So I've been running my 03 6.0L on 15W-40. In the colder months I plug in, and this winter I've started to light the glow plugs for a bit longer.
I can't say I've ever had an issue. Only once, when it got to -21F overnight did it take two cranks to start.
I'm due an oil change and I figured I'd try 5W-40 to see how it works out given that we still have a few cold months left.

This morning I just drove around to 2 Walmarts, 1 Tractor Supply, 1 Advanced AutoParts and 1 AutoZone. The only 5W-40 any of them had was Shell Rotella T6. Walmart was $19.99 per gallon, the rest were $24.99 per gallon.
The Shell Triple T 15W-40 I've been using is $57 for 5 gallons at Walmart and Tractor Supply ... that's $11.40 per gallon.
Given that I do about 6-7 oil changes a year on the Ford & about 4 on the Dodge ... are there any alternative sources for 5W that aren't as pricey?
Thanks.

I should add that Advanced did have Mobil 1 in 5W-40, but that was only in quart jugs for $7.99 ... that would be $32 per gallon ... WTF!!!!

 

I use John Deere PLus 50 15w-40 all the time not sure what the cost is we get in 55 gallon drums

 

Try to see if any of those places will let you by it by the case. They might be willing to cut you some slack then.

 

I buy Rotella T6 5W-40 at Wal-Mart for $20/gallon. :shrug:

 

$19.99 is about the least expensive price I have seen for Rotella 5w-40 lately...I don't think you will find it any cheaper. Summer of 2009 the local WalMart had a blowout sale on Rotella and I got the 5w-40 for $14 or $15 a gallon(I bought 12 cases)...I would like to see that happen again. I used it year around until the local WalMart quit stocking it (don't know why, and they don't either). They had a bunch of Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck for $21 a gallon(now it is $24.50) so I bought a supply of that to use instead. I must say that I liked the Rotella 5w-40 better on cold starts...my truck does not do as well with the Mobil 1. I suspect the Rotella has slightly better cold temperature properties. I can get the Rotella now at AutoZone but they want 24.99 a gallon...so I will check some other WalMart nearby and get the Rotella if it available for 19.99 or close to that.

 

I buy Delo Synthetic 5w40 at Costco Business if they have one in your area, I think its like $15 or $16 per gallon. I usually buy like 20 gallons because I have to drive so far to get it, there is only one Costco Business in Arizona, and its in Phoenix. They have a different selection than regular Costcos, like restaurant and small business stuff, but you can use your regular Costco card there.

 

It's important to remember that 5w40 is a full synthetic only grade, conventional dino is not available in 5w40.

If you want cheaper stuff I'd suggest a 10w30 dino HDEO. But it's not going to be as thin in really cold weather.

 

I watch the ads and usually pay about $5 a quart for Mobil1 5W40 at O'Reilly's or Autozone. Both store's current ads are available on line- Sometimes there is a 5 or 6 quart limit but I tell them my vehicle takes 14 quarts and they waive the limit...

 

Do you have a business number, with all those vehicles, get a commercial fuel card with chevron if they have some bulk plants and you can buy your dell synthetic when you fuel up? I would probably fuel all vehicles same way, it's a few cents cheaper per gallon, but with that many motors would be worthwhile. I usually wait for sales and by 3 cases which each have 4 gallons of oil.

 

If your gonna run the fully syn rotella 5w40w thats about as cheap as your gonna find it at wal mart. I've owned 6 different Ford diesels and all I have ever used is rotella. I keep a pretty close eye on the prices and $20.00 a gallon isnt to bad. Only way to get it cheaper is catch a sale or go with the conventional but I only ran that in my 7.3's . Its better to run the full syn in the 6.0 . Some of the guys on other forums are running valvoline prem blue full syn 5w40w. They left rotella to go with this. They were not happy with the oil analysis on the rotella. Any thoughts ?

 

If and when I do try the 5W-40, it looks like it be the Rotella T6 ... just because there's no other brands in the stores in my areas. There are a few TA's I could try but I don't pass them very frequently at all.

 

I've too thought long about this. Just curious, is there any issues going back to 15w-40 in the warmer months? I don't think there would be. I have 75k on my 6.0 and have never used anything other than the Amsoil 15w-40 syn, so thats my only concern.
Sorry for the hijack OP...

 

Not that I have heard. I plan on switching back to Rotella 15W-40 for my next oil change which should be in April or May at this rate.

 

I run Rotella T6 5W-40 in the winter (from Wal-Mart) ... no problems.