Who's running this oil in their passenger car/truck? I've been kind of intrigued by 5W-40's lately and noticed that this is the only oil offered at Wal-Mart in that grade. Give me your general comments and whatever else you might happen to mention.
Who's running Rotella 5W-40 Syn?
- Thread starter Merkava_4
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It's in my Wrangler SE (2.5) now.
My comments?
The stuff is as bulletproof in usage as Delvac 1 in this engine as far as remaining a viable oil for continued use. I've had it in up to 13 months/9k miles. The used oil analysis wasn't pretty ..but the oil handled the fuel insult very well. Assuming that I have eliminated the fuel issue, I think that my wear markers would be more favorable. I had zero Pb in the last used oil analysis and next to none on the one before.
So, good oil at a good price. It's not for everyone.
I'll naturally be switching to an Amsoil product after I've established that my fuel issues are remedied. I think HDD will be my first Amsoil product to try out.
I'd say that this oil would work well in any engine as far as it can be viewed from the oil's standpoint. If you're into severe duty, it may be something to think about if you're not willing to change oil often. OTOH, if you're driving something more sensitive to viscosity or dip to subfreezing temps over a decent duration ..you could surely be pumping unnecessarily heavy fluid for no darn good reason. That is, YMMV.
My comments?
The stuff is as bulletproof in usage as Delvac 1 in this engine as far as remaining a viable oil for continued use. I've had it in up to 13 months/9k miles. The used oil analysis wasn't pretty ..but the oil handled the fuel insult very well. Assuming that I have eliminated the fuel issue, I think that my wear markers would be more favorable. I had zero Pb in the last used oil analysis and next to none on the one before.
So, good oil at a good price. It's not for everyone.
I'll naturally be switching to an Amsoil product after I've established that my fuel issues are remedied. I think HDD will be my first Amsoil product to try out.
I'd say that this oil would work well in any engine as far as it can be viewed from the oil's standpoint. If you're into severe duty, it may be something to think about if you're not willing to change oil often. OTOH, if you're driving something more sensitive to viscosity or dip to subfreezing temps over a decent duration ..you could surely be pumping unnecessarily heavy fluid for no darn good reason. That is, YMMV.
I'm wondering how well the Rotella would cold flow compared to Valvoline's Synpower 5W-40. On my last ultra scientific gravity funnel test, Synpower 5W-40 out flowed Maxlife 10w30 by a wide margin.
I run it often in my 2003 I4 Camry. It loves the stuff. I currently have such a large amount of 5W30 PP, 10W30 VS, and 5W30 VP Raceing that I am running a mix. I have two quarts of VP Raceing 5W30 and two quarts of Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 in my sump. My car seems to love it and I plan on doing a used oil analysis onit. I was useing the VP by itself but it had some consumption 1/4 dureing the 6 months OCI.I was also concerned about it's lack of TBN and poor TBN retension that we were seeing in a lot of the used oil analysis on this product. So I figured I could kill two birds with one stone. THe Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 has excellent TBN and TBN retension and it has nover produced consumption in anything that I have put it in. The VP 5W30 thins out the 5W40 so you end up with a thick 30wt. The additive's in each should completment each other nicely and the high ester content is great for polarity, solvency,heat resistance, cold crank etc.......I can not wait to see the used oil analysis on it as I have high hopes for this home brew blend. I have not and am not going to add anything to it in terms of supplemental additives so we can see how this homebrew blend does on it's own.
My Wal-Mart also sells Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5w-40 in gallons, but it's about $7 more than the Rotella.
I would try the Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 and do a used oil analysis to see what you see if you are interested in that. If not then just run Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 and be happy. We have not seen a bad used oil analysis of this product yet. Their is even an 18,000 mile used oil analysis in a BMW on here.
I had 4-5 runs of Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 in my 3.0 L Vulcan Aerostar, and it seemed fine, although I never did a used oil analysis. Fuel economy did not suffer at all relative to Mobil 1 5W or 0W-30, both of which have also seen many runs in the van. At the time, the oil was less then $12.00/gal at the big W from Bentonville, and I could not resist the price for a Full Synthetic labeled oil.
The oil also has some fine used oil analysis here. I would use it without a second thought.
The oil also has some fine used oil analysis here. I would use it without a second thought.
It's what I use for both my Volvos now. It took me a while to settle on an oil for my Volvos but this is my choice.
Rotella 5W40 SYNTHETIC'S claim to fame is it's ability to work well in alot of different applications. Even some motorcycle riders swear by it. We ran it for a long time in our farm equipment with good results however when we went to extending the intervals of our tractors and combines we found there were better options.
If you really like the stuff I would suggest stocking up on a few gallons as it is being re-formulated to meet the CJ-4 specs soon. That will probably mean lower TBN numbers. Many bike riders that use the current 5W40 Rotella are putting some away in case the newer CJ-4
If you really like the stuff I would suggest stocking up on a few gallons as it is being re-formulated to meet the CJ-4 specs soon. That will probably mean lower TBN numbers. Many bike riders that use the current 5W40 Rotella are putting some away in case the newer CJ-4
doesn't work as well. I apologize for the brain-poot. I'm getting old.
LOL! . . .
China Mart has a big display of it here for $16 and change. That's a pretty good price but I can buy the Schaeffer 5W40 9000 series for the same price and it has much longer drain intervals in the equuipment we tested both oils in. Apparently the PAO/GRP3 BLEND of the 9000 does offer longer intervals(at least in our small lineup of tractors).
If it were not for Schaeffer I would use "Teller" T 5W40 again in a skinny minute. It's avalible in all your China Marts and truck stops. I would say there are as many bikers buying the 5W40synthetic as there are truckers buying it. Most big rig guys I read on their website still opt fot the 15w40 Rotella. For $8.88 a gallon it's going to be a favorite for some time to come.
In my 97 Dodge Ram CTD.
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