I haven't had one in 2000 miles. 
5W-40 and decrease in MPG?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 78
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From: Lancaster, CA
5W-40 and decrease in MPG?
I had read some good things about the Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5W-40... Specifically that some that had used it have seen decreased regens. Yes, I'm the same guy that is CONTINUALLY trying to cut down on my unladen regens (once every 100 miles, on average, after a COMPLETED regen when doing my normal highway commute... more often if I do city driving or don't let them complete, as you would expect). I currently have a request in for an OASIS report through a different site and am trying to see if any updates are available for my truck. I think it's a PCM issue, but can't confirm. When I had it scanned at the dealer, they just said "no issues."
Anyway, back to the 5W-40... has anyone switched to this oil, or another 5W-40, and if so, did you notice a drop in gas mileage? I've heard that the heavier weights can be cause for reduced gas mileage, but by how much? If my truck drops 1-2mpg, that basically negates any mileage gains I would get from decreased regens.
As always, thanks for the info!!!
Anyway, back to the 5W-40... has anyone switched to this oil, or another 5W-40, and if so, did you notice a drop in gas mileage? I've heard that the heavier weights can be cause for reduced gas mileage, but by how much? If my truck drops 1-2mpg, that basically negates any mileage gains I would get from decreased regens.
As always, thanks for the info!!!
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
I have experienced no significant mpg reduction. I run it from now until October and since we go to summer fuel soon, there is no change as I get better mpg from summer fuel. Once at temperature there is no real difference in 5w40 from other blends with this engine from what I have seen. YMMV
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 78
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From: Lancaster, CA
I'd LOVE to... Pretty sure that would void my Lifetime Powertrain Warranty, though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,459
Likes: 4,955
OP, why haven't you had a dealer run the OASIS to see what PCM updates are available?
I am positive it is a oem tune issue, no way you should be having that many regen cycles. And that deal about the mpg readout dropping into the toilet during regen and then jumping right back up to the high mpg reading is just wrong, the mpg's don't recover that fast.
As to the oil, I switched to the valvoline premium blue 10w30 from 15w40 and saw a significant rise in the mpg's on mine, like 1.5 mpg, don't know what the 5w40 would do for you. I do know that is not what the problem is with the regen frequency on your truck.
I am positive it is a oem tune issue, no way you should be having that many regen cycles. And that deal about the mpg readout dropping into the toilet during regen and then jumping right back up to the high mpg reading is just wrong, the mpg's don't recover that fast.
As to the oil, I switched to the valvoline premium blue 10w30 from 15w40 and saw a significant rise in the mpg's on mine, like 1.5 mpg, don't know what the 5w40 would do for you. I do know that is not what the problem is with the regen frequency on your truck.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, CA
OP, why haven't you had a dealer run the OASIS to see what PCM updates are available?
I am positive it is a oem tune issue, no way you should be having that many regen cycles. And that deal about the mpg readout dropping into the toilet during regen and then jumping right back up to the high mpg reading is just wrong, the mpg's don't recover that fast.
As to the oil, I switched to the valvoline premium blue 10w30 from 15w40 and saw a significant rise in the mpg's on mine, like 1.5 mpg, don't know what the 5w40 would do for you. I do know that is not what the problem is with the regen frequency on your truck.
I am positive it is a oem tune issue, no way you should be having that many regen cycles. And that deal about the mpg readout dropping into the toilet during regen and then jumping right back up to the high mpg reading is just wrong, the mpg's don't recover that fast.
As to the oil, I switched to the valvoline premium blue 10w30 from 15w40 and saw a significant rise in the mpg's on mine, like 1.5 mpg, don't know what the 5w40 would do for you. I do know that is not what the problem is with the regen frequency on your truck.
I also found another thread where someone had pretty much the exact issues as me. When I mentioned that to my service guy he said he was hesitant just to reflash for "no reason."
PM me your email and I'll shoot you my spreadsheet... Tell me what you think.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
What kind of oil did you use beforehand? 5w40 should be just about the best for fuel economy because it's thinner at low temperatures which reduces pumping losses. It may be a shade thicker when hot than 10w30 though, so if you spend lots of time on long trips it may be a bit less efficient.
