What brand oil do you use?
I have a 2007 5.9L Dodge diesel. Up until now I have always taken it to the dealer to have it serviced. It has been my impression that the Dodge dealer uses Valvoline oil for oil changes on diesel's(I...
Forum Discussion
I did a lot of research on different formulations and tests done by companies that is used by fleet operators. Fleet operators have to balance costs of oil changes and oil testing against the probable longer life of the engines. Overall the preference of these operators is for mineral based oils over synthetic base oils. In reality so long as the base stocks meet SAE standards the diffference in motor oils depends upon the additives which comprise 25% of what goes into a gallon of oil.
One of the best formulations is Valvoline Premium Blue which is recommended by Cummins. It is what I use in my GM truck and I get the oil changed at Sears which sells it instead of the GM dealer which only stocks Chevron Delo which is not nearly as good.
With older trucks that do not have DPF you can get away with the older and better CI-4 oils instead of the newer CJ-4 oil formulations, if you can find it. Valvoline switched to a CI-4/CJ-4 and no telling what that means in terms of the additive mix. Pennzoil Long Life CI-4 mineral oil is another highly ranked diesel motor oil.
Something to keep in mind is the duty cycle of your truck. Mine is used in heavy towing and hauling 50% of the time. GM recommends that for trucks used under severe duty that the fluids be changed with a fourth as many miles between service. As I use the truck half the time as this level I figure the service interval should be cut in half. I change the oil every 7500 miles and at that interval it would make zero sense to use a synthetic base motor oil which is going to cost me 3x as much and provide no extra benefit.
There is also a problem called polymer shearing and it is a problem with multi-grade motor oils. This problem is compounded with very light weight oils, i.e. more of a problem with a 5W40 than with a 15W40 motor oil. Unless you drive in subzero conditions there is no reason to use a 5W40 oil. Another reason not to get suckered into paying for synthetic base stock motor oils.
One of the best formulations is Valvoline Premium Blue which is recommended by Cummins. It is what I use in my GM truck and I get the oil changed at Sears which sells it instead of the GM dealer which only stocks Chevron Delo which is not nearly as good.
With older trucks that do not have DPF you can get away with the older and better CI-4 oils instead of the newer CJ-4 oil formulations, if you can find it. Valvoline switched to a CI-4/CJ-4 and no telling what that means in terms of the additive mix. Pennzoil Long Life CI-4 mineral oil is another highly ranked diesel motor oil.
Something to keep in mind is the duty cycle of your truck. Mine is used in heavy towing and hauling 50% of the time. GM recommends that for trucks used under severe duty that the fluids be changed with a fourth as many miles between service. As I use the truck half the time as this level I figure the service interval should be cut in half. I change the oil every 7500 miles and at that interval it would make zero sense to use a synthetic base motor oil which is going to cost me 3x as much and provide no extra benefit.
There is also a problem called polymer shearing and it is a problem with multi-grade motor oils. This problem is compounded with very light weight oils, i.e. more of a problem with a 5W40 than with a 15W40 motor oil. Unless you drive in subzero conditions there is no reason to use a 5W40 oil. Another reason not to get suckered into paying for synthetic base stock motor oils.
