I have only had my truck since March, so this will be my first full winter with it. I have been using Valvoline Premium Blue 15w40. For winter I was considering switching to the Valvoline synthetic 5w40.
I am in the Kansas City area so we get pretty crappy weather, but it doesn't get crazy cold like it can further north. But unfortunately the truck does sit outside 100% of the time.
Think I should switch? Should I consider Rotella or another brand, or even 0w40? Thanks for your opinion.
I think the full synthetic 5w-40 would be fine, its readily avail. at all your local parts chains or the Rotella at your local Wally World..You'll be suprised how much easier it is to start with those syn. in there.
__________________ Presure cookerMike 03 F-250 7.3 CC SB XLT 4x4 Roadside Help Network
I use the Rotella 15-40 year around with no problems a lot of folks go to the 5-40 synthetic in the winter some run it year around also. I never needed to so I save that extra cash for a different type mod.
__________________ Eddie Late 01/99 F-350 XLT 7.3 EC DRW 4x4 6-speed 4:10, some common mods done. 6637 filter & Pete's Cover, Billet Grill,Muffler Delete,Stancore GPR,2 Pillar Pod Gauges,Swamps Hybrid Single Shot Injectors,DP Tuner NS,Modified Stock,Hi-Idle,80E,120R,140A,Foil Delete,CCV,AIH Delete,Garrett GTP38R BB Turbo with a 1.15 Housing, Valair Clutch. And more. Over 400HP BIG RED TRUCK - PAA#79
I'm going to switch to 5w40 Rotella in mine. Any brand synthetic should be fine. This is my first winter with my powerstroke but I have switched oil weights in my diesel tractor in the past and like the results so I'll be doing the same with the truck.
Just switched to 5w-40 Rotella today. Even though its more expensive then the regular 15-40, I prefer synthetic any day. As for what brand, that shouldn't matter as long as its rated CI-4. Its noticeably better and quicker starts with the 5w-40 syn.
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Russ
E99 Powerstroke 7.3, Bully Dog 4" Turbo Back, CCV, 6637, soon to have someones Tunes, Autometer Gauges, Marinco Mod.
5-40 syn all year long, in my psd and equipment too. Much better starting in the winter.
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Jason
E99, F350, CC, LB, 4"ex, AFE II w/ Pete's cover, ISSPRO gauges, TSI built trans, DP Tuner, EBPV brake w/T/C lock & LED. GP LED, True cool max 4739, CCK, S.S. HPX, in cab fuel pressure gauge, FPR shim, Bilsteins, X-code springs, cyo'ed Powerslots & Hawk pads, 247K on the clock. RHN
On work the bench: Intank Pump, Por 15 for oil pan, 140 IDM, .
There's nothing wrong with Valvoline Premium Blue. You don't HAVE to switch from 15w-40, but the 5w-40 synthetic will probably help for a little quicker cold start and maybe a little less diesel racket when the engine is cold.
I actually run the 10W30 motorcraft diesel oil that ford recommends and I actually feel like the truck runs better than it did when I was using Rotella synthetic.
I run schaeffer synthetic 9000 series oil, 5w-40 I have for a year now, all last winter, all this summer and will all this winter. I also run the same oil in my diesel equipment. Solves many problems, including sluggish cold start.
__________________ 00 F-350 Lariat 7.3 CC LB 4x4 3.73 l/s, 290k, pop-up GN hitch, 6637, foil delete, BD X-monitor, DP Tuner decel/40/80/140/drive-thru 99 F250 Lariat v10, ext cab, bone stock 315k miles, boss v-plow 99 F250 XLT 7.3 6spd 4x4 6637, DP tuner 40/80/120, 5 in exhaust 345k miles
I am going to use Rotella 5w-40 for the first winter with a diesel... I have heard good things about it, especially in winter. One advantage of Rotella is it is commonly available.
I had Blackstone test the Motocraft 15w-40 at 3300 miles and I learned a lot... one is that the oil is still fine and two is that I have been changing my oil TOO often for the last 35 years! It was well worth the $22.50 and will save me a lot of time and money in the future.
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2001 SD 7.3L PSD S-Crew Long Bed
I run Mobil Delvac 15-40. I used to run Shell Rotella 15-40 until I got a deal on some Delvac, and my truck seems to like it better. I live in SoCal so the winters aren't what most would consider very harsh so I stick with dino usually. The few times I've run synthetic I've noticed the difference, but it is more costly. If I lived in a colder climate I would probably run synthetic during the winter months to ease the start-up stress.
Just my .02
__________________ THE MOOSE
2003 F-250 PSD 7.3 Lariat FX4 CC/SB, 4R100, 3.73LS, dual alternators with 195K+ Miles
AIH delete, In-Tank and Harpoon Mod, SS HPX, 203F Thermo w/Billet Housing, FTVB, '08 Rear Diff Cover, Headlight Harness, Zoodad, 6637, Foil Delete, Engine/CAC boots, Moog Ball Joints, BFG Mud-Terrain TA KM2 285/75-16
I can't decide which I like most about my truck...the noise or the smell.
Just switched from Rotella SAE 30 wt to Rotella Syn 5w-40. Noticably easier to start. Feel like it was a good decision, prolly should've done it sooner... Moving my drain intervals from 5000-6000, to 10,000, @ 10K, drop the filter- add 2 qts run another 5K until complete change @ 15,000. Also, use Baldwin Filters
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2003 7.3 PSD FX4 Crew- 2.5" lift, 20" helo's, 33" Bridgestone Dueler Revo's, Bullydog cold air intk, roll-up bed cover, line-X, Manik SS grill guard w/ Hella amber fogs, OEM nerfs, ::soon to come programmer and 4"or5" exhaust, sound system
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Presure cookerMike 03 F-250 7.3 CC SB XLT 4x4 