Oil choice can have an effect on fuel economy, but it's almost never enough to notice calculating tank to tank. Little differences add up though.
Oil choice can have an effect on fuel economy, but it's almost never enough to notice calculating tank to tank. Little differences add up though.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Oil viscosity can make a big difference on an aerodynamic 3,000 lb car, but on these >8,000 lb bricks, it just isn't enough to notice. I have run 10W30, 15W40 and 5W40 in my truck over 59,000 miles now and can't tell the difference in fuel economy in any of them. Fluctuation in idle time between fill-ups makes more of a difference than oil type will. Perhaps somebody with a more consistent driving pattern than I have could notice a 0.1 mpg difference between oils, but I doubt it is more than that.
Like Tom said, the 5W40 has a lower viscosity at cold temperatures and just slightly higher at operating temp. Again I will say that as a fuel economy stickler, I can't tell the difference, but when I have heard claims, they have always been for the better not worse.
Like Tom said, the 5W40 has a lower viscosity at cold temperatures and just slightly higher at operating temp. Again I will say that as a fuel economy stickler, I can't tell the difference, but when I have heard claims, they have always been for the better not worse.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 78
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From: Lancaster, CA
Oil viscosity can make a big difference on an aerodynamic 3,000 lb car, but on these >8,000 lb bricks, it just isn't enough to notice. I have run 10W30, 15W40 and 5W40 in my truck over 59,000 miles now and can't tell the difference in fuel economy in any of them. Fluctuation in idle time between fill-ups makes more of a difference than oil type will. Perhaps somebody with a more consistent driving pattern than I have could notice a 0.1 mpg difference between oils, but I doubt it is more than that. Like Tom said, the 5W40 has a lower viscosity at cold temperatures and just slightly higher at operating temp. Again I will say that as a fuel economy stickler, I can't tell the difference, but when I have heard claims, they have always been for the better not worse.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
No reason to spend $27/gal on oil. Go to Wal-Mart and grab some Delo or Rotella 15w40 for $12-13 and have a nice day.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
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I brought the truck by once before and they looked at it and said "nothing is wrong, just make sure that you finish your regens..." Copy, done that. I found another forum where they have an OASIS thread. I'm gonna see what results I get on that before I need to take the time to drop my truck off. I have no time on the weekdays, so it's finding time on the weekends to drop by. Last time I think my wife was out of town so that I had an extra vehicle to use... Not so at the moment.
I also found another thread where someone had pretty much the exact issues as me. When I mentioned that to my service guy he said he was hesitant just to reflash for "no reason."
PM me your email and I'll shoot you my spreadsheet... Tell me what you think.
I also found another thread where someone had pretty much the exact issues as me. When I mentioned that to my service guy he said he was hesitant just to reflash for "no reason."
PM me your email and I'll shoot you my spreadsheet... Tell me what you think.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 31
From: Idaho
Regen's
Yeah I Get regen every 120 miles or so. It really suck to let every regen finish. I switched to the oil in question and saw no difference in regens or MPG. I will be going back to Delo which has given me best OA. If you FIND a fix let me know. I used to get regen every 300 miles. Last one was below 100 miles. I drive 15 miles one way to work during off hours so the traffic is not bad. The dealers says no light no problem.
I think this is the real average for our trucks. I think most people miss the message and don't have a edge insight to tell them when it is in regen.
This truck is in California and I about ready to send it to another state to get it tagged. I don't want to delete BUT.
I think this is the real average for our trucks. I think most people miss the message and don't have a edge insight to tell them when it is in regen.
This truck is in California and I about ready to send it to another state to get it tagged. I don't want to delete BUT.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 2
I believe that Ford went to 5w-20 across the board on their gas engines in hope of a fleet-wise improvement in MPG; however, it is only in scales of that magnitude that it would make any appreciable difference.
(I was more concerned about the additional wear that may arise out of a thinner oil.)
(I was more concerned about the additional wear that may arise out of a thinner oil.)
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I believe that Ford went to 5w-20 across the board on their gas engines in hope of a fleet-wise improvement in MPG; however, it is only in scales of that magnitude that it would make any appreciable difference. (I was more concerned about the additional wear that may arise out of a thinner oil.)
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