Rotella T5 for everything?

[ianj3vr6]

Thumbs up or Thumbs down on using Rotella T5 in all of these applications. I would like to only carry 1 engine oil to make things easier around the farm.

1) 07 Duramax (LBZ)
2) 03 Astro AWD (4.3)
3) 93 Saab 9000 CS (2.3)
4) 92 Ford 2120
5) 92 John Deere F525
6) 3 Honda GCV160 engined lawn tools (tiller, pressure washer, push mower)

10w-30 is acceptable to use, according to the owners manual, in all of the items listed. Just wanted to get some thoughts/ideas before stocking up and cleaning out the old stash.

 

[Clevy]

Sure. It might be overkill in the astro but if your after just using a single product I don't see much of an issue. Unless you get real cold winter of course,then the oil might be a bit thick at start up.

 

[HerrStig]

In the frozen north T 6 is a better choice

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
In the frozen north T 6 is a better choice


but the OP is in fairfax VA so should be fine with t5

 

[Jim Allen]

I worked towards this exact scenario. Didn't get all the way through implementation, deciding not to bother after all, but it was all working more or less. I think your fit is far better than mine for a couple of notable reasons. First, your climate is more moderate than mine and I have one engine on my list that's just better with a lighter oil. The 10W30 "works" but is far from optimal.

FWIW, I went through all the oil recommendations for my equipment and found that the 10W30 worked everywhere, more or less, with one exception. Some datalogging and testing showed no issues with the Variable Cam Timing but after running a 10W30 oil for two years, I know it isn't optimal so I'll be going back to 5W20, or something similar.

So, thumbs up from me.

 

[ianj3vr6]

My family farm is out in Western MD but the lows during winter are usually in the 20's, maybe a night or 2 in the teens.

My initial choice was T6 for everything. However the mower has a shared sump for both the engine and hydro trans and JD wants nothing heavier than a 30wt in it. I suppose I could use the T6 in everything else and a 10w-30 for the mower. Kind of defeats my initial thought though.

 

[JHZR2]

I'd say go for it. T5 is a good oil, and a robust 10w-30 should hold up well for most applications up to 100F or so.

 

[volk06]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
In the frozen north T 6 is a better choice



Actually its not. If you look at the specs of the T6 5w-40 and the T5 10w-30, the T5 has better cold weather performance and specs. Its also much lighter at start up.

Go with the T5 and you'll be good to go!

 

[mrsilv04]

I don't see why not.

I'd love to be able to use T5 in everything that I change oil in as well, and I probably could in the summer... but in a 2007 Town and Country that spec's 5w-20...and during a cold Illinois winter... the T&C is probably the deal breaker.

However, I use it in a 2000 Sierra and a 2004 Silverado (both with 5.3 V8's), and all sorts of outdoor power equipment... a John Deere 425AWS, John Deere 185 (both with Kawasaki engines), a 12 horsepower Briggs powered generator, a 8 horsepower Briggs powered generator, a rototiller...)

 

[artificialist]

Does that SAAB 9000 use a turbo gasoline engine or not?

If the SAAB 9000 has a turbo gasoline engine, I wouldn't use T5 there. However, if the engine was NA gasoline or a Diesel, I would use the T5.

 

[dnewton3]

Probably not optimal for every application, but absolutely capable in all those engines.

If commonization is paramount, I think the fluid would be an excellent choice. Depending upon price and availability, even a 10w-30 dino might be better as it will do the same job for less cost, if normal OCIs are your plan.

 

[ianj3vr6]

The SAAB 2.3 is n/a in our vehicle.

My idea behind this is the simplify all of the maint fluids around the farm. My folks are getting a little older and I'm just trying to keep thinks as simple as possible for them. Like you said, probably not the best for each app. But it should do the job.

FWIW: the mower and Honda engined OPE was running AZ branded ND 30wt! It took some convincing to switch to PYB 10w-30 in those apps.

 

[2cool]

In your climate, the T5 would be a very good universal oil. I like the semi-syn and the 10W30 is proven in heat and the 10W will make winter starts uneventful.

 

[Reg# 43897]

I like it in the 5.9 Cummins. Put it into the bike for the coming season. Will be my OPE go-to oil from now on. Have a lot of T6 & some old D1 that I scored. But I can see that in the future, T5 will be what I use primarily. Dad is going to give it a whirl in his big-block Bow-Tie motor home this coming season, too. I'm going to stick w/ xw-20 (PU at the moment) for the Caravan's engine, however. But one of these summers I might just try it for the heck of it...!

John.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Depending upon price and availability, even a 10w-30 dino might be better as it will do the same job for less cost, if normal OCIs are your plan.


I've mentioned in other threads how SuperTech up here is available in just about everything in 5 gallon pails for ridiculously cheap. I've seen 15w-40 HDEO and 10w-30 PCMO in such containers, but I haven't come across 10w-30 HDEO from them. At about $40 or so per pail, that would be pretty cool.

 

[Brent_G]

I doubt VA can be considered the "frozen north". My 5.4 triton has started at -30s with 15w40 rotella and ALL our cummins diesel trucks (5) and our 3406 cat semi wrecker run 15w40 year around. T5 will be fine as long as it meets the spec/weight in the owners manual.

 

[ianj3vr6]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm going to go ahead and make the switch to T5 and see how it holds up. All equipment/vehicles are serviced at their specified OCI's for normal service. Will follow up later on with an update. Thanks again!

 

[skellyman]

If your really going to do it right , you'll need to do UOA's to really see how your oil is performing.

 

[Degreaser]

By T5 I am assuming you mean Shell Rotella T 5w40, I have been using the Rotella T5 5w40 in my bike and on a OCI of 3000km it comes out like water, I am going to move up grades and start using 15w40

 

[A_Harman]

No. The T5 is a synthetic blend 10w30.
Rotella T6 is a 5w40 full synthetic.