Winter oil

   / Winter oil #1  

unit40

Silver Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2007
Messages
198
Location
Massachusetts
Tractor
John Deere 1070
Hey guys, I have the 3TNV76 Yanmar diesel in my Deere tractor. After the first 50 hours, I replaced the oil with Deere Plus-50 15W-40 oil, which I ran all summer until now. My concern was whether this oil is OK for the winter or if I would be better putting in a lighter 5W-30 oil for the winter, because it can get pretty cold up here in the northeast. Does anyone have any comments about the Deere Plus-50 0W-40 oil for winter or even year round use?
 
   / Winter oil #2  
unit40 said:
Hey guys, I have the 3TNV76 Yanmar diesel in my Deere tractor. After the first 50 hours, I replaced the oil with Deere Plus-50 15W-40 oil, which I ran all summer until now. My concern was whether this oil is OK for the winter or if I would be better putting in a lighter 5W-30 oil for the winter, because it can get pretty cold up here in the northeast. Does anyone have any comments about the Deere Plus-50 0W-40 oil for winter or even year round use?
Why not run the 0W-40 or a 5W-40 oil year round.???

If the rig sits outside in the winter and can get really cold..Id think 15W-40 might be a tad thick for firing it up. Most of these things dont have super powerful batterys and starters on them.
 
   / Winter oil #3  
Sully2 said:
Why not run the 0W-40 or a 5W-40 oil year round.???

If the rig sits outside in the winter and can get really cold..Id think 15W-40 might be a tad thick for firing it up. Most of these things dont have super powerful batterys and starters on them.

I have used 15w-40 in winter and 5w-30 in winters (northeast). The 5w30 will yeld a slight increase in start heat, mpg etc but they are close, in synthetic oil (grp 4/5) world. Either or is fine. I think JD oils are WAY overpriced though.
 
   / Winter oil #4  
You would be OK running 15W-40 year round in the Massachusetts climate. I think my JD manual says it's OK down to 0.

However, I just replaced oil in my JD with a fully synthetic 5W-40, which is at least as good if not better in summer, and better in winter because it flows better at low temps. I used Shell Rotella-T synthetic which is $16.50 at wally-world in my area. Comparable quality synthetic oils with an appropriate diesel rating (CI-4+ is your best bet) are available from Mobil 1 and Amsoil, and probably several others too.
 
   / Winter oil
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Most of my tractor use is spring through fall, and my dealer recommended the plus-50 oil, which I was OK with. But Deere claims that using their plus-50 oil extends or doubles service intervals. I wouldn't go that long. The fully synthetic 0W-40 plus-50 oil must be a complete all season oil then? I believe Yanmar requires a CC or CF oil for this engine, which in most cases is pretty much run-of-the-mill motor oil. I just thought the 15W-40 was more of a mild/hot weather oil and not as ideal for colder climates as a lighter oil. What are the benefits of running with the plus-50 brand, are the claims and marketing just hype or is it actually a good product?
 
   / Winter oil #7  
I run Rotella 5w40 synthetic oil year around in my 2004 John Deere 4110.
Never had any problems of any kind. Just my experience. elad
 
   / Winter oil #8  
unit40 said:
I believe Yanmar requires a CC or CF oil for this engine, which in most cases is pretty much run-of-the-mill motor oil.

CC and CF are extremely dated oil specs. For reasons I don't understand, manufacturers sometimes spec dated specs on new equipment. I personally would use a CI-4+ oil in any diesel engine that uses "C" type oils, except one that requires CJ rated oil (2007+ highway engines, mostly). In fact, this is what I do - I use CI-4+ oil in the two diesels I own, and when I had it, I also used it in a 3rd diesel I had (Jeep Liberty CRD; don't buy one unless you're a mechanic).

unit40 said:
Most of my tractor use is spring through fall, and my dealer recommended the plus-50 oil, which I was OK with. But Deere claims that using their plus-50 oil extends or doubles service intervals. I wouldn't go that long. The fully synthetic 0W-40 plus-50 oil must be a complete all season oil then? *** What are the benefits of running with the plus-50 brand, are the claims and marketing just hype or is it actually a good product?

If you want to double your change intervals without voiding the warranty, that's the main benefit to me. I have a JD still within its 1st year and I switched to Rotella-T. I'm not going to wait more than 12 months between changes, and there's little chance I'll exceed 250 hours in 12 months, so for me there is no benefit to the longer rated change interval.

The 0W-40 or 5W-40 would be a year round oil. In your climate even th 15W-40 would likely work year round, though not as well at low temps. Once the oil is warmed up it's equally good, it's the cold start and sluggish flow at freezing temps that is the problem.

I'm certain the JD oil is a quality product, but I haven't checked its price and I assume it is spendy. I would rather have a 3rd party oil that I change annually. If my assumption is wrong and the JD oil costs the same as other brands, I would definitely go with it.
 
   / Winter oil
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Another factor regarding the winter oil on this engine, is that I believe that it is an oil lubricated pump and not a fuel lubricated pump. I may have read this somewhere from a Yanmar rep quoted in an article. I wonder if this is true then maybe the type of oil is important, and lubricity additives in the fuel may not be as important. I may put about 100 hrs./yr on the machine, so an annual change would be in order. If that is the case, spending a lot on 2.5 qts of a quality oil is fine with me. I guess I should read up on the forum here and see what everybodys favorites are. Probably will find plenty of opinions. Thanks
 
   / Winter oil #10  
Z-Michigan said:
For reasons I don't understand, manufacturers sometimes spec dated specs on new equipment.
Don't you think it's more likely manufacturers simply do not update their documentation each time a new spec comes out?
 

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