Is Rotella T Syn a True Synthetic or Not?

[miraCRD]

I've searched the archives but can seem to find no clear answer. Is or is not Rotella T Synthetic a "full synthetic". I've heard that it is and I've heard that it is not. I am asking in terms of a car that REQUIRES synthetic oil, presumably for valid warranty coverage.

The vehicle in question is a 2005 Jeep CRD for those who are getting ready to ask. It specs a 0W-40 or 5W-40 synthetic oil in the manual. Many people on the Liberty (L.O.S.T.) board are running Shell Rotella T Syn in lieu of the manual spec'd Mobil 1. Even though the Rotella is a great oil, if is not considered a true synthetic (or could be argued that it is not) I think those using it may be playing with (warranty) fire....

 

[MarkC]

It's a Group III, which is not considered a synthetic by some, but it can be called that legally.
It's a great oil for a good price no matter what the symantics.

 

[messiah4linux]

Group III is legally a true synthetic in the US.

Rotella T syn = GIII oil.

IF Jeep requires Mobil-1 only they must by law provide it for free.

 

[Bill Plock]

quote:

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Originally posted by miraCRD:
I am asking in terms of a car that REQUIRES synthetic oil, presumably for valid warranty coverage…. The vehicle in question is a 2005 Jeep CRD … It specs a 0W-40 or 5W-40 synthetic oil in the manual.

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Since the CRD is a Diesel, I would guess the manual also specifies a Diesel API service rating … i.e CI-4 or CI-4+ … in addition to viscosity this would be the other important spec to consider when selecting an oil for your Diesel .. As messiah4linux implied, I would think that as long as the oil meets the specified API service rating and viscosity it shouldn’t matter if the oil’s base stock is GIII or GIV …

How do like your Jeep CRD? .. I’m hoping we see more small/mid size diesels now that the ULSD Fuel is becoming available …

 

[JHZR2]

It is NOT syn in europe, but is syn here, as it is group III.

It is top notch Shell XVHI base oil, which is used even as a basestock in racing oils!

messiah4linux is right, they need to give free M1 if it is REQUIRED. A name is a name - if it says synthetic, and you keep records, the fact that the add pack is correct, and the viscosity correct, means that you can use the oil... if it was absolute bottm of the barrel oil, Id say to avoid it, but rotella syn is a top notch oil that is a very good deal.

JMH

 

[Triple_Se7en]

quote:

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Originally posted by messiah4linux:
IF Jeep requires Mobil-1 only they must by law provide it for free.

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How about using the word 'recommend' instead of 'require'???

Some folks are leery of Rotella & any diesel oil connection to slow-cooking catalytic convertors in years past.

Daimler probably mentions Mobil because it's more readily available for normal gas vehicles.

 

[Ken2]

quote:

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IF Jeep requires Mobil-1 only they must by law provide it for free. [/QB]

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Nope. You must use a product "suitable" for the item under warranty. If Mobil 1 is the only product DaimlerChrysler has found suitable for their engine, that's what you gott'a use, at your expense, to protect the warranty. Read the actual text of Magnusson-Moss. Here's the FTC summary... http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/warranty.htm#Magnuson-Moss


Ken

 

[miraCRD]

Didn't want to repeat the same stuff from another post but here is the exact manual text:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Ram_in_Texas:

Looking at my CRD manual it says:

"the manufcaturer recommends using synthetic engine oils that are API certified (SL/CF), and meet the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-10725.

Engine Oil Viscosity (2.8L Diesel Engines)
Use SAE 0W-40 Mobil 1 Synthetic Engine Oil that meets API categories CF or better and the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-10725. If you cannot find SAE 0W-40, then SAE 5W-40 Mobil 1 Synthetic Engine Oil is acceptable. Any engine oil that does not meet the manufacturer's requirements should not be used."

 

[miraCRD]

And Bill....I love the CRD! Have had it just about one year with 11K miles on it. Just have done oil changes on it and that's it. No problems so far.

They sold over 10,000 of them in 2 years which was double their projection, so I too hope we will continue to see more diesel options in smaller to mid sized SUV's here in the US. There seems to be a bit of confusion, though as to how the new low sulfer fuel requirments that come into affect this fall will affect things. That is why there will be no CRD for the 2007 model year.

 

[Bill Plock]

miraCRD,

Thanks for the feedback on your CRD.. Glad to hear it's treating you well. I have a Duramax Diesel Pickup but would also like to get a smaller Diesel for my wife. We used to own an 85 Golf Diesel .. best car we ever owned ..bought it new and sold it 14 years later with 180K .. it was still running great .. should have never sold it ..

Regarding the oil options for your CRD … Based on the quoted requirement sounds like your only options for strict warranty adherence are Mobil 1 0w40 or 5w40 … It's also interesting that it only requires a CF rating … Personally I would feel better running a 5w40 CI-4 rated oil like Delvac-1 or the new Turbo Diesel Truck (if you can find it) vs. a CF rated 0w40. However it sure seems like any Diesel rated 5w40 should perform well .. Has anyone tried to get a copy of the “DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-10725” to see exactly what is required?

 

[Reg# 43897]

My owners manual DOES NOT read as posted here. When it mentions an alternative engine oil to M1 0w-40 it stipulats ANY synthetic 5w-40. It does not specify M1 5w-40. So you are good to go with any synthetic 5w-40 engine oil (according to my manual).

John.

 

[miraCRD]

John, What year is your CRD? They changed the manual text for the 06 model year.

 

[Reg# 43897]

...2006.

John.

 

[oilman86]

Does anyone know if Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 would be the proper oil for this application. Looks like it to me from the attached spec sheet.

http://www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/HELIX ULTRA.PDF

 

[TooSlick]

Amsoil is recommending their reformulated 5w-40 European oil for the MS-10725 application. I believe it's a low "SAPS" - sulphated ash, phosphorus, sulphur - light duty diesel engine oil.

The specific chemical limits are:

SA < 0.8%
P < 800 ppm
Sulphur < 0.2%

This effects both the basestock type and the additive chemistry.....

TS

 

[tsmay51]

I would like to change to rotella synthetic in my dodge cummins. I am changing oil on 5k mile intervals using rotella standard and mobil 1 filters. Is it safe to go to 10k mile changes if I switch to rotella synthetic? I cannot justify the cost unless I can extend my drains. I drive 15k to 20k a year with maybe 20 percent of that pulling 5000 - 10000lbs.

 

[PSNut]

You can extend your oil change intervals safely if you add bypass filtration. Synthetic oils main advantages are wide viscosity index and greater thermal conductivity.

 

[tsmay51]

I don't want to add bypass filtration. My brother has ran exxon15w40 dino in 2 dodge cummins. One has over 500k and the other 250k. Dino is proven in my opinion for these trucks. I just want to extend the oil drain intervals. If it get's too complex I will stay with what I am doing.