Rotella T Synthetc 5w40 - 99 Ford F150 4.6l V8, 6117 miles

[MNgopher]

The details:

Truck: 1999 Ford F150 Supercab Flareside 4x4
Engine: 4.6L 2V SOHC V8
Oil Filter: Napa Gold 1327
Air Filter: Fram (in use for 6000 miles). Not happy with the "new and improved" design of this filter.

Driving: 60/40 Highway/City. Couple of light trailer towing hauls. Fair amount of Gravel Road driving.

Weather: From January through May in Minnesota, a bit warmer than usual.

Analysis: Blackstone

Rot= Shell Rotella T Synthetic
Hav = Texaco Havoline

code:

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Oil: Rot Rot Rot Hav Univ.

Avg.

Grade: 5w40 5w40 5w40 5w20

Date: 6/05 1/05 9/04 5/04

Mi on Oil: 6117 6132 6027 6134

Mi on Unit:120811 114694 108561 102533

Make Up qt:1.0 0.5 0.5 1.5

Aluminum 5 4 3 5 3

Chromium 1 1 1 2 1

Iron 22 18 16 28 15

Copper 4 5 9 3 6

Lead 0 0 1 1 1

Tin 0 0 0 0 0

Moly 10 6 16 173 46

Nickel 2 1 1 2 1

Managnese 0 0 0 0 1

Silver 0 0 0 0 0

Titanium 0 0 0 0 0

Potassium 0 0 1 2 1

Boron 0 1 0 18 48

Silicon 12 10 11 17 16

Sodium 6 4 5 6 6

Calcium 3460 3322 3615 2141 2165

Magnesium 14 10 9 27 201

Phosphorous1117 808 930 740 773

Zinc 1267 1022 1068 884 931

Barium 0 1 2 0 1

Vis 13.5 13.7 14.7 8.3

TBN 3.0 3.1 4.3 1.6

Flash 410 400 400 405

Fuel 0 0 1.0 0

Glycol 0 0 0 0

Water 0 0 0 0

Insolubles 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4

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My Comments:

The last analysis after a 1 year run of Shell Rotella T synthetic 5w40 in my modular 4.6l V8. Some predicited doom for my motor with such a "thick" oil, especially given my climate.

My thoughts are that wear tracked slightly lower versus a 5w20 or 5w30 used year around. I emphasize the slightly, as there were no siesmic shifts. However, I will comment that this last interval was likely easier on the Rotella than the simialr periods using 5w30 or 5w20, as it was just not nearly as cold. I have not tabulated up weather stats, but will shortly. I'm positive that the number of below zero nights was much less!

Vicosity is right on the 30 weight / 40 weight border - it did shear a bit. TBN held out nicely and could go further there.

What I was never happy with was my fuel mileage. I haven't tallied final numbers, but the mileage loss was not pretty. I'm guessing it ended up around a 5% drop from running a 5w30 or 5w20 oil. Not good!

I have switched to Citgo Supergard Synthetic 5w30. Fuel mileage and resposiveness are already up noticably.

Fire away...

 

[Al]

My compliments on as well laid out, easy to read post. I think that many times we don't get comments bc of the unorganized display of information/data. I think you made the right decision to go to a lighter oil. 5% milage, to me is a reason to go to the lighter oil.

 

[Geoff]

I would concur on the 5w-30 choice given your results and mileage issues. Will be interested to see your next post.

 

[C4Dave]

I've enjoyed following your experiment. Thanks for the update. These modular engines don't seem to care what you put in them. Might as well you a thin oil to get the better fuel mileage.