oil life
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
oil life
I have changed my oil with Rotella 5w 40w for the second time now.
The first time the change oil light came on at 2500 miles, I didn't use the synthetic that time.
Then I went with ford full synthetic, no oil light for 5000 miles. I was going on a trip so I changed it before the light came on.
Put in Rotella t 5w 40 synthetic, the light came on now at 2000 miles, not pulling anything.
I was wondering if anyone else had the same thing happen. I was thinking to run it to 3000 miles.
Any Suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks
The first time the change oil light came on at 2500 miles, I didn't use the synthetic that time.
Then I went with ford full synthetic, no oil light for 5000 miles. I was going on a trip so I changed it before the light came on.
Put in Rotella t 5w 40 synthetic, the light came on now at 2000 miles, not pulling anything.
I was wondering if anyone else had the same thing happen. I was thinking to run it to 3000 miles.
Any Suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
1. The truck does not "test" the oil. It is a theoretical measure of oil life based solely on how you use the truck.
2. When you change the oil you must reset the oil life reminder
So, the truck has no idea what kind of oil it is fed and does not base the oil life on anything like that. Most of us get around 7500 miles on the oil before the truck tells us to change it. Using your figures, it appears that if you add up your miles between changes you get roughly 7500 miles assuming you just forgot to reset the menu item.
2. When you change the oil you must reset the oil life reminder
So, the truck has no idea what kind of oil it is fed and does not base the oil life on anything like that. Most of us get around 7500 miles on the oil before the truck tells us to change it. Using your figures, it appears that if you add up your miles between changes you get roughly 7500 miles assuming you just forgot to reset the menu item.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
5,000 miles is overkill especially if you use synthetic oil. You still haven't answered whether you are resetting the oil life when you do a change, but I have to assume that you are or else it would constantly remind you to change oil now. No matter how I run my truck, I haven't gotten an oil change reminder in less than 7,000 miles. If you are truly get a reminder at 2,000 miles, something isn't right. I'm not a big fan of Rotella, even if you put swamp water in the crackcase the intelligent oil life system wouldn't know any difference. As stated before, it only considers the driving conditions to factor its recommendation.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,998
Likes: 2,684
From: The Great State of Texas
5,000 miles is overkill especially if you use synthetic oil. You still haven't answered whether you are resetting the oil life when you do a change, but I have to assume that you are or else it would constantly remind you to change oil now. No matter how I run my truck, I haven't gotten an oil change reminder in less than 7,000 miles. If you are truly get a reminder at 2,000 miles, something isn't right. I'm not a big fan of Rotella, even if you put swamp water in the crackcase the intelligent oil life system wouldn't know any difference. As stated before, it only considers the driving conditions to factor its recommendation.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
New User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Hi JohnnyBee,
The shelf life on our Rotella 5W-40 and Rotella T 5W-40 Synthetic is 4 years, assuming unopened containers. However, if referring to projected “Oil Drain Interval (ODI)” for these oils, then we suggest the Engine OEM specified Oil Drain Interval be followed.
-The Pennzoil Team
The shelf life on our Rotella 5W-40 and Rotella T 5W-40 Synthetic is 4 years, assuming unopened containers. However, if referring to projected “Oil Drain Interval (ODI)” for these oils, then we suggest the Engine OEM specified Oil Drain Interval be followed.
-The Pennzoil Team
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Sorry that I missed your question Troy. I have used Rotella in farm tractors and older trucks for years and I can't say that it is a bad oil, I just have plenty of evidence showing that it does not behave as well as some other brands when used in modern emissions control equipped diesels. Rotella did not play well with my 6.0 and the 6.7 really does not like it.
A lot of people have a very strong affection for Rotella, especially T6, but I think if they were actually honest with themselves the truth would be that their affection is to the price and not the product. You have to ask yourself, if A, B, C & D oil companies all have comparable prices on full synthetic oil, how does company S produce a comparable product at 60-70% of the other guys' price? It doesn't take a very in depth investigation to find the answer. I'll give you a hint, the answer is not that the other companies are ripping you off, well at least not any more than any of the others.
A lot of people have a very strong affection for Rotella, especially T6, but I think if they were actually honest with themselves the truth would be that their affection is to the price and not the product. You have to ask yourself, if A, B, C & D oil companies all have comparable prices on full synthetic oil, how does company S produce a comparable product at 60-70% of the other guys' price? It doesn't take a very in depth investigation to find the answer. I'll give you a hint, the answer is not that the other companies are ripping you off, well at least not any more than any of the others.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,998
Likes: 2,684
From: The Great State of Texas
Sorry that I missed your question Troy. I have used Rotella in farm tractors and older trucks for years and I can't say that it is a bad oil, I just have plenty of evidence showing that it does not behave as well as some other brands when used in modern emissions control equipped diesels. Rotella did not play well with my 6.0 and the 6.7 really does not like it.
A lot of people have a very strong affection for Rotella, especially T6, but I think if they were actually honest with themselves the truth would be that their affection is to the price and not the product. You have to ask yourself, if A, B, C & D oil companies all have comparable prices on full synthetic oil, how does company S produce a comparable product at 60-70% of the other guys' price? It doesn't take a very in depth investigation to find the answer. I'll give you a hint, the answer is not that the other companies are ripping you off, well at least not any more than any of the others.
A lot of people have a very strong affection for Rotella, especially T6, but I think if they were actually honest with themselves the truth would be that their affection is to the price and not the product. You have to ask yourself, if A, B, C & D oil companies all have comparable prices on full synthetic oil, how does company S produce a comparable product at 60-70% of the other guys' price? It doesn't take a very in depth investigation to find the answer. I'll give you a hint, the answer is not that the other companies are ripping you off, well at least not any more than any of the others.
Perhaps I'm a little slow so I don't understand your comment "Rotella did not play well with my 6.0 and the 6.7 really does not like it."
Can you be specific why your 6.7 doesn't like the Rotella?
Just an fyi I've run Delvac and Rotella in my 6.0 for ~ 170k miles and couldn't tell a difference. In my 6.7 I've run the Motorcraft and now run Rotella synthetic and I can't tell a difference in terms of fuel mileage, regen frequency, engine noise, etc...
I haven't done any UOA on this engine yet so I can't speak about wear metals.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,998
Likes: 2,684
From: The Great State of Texas
Also 10W30 is documented for "Normal Usage"