New 2015 F250 w/ 6.7L - Oil Choices?

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Rotella 10w-30 TP. I can personally attest that extreme temps and heavy hauling are within the capability of the TP.

I presume you will stick with the IOLM. As Ronald used to say ... Trust but Verify.
Run the dino 10w-30 and run some UOAs.
You'll be impressed.
Any thoughts on Rotella 15W-40?

 

[Bzab32]

I personally run rotella T5 10W-30 in fall/winter and rotella 15-40 in the summer changed every 5K in the 6.4L. I would/have ran 10-30 all year and would recommend that. 15-40 is fine all year if you can plug it in when it gets super cold otherwise above 32F it starts fine. We run rotella 15-40 in the tractors with great results. If you feel better towing with a heavier oil I would recommend 15-40 as it shears a lot less. To me T6 shears to a 30 weight very quickly so you might as well just run the more stable T5.

Congrats on the diesel purchase, once you go diesel you never go back!

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: Bzab32
I personally run rotella T5 10W-30 in fall/winter and rotella 15-40 in the summer changed every 5K in the 6.4L. I would/have ran 10-30 all year and would recommend that. 15-40 is fine all year if you can plug it in when it gets super cold otherwise above 32F it starts fine. We run rotella 15-40 in the tractors with great results. If you feel better towing with a heavier oil I would recommend 15-40 as it shears a lot less. To me T6 shears to a 30 weight very quickly so you might as well just run the more stable T5. Congrats on the diesel purchase, once you go diesel you never go back!
Many thanks for your thoughts. I am really liking it so far, it has been a number of years since I had a diesel vehicle and as I have said with the F150 that was retired - "This is not your Dad's Ford."

 

[dnewton3]

Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Rotella 10w-30 TP. I can personally attest that extreme temps and heavy hauling are within the capability of the TP.

I presume you will stick with the IOLM. As Ronald used to say ... Trust but Verify.
Run the dino 10w-30 and run some UOAs.
You'll be impressed.
Any thoughts on Rotella 15W-40?


In your area, I think it would be fine. Not sure how many cold starts (below zeroF) you'd see.

But, today's trucks with high performance injection systems, high-energy glow plugs, intake heaters, etc really makes cold starts not as much of an issue. It's not like you're trying to start an old IDI FarmAll tractor in negative temps in MN with 40 grade, after all ...

When it gets really cold outside, you're more likely to have to worry about the DEF freezing, than hard starting engine oil.

My point is this:
15w-40 dino will probably work well.
10w-30 dino will probably work well.
I have used both in extreme cold and heat, even with towing in the Rockies and canyon lands of the SW, and cannot find any distinguishable difference in wear control. roadrunner1 can attest to the same. I seriously doubt you would either.

As much as you are 100% correct in stating these trucks are your daddy's trucks, that same goes for lubes ... Trust that 10w-30 will do everything you need it to. I have seen no evidence to the contrary.


As for the topic of syns ver dinos, the thing to understand is that Ford's spec is predicated on an API concept. They require CJ-4 lubes; they don't spec base stocks. The Ford spec is met by any number of a host of CJ-4 products. Their diesel engine oil spec is also not grade specific. They "recommend" certain grades for certain conditions, but those are suggestions and not "thou shalt use" edicts.

If you want to run 15w-40 in the summer and 10w-30 in the winter, go for it.


For people who never get UOAs, then using the "recommended" lube with "recommended" OCIs makes perfect sense. And when under warranty this is a very good idea.

For those who use UOAs in a pragmatic, logical sense, then we need only concern ourselves with the "required" info. So we use a lube that meets the intended spec, and then let data tell us when to change oil. I say this because there are lubes that are not "licensed" (enter Amsoil, etc) but they still are targeted to a specific API criteria and do an excellent job when used correctly.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
When it gets really cold outside, you're more likely to have to worry about the DEF freezing, than hard starting engine oil.[...]
As always thanks for the insight! My first OC will be with T6, but not because I wanted a syn, but because the AZ nearest me where I returned 3 jugs of M1 5W-20 did not have any T5 (10W-30) and not enough T (unless I wanted a 5 gallon pail) so I had to take the T6 (with an instant rebate and then a SOPUS rebate on top of that one).

