Synthetic Oil in Tractors and Trucks

[gemini5362]

I have a question for someone with experience in synthetic oils. I have a 2005 Montana (mitsubishi diesel engine) I would like to go to synthetic oil in it. How many hours do I have to have on the engine before I switch.

I also have the same question for my 2006 duramax diesel in my silverado. I want to switch to synthetic oil in it. How many miles should I have on my engine before I switch.

What kind of synthetic oil works well in the truck and tractor engines. I noticed that rotella now comes out with a synthetic oil in the correct weight for my truck.

 

[kozak]

Oil is Oil. Synthetic just happens to be better. Why wait......go ahead & use the synthetic. You know its better. That's all I use on my ThunderBabe !!

Lots of people like Rotella & its probably really good for a synthetic. I prefer to use Amsoil....the KING of synthetic oils.

The only issue as I see it is whatever outstanding warranty you may have. If you do have some left not sure what to tell you. There are alot of unscrupulous DEalerShips out there just looking for anything to justify (in their minds) not honouring a warranty claim even though they know synthetic is better.

Vic

 

[DieselPower]

Oil is Oil. Synthetic just happens to be better. Why wait......go ahead & use the synthetic. You know its better. That's all I use on my ThunderBabe !!

Lots of people like Rotella & its probably really good for a synthetic. I prefer to use Amsoil....the KING of synthetic oils.

The only issue as I see it is whatever outstanding warranty you may have. If you do have some left not sure what to tell you. There are alot of unscrupulous DEalerShips out there just looking for anything to justify (in their minds) not honouring a warranty claim even though they know synthetic is better.

Vic

This is no problem. It is a federal crime to refuse warrenty coverage as long as the lubricant used meets the manufacturers spec. It's called the Magnus Moss Warrenty Act (US Code - Title 15, Chapter 50, Sections 2301-2312).

As far as the original question goes. The majority of break in wear happens within the first couple of miles of operation. You should be fine switching to synthetic anytime after say 100 miles or a couple of hours. Rotella synthetic is used by many people and would be a fine choice. There are numerous lube manufacturers to pick from. Just pick one with a good reputation (which Rotella has) and stick with it.

 

[gemini5362]

Thank you for your advice. I have already checked with my dealership and they said that synthetic will not void the warranty. When I change to it I intend to have the dealer change the oil and filter if they try to claim it invalidates the warranty they can explain why they changed it without notifying me that it would be a problem. I had heard that you want to wait a while before putting it to let the rings seat properly. I have one new vehicle that came with MOBILE 1 from the factory but I dont know if the engines are given a break in period before the car is shipped.

 

[SCOOBY14B]

I have a question for someone with experience in synthetic oils. I have a 2005 Montana (mitsubishi diesel engine) I would like to go to synthetic oil in it. How many hours do I have to have on the engine before I switch.

I also have the same question for my 2006 duramax diesel in my silverado. I want to switch to synthetic oil in it. How many miles should I have on my engine before I switch.

What kind of synthetic oil works well in the truck and tractor engines. I noticed that rotella now comes out with a synthetic oil in the correct weight for my truck.

Not sure about the tractor, but I would wait for at least 10-20k miles in your truck before going synthetic. Of course that's just my opinion. I currently have 3800 miles on my 06 Duramax and use Rotella T dino.

A reminder on your truck. Check your rear diff. Most are shipped low on lube, mine was over 1.5 qts low. Change your Allison spin-on filter at 5k miles. I also use Stanadyne fuel additive at every fill-up. This is especially important with ultra low sulfur fuel coming on line.

As for Oils...opinions abound. I formerly was an AMSOIL dealer. I was a little frustrated with their selling practices and lack of accreditation. I would recommend Mobil DELVAC 1. That is what I will use when the time comes.

 

[GeaugaDeere]

There's one thing to make sure you don't skimp on, and that's the oil filter. Why put in expensive oil like Mobil 1 or Amsoil and use a cheap filter? Look to Mobil1 filters and Amsoil Filters as two of your best synthetic filters (Donaldson too). If your looking for extended drains, the better filters are very important. If your going to change every 3000 miles (waste of money IMHO) with Synthetic, then you can get by with cheaper filters. You can order the oil and filters from Amsoil's website (there's an application section to look up correct oil weight and filter), Even though most big box stores carry Mobil1 Oil, the filters don't seem to be as readily available.
I don't recall if you said your truck is a diesel, if it is, you can check out ExxonMobil's Delvac website as it's appears to be more for the diesel owner than regular Mobil1. Be careful if you've got a 2007 diesel too...different oil ratings API-CJ-4 is what's recommended. I run Mobil1 in My 2006 Ram, Castrol Syntec (as I had heard on atvfrontier.com that Castrol makes Bomb's oil) 2004 Bombardier, and Mobil1 in my 4stroke weedeater and new Generac Generator. My wife's 06 Grand Caravan will be getting changed to Amsoil synth oil and filter in about 3 weeks. Good stuff.

 

[gemini5362]

I never thought to check the differential oil. I hope that when I took it to the dealership for an oil change/service that they check it. If not then they are going to be fixing that problem if the rear end goes out. I have a 100,000 mile warranty and I dont mind useing it.


Good advice on the allison filter next oil change I get I will have them change it.

3000 miles per oil change is something that i am not sure about either. I have a porsche boxster and it came from the factory with mobile 1. Porsche reccomends having the oil changed every 15,000 miles. I am not sure why I do know that the first time I had the oil changed I got a bill for 115.00 I liked to have choked. When I looked at the receipt it showed 10 quarts of mobile 1 so I pointed out they must have made a mistake. The cashier called the service manager. When I told the service manager they made a mistake on my bill he asked if it was my first porsche. I responded yes and he took me and showed me the manual on it. The car actually holds 10 quarts. I am not sure but what that might have some reason for the long time between oil changes.


I was just going to use the regular delco filter but you might have a good point about getting a filter made for synthetic oil. I am old enough to remember when synthetic oil came out and it seems to me the directions for it then was to change the filter every 5000 miles and the oil every 10,000

 

[SCOOBY14B]

I use WIX filters, and have for years with excellent results and great oil analysis results. I've used MOBIL 1 filters in the past with a Toyota truck and I actually saw increased wear metals (slight).

After that I saw an oil filter flow test that showed that Mobil 1 filters actually decreased oil flow. They did filter better, but there is a theory that they MIGHT decrease flow enough to increase some wear metals.

There is absolutely no reason to use a filter that is "designed for use with synthetic oils", because in my research there is none. All quality filters are made the same. The important parts are the filter media (construction, amount, etc), bypass valve, etc.

I used to be very **** about maintenance and would actually cut open my filters after changing. I was very frightened by the quality of FRAM filters at the time. I haven't used a FRAM in over 10 years, so they MAY be better now. I could tell no difference between Baldwin, WIX, AMSOIL, NAPA Gold (actually a WIX filter).

Use good quality oil (dino or syn), good filters and good intervals and you won't have a problem.

 

[gemini5362]

Scooby what kind of fuel mileage are you getting out of the duramax with the 6 speed allison

 

[SCOOBY14B]

Scooby what kind of fuel mileage are you getting out of the duramax with the 6 speed allison

Anywhere between 18 empty and 13.5-15 pulling a light trailer. It's only got 5800 miles right now. It'll take another 15-25k miles for it to get loosened up and get full power and mpg.