John Deere 0W40 (CH-4)

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: unDummy
I've seen some bad UOA with their 0w40. Might be better off with T6 which is usually cheaper.

Synth for cold starts and to make up for some engineering snafus(like high oil temps and pathetic oil cooling).

So, I can't agree with the "just use cheap mineral oil" and "follow your manufacturers recommendations".


I respectfully disagree. While going the synthetic route with JD and using used oil analysis to appropriately extend drains, it's really not necessary, or, for that matter, even beneficial.

We haven't seen Duramax engines blow up left and right. Nor have we seen them do anything that would even remotely require a synthetic oil.

As for oil temperatures, I've run diesels that have gone a lot hotter for longer periods than any Duramax will see, and that's been on conventional. With respect to cold starts, while a synthetic can be helpful, nothing replaces the ability to use a block heater and oil pan heater, assuming one has the ability to plug those in.

Of course, every manufacturer and every model has room for improvement. As for aftermarket stuff on these vehicles, now there's the OCD I was talking about.

 

[CourierDriver]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: unDummy
I've seen some bad UOA with their 0w40. Might be better off with T6 which is usually cheaper.

Synth for cold starts and to make up for some engineering snafus(like high oil temps and pathetic oil cooling).

So, I can't agree with the "just use cheap mineral oil" and "follow your manufacturers recommendations".


I respectfully disagree. While going the synthetic route with JD and using used oil analysis to appropriately extend drains, it's really not necessary, or, for that matter, even beneficial.

We haven't seen Duramax engines blow up left and right. Nor have we seen them do anything that would even remotely require a synthetic oil.

As for oil temperatures, I've run diesels that have gone a lot hotter for longer periods than any Duramax will see, and that's been on conventional. With respect to cold starts, while a synthetic can be helpful, nothing replaces the ability to use a block heater and oil pan heater, assuming one has the ability to plug those in.

Of course, every manufacturer and every model has room for improvement. As for aftermarket stuff on these vehicles, now there's the OCD I was talking about.
block heaters n oil pan heaters,,way to much banjo stringing for me,,t6 will work at 45 below,thats good enough for me, ur in Ca. guess u need all that.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
block heaters n oil pan heaters,,way to much banjo stringing for me,,t6 will work at 45 below,thats good enough for me, ur in Ca. guess u need all that.


Don't get me wrong - I like those things, but they're not always necessary. A lot of the Powerstrokes, for instance, had oil pan heaters from the dealer, and block heaters are more of a piece of standard equipment up here than an option.

My Audi has an oil pan heater built in (VW/Audi in Canada were not doing block heaters; I don't think they use them to this day). It's indoors most of the time, so it doesn't matter. With my old truck, I found out that a permanently mounted maintenance charger is at least as useful as a block heater for cold starts.

The main advantage I see to block heaters is the reduced warm up time. The advantage to oil pan heaters, if one has one, is obvious. I knew a guy who was way into that stuff - two block heaters in his Dodge 318 and an oil pan heater.

 

[bullwinkle]

Not to get too far off topic-Garak, what do you guys who run in extremely cold weather think about the heated battery blankets? I also keep a 1 amp charger under the hood of my old IDI Ford & plug it in along with a magnetic oil pan heater if I have to run it in sub 20F/-10C weather. The JD oil is good stuff-but the dealers around here just charge too much for it (around $10/qt.) to use it.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Not to get too far off topic-Garak, what do you guys who run in extremely cold weather think about the heated battery blankets? I also keep a 1 amp charger under the hood of my old IDI Ford & plug it in along with a magnetic oil pan heater if I have to run it in sub 20F/-10C weather. The JD oil is good stuff-but the dealers around here just charge too much for it (around $10/qt.) to use it.


The blankets are fine if used correctly. When it gets warm out, too many people leave their battery wrapped up, and, while having the battery warm is good for voltage, having it hot (i.e. wrapped up in summer) is not good. What I use is a Solar brand (not solar power) permanent mount charger, which is around an amp, too, if I recall correctly. When the battery cools and the voltage drops, it remedies the problem. It's also handy when a vehicle sits for months on end, of course.

I have used the battery blankets and they are effective, but I don't like the idea of taking them off and putting them back on with the seasons, so I went the charger route. My last battery, using that procedure, lasted for just about ten years, with our terrible weather.

As for JD oil, I'm not certain of the price here, but it is relatively competitive. I haven't been in a JD dealership since last summer. I remember it being on special, but not the price.

 

[dnewton3]

I agree with the battery charger as one of the better solutions.

I put a "Battery Tender" smart charger on my Dmax (they can be bridged across both batteries for the 12volts). Now, even when it's 0 deg F, the engine cranks right over with as much ferocity in winter as it does in summer. I compensate for the "thick" oil issue by simply using 10w30. Best of both worlds, so to speak. I have, but don't use, the block heater.

Actually, I have one of these chargers on my motorcycles, my Dmax, my Kubota, my UTV, my garden tractor; anything that's not started on a daily basis.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
I put a "Battery Tender" smart charger on my Dmax (they can be bridged across both batteries for the 12volts). Now, even when it's 0 deg F, the engine cranks right over with as much ferocity in winter as it does in summer. I compensate for the "thick" oil issue by simply using 10w30. Best of both worlds, so to speak. I have, but don't use, the block heater.


Oh, yes. With my old F-150, it would turn over in -40 C just like the summer. It was unbelievable. Battery blankets work, but are just too much of a hassle. Although I can't say for sure, I'd suspect a little charger would use less electricity than some high wattage blanket heater, too.

 

[dnewton3]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
I put a "Battery Tender" smart charger on my Dmax (they can be bridged across both batteries for the 12volts). Now, even when it's 0 deg F, the engine cranks right over with as much ferocity in winter as it does in summer. I compensate for the "thick" oil issue by simply using 10w30. Best of both worlds, so to speak. I have, but don't use, the block heater.


Oh, yes. With my old F-150, it would turn over in -40 C just like the summer. It was unbelievable. Battery blankets work, but are just too much of a hassle. Although I can't say for sure, I'd suspect a little charger would use less electricity than some high wattage blanket heater, too.


Yes, a block heater or pan heater or blaket heater will consume quite a bit of electricity. As I recall, the block heaters were 600w each in a Ford. If you had a big block, it had two heaters. That's 1200w (10 amps!). Pan heaters are less, but still may pull 3 or 5 amps I suspect.

The Battery Tender only pulls (depending upon model) .75amps to 1.25amps at full charge. Once it drops into maint mode, it's nearly nothing. Since I only drive my truck about once a week or so, it's a LOT cheaper for me to use the battery maintenance charger. It's a 100 yard stroll out to where I park the truck at the barn. It's much more convenient to use the charger all the time and be assured of a quick start, than to have to plug in a block heater several hours prior to each 4am start!

Like I said, my 10w30 assures me of an easy crank, the full batteries assure me of a quick crank; best of both worlds.