But your thought gave me a little pause. I picked up 5 gallons of BlueDEF from AAP with a code and just checked the freezing point and it is 12F. I only see those temps in Colorado in the winter, so it begs the question, what do you guys do in the winter to prevent it from freezing? I assume the engine will continue to run, but emissions are affected?

 

[roadrunner1]

The DEF tank is heated, so once the engine is running it will thaw. There is a note in the owners manual to not top off DEF if expecting to be sitting for extended periods in below freezing temps.

Basically just use common sense and enjoy your new truck!

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: roadrunner1
The DEF tank is heated, so once the engine is running it will thaw. There is a note in the owners manual to not top off DEF if expecting to be sitting for extended periods in below freezing temps. Basically just use common sense and enjoy your new truck!
Thanks RR - good to know that it is heated.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: roadrunner1
The DEF tank is heated, so once the engine is running it will thaw. There is a note in the owners manual to not top off DEF if expecting to be sitting for extended periods in below freezing temps.

Lord, if that doesn't sound like a hack or a kludge, I don't know what does.

I thought the days of frozen automotive fluids ended with ethylene glycol coolant, methanol washer fluid, and multigrade motor oils.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: roadrunner1
The DEF tank is heated, so once the engine is running it will thaw. There is a note in the owners manual to not top off DEF if expecting to be sitting for extended periods in below freezing temps.
Lord, if that doesn't sound like a hack or a kludge, I don't know what does.

I thought the days of frozen automotive fluids ended with ethylene glycol coolant, methanol washer fluid, and multigrade motor oils.
LOL! RR is right though. I googled DEF and freezing and the page explains it fairly well. I only see below 20F a few times a year, but it is certainly worthy of note and I will make sure that I do not overfill during those times.

 

[Garak]

He he, well, I didn't doubt him, I'm just surprised! I can see it being a problem up here for sure. I know some truck stops store DEF outside for at least part of the year.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: Garak
I can see it being a problem up here for sure. I know some truck stops store DEF outside for at least part of the year.
Agreed; I am surprised there is not a summer version and a winter version much like windshield washer fluid. In Houston, we typically only have +32F stuff, which may or may not be enough, but in Colorado, it would be useless. I always stock up on the -20F stuff when I go and use it year round so that I do not have any issues like the first time that we went up in the winter and had to keep a bottle of glass cleaner warmed up to clean the windshield when it needed it.

 

[Redland1]

I ran big trucks in the oilfields of North Dakota and they all had DEF.If the fluid ever froze I will never know because the trucks did not show any CEL's even when it was -30.

 

[Garak]

Well, that's a curious one. I guess we learn something new everyday. As for washer fluid, no, we don't get a lot of 32 F stuff except in the summer. Right now, it's likely marked down to the bone all over the place. Now, I'm going to have to watch and see if any DEF is stored outside in the winter.

 

[dareo]

I'd just do T6 (easy to get) and keep it changed fairly often. Any big diesel will break the bank if it needs a rebuild, so i dunno if i would try long OCIs no matter what UOAs say.

How's the ride vs the F150? I guess i'm wondering why you didn't go into an aluminum F15. i assume you want the high towing.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: dareo
I'd just do T6 (easy to get) and keep it changed fairly often. Any big diesel will break the bank if it needs a rebuild, so i dunno if i would try long OCIs no matter what UOAs say. How's the ride vs the F150? I guess i'm wondering why you didn't go into an aluminum F15. i assume you want the high towing.
I have T6 for the first OC just because the AZ near me did not have enough T5 when I swapped out some M1 5W-20. Based upon everything that I read Rotella (in nearly every flavor) seems to have a huge following so I probably cannot go wrong there. I joined a couple of the PSD forums and the first generation 6.7L had issues when extending the OCs (at least anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that).

