At the Walmart where I purchase my oil and filters they sell rotella t 15w 40 and rotella t synthetic 5w 40, both are deisel rated. The first one, non-synthetic sells for about 6.50. The synthetic, which I am using now sells for about double that. These oil changes are becoming quit expensive. Is syn. something that will extend engine life dramaticly or is it a waste of money?

One of the reasons why I started using syn was because it claims to make cold starts easier. Would I lose the luxury of easy cold starts if I switched to 15w 40 non-syn?
-Steve

 

I have been wondering the exact same thing! I am looking at taking the "plonge" to synthetic. I would like to do the changes myself, but at $12 at gallon ~ $72 + filter per change, jiffy lube says they can due a change in synthetic for around $80-$85. If that's the case, it's not worth my time (AND MESS!) to do it myself!..........Looking forward to comments on this thred!!
(03' F250SD w/ 38K already!, and pull 15-20K lbs. trailer almost daily)

 

The 5w part will help in extreme cold weather. In MA, you probably should be running 10w-30 in winter anyway.

You will get all kinds of stories, good and bad, from both dino and syn. users, so you will have to read the threads and make up your own mind.

Personally, I'm a dino man, the cheapest that I can find. I also run 15w-40 year 'round. But in Tejas, extreme cold temps are not an issue. If I live in the Great White North, I'd at least run a dino 10w-30 in winter months. If it was in a really cold area (consistent single and negative digits), I might convert and run a 5w-40 syn. in the winter for the cold flow properties.

BTW, for towing above 50*F, Ford recommends 15w-40.

 

Go to the thread "Syn oil for MN winter". This topic was discussed their. Actual cost at Walmart is 12.84 plus tax with filter at 9.85. My change cost $60 for synthetic versus $35 for Rotella T 15-40. It makes a nice difference on cold mornings.

Dan Ward

 

I have used synthetic in Gas engines: there was a major difference between the engine that I had run syntheic in and the ones that I had not. So I run a "real" synthetic in all of my vehicles.

 

You can easily double you oil change interval with synthetic, and that will make up for the cost. The polymers that are in dino oil, are not in the synthetic, so there is nothing that shears out, so your oil filter stay cleaner. Also synthetic oil contain esters, which a clean out the engine, and b stick the metal surfaces for better oil protection. I would recomend using synthetic oil, the cost is made up for extened oil changes, your engine will last a lot longer, and it will shut up the EPA.

 

Yes, and syn. will make your cows give more milk, your cat will stop shedding and will cure baldness.

BTW, that Viagra you're taking? Don't need it with syn. in your truck.

 

actually on a truethful note, if you are using synthetic, most extend their drain intervals, and are therefore not using as much oil, and hence there is less oil to be consumed or disposed of....

 

problem is that the recommended service interval will be the same regardless of what type of oil you run. This would matter really while under warranty. I change oil at the recommended interval or more frequently therefore synth would be 2-4x the price for me.

I stick by the same philosphy as jschira.

 

Will I went Rotella Synthetic last week from Advanced Auto at $12.89 gal ( Wal-Mart was sold out of it). That 5W really maked a difference at 16 degrees the other morning. And jschira it made my chickins lay golden eggs just the yokes

 

You forgot to add that it will significantly reduce the thickness of your wallet, alleviating the annoyance of your leg falling asleep when you sit on it.

 

Americans tend to think of things in terms of "good, better, best".

I want to introduce everyone to the concept of "Good Enough".

Is syn. "better" than dino?

Yes.

Is dino "Good Enough" for the vast majority of people?

Yes.

So, my apologies. Run syn. if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy to use "the best", but realize that almost no one will get any practical benefit from syn.

 

Whats got me is how Rotella is $12. A gal and the others is $20 looks like they're trying to hook us and I bit!! My girl is wanting the computer for homework she thinks that what I got this for go figger!