Not too much info here on this oil. I am using Delvac 1300 in my 2.5L Benz now. But I wonder if the Super Tech 15w40 is just as good. Thanks.
Super Tech 15w-40
- Thread starter Oldwolf
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Delvac 1300 15W40 is one of the best HDEO, Super Tech 15w40 may be adequate in some engines but don't expect it to be as good as Delvac 1300.
If every batch of the SuperTech oil is accurately blended to meet the spec, it may still be made of lower quality/cost ingredients so it continues to meet the spec for fewer miles than the better products. Delvac 1300 is tops, as is Chevron Delo 400 Conoco/Phillips/76 Guardol ECT, Rotella-T, etc.
dnewton3
Staff member
I agree that the ST HDEO is probably not as robust as some of the top brand names, but OTOH, you may not need something so grand. You've got to put things into perspective.
If you're going to run under extreme conditions, for long intervals, then a top $$$ product is warranted. But if you're only going to run moderate operating patterns, with short to moderate OCIs, then you'll find the ST HDEO will suffice just fine.
I did see some VOAs a few years back (during the CI-4+ era) from an article in Trailer Life magazine. Now, just going on VOAs, you'd be hard pressed to distinguish the difference between ST and the big three (Delo, Delvac, Rotella).
I get my Rotella annually on sale at a convenient location, so I'm not motivated to try other brands. But if I were in dire need of a top off, or otherwise was in a postion to use ST HDEO, I would not hesitate at all. I like to buck the "norm" occasionally; to that end, I run Rotella 10w30, just to prove the nay-sayers wrong about lighter grade HDEOs.
You could do the same and show how capable ST HDEO can be. Why not help "fill in the blanks". Why is there not a lot of info regarding ST HDEO? Because people don't try it and post up info. Why not be the first? The same can be said for other bargin brand fluids like Lubrigard and Coastal. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy; not much info here, so no one wants to take a chance on an unknown, so no info get's developed, ... and around it goes in a circle.
To give you a short answer to your direct quesiton: No - I doubt that ST HDEO is "just as good" as the Delvac 1300. But the real question is: is it good enough to meet your needs? Likely so.
If you're going to run under extreme conditions, for long intervals, then a top $$$ product is warranted. But if you're only going to run moderate operating patterns, with short to moderate OCIs, then you'll find the ST HDEO will suffice just fine.
I did see some VOAs a few years back (during the CI-4+ era) from an article in Trailer Life magazine. Now, just going on VOAs, you'd be hard pressed to distinguish the difference between ST and the big three (Delo, Delvac, Rotella).
I get my Rotella annually on sale at a convenient location, so I'm not motivated to try other brands. But if I were in dire need of a top off, or otherwise was in a postion to use ST HDEO, I would not hesitate at all. I like to buck the "norm" occasionally; to that end, I run Rotella 10w30, just to prove the nay-sayers wrong about lighter grade HDEOs.
You could do the same and show how capable ST HDEO can be. Why not help "fill in the blanks". Why is there not a lot of info regarding ST HDEO? Because people don't try it and post up info. Why not be the first? The same can be said for other bargin brand fluids like Lubrigard and Coastal. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy; not much info here, so no one wants to take a chance on an unknown, so no info get's developed, ... and around it goes in a circle.
To give you a short answer to your direct quesiton: No - I doubt that ST HDEO is "just as good" as the Delvac 1300. But the real question is: is it good enough to meet your needs? Likely so.
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The price of Delvac and Delo is pretty low right now. $10 to $11 per gallon. Can't say how much the ST is. Anyone know? With Delvac so low in cost to begin with there isn't much financial incentive to go any cheaper with ST.
I change my OM602's oil at about 4000 miles btw.
I change my OM602's oil at about 4000 miles btw.
dnewton3
Staff member
If you can catch a big-three oil (Delo, Delvac, Rotella) on sale, no sense in not using them. I got some Delvac last year at $10/gallon retail, and then got a $3/gallon rebate; $7/gallon! But those deals are not prevelant often. "Typical" pricing in my area is $11-$13/gallon, depending upon brand and location.
OTOH, I quite often see Lubrigard for $7-$8 at retail price.
So, if moderate OCIs and moderate operation are expected, the lesser expensive lubes would likely fit the application, and save a bit of cash.
OTOH, I quite often see Lubrigard for $7-$8 at retail price.
So, if moderate OCIs and moderate operation are expected, the lesser expensive lubes would likely fit the application, and save a bit of cash.
Originally Posted By: Oldwolf
The price of Delvac and Delo is pretty low right now. $10 to $11 per gallon. Can't say how much the Super Tech is. Anyone know?
$12.86 for the 2 gallon jug. So it's really priced low. Regular Super Tech oil is $2.29 a qt but the Super Tech15w40 is $1.42 a qt. Odd that the better oil is cheaper.
I have 12 gallons of it in my Peterbilt. Thing will go less than 500 miles this year so no need to pay more for oil thats just sitting.
