Hi Guys. I'm new to this site. I found it a couple weeks ago while researching a new truck. A little background...
I own a landscape company in Memphis. As you can imagine I can be pulling trailers all day and sometimes with lots of weight. My old work truck (350 chevy) I ran Shell Rotella.

I just bought a new F250 with the 5.4 gas motor. It will be used for work. This question is for FLASH and others who deal with trucks that actually work and not just cruise around. Given what you know about oils, which oil would you put in your work truck motor?

I'm between Shell and Chevron.

 

Those both are pretty good oils. Personally, I would use a synthetic since you will be pulling heavy trailers.

I own a 1998 Expedition. It also has a 5.4L engine. The truck currently has 76,000 miles. I own a 8,500 pound boat that I pull on a weekly basis with my truck. The truck started to develop a knock, when cold. I switched over to Mobil-1 Full Synthetic 5w-30 motor oil. THe knock completely dissappeard and the truck runs much quieter.

You will also benefit from a syntheic. If your truck idles alot, a syntheic won't break down like a dino would with extensive heat, the cost of the synthetic will be off-set by the 5,000 mile drain interval, plus the synthetic does a good job of protecting everything!! Hope this helps!!!!!

 

I am going to assume that the weather in Memphis is close to the weather in Knoxville where my oldest girl lives. You don't have real high triple digit temperatures. So, with that in mind, I would stay with the Chevron Supreme in 5w-20. CS in this weight has been coming in at 100 ppm of moly and 75 of boron. Both great anti-wear and barrier lubes. The 5w-20 oils that meet Fords spec are far superior to any Xw-30 as they are not allowed to form deposits or have oxidation problems. They don't breakdown like the thicker oils do. Oilchange interval at 5,000 miles or less. Should you decide that you would prefer a synthetic, skip the Mobil One BS and go for the best one out there- Delvac One. It is made in 10w-30 and others. Oilchange intervals at 7500 miles or more with analysis.

 

Actually the weather in Memphis is far more extreme than Knoxville. Its a completely geographic area difference. Memphis is closer to the Mississippi Delta weather. Hot and Humid.

When I say Shell and Chevron I was meaning Rotella and Delo. I guess I'm surprised that wasn't given as what to use. Why shouldn't I use either of those?

 

Delo has slightly better properties than Rotella, if that is what you are asking. I would, however, use the Motorcraft 5W-20 during the warranty at least.

Jim

 

In case you didn'y fully pickup all the info from jimandmandy, your truck requires 5w-20. Delo and Rotella are too high on the viscosity range for your engine.