Rotella 5W-40 OK for my Chevy?

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All you can do is try, the Rotella is a good oil, but it's much thicker then you're used to, and can cause your engine to be a bit sluggish. I used it last summer in my Sohc V6 Isuzu engine, and just switched back to it again for this summer.

However, I spent all winter running the 5w30 Havoline blend, and after replenishing the sump with this 5w-40 Rotella, there's a big difference on take-off power. It's not as willing to rev up when needed - and I forgot about that from last summer.

Actually, I didn't forget, there were other maintenance factors involved that I thought were guilty of power robbing.

I'm gonna run this Rotella for 4k miles, though, cause it's not cheap, and go back to Havoline 10w-40 for the rest of summer.

I thought that I wanted to run Rotella permanently, as it's a fine oil, but it just robs way too much power.

Try it though, your engine will tell you if it's too thick or not.
 
I’m getting ready to dump the Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 out of my 2.4L Cavalier this weekend. I WAS planning to use Mobil 1 Truck and SUV this summer, but as we all know it is hard to find these days.

My question is if I can expect just as good service from Shell Rotella 5W-40? I do 10,000 mile OCI’s and would like to stick with an oil that will let me do that.

I think I can detect slight valve train noise at idle, so I want to go up in viscosity for the summer and see if it goes away. My engine is a DOHC design btw. I could use Mobil 1 10w30 but I’ve heard great things about the 5W-40’s and wanted to give them a try. Also, the 10w30 probably wouldn’t help the valve train noise anyway.

Thanks,
Brad
2000 Chev Cavalier
2.4L DOHC
115,000 miles
 
You could drop by a truck stop or two and see if they have Mobil Delvac 1 5W40. Very close to identical to Mobil 1 Truck and SUV.
Every indication is that the Rotella T would hold up nicely to your application. I've personally never noticed a difference in "feel" between different crankcase oil viscosities, but I won't call my fellow BITOGERS liars. I'll assume their butt dynos work better than mine.
Mobil 1 0W40 like 777 recommended is not a bad choice. It should be good for 10K intervals due to its fancy-pants Mobil 1 additive package and is thick enough to muffle some sounds that Mobil 1 5W30 wouldn't.
BTW, I grew up in Chapel Hill and went to college in Durham. Your post has me wondering what a 3-bedroom house with a garage goes for in Cary nowadays. Man, that town was pricy.
 
I just can't see it. I've gone back and forth between 30 and 40 weight oils and never noticed a difference in the butt dino or on the trip computer. Even w/ four cyls. I think you'll be fine. I've got a jug waiting to go myself...after the Pennzoil Platinum and after the Redline...
 
I always thought... maybe the guys who see it have turbos? I can see how that would render you EVER SO SLIGHTLY viscosity-conscious.
Then again, I'm betting Ramblin's Isuzu isn't blown...
 
quote:

Originally posted by Oldwolf:
I’m getting ready to dump the Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 out of my 2.4L Cavalier this weekend. I WAS planning to use Mobil 1 Truck and SUV this summer, but as we all know it is hard to find these days.

My question is if I can expect just as good service from Shell Rotella 5W-40? I do 10,000 mile OCI’s and would like to stick with an oil that will let me do that.

I think I can detect slight valve train noise at idle, so I want to go up in viscosity for the summer and see if it goes away. My engine is a DOHC design btw. I could use Mobil 1 10w30 but I’ve heard great things about the 5W-40’s and wanted to give them a try. Also, the 10w30 probably wouldn’t help the valve train noise anyway.

Thanks,
Brad
2000 Chev Cavalier
2.4L DOHC
115,000 miles


Im using amsoil series 3k in my 2002 tacoma V6 eventhough its a 5W30 its alittle thicker than other 5W30's with no valve train noise and my gas milage hasnt suffered either.
 
FWIW - I didn't notice much of a difference in running the Rotella last summer when the truck was in dire need of a tune-up, but still running good; however, 2 months ago, new spark plugs, new O2's all around, timing belt, waterpump, tensioner, pulley, driving belts, hoses, fuel filter and air filter have all been replaced, including PCV valve.

This truck, at 154k miles, has some serious umph again, and it feels great!

I am NOT a throttle pusher by any means, in fact, I've been labeled as a grandma type driver. And also, we live on the base of some serious mountainous inclines, you can feel the difference in how easy it is to want to rev with the 5w/10w-30 versus the 5w-40.

When I'm on flat ground, however, I don't notice any difference, except that it idled a bit rougher with the 5w-40 longer in the morning after start-up then it does with the 5w30.

It could also be, that since my engine is in tune, that it just doesn't need that heavy of an oil. I have always been able to go to 3k miles on 10w30 Havoline without the truck using more then 1/8 qt; I only wanted a 40wt for longer oci's and the heavy mountainous areas that we drive in summer on our explorations.
 
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