The price of Delvac and Delo is pretty low right now. $10 to $11 per gallon. Can't say how much the Super Tech is. Anyone know?
$12.86 for the 2 gallon jug. So it's really priced low. Regular Super Tech oil is $2.29 a qt but the Super Tech15w40 is $1.42 a qt. Odd that the better oil is cheaper.
I have 12 gallons of it in my Peterbilt. Thing will go less than 500 miles this year so no need to pay more for oil thats just sitting.
This weekend I noticed the ST was about $8 per gallon. I went with the Delvac at $10.
If you went to the butcher and Filet Minon was $10 and Hamburger was $8 which one would you buy?? I mean I like a burger better than steak a lot of times but if Filet Minon is that cheap and tastes that great it is a no brainer...
Used the food angle since I'm hungry!
Used the food angle since I'm hungry!
Both are good oils.
Super Tech is CI4+ and Delvac 1300 is CJ-4. I would rather have Super Tech CI4+ oil over a CJ-4 oil, whether its Delvac, Rotella or Chevron. CI4+ oil has a better additive package than CJ-4 oil. If it weren't for the Particulate Filter on new diesel vehicles CJ-4 wouldn't exist.
Super Tech is CI4+ and Delvac 1300 is CJ-4. I would rather have Super Tech CI4+ oil over a CJ-4 oil, whether its Delvac, Rotella or Chevron. CI4+ oil has a better additive package than CJ-4 oil. If it weren't for the Particulate Filter on new diesel vehicles CJ-4 wouldn't exist.
dnewton3
Staff member
That's too broad a statement to be accurate, Dieselsrule.
"Better" is a term that is only relative to a singular given situation. CI-4+ is not "better" if you're running a late model diesel that requires CJ-4 and ULSD.
CJ-4 fluids were developed with certain criteria in mind, based upon certain operational conditions. CJ-4 fluids perform "best" when paired with ULSD fuel. This has been discussed at length before. There are many, many tests within the industry that show CJ-4 fluids able to produce lower wear results when compared to CI-4+, if used in the stated environment. Just because CJ-4 gave up a bit of sulphur (and its lubricating aromatics), does not make it inferior to CI-4+. On top of that, the detergent and dispersent portion of the CJ-4 add-pack is far superior to those of the CI-4+; they must be to deal with the ever increasing use of EGR as a percentage of engine operation.
What you have is a trade off that is based upon mutually exclusive relationships. If you run LSD, you're probably "better" off with CI-4+, because of the sulphur in the fuel. But if you run ULSD, then you're probably going to get "better" results for wear out of the CJ-4. There are (by now) millions of miles of lab testing, clinic testing, road testing, and now civilian use, to show that CJ-4 fluids are very capable, and can perform above the previous standard.
If I were running LSD fuel, in a non-DPF generation vehicle, then I'd say sure, the CI-4+ is a fine choice. The higher TBN would lend itself to longer OCIs. But the "wear" isn't necessarily going to be any lower; the OCI will last longer due to the higher anti-corrosive elements. But if you use ULSD fuel paired with CJ-4 lube, you can still see excellent wear protection, often "better" than it's predecessor.
Lubricants are a compromise that best addresses the needs of the largest group of likely purchasers, relative to the target market. LSD is not common on the road today; ULSD is.
"Better" is a term that is only relative to a singular given situation. CI-4+ is not "better" if you're running a late model diesel that requires CJ-4 and ULSD.
CJ-4 fluids were developed with certain criteria in mind, based upon certain operational conditions. CJ-4 fluids perform "best" when paired with ULSD fuel. This has been discussed at length before. There are many, many tests within the industry that show CJ-4 fluids able to produce lower wear results when compared to CI-4+, if used in the stated environment. Just because CJ-4 gave up a bit of sulphur (and its lubricating aromatics), does not make it inferior to CI-4+. On top of that, the detergent and dispersent portion of the CJ-4 add-pack is far superior to those of the CI-4+; they must be to deal with the ever increasing use of EGR as a percentage of engine operation.
What you have is a trade off that is based upon mutually exclusive relationships. If you run LSD, you're probably "better" off with CI-4+, because of the sulphur in the fuel. But if you run ULSD, then you're probably going to get "better" results for wear out of the CJ-4. There are (by now) millions of miles of lab testing, clinic testing, road testing, and now civilian use, to show that CJ-4 fluids are very capable, and can perform above the previous standard.
If I were running LSD fuel, in a non-DPF generation vehicle, then I'd say sure, the CI-4+ is a fine choice. The higher TBN would lend itself to longer OCIs. But the "wear" isn't necessarily going to be any lower; the OCI will last longer due to the higher anti-corrosive elements. But if you use ULSD fuel paired with CJ-4 lube, you can still see excellent wear protection, often "better" than it's predecessor.
Lubricants are a compromise that best addresses the needs of the largest group of likely purchasers, relative to the target market. LSD is not common on the road today; ULSD is.
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