Synthetic Mobil 1 15W-40 vs 5W-40 Truck Diesel oil?

[KennyV]

ExxonMobil recommends a five year maximum shelf-life for engine oils, buy new engine oil.
You can blend the aged oil with your diesel fuel and burn it in the engine...

 

[Tx Jim]

It's hard for me to believe that crude oil has been under ground for millions of years but refined oil only has a shelf life of 5 years. I've heard the same thing about the shelf life of diesel but diesel several years old burns just fine.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I wouldnt worry about age either. ... And diesel does fine after several decades.

 

[KennyV]

I wouldnt worry about age either. ... And diesel does fine after several decades.

That is true... But I wouldn't want to lube the engine with diesel fuel of any age...

 

[KennyV]

It's hard for me to believe that crude oil has been under ground for millions of years but refined oil only has a shelf life of 5 years. I've heard the same thing about the shelf life of diesel but diesel several years old burns just fine.

Don't use crude oil to lube your engine... I believe the 'natural' additives may not agree with an engine.
Diesel fuel 'once refined' will keep for Many years... motor oil won't... but it will still burn as fuel.

 

[crazyal]

The additives in oil will separate out. Sometimes you can see the sediment on the bottom of the container. I don't think it's as simple as shaking it up will mix it back up.

 

[inspgadget]

ExxonMobil recommends a five year maximum shelf-life for engine oils, buy new engine oil.
You can blend the aged oil with your diesel fuel and burn it in the engine...

Add it to the Diesel? I've never heard of that. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to doing this? What mixture percentage would you mix it at?

For peace of mind I decided to get the Shell Rotella 15w-40.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

15W-40 is fine for starting in temps as low as 20F degrees. We keep Shell Rotella 5W-40 around the place since we have from lawn mowers to diesel tractors but it is about twice the price of the regular 15W-40. The Polaris machines require a 5W-40 synthetic per our manual so the T6 line covers every gas and diesel engine that we own. Having to stock only one oil is a plus. We are playing with some Mobil 1 products currently because from the promotional materials it sounds like pretty good line up of motor oils too.

 

[MHarryE]

Stated before, the high number represents the viscosity at engine operating temp. So 15W40 or 5W40, same viscosity once the engine is warmed up. Cold weather, viscosity is not really a protection issue except that it has to flow to lubricate and 5W flows better than 15W. My neighbor blew out a rear crank seal on his New Holland last year because he didn't change to the book recommended low bottom end viscosity. They said they would give him this once (he is a good, steady customer) but don't let it happen again. He and I are both running Mobil 1 heavy Duty Truck Engine oil in our tractors this winter and are keeping our fingers crossed. A soil - ran it in my snowmobiles with excellent results but the investment was much lower than that of a tractor and Amsoil is made by Wisconsinites - a rank lower than made in China ( I am a Viking and I can't justify anything cheesehead related).

 

[KennyV]

Add it to the Diesel? I've never heard of that. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to doing this? What mixture percentage would you mix it at?

For peace of mind I decided to get the Shell Rotella 15w-40.

Shell Rotella T6 is the best...
As far as burning the aged oil... It will allow you to recoup some value from that oil... beats giving it away as used oil. There are many that will filter used oil and mix it 50/50 with fresh diesel. I would not burn used oil But unused engine oil Or hydraulic oil will burn fine in your diesel engine, 50/50 in the summer, 20/80 in the winter...