Input on changing 15w40 brands.

[Japanese]

I did see a lot of talk of that Valvoline on here . I wasn’t aware that they made a 15w40. So definitely an option.

Valvoline has two new diesel oils:
Valvoline HD full synth. 15W-40
https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/heavy-duty-full-synthetic-diesel-engine-oil-sae-15w-40/
Valvoline HD synth. blend 15W-40
https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/heavy-duty-synthetic-blend-diesel-engine-oil/
Their customer service replys to email questions the same day with extensive and valuable answers. Also, on I've read on here that Valvoline is used in commercial heavy duty machinery - trucks, excavators, etc.

On the other hand, the image of Mobil Delvac 1 ESP above is taken form the video below - guys are doing oil change with that oil on two MAN V12 cruise boat engines. The total oil for both engines is about 50 gallon (5 gal. Delvac 1 pails image above) The boat value is about $6M.
I guess if they use that oil - it's a pretty good oil. Plus, Mobil Delvac is probably one of the oldest diesel oil brands.

Just write a few emails or call a few companies and see which customer service best answers your questions and have the nearest office/whole sale and then work with them.

 

[burbguy82]

Due to a falling out with my rep I may have to switch brands of 15w40. I’ve called several places and got pricing and most is pretty close to the same. So not basing this off cost. But brands.

Current brand

Phillips66/Kendall DXA (still looking for a new rep)

Brand options are all synthetic blends:

Chevron 15w40
Chevron/texaco 15w40
Mobil 15w40
Rotella 15w40
Starfire 15w40
Arguard 15w40 (made in Pennsylvania)
Drydene 15w40 (apparently an old company)
Wolf’s head 15w40



I know most will say just pick one, but do any current 15w40’s stand out above the rest that would be readily available at local reps and not require special ordering and shipping?

I always liked the liquid titanium in the Kendall/phillips. Not sure why I do, but I can’t find any other oils that use it besides them.

Thanks in advance.

out of those you list, delvac 1300 in 15w40 and 10w30, sp and ck rated, and cheap.

best bang for the buck imo

 

[danstraylee]

Mobile Delvac Extreme 15W-40 gets recommended quite often on this site.

That's what I use based on it being used on the my former company fleet rigs that were city driven 24/7 in stop and go and frequent shut down/start up conditions.

 

[fantastic]

Can you elaborate on the titanium package? What didn’t you like? Just curious. Idk why I find myself liking it but it’s not a deal breaker either way.

Most companies I’ve talked to give limited information on performance values. So far they all meet specs.

Here's a description of what other sources may have that metal in your engine. If you know you don't have that metal in anything then it's fine to use. It could just get a bit tricky if you're doing Oil analysis. If you don't plan to do that then carry on.

• Titanium (Ti) bearings/bushings, some gears and shafts,turbine blades, valve trains, gear trains, some shafts(additive in some HDMOs)

 

[thejudges69]

I am puzzled as to why you include Drydene on your list- although it’s a very old company, they used to be in the business of gathering and refining used motor oil. The company has constantly been shrinking over the last 20+ years so that it’s now just a brand name. I personally would never consider Wolfs Head either- just a relabel.

Thank you for the input on Drydene. As you know salesman push what they push to move product and to them every company is flourishing, so that why I ask info. And why it’s on the list is because one of the reps I spoke to is a dealer for that brand. I listed all the brands that were offered to me.

Wolfs head used to be a bargain oil, that’s my recollection of the brand. I haven’t really heard much of it in the last decade: but again; was offered so I included it.

 

[crashz]

Not to add to your dilemma, but if I were you, I'd be looking at drums to take advantage of the bulk pricing if you have any place to store it. Also I would look for local reps for:
- Amsoil (has a recently new syn blend 15w-40)
- Shaeffer's
- Texas Refinery

All three target fleet service and are very good oils.

 

[Chris142]

I wasn’t aware that they made a 15w40.

What! I was using Valvoline 15w40 over 30 years ago. Allegedly the Kubota oil is valvoline too.

 

[rubberchicken]

Thank you for the input on Drydene. As you know salesman push what they push to move product and to them every company is flourishing, so that why I ask info. And why it’s on the list is because one of the reps I spoke to is a dealer for that brand. I listed all the brands that were offered to me.

Wolfs head used to be a bargain oil, that’s my recollection of the brand. I haven’t really heard much of it in the last decade: but again; was offered so I included it.

I must have missed your reply. Before I would consider Drydene products, I would have to see a virgin oil analysis, and possibly figure out who the real blender(*) is and more info on the additive package. Now that said, the reason I chimed in is that wayyy in the past I knew some of the Dryden people who founded Drydene oil in Baltimore, and was aware of the slow demise of the company. From some questionable data on the web, It appears it was acquired by Castrol in 1991 and they rebranded it away from Drydene to Castrol about 1998. This matches what I knew about the people as they had divested in the mid to late 1980s, and I had not heard anything in 35+ years about the founding family. Their bulk trucks used to be a fixture on the roads in Maryland, Virginia, PA, Delaware etc, and their products in all the auto parts stores. I think they supplied bulk lubes and fuel oil in additional to consumer packaged lubes.

So that is a bit of history- but what I now see is a new company with new products using an existing name that had a lot of history, and possibly brand loyalty. But aside from the name I see almost nothing of the old company, so my knowledge is obsolete. It appears that they may use Shell for base lubricants, and I bet your rep also offered the DuraMAX line- most likely they are the same. So I would perhaps put them back on your list, and maybe somebody can provide some better data.

This will not clear anything up, but its interesting- Reladyne implies they use Shell, Chevron and other popular suppliers, but its presented in a way that one could think they make those products.
https://reladyne.com/products-solutions/automotive-installed/duramax-product-details/

 

[CleanSump]

The Dryden Family used to fund a lot of programming on Maryland Public Television. I think the family foundation still does some.
The business sort of faded away and the name was sold, as mentioned above.

