Rotella-T, use conventional or synthetic?

[WilliamBos]

95 Kawasaki GPZ 1100 - 20,000K
97 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 - 233,000K
99 Nissan Pathfinder V6 - 278,000K
06 Nissan Xterra V6 - 87,000K
06 Chevy 2500HD - Ok it's a diesel

We live in Georgia and all these vehicle manufacturers approve of 10w-40 for our temp range, would have to change if it was colder.

To be honest I only started using Rotella about 8-years ago but have been using synthetic oil in all these vehicles since I have owned them. I am a big fan if that wasn't obvious.

Thanks. I have been running synthetics for 8 or 9 years too. Wonderful stuff!!

 

[JDgreen227]

Some folks perhaps are not much aware of the big gains in quality of most or at least many commercial motor oils. It was only a few years ago, that Cat recommended 10,000 mile oil changes on over the road trucks. I just retired from a national carrier, that used 30,000 miles as the target for oil changes, and used Rotella conventional. Trucks went 500,000 miles without one hiccup, they sold them and got new ones, but the engines never used oil or broke down.
Unless a person lives in Siberia, where synthetic oil helps start an ice berg of an engine, I would recommend to the occasional user of a tractor, (IE:--short use intervals, varied use, light duty use, likening the use to an around town car)---I like the idea of shorter drain intervals and normal conventional oil. Figure this, an over the road truck goes approximnately 50 miles an hour average, when stops and hills and towns are figured in. In 100 hours, the truck probably has only gone 5,000 miles. No trucking company on earth changes oil every 5K.
I just got a new 6330 John Deere, loaded cab tractor and loader. It's got 20 hours on it now. When I get it broke in, I plan to use Delo 400 Synthetic, and change it every spring. I will have some very cold winter time use in Kansas. There is 100 degree summer temps too. I suspect I might use the tractor 100 hours a year. But if the tractor worked hard every day, running many hours on end, I would let it go 200 hours and not worry. But if I used it 25 hours a year, I'd probably use the conventional Delo and still change it every spring.
I think some guys worry too much about condensation and sludge. Condensation burns out of oil pretty fast when it gets good and hot. It's not like a hose is dripping in the motor all day long. The oil can hold sludge and soot too, not all that much of it in 100 hours anyhow. That's my take, and my tractor cost a bundle, but I will not be changing oil every week due to worrying about sludge and condensation, or the oil failing. The Major companies have good products to do the job.

Excellent reasoning, I agree with your comparison with an occasional use tractor with a car, and for that reason I wondered about the 200 hour intervals I inquired about...I don't use my Deere running hard for hours a day, every day, but I try to plan my use so it gets at least an hour or more of running time so the engine gets hot, with every time I take it out.

Appears I may have unrealistic expectations about synthetic oil, I have never used it in any car, truck, or tractor I have owned over 40 years of operation. From what I have read, it allows you to extend oil change intervals in certain cases, and I was wondering now that I have extended my change intervals from 50 hours to 100 hours, using a synthetic would stretch that period even more. Not that I mind changing the oil, compared to the headache of oil and filter changes on my Saturn L-300, my tractor is really easy.

 

[PapaPerk]

Just follow your owners manual. It's that simple.

 

[JDgreen227]

Just follow your owners manual. It's that simple.

Manual for my tractor (2002 4210) says NOTHING about synthetic oils at all.

 

[Beltzington]

Apologies for belaboring the point but regardless of interval synthetic are still the best choice. The OEM recommended John Deere PLUS-50 is full synthetic oil. Even if you change every 50-hours oil/filter cost are a very small percentage of you overall operating costs. Just out of curiosity in the 40 years you have been using dino juice have any of these vehicles lasted for 275,000 miles? Stepping down from pulpit. Congratulations on your Deere purchase!

 

[WilliamBos]

Just follow your owners manual. It's that simple.

The specs in my MF manual call for CC, which was discontinued in 1961. So, I just run Full synthetic diesel oil,and do not worry about it.

 

[sw03]

Just follow your owners manual. It's that simple.

Sure and manufactures do not make oil..Manuals are outdated, most times based on budgets or CYA..why do you think they put warnings on lawn mower decks?

If you have no idea, follow the book...All others, have fun!

 

[PapaPerk]

Sure and manufactures do not make oil..Manuals are outdated, most times based on budgets or CYA..why do you think they put warnings on lawn mower decks?

If you have no idea, follow the book...All others, have fun!

LOL! Yeah they don't make oil but they make the tractor! He has a 2002 JD. I think the manufactures recommendations are sufficient. Of course all the arm chair engineers are gonna disagree.

Changing oil excessively does nothing but waste money, time, and resources. But if it's your thing go for it.

Typically in most vehicles, synthetic doubles the oil change interval or time period.

 

[sw03]

LOL! Yeah they don't make oil but they make the tractor! He has a 2002 JD. I think the manufactures recommendations are sufficient. Of course all the arm chair engineers are gonna disagree.

Changing oil excessively does nothing but waste money, time, and resources. But if it's your thing go for it.

Typically in most vehicles, synthetic doubles the oil change interval or time period.

I agree 100%...I use Amsoil and lc20...change yearly no matter the hours..Same with cars..I have worked on enough airplanes and military trucks to see what they call for...And hours and miles are not in the books!

And I agree on the arm chair remark..Been here since 02 and it never ends..

 

[PoorMansCat]

dino juice have any of these vehicles lasted for 275,000 miles? Stepping down from pulpit.!

Not sure about the OP, but I have never had an issue using dino oils... My last Cummins went over 350K before I sold it off for a new one.... I still see the truck going down the road today... (Sold it off about 6 years ago)
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a good quality dino oil. It will not destroy your enigne, and more than likely, something else will be the death of a tractor besides dino oil. Synthetics in diesels are completely overrated...