Rotella 5w40 synthetic, under $13/gallon- Walmart

[JeffRey30747]

I think the manual actually specifies 10W-30 but the dealer says that they only use the 15W-40 Kubota brand fluids. The 5W component of the weight rating is not at operating temperature, it only allows the tractor better lubrication at colder temps. The 40 portion of the weight rating would be slightly heavier than the spec'ed lubricant, but it is in line with the dealer recommendation and I wouldn't think that it would make much difference.

Jeff

 

[cptdave]

Jeff, I am concerned with the tractor warranty if I use a fluid or oil not recommended by the maunfacturer. Dave

 

[GerardC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Jeff, I am concerned with the tractor warranty if I use a fluid or oil not recommended by the maunfacturer. Dave )</font>

That is what I think about. If they can prove you didn't follow the manufacturers guidelines, I'm sure they'll deny paying any repair costs.

 

[JeffRey30747]

My personal opinion is that they would have to reasonably prove that your departure from the recommendations caused the problem that the warranty claim would be addressing. But, I'm not a lawyer so take that opinion accordingly. If Shell Rotella T causes me problems that Kubota won't fix under warranty, then I guess I'll try my luck with Shell.

How long is Kubota's warranty, anyway?

Jeff

 

[RWEST]

Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (do a google search), a manufacturer cannot withhold warranty repairs for not using a specified product unless they provide the specified product free of charge. In this case, dealing with oil, as long as it meets the mfr's requirements (CH-4, etc..), and is of similar weight range (say you're using 5w-40 in lieu of a specified 10-30, for instance), they cannot deny warranty work on that basis. A lot of dealers make a LOT of money selling "genuine, OEM parts", that are actually made by somebody else anyway (does Kubota, John Deere, etc.., actually make their own oil or filters?) and re-packaged in OEM containers.

We got into a similar situation with some of our Toyota pickups back in the late '80's that were having head gasket problems. The service manager at the Toyota dealership noticed the oil filters were not OEM (we use WIX/NAPA), and tried to get out of doing the repairs until we mentioned M-M. His tune changed quickly. As it turned out, there was a bad batch of thermostats out there which caused the engines to overheat and warp the heads.

 

[slowrev]

R-West,
What if you are using a properly spec'd oil but not changing it per the manufacturers recommendation? ie. using synthetic instead of the regular spec'd oil and extending the oil change interval beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Will this void the warranty ?

 

[RWEST]

Hi slowrev. Now you're getting into a gray area. The OEM claims the oil should be changed every 100 hours, say, but the synthetic mfr says oil change intervals can be doubled with HIS miracle elixir. In such a case, the oil guy also has responsibilities under M-M, so, you COULD go back on him if the OEM guy claims the extended change interval caused the damage.

Personally, I've always honored the OEM's intervals, but used synthetics for their supposed better qualities. A 'peace of mind' thing, y'know?

 

[TresCrows]

Believe me or not /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif, the 5W is during start at ambient temps, as the engine temp increases the oil behaves as a 40 weight. Rarely do they make synthetic oils in the same viscosity range as conventional because one of the advantages of the synthetics is extended viscosity range with less/fewer viscosity modifiers. If a conventional 15W-40 oil is specified YOU CAN USE a 5W-40 SYNTHETIC OIL WITH FULL CONFIDENCE /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif as an all season oil. If it meets the API categories and exceeds them they cannot deny warranty. This is a rationalization for using inferior oils that I will not accept. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. Despite the mantra and dogma for dino oils no dino oil stacks up to a real synthetic like Redline, Amsoil, Mobil 1--Period -- and any info of warranty being denied for using the correct API rated lubricant I fear is simply urban legend. No 15W-40 conventional oil is even close to the all season performance of a good 5W-40 Synthetic like the new Mobil 1 Truck and SUV oil in 5W-40 designed for all light diesel engines and most gasoline engines. It will also work were energy conserving is recommended just fine--you will just get .01 MPG less as it is non-energy conserving. Good luck with what ever you choose to use. My Wally World does not any longer carry the 5W-40 Rotella Synthetic it seems. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. J

 

[Moon]

Since finding this thread I've checked two Walmarts. Neither had the Rotella synthetic, but both had shelf space still reserved for it. The Rotella dino version was right next to it, still in stock. I assume with the awesome price that they were just out of stock. Any clue as to whether or not Walmart will still carry Rotella synthetic?
Thanks,
Moon of Ohio

 

[mahlers]

They're supposed to carry it - but if you do a Google search on Rotella synthetic and Walmart, you'll see that just about everyone on the internet are picking the shelves clean. You might have to ask the people at your local store when they're getting more in - or just go in there daily until you see the shelves stocked, and then buy it all up.