 

[facility1]

worth a look at Schaeffer's

 

[Braapdaddy]

Mystik 15w40

 

[thejudges69]

Not to add to your dilemma, but if I were you, I'd be looking at drums to take advantage of the bulk pricing if you have any place to store it. Also I would look for local reps for:
- Amsoil (has a recently new syn blend 15w-40)
- Shaeffer's
- Texas Refinery

All three target fleet service and are very good oils.

Texas refinery I priced the others don’t interest me and TBH, the cost of TR is 2-2.5 times the big oil brands and unless I’m seeing 2-2.5 times the intervals it’s just not worth it for one truck. I do like the TR grease but may try certified labs next time

 

[thejudges69]

worth a look at Schaeffer's

Doesn’t interest me. Thanks tho

 

[thejudges69]

Mystik 15w40

Not opposed to this brand. But isn’t mystik a low tier oil for a major brand? Or am I thinking of something else ?

 

[thejudges69]

I must have missed your reply. Before I would consider Drydene products, I would have to see a virgin oil analysis, and possibly figure out who the real blender(*) is and more info on the additive package. Now that said, the reason I chimed in is that wayyy in the past I knew some of the Dryden people who founded Drydene oil in Baltimore, and was aware of the slow demise of the company. From some questionable data on the web, It appears it was acquired by Castrol in 1991 and they rebranded it away from Drydene to Castrol about 1998. This matches what I knew about the people as they had divested in the mid to late 1980s, and I had not heard anything in 35+ years about the founding family. Their bulk trucks used to be a fixture on the roads in Maryland, Virginia, PA, Delaware etc, and their products in all the auto parts stores. I think they supplied bulk lubes and fuel oil in additional to consumer packaged lubes.

So that is a bit of history- but what I now see is a new company with new products using an existing name that had a lot of history, and possibly brand loyalty. But aside from the name I see almost nothing of the old company, so my knowledge is obsolete. It appears that they may use Shell for base lubricants, and I bet your rep also offered the DuraMAX line- most likely they are the same. So I would perhaps put them back on your list, and maybe somebody can provide some better data.

This will not clear anything up, but its interesting- Reladyne implies they use Shell, Chevron and other popular suppliers, but its presented in a way that one could think they make those products.
https://reladyne.com/products-solutions/automotive-installed/duramax-product-details/

Thank you for the history lesson.

And YES the rep did mention DurMAX brand oil. I’ll be honest, until speaking with this rep I had never heard of either brand.

It’s likely you’re correct though, old name, perhaps new blend = street credit amongst some.

Reladyne for me, one person one truck. Is very difficult to work with. I have to buy 500.00 worth of product to get free shipping. They have delivery trucks but the delivery fee from the hub, 30 miles from me is either 60 or 75.00, can’t recall. 2 distributors had delivery charges.

How would one obtain a base oil sample? Or can’t you?

 

[Braapdaddy]

Not opposed to this brand. But isn’t mystik a low tier oil for a major brand? Or am I thinking of something else ?

The parent company is or was Citgo

In Oklahoma it was a go-too for anyone running a diesel it was founded in OKC the grease plant is still here

It was owned by Venezuela for a period and I do believe it is USA owned once again

I have used it in my 7.3 6.0 and now my 6.4
Also use in the power equipment

Quarts all the way up to 55 gallon

 

[carl2591]

QUESTION,,, you are going through 50-60 gallons oil a year in personal Truck or truck(s)?... how many trucks and how often you change oil.. I currently have one truck 2017 3500 6.7 cummins and go through like maybe 6 gallons a year with 10K oil changes as a full time RV doing like 15K miles year....

Not a lot. 50-60 gallons. Just oil changes in my personal truck.

 

[Hohn]

Delvac 1300 is a steal at Wally. Especially when you use the rebates.

Probably the best bargain in HD oil right now. It's a blend but a darn good one. As a bonus, it's API SP for mixed fleets also.

 

[Hohn]

Due to a falling out with my rep I may have to switch brands of 15w40. I’ve called several places and got pricing and most is pretty close to the same. So not basing this off cost. But brands.

Current brand

Phillips66/Kendall DXA (still looking for a new rep)

Brand options are all synthetic blends:

Chevron 15w40
Chevron/texaco 15w40
Mobil 15w40
Rotella 15w40
Starfire 15w40
Arguard 15w40 (made in Pennsylvania)
Drydene 15w40 (apparently an old company)
Wolf’s head 15w40



I know most will say just pick one, but do any current 15w40’s stand out above the rest that would be readily available at local reps and not require special ordering and shipping?

I always liked the liquid titanium in the Kendall/phillips. Not sure why I do, but I can’t find any other oils that use it besides them.

Thanks in advance.

From your list, my top 3 would be:
-Delvac Extreme (full syn)
-Delvac 1300 Super (blend)
- Delo 400 (conventional).

The Delo synthetics and blends are also quite good, IMO.

I'm biased towards Valvoline for HD oils because we use them for internal testing. But they aren't on your list and honestly Valvoline doesn't seem to have very good distribution in the commercial lube sector. I think Commercial stuff is a real focus of the DELO line, so you might have very good luck there.

 

[crashz]

Texas refinery I priced the others don’t interest me and TBH, the cost of TR is 2-2.5 times the big oil brands and unless I’m seeing 2-2.5 times the intervals it’s just not worth it for one truck. I do like the TR grease but may try certified labs next time

That's interesting. My father used to buy TR but I thought it was in the normal range for pricing. I think they have a conventional and synthetic blend. Either way, I don't think you'd want to extend OCI's 2.5 time to match the cost.

Please let us know what you chose.