Winter oil Viscosity

[mguitas]

I was using Rotella , but not I got Amsoil only a half of a mile drive from my house. Can't beat that.

 

[Kubota 2350]

I used 10w-40 in my Kubota and John Deere. summer and winter, never any problems in the Michigan winters.

It gets colder than **** here.

 

[2ndhalf]

I run Rotella T6 synthetic 5w-40 year round

Same here. For the money I don't think you can find better. There is better but not for this money!

Also, make sure the glow plugs are in good working order and that he is using them right. This is often the cause of a hard start over oil viscosity IMO.

 

[2ndhalf]

Coby
No, I was understanding that starting a cold diesel tractor was made easier by moving the steering wheel. Know nothing about "faster warming"..
I've tried it, and it "seems" to help but then my Deere 4300 has always fired right up with no hesitation since new 18 years ago.

I have no idea how this could possibly help start a tractor. Maybe I am missing something though... anyone have a good reasonable explaination why this would work. I have heard of turning headlights on for a few seconds before starting a car to get the current flowing out of the battery.

Perhaps if power steering is using electric it is doing the same thing.

 

[bigtiller]

I have no idea how this could possibly help start a tractor. Maybe I am missing something though... anyone have a good reasonable explaination why this would work. I have heard of turning headlights on for a few seconds before starting a car to get the current flowing out of the battery.

Perhaps if power steering is using electric it is doing the same thing.

Check out post #7 in this old thread. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/192182-easier-winter-starting.html

I think jd110 gave us the answer 6 years ago when he said;

The reason this actually works is due to the closed center hydraulic system. As soon as the engine starts cranking, The hydraulic pump attempts to build 2300 psi. When the oil is warm and relatively thin, the load on the starter is not that great. When the oil is cold it is a different story. Turning the steering wheel opens the circuit to steering motor and bleeds off some of the pressure, causing engine to crank faster.

 

[Bavarian]

Anything will help. Just have your starting aids in working condition.

Oil viscosity plays a role in starting ability. Specially in northern winter. It's ok when you can plan your work and plug in the block heater in accordingly. But what if you get the call (emergency) and you need the tractor NOW.
A lighter 0W-40 outperforms a 15W-40 in such a situation.

To the Rotella, in the trucking industry, is known to be consumed by the engine. No matter, wether T4 or T5. I can't comment on the T6.
If you see a difference in the consumption, it's usual.

I use a 0W-40 all year long in truck and tractor, running from the cold canadian winter into the heat of Florida in the summer.

 

[RalphVa]

vince, I'm OK with T6. I'll buy whichever oil is cheaper: they're both good oils for what I need. Oil consumption was just a minor footnote: I record when I put oil in my cars between oil changes (10k mile intervals), writing down mileage of course; one day I'll look to parse my data and see if there really is any difference (just for now it's been kind of my observation).

Anyone running turbo-charged engines are going to have some oil loss/consumption. It's the nature of turbos. And, diesels, also the nature of the beasts (cold engines). As I mention, I'm running turbo diesel VWs and my oil change intervals are 10k miles (I could go farther; lab tests tell me that), so it's guaranteed that I'll use oil.

Ran our VW TDI for 7 years and 76.5k miles. Never used a drop of oil, with 10k oil changes.

 

[RalphVa]

I use either 5w40 or 5w30 diesel oils. Would use 0w40, but it's hard to find. In my opinion 15w40 is too heavy unless you're always operating between the tropic lines or the equator.

Best source of 5w30 is the Castrol stuff for TDIs at your local VW dealer. Ours doesn't gouge in price. I got a bunch of it with VW cash they were giving away to us.

 

[Deadman]

I run 0-40 if it needs to cold start. My tractor runs 15-40 because it sits in my heated shop always and the 15-40 is what I have a bunch of.
I'd run 0-40 for sure if you needed to start in the cold temps. Its the same oil, just flows better cold which is what you want anyway.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I run Rotella T6 synthetic 5w-40 year round

X2, It is recommended for diesel and gasoline engines. I run it in everything I own, boat, motorcycle, lawnmowers, cars, truck and of course tractors. It keeps me from having to keep several oil varieties and weights around.