Rotella T6 API CK-4 ok in my car?

[Johnny248]

Hello,

We have been using Rotella T6 in our Beetle they calls for 5w40 some sort of VW spec. The car has over 200k on it and has been working fine, and the T6 has always been readily available at Walmart.

I recently bought some T6 that says API CK-4 to use in our '04 Mini Cooper S JCW. The manul says use 5w30 or 5w40 BMW spec oil. Mini forums seem to be fine with 5w40. The engine just turned 190k, so I figured the 5w40 would be ok, and the higher viscosity may actually I be better with the higher mileage going into summer. My question is about this oil. I briefly read something about this new CK-4 T6 and that it may not be a good oil in gasoline engines? I'm not up to date on all the new specs, but is there any reason that I should not be using it in the Mini Cooper? Other than the fact that it doesn't say BMW spec'd ?

 

[RooflessVW]

Castrol 0W-40 is 502 and LL01 and would be more suitable for both of your cars. Last time I checked, it was cheaper as well.

 

[Toptierpao]

CK-4 is backward compatible to CJ-4 so,if you used Rotella T6 CJ-4, the new CK-4 is fine and is a more stout oil.

 

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: Toptierpao
CK-4 is backward compatible to CJ-4 so,if you used Rotella T6 CJ-4, the new CK-4 is fine and is a more stout oil.


Sounds good. Appreciate it.

My WalMart doesn't have a great oil selection. From time to time they may have Mobil 1 Euro 0w40, but that is about the closest option. They also carry T6 5w40 and Delo 5w40. So as long as it's not doing any damage to the engine, I'm good with it. The Mini is a 2004 , and called for whatever oil spec was around then, and it has 190k on it. I'm not concerned about certifications when it comes to warranties, so as long as the new T6 will protect the mini engine and not cause damage, then I won't worry about it. The car runs great. It's not a beater that I would just throw the cheapest lol in, buy ease of finding it and knowing it will do a good job protecting the engine is what is important to me. I've always read they the T6 is supposed to be a pretty good oil, and it meets the 5w40 viscosity so..

 

[Tech819]

Your Walmart doesn't carry Castrol 0w40 or 5w40?

 

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: Tech819
Your Walmart doesn't carry Castrol 0w40 or 5w40?


I've never seen it there, and I've been using Castrol in another vehicle so I always look. They have M1 Truck 5w40, and sometimes the Mobil 1 Euro 0w40.

It's not one of the Super Walmarts. It's a smaller one. I've noticed other items such as food and stuff are limited. Where they may have 5 types of peanut butter at the big Walmart, they may only have 3 at my Walmart.

Maybe next time I go to the big Walmart I'll see if they have the Castrol 5w40. Do you think that is a better option than the T6?

 

[Garak]

The Castrol 0w-40 is one of the better options out there, and usually at a sensible price, assuming you can come across it.

 

[SR5]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248

From time to time they may have Mobil 1 Euro 0w40, ..... They also carry T6 5w40 and Delo 5w40. .........


Any of those three should do you fine.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Toptierpao
CK-4 is backward compatible to CJ-4 so,if you used Rotella T6 CJ-4, the new CK-4 is fine and is a more stout oil.
This^. Ignore the noise from the Castrol fanboys.

 

[Tech819]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248
Originally Posted By: Tech819
Your Walmart doesn't carry Castrol 0w40 or 5w40?


I've never seen it there, and I've been using Castrol in another vehicle so I always look. They have M1 Truck 5w40, and sometimes the Mobil 1 Euro 0w40.

It's not one of the Super Walmarts. It's a smaller one. I've noticed other items such as food and stuff are limited. Where they may have 5 types of peanut butter at the big Walmart, they may only have 3 at my Walmart.

Maybe next time I go to the big Walmart I'll see if they have the Castrol 5w40. Do you think that is a better option than the T6?



I am not a Castrol fanboy or brand loyal but I always use a oil that has the VW 502 approval which the T6 isn't.

 

[zeng]

Originally Posted By: Tech819
I am not a Castrol fanboy or brand loyal but I always use a oil that has the VW 502 approval which the T6 isn't.

VW 502 is a gasoline engine specs found in some PCMO's.
HDEO's like Rotella T6/Delo 400 is a different kettle of fish altogether.

 

[Tech819]

Originally Posted By: zeng
Originally Posted By: Tech819
I am not a Castrol fanboy or brand loyal but I always use a oil that has the VW 502 approval which the T6 isn't.

VW 502 is a gasoline engine specs found in some PCMO's.
HDEO's like Rotella T6/Delo 400 is a different kettle of fish altogether.



Seeing as the OP has a gas powered beetle then a VW 502 rated oil is what is needed.

 

[zeng]

Originally Posted By: Tech819
Seeing as the OP has a gas powered beetle then a VW 502 rated oil is what is needed.

Fair enough, but .....
Originally Posted By: Johnny248
We have been using Rotella T6 in our Beetle they calls for 5w40 some sort of VW spec. The car has over 200k on it and has been working fine, and the T6 has always been readily ...

..... good real results with T6!
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Originally Posted By: Toptierpao
CK-4 is backward compatible to CJ-4 so,if you used Rotella T6 CJ-4, the new CK-4 is fine and is a more stout oil.
This^. Ignore the noise from the Castrol fanboys.

This!
....ignore the VW 502, sort of.

 

[akela]

I find the absence of "/SN" a little bit hard to ignore. This oil is not certified for gasoline engines, it implies.

The statement about CK-4 being backward compatible with CJ-4 is true only in the context of diesel engines. It doesn't really apply to gas engines, sewing machines, etc.

 

[KL31]

If the rotella is cheap than it should be fine. If castrol 0w40 is cheaper, then I would opt to use that almost all the time.

Perhaps the rotella ck oil does not have gasoline specs as they want to save money by not paying for approvals and also not cannibalize the castrol edge sales?

It's like if Mazda made the MX3 rwd with the 2.5L V6 it would have ate into the sales of about 3-4 other models. It would have made the mx6 useless by having a better power to weight ratio and being rwd. It would have done the same to the mx5 and people would have chose it occasionally over the rx7 for being far more reliable than a rotary bit with slightly less power. But alas they made it with either a 4cyl or a 1.8L v6.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: akela
I find the absence of "/SN" a little bit hard to ignore. This oil is not certified for gasoline engines, it implies.

But, if an oil is also E7, E9, one can also have a pretty good idea. This isn't exactly a two-stroke Detroit Diesel oil.

 

[4wd]

Agree - T6 NOACK is too high compared to other 40's that are around the same price - TDI also comes to mind.
In warmer times - to me T6 is over rated when Group II+ HDEO's have both more HTHS and lower NOACK.