Oil weight?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 249
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From: Boise, Idaho
Oil weight?
I am going to switch to the T6 Rotella 5w-40 for winter, I have been running the 15W40. Do you guys run 5w all year or do you go back to 15W when it starts warming up? Should I run a oil additive to help with injectors? If so what do you recommend?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
It is a great oil that protects your motor when it is cold and when it is hot.
The 5W will make starting quicker and easier (oil flows quicker) and the 40 means it protects and flows just like any other 40 weight oil when at operating temps.
Being synthetic, you get the best of both worlds and ultra-cold and ultra-hot protecting... as well, synthetic oils are more refined, so cleaner than convential dino oils.
I have been using Rotella-Syn 5W-40 (lower cost and easily available at Walmart) since 50,000 miles... and now have 224,500 miles. The key is still change you oil and oil filter (with a Motorcraft oil filter from Walmart at $19.00/ea) and do it every 5,000 miles.
The 6.0L motor likes clean fresh oil... no matter the brand or viscosity... and the use of a Racor made (who makes them for Ford & Int'l and designed the oil filter housing) is key for proper fitment and filtration!!!
Good luck and enjoy year-round protection!!!!
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
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Yes... $21.00/gallon
Many other retailers and auto-parts stores do not carry it full-time (not sure why).
My local Walmart(s) only ever have 4 - 6 gallons on the shelf... so I have to hope that some other diesel truck guy does not beat me to the store the same day I want to change my oil!!!
Surprising, it is a big seller for Walmart... but they only ever keep 4 - 6 gallons on hand???? I buy what I need a week ahead of time or when I see inventory at one store... then buy a few at another store (1 week in advance).
What is nice about Walmart is that I can buy my Rotella-Syn 5W-40 oil and a Motorcraft oil filter ($19.00) all at the same time... and the oil filter is the same cost as buying on-line and I just need to buy 1 at a time when I need it!!!
You will need 4 gallons (truck holds 15qts)... so 4 gallons is what you will need.... just budget $100.00 to change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles and your truck will love you.
Many other retailers and auto-parts stores do not carry it full-time (not sure why).
My local Walmart(s) only ever have 4 - 6 gallons on the shelf... so I have to hope that some other diesel truck guy does not beat me to the store the same day I want to change my oil!!!
Surprising, it is a big seller for Walmart... but they only ever keep 4 - 6 gallons on hand???? I buy what I need a week ahead of time or when I see inventory at one store... then buy a few at another store (1 week in advance).
What is nice about Walmart is that I can buy my Rotella-Syn 5W-40 oil and a Motorcraft oil filter ($19.00) all at the same time... and the oil filter is the same cost as buying on-line and I just need to buy 1 at a time when I need it!!!
You will need 4 gallons (truck holds 15qts)... so 4 gallons is what you will need.... just budget $100.00 to change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles and your truck will love you.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 249
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From: Boise, Idaho
Perfect, thanks. I looked online and found Wal-mart was the best price too. Just wanted to check. I have been buying the 5 gal buckets for 15W-40, so at least I will be saving some money and helping my truck at the same time. I got lucky and scored a few years supply of Motorcraft oil and fuel filters from an old job site.. 
They switched to Dodge.. I change my oil and filterse every 5,000 miles or less, and fuel filters every other change..
They switched to Dodge.. I change my oil and filterse every 5,000 miles or less, and fuel filters every other change..
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: West Cornwall, CT
I run the Rotella 5W-40 synthetic. As many other folk hav pointed out, it works just great.
Before using the Rotella 5W-40, I ran Ford's 10W-30 (free oil changes) during one winter. Oil analysis results showed that he 10W-30 worked well. I used the truck to tow a backhoe and ran a snow plow while using the 10W-30 had had absolutely no problems.
The switch to 5W-40 happened in the spring and I have used it since then. Bottom line is that diesel rated 10W-30 works fine in cold weather and costs less.
Lou Braun
Before using the Rotella 5W-40, I ran Ford's 10W-30 (free oil changes) during one winter. Oil analysis results showed that he 10W-30 worked well. I used the truck to tow a backhoe and ran a snow plow while using the 10W-30 had had absolutely no problems.
