W40, which at one time was only a semi synthetic. The viscosity choice gives me the best of both worlds: pumpability at start up and oil film thickness at operating temperature.

Hoss

I'm with ya, my friend. As soon as the temps drop below 40 here I'm either bundling up or staying indoors.

staarma

Holy Smoke, if I did that I would be bundled up indoors even in the Summer where I live. lol Seriously, we get that kind of temp in the Summer nights.

Busboy

Some years ago I had to go to Waikiki to work the night shift in the fall time, I would go to work in shorts and a tank top and put my short sleeve shirt on when I got there. The locals were all wearing the winter gear parkas long pants and long sleeve shirts. I thought it quite funny but when I left at Christmas time I too was wearing the warmer clothing

Mike Holmen

I run rotella 0-40w during the winter. The truck started ok during the -30 deg's stuff this year (without plugging in), the batteries are still new. During summer I run 5-40W or even some the cheap skate 15-40w.

Not sure if you guys have noticed that when you run rotella, you have more blow-by than when I run Petro-Canada duron. Probably a different grade of oil (thicker stuff in the duron).

Currently my old truck runs 5W40 duron during the winter and 15-40w dino oil what ever is on special. I have group 31 for batteries so no issues starting.

Hoping to have my espar working in the older truck later in the year and just run the cheap skate oil for ever.

Busboy

When I first started using synthetic in my diesel truck I used 5W40 Duron that I bought at a local truck stop. I got talking with a trucker there and he was using it, he impressed me with the miles he was going between changes, he was just monitoring it and changing filters but highly recommended it..

rigstar

do any of you guys up here in the north,
run oil pan heaters?

Busboy

If you are using a full synthetic 5W40 oil you won't have a problem, my son's truck is always parked outside not plugged in and it has never failed to start even up North

Blake Clark

Lets see. I took delivery of my truck in Jan of 11. In August of 11 I went to PA for a job, was provided a company truck, mine sat at home unused til April of 12, I currently have 53k on it. I change mine every 5k, 15-40 Rotella.

Dang Hoss, not sure how you make it in those Artic temps way up north over there.

Round these parts we have 4 distinct season. Almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas. Last year, couple days before Christmas I had to cut my grass. Good Ole South Lousiana.

gdavidg

Busboy,

Wow did not know the printed manuals were free. I downloaded an electronic copy cumbersome to use 610 pages. Where did you send to?

I am very interested.