Wow! I just put full synthetic 5w40 in my truck and it starts so nice in the cold weather we are having! Doesn't even groan like it is having a hard time starting! Are most of you running the full synthetic for 10k with filter change at 5k and blackstone oil analysis? Looking forward to easier starts!

 

I still run dino but here is a bump for you.

 

I run 5W-40 Rotella Syn for ~7k. You can go 8 or even 10k with an OA, but I just choose to push the syn that far and change it with periodic OAs to check how the truck is doing. I'm not that interested in squeezing every inch out of the oil before I change -- I believe in clean, fresh fluids. I've seen too many vehicles run WAAAYYY past their "normal" life span by simply keeping them cool and with fresh fluids in them (be it dino or syns). I happen to believe in syns and spend the extra jack on it. Your experience is similar to mine. The motor runs quieter & smoother with the syn oil, so that's all I need for justification.

 

I've been running the 5w40 syn for nearly two years, and am averaging 13K miles between changes with excellent UOA's. I used to get my analysis from Blackstone, but have switched over the Schaeffer's for both the oil and the analysis, and am going to be taking this current run of oil up to 15K miles before changing. I have no desire to go above 15K between changes, and will only repeat that if my OA comes back as good as the others have (I like round numbers).

Just for context, I am also running an oil bypass filtration system from OilGuard to help ensure I can accomplish my 15K mile goal.

 

Pete, PM me your Schaeffers Rep contact information. I can't seem to find one here locally.

 

I'm switching to 10w30 dino here soon, but you should see 15w40 at 0F. It really is like jelly. Took me 5 trys on good glowplugs and a good starter to get her to run... I would do synthetic, but I don't order oil ahead of time...

 

Where in TX are you?? I don't think 10W-30 is a good idea here. Maybe in Canada or MN or something where it doesn't get above freezing all winter, but not here. I run 5W-40 all year long here and it works out well. You can get Syn Rotella from Wally-World...

 

I am out of the Midland and Amarillo areas, but right now I'm in CO for the holidays. Maybe I should have ordered some 5W40 instead. I have an order for 10/30 coming in. Ooops, I asked for the wrong oil. I'll see if i can have them change my order...

Sorry for the hijack...

 

I thought the Syn. was overated until the winter came around and my truck never romped and started so much easier this year with my Schaeffers in there.

 

I am sold on the synthetic oil in the winter too. It cures the romps and cold starting issues, and it probably adds thousands of miles to the life of your engine just from cold startup lube capabilities.

 

What are you using Mike, you didn't go with the Schaeffers did you?

 

Wal Mart Super Tech.












Rotella, soon to be replaced with Schaeffers.

 

Rotella has actually went down here to 19 dollars at walmart, but tractor supply had it for 29 bucks!

 

I switched to Schaeffers as well. I am very impressed with it so far. Even on cold starts it sounds similar to what it did if it was already warm. No pissing and moaning that it is cold. Also talked a buddy into going in on the order for the 9000, put some in his and he noticed the same thing. Engine much quieter, specifically at a cruising speed or idle.

 

Just out of curiosity,what do you guys consider a cold start?
We got to -36 during the day yesterday.I plug in at anything below -5 celius and have no problems not using synthetic.I still change oil at 6-7000 km mark though-cheap insurance and gives me a chance for a good inspection underneath