The ride is quite good--it has the FX4 package with Rancho shocks, but it is (obviously) a stiffer ride due to the increased payload, but not overly so. Two reasons for not getting the aluminum F150; first and foremost, I needed more towing capacity and secondly, **most** of them were priced within a rocks throw of the F250 and this F250 had a great sets of options without overkill. Many of the F-250s had double sunroofs and the like and I used the sunroof in my old F150 about 4 times in 5 years and never really wanted it anyway. My new one does not have one so I saved about $1500. The F150s comparable to my old one were "option overkill" and were very pricey.

 

[dnewton3]

Trucks are one of the biggest money makers for the OEM and dealers alike. The more they option them up, the more they pocket. When I worked at Ford, my dad was in corporate sales for Ford at the same time. The margin they make is borderline criminal. I don't deny folks what they want; they should get the options that make them happy. I can understand power windows and doorlocks, but some of the "bling" is really getting obscene.

Other than some rural areas, it's darn hard to find a "basic" truck on a dealer lot. Even an "XLT" is rare if not loaded down. Most are the Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, etc. -About the only help you can find is either "We can order it, or try to locate one three states away ..."

Whatever happened to the inexpensive truck? Trucks are past what I paid for my first home!

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Other than some rural areas, it's darn hard to find a "basic" truck on a dealer lot. Even an "XLT" is rare if not loaded down. Most are the Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, etc. -About the only help you can find is either "We can order it, or try to locate one three states away ..." Whatever happened to the inexpensive truck? Trucks are past what I paid for my first home!
I agree Dave. I mean obviously, it is late in the 2015 season and there is not a huge selection. But there was one (1) XL F250 and all of the rest (no matter if 150, 250, or 350) were at a minimum an XLT fully loaded (and costing more than a Lariat) or Platinum/King Ranch, etc. I had to wade through about 30ish ads to find a non-sunroof model and the one I selected was still fairly loaded up. There was a 2016 model that tipped the scale at close to 80K (crazy by any standard). The dealer I bought at had trucks coming in from rural dealers who could not sell them...

 

[dustyroads]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Well, that's a curious one. I guess we learn something new everyday. As for washer fluid, no, we don't get a lot of 32 F stuff except in the summer. Right now, it's likely marked down to the bone all over the place. Now, I'm going to have to watch and see if any DEF is stored outside in the winter.


I've been using DEF for the last four winters and never a bit of trouble with the trucks, but the truckstop DEF pumps are another story. I keep a 2.5 gallon jug of DEF with me in the winter for an emergency (like frozen pumps at truckstops) but for the better price of bulk DEF, I top off every time I fuel in winter.

Pilot/Flying J truckstops have insulation protecting the DEF hoses and nozzles but even those have gotten frozen solid in the brutal climates. I have found myself unable to obtain bulk DEF for many days at a time.

I have parked my truck at home for four to five days and nights at a time with daytime highs in single digit temps and nights well below zero, and never an issue. My understanding is trucks are programmed to run without DEF being applied for a short time while thawing takes place.

Congrats on the truck 2010_FX4...er 2015_PSD! Rotella of any flavor is a fine choice and typically very fair in price, too.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: dustyroads
I've been using DEF for the last four winters and never a bit of trouble with the trucks, but the truckstop DEF pumps are another story. I keep a 2.5 gallon jug of DEF with me in the winter for an emergency (like frozen pumps at truckstops) but for the better price of bulk DEF, I top off every time I fuel in winter.

Congrats on the truck 2010_FX4...er 2015_PSD! Rotella of any flavor is a fine choice and typically very fair in price, too.
Many thanks Dusty. Based upon what you are saying about DEF and bulk, have you had any trouble with any of the brands? IMHO, DEF is a "utility" fluid and I would rather not have to be brand loyal unless I had to.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: dustyroads
Pilot/Flying J truckstops have insulation protecting the DEF hoses and nozzles but even those have gotten frozen solid in the brutal climates. I have found myself unable to obtain bulk DEF for many days at a time.

Interesting information. I wonder what the truck stops do here to deal with that. It might be kind of like car washes here having outdoor vacuums, which are essentially useless eight months out of the year.