The switch to 5W-40 happened in the spring and I have used it since then. Bottom line is that diesel rated 10W-30 works fine in cold weather and costs less.
Lou Braun
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changes at 5k miles.
Certified Thread Hijacker
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Big fan of Rotella whether dino 15W40 to full syn 5W40.
My 2005 I drove enough that I was changing oil every 3-5 weeks. So it was a natural progression frpm 15W40 in the warmer summer months to 10W30 Spring and Fall to 5W40 mid November to late February.
Didn't have the semi-syn 10W30 at that time.
Fast forward to the present with my 2006 that I do not drive nearly that much. I figured I would do the 15W40 Summer and 5W40 Winter, but this last oil change gave the T5 10W30 a try.
I'm a cheap dude. Just my nature, if I can save a buck I will. I haven't noticed any difference in the Colorado morning cold starts between the T5 and T6. Looking at the specs both 10W30 T5 and 5W40 T6 are virtually identical.
Works for me. I'm guessing my next oil change will be March, not sure if I'll do the T5 again or go straight to 15W40.
Josh
My 2005 I drove enough that I was changing oil every 3-5 weeks. So it was a natural progression frpm 15W40 in the warmer summer months to 10W30 Spring and Fall to 5W40 mid November to late February.
Didn't have the semi-syn 10W30 at that time.
Fast forward to the present with my 2006 that I do not drive nearly that much. I figured I would do the 15W40 Summer and 5W40 Winter, but this last oil change gave the T5 10W30 a try.
I'm a cheap dude. Just my nature, if I can save a buck I will. I haven't noticed any difference in the Colorado morning cold starts between the T5 and T6. Looking at the specs both 10W30 T5 and 5W40 T6 are virtually identical.
Works for me. I'm guessing my next oil change will be March, not sure if I'll do the T5 again or go straight to 15W40.
Josh
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
My biggest reason for using the 5W-40 over the 10W-30 diesel spec'd oil) is that the 6.0L motor is known to always shear oil viscosity down... heck, my 15W-40 and 5W-40 oils all shear down... and that is regardless of brands by post that have posted hear over the years!!!
My Blackstone oil reports show that most 40 weight oils shear down to a 30 weight oil within 5,000 miles... (which is why I change every 5,000 miles). Why would I want to start with a 30 weight oil???
This is why I personally advise and use myself 5W-40 synthetic oil (use whatever brand you wish)... so one gets the 5W cold starting benefits... but one also gets the 40 weight high heat protection as a starting point before the motor shear it down.
My Blackstone oil reports show that most 40 weight oils shear down to a 30 weight oil within 5,000 miles... (which is why I change every 5,000 miles). Why would I want to start with a 30 weight oil???
This is why I personally advise and use myself 5W-40 synthetic oil (use whatever brand you wish)... so one gets the 5W cold starting benefits... but one also gets the 40 weight high heat protection as a starting point before the motor shear it down.
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 59
My biggest reason for using the 5W-40 over the 10W-30 diesel spec'd oil) is that the 6.0L motor is known to always shear oil viscosity down... heck, my 15W-40 and 5W-40 oils all shear down... and that is regardless of brands by post that have posted hear over the years!!!
My Blackstone oil reports show that most 40 weight oils shear down to a 30 weight oil within 5,000 miles... (which is why I change every 5,000 miles). Why would I want to start with a 30 weight oil???
This is why I personally advise and use myself 5W-40 synthetic oil (use whatever brand you wish)... so one gets the 5W cold starting benefits... but one also gets the 40 weight high heat protection as a starting point before the motor shear it down.
My Blackstone oil reports show that most 40 weight oils shear down to a 30 weight oil within 5,000 miles... (which is why I change every 5,000 miles). Why would I want to start with a 30 weight oil???
This is why I personally advise and use myself 5W-40 synthetic oil (use whatever brand you wish)... so one gets the 5W cold starting benefits... but one also gets the 40 weight high heat protection as a starting point before the motor shear it down.
Keep in mind a dino 15W40 is a 15 weight oil that acts like a 40 when hot.
A full synthetic 5w40 is a 40 weight oil that behaves like a 5 weight when cold.
Josh
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