Oil & Fuel What type oil ?

[casey lb1914]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[BTDT]

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]

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.

 

[IslandTractor]

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

Just be aware that there is a bias towards "ultimo synthetic" oils etc on that forum and there is a lot more hot air than science behind many of the stated preferences. Data is thrown around by folks who are not qualified to interpret it and all manner of strongly held but poorly documented opinions fly around. IMO, changing oil/filters at manufacturer specified intervals and using any decent diesel rated oil (I use Rotella dino) is way way more important than worrying about what oil they use on the space shuttle.

 

[TrippleT]

LOL, When I posted that I wondered how I would be taken to task. I agree, I posted on that thread and suggested RotellaT. I got the works from the experts. Some, are very knowledgeable about oils on that thread. Now, here is my suggestion. First, get your manual, and see what the manufacturer says. Means much more than my opinion. I agree some oils are better than others. Just yesterday, I got an email reply from a real expert on oils, here is a part of what he said, "Rotella is a good oil however AMSOIL is superior. I have attached the data sheets so you can review them." That said I still use the Rotella T but have thought about the synthetic version. I called NH and their statement was, "if it meets CG-4 you can use it." If an oil meets the API standards that your manual calls for it will work. Now, lets sit back and watch the fireworks.

 

[IslandTractor]

"Rotella is a good oil however AMSOIL is superior. I have attached the data sheets so you can review them."

But no one seems to have real world comparative data done in unbiased experiments. There are all manner of data documenting "superiority" of one oil vs another but little data I have seen is correlated with real world performance. I'm sure that companies like JD and Caterpillar have run tests and if they are still recommending dino oils then there is unlikely to be a major benefit to routine use of synthetic. The question I would love to know is what the US Military uses in their diesels. They have strict and generally evidence based criteria for selecting most of their supplies...do they even use synthetic over dino much less focus on some highly marketed brand of synthetic?

There are some real world benefits to synthetic if you are in very cold temps etc for starting purposes. I wouldn't for a moment suggest the synthetics are not as good as the dino but it is hard to get real world data to back up the superiority claims for synthetic. I still think that regular oil/filter changes with manufacturer approved oils is about as reasonable as any of the enthusiast recommendations.

 

[Steverino]

The question I would love to know is what the US Military uses in their diesels. They have strict and generally evidence based criteria for selecting most of their supplies...do they even use synthetic over dino much less focus on some highly marketed brand of synthetic?

Here is your answer. Sort of
FEDERAL SUPPLY CLASS 9150 PRODUCT COMMODITIES*************************
A lot to digest here.
I have to add that all you need do is find an oil that conforms the the military spec you desire.

 

[IslandTractor]

Here is your answer. Sort of
FEDERAL SUPPLY CLASS 9150 PRODUCT COMMODITIES*************************
A lot to digest here.

Interesting. The specify synthetic for jet engines and helicopter transmissions but just mention oil for diesel engines. Betcha it's dino.

 

[Steverino]

Interesting. The specify synthetic for jet engines and helicopter transmissions but just mention oil for diesel engines. Betcha it's dino.

Here is the spec I feel is most apropos. SAE J2363 (R) Lubricating Oil for Wheeled Military Vehicles with Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines - IHS, Inc

 

[TrippleT]

I realize that unbiased data is something that is desired. I will probably use the RotellaT or the synthetic version. That said, I still think the manufacturers recommendations in the owners manual won't lead you wrong. As far as oil experts, I want to put this link in here and there is a free ebook you may download and phone no. to call.

Motor Oils and Engine Lubrication Book: Motor Oil Engineers

 

[IslandTractor]

Motor Oils and Engine Lubrication Book: Motor Oil Engineers

Interesting read as a primer but I have some concerns: 1) the guy hypes himself in a rather non professional manner that makes me wonder why, 2) he talks almost exclusively about AMSOIL products of all kinds including filters, grease etc etc and has nothing but good things to say about them. I would not dispute that AMSOIL products are good but why does this book focus on them to the exclusion of almost all others (Mobil1 gets a little play historically). 3) he talks of fleet testing data but never presents any and continues his focus on lab testing. No doubt AMSOIL does well in the lab but where are the real world tests? 4) this is a "vanity" press ebook that costs nothing to download and I am left wondering just how independent the author really is. Additionally, you can buy the printed version or the CD ROM version including postage for costs that could not possibly be above production plus handling charges. Did he get a grant or ongoing support from some (???can anyone guess) motor oil manufacturer? In this era where even the NYTimes gets caught having reporters getting paid to generate stories as publicity pieces, I really have my doubts about the "independence" of this author.

 

[Steverino]

If you are concerned with America’s dependence on foreign oil you might want to consider recycled oil such as America’s Choice. http://www.ac-rerefined.com/
This product is acceptable by all major car and truck manufactures and complies with SAE J2363 http://www.pri-network.org/resource/attach/30/LRIQPL8302006.xls
Suppose to be Available at wally-world at a slight discount to virgin oil.

 

[TrippleT]

I T, you do have a valid point about the book. And, I would say that if you talked to a rep from any oil company you could get the same story about their oils. I just thought, for the price, the book is basically very informative. SO, do you think that the manufacturers recommendations are suspect? I would say, as I have, that if you go by the owners manual you won't go wrong. Do you place any credence in the API specs? If the manufacturer says any oil that meets a certain spec is fine, I think that is sufficient. However, it is good to have a multitude of ideas, and I think TBN is very good for that. In that email, even if he is paid by, or in league with Amsoil, he admits that Rotella is a good oil. I still recommend the book, even if he is biased.