Oil & Fuel What type oil ?

casey lb1914 · Oct 25, 2006

My first oil change, can't find diesel oil any lower then 15w40. I live in N.Y. so I need a lower grade oil for the winter months. I want to stay with synthetic around 5w or 10w30 or 40. I've been told that 15w40 was all there is, also been told I could use normal oil ? Lost

Any advice would be welcomed at this point.

ToadHill · Oct 25, 2006

I live in NY Catt County and it gets cold here as well. First time I changed my Oil I found 10W30 diesel oil at my dealers. When I went to the dealer the next time to get oil and a filter they told me they have gone with 15W40 for all applications. I used it last winter and had no problems with startups.

DieselPower · Oct 26, 2006

You shouldn't have any problems in NY with a good 15W40 oil. You only need to go to a 10W30 diesel oil if you live far north like MN or Canada.

"also been told I could use normal oil ?"

Not sure what they ment by "normal oil". Whatever you do, make sure it is diesel rated engine oil and not oil for gas engines. Check for a API rating of CI-4, CI-4 Plus or the new rating of CJ-4 for 2007 diesel engines. As long as it meets these API rating's it should be fine.

On a side note. The majority of the new CJ-4 rated diesel engine oils will now also meet the current SM gasoline engine rating. All the additive changes they have had to do to the new oil has made it more converter friendly so it can now be used in gas engines with converters without fear of plugging up converters. Great for fleets as they can now use one oil for both gas and diesel engines and cut down on inventory.

BTI · Oct 26, 2006

We have started our units down to 15 below with a good battery and 15w/40.
The battery is more the key than the oil. I wouldn't want anything thicker but I think you are safe with 15w/40.
If it's that cold, do you really want to be on the tractor? LOL

BTI

VictorW · Oct 26, 2006

I have a CK30hst and last winter used Rotella T synthetic 5w-40. I had no problems starting. The coldest was around 15'F. My temps. in NWestern Penna. should be about the same as yours. I'm able to find this at WalMart. I took this oil hint from DKVince who has a DK35 and lives in Clarion, Penna. He has around 800 hours on his tractor with no problems. Other members have their likes and dislikes for certain brand oils, synthetic or non-synthetic, and weights.

Definately don't use "normal oil" as you mentioned. I assume this is oil for gasoline engines. You need an oil that is rated for a diesel engine. DieselPower advised the ratings to look for.

dn58 · Oct 26, 2006

I did my 100 hour change back in September and went with Petro Canada Duron 5W40 full synthetic. I'm fairly sure that this is a similiar oil to the Shell Rotella synthetic. The engine runs cooler and quieter based on what I have noticed so far.

DK35vince · Oct 26, 2006

VictorW said:
I have a CK30hst and last winter used Rotella T synthetic 5w-40. I had no problems starting. The coldest was around 15'F. My temps. in NWestern Penna. should be about the same as yours. I'm able to find this at WalMart. I took this oil hint from DKVince who has a DK35 and lives in Clarion, Penna. He has around 800 hours on his tractor with no problems. Other members have their likes and dislikes for certain brand oils, synthetic or non-synthetic, and weights.

I have a little over 900 hours on my DK now Victor.
I like to try to keep things simple, so I run the Rotella T synthetic 5w-40 year round in all my vehicles/equipment.
(tractors, car, truck, garden tractors, push mowers, pressure washer, generator, Etc..)

TrippleT · Oct 26, 2006

I would suggest some of the threads here on TBN concerning oils and lubricants.

BTDT · Oct 27, 2006

Might check into a block heater, heat lamp, etc. to help with cold starts. Don't know if unit is parked in garage, shed, etc, but this will help save wear and tear on starter and battery.

joe48 · Oct 27, 2006

Casey,

I have a CK20HST and I have been using the Shell rotella 5W40 syn, year around since first oil change. Changing at 100 hr intervals now. I buy it at Walmart or TSC, price is about the same, I think it was $22 for 4 qts at TSC last time.

Starts easy in any weather, no sludge or varnish in engine, doesn't burn a drop either.

I live in Rochester, so you know it can be below 0 one day and 40 the next and back again.

I also run 10w40 walmart syn in my Chrysler minivan. I'm a sales rep and drive an average of 35000 a yr. I change the syn every 15,000 and the filters evry 5,000 and add a qt. I have 170,000 on it now it purrs like a kitten, and the inside of the valve cover is whiteglove clean.