Rotella T6
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Rotella T6
I understand Shell's Rotella T6 (5w-40) is now approved to use with their diesel engines. I looked at two different stores and the T6 jugs did not have the new Ford specification listed as approved for use with the oil. Does anyone know what to look for on the Rotella jugs or can any T6 be used?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,274
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From: St Louis Suburbs
The general consensus is to wait till you see the new Ford spec on the bottle.
Short of a virgin oil analysis pre and post approval we don’t know if Ford just finally got around to certifying the oil (if so it sure took a long time for one of the most popular oils for our Trucks) or maybe Rotella did change the formula but if that’s the case then why don’t we see any bottles with the new Ford spec?
It’s a bit of an unknown right now.
I would stick with something that has the spec on the bottle until you can buy the T6 with the spec.
Short of a virgin oil analysis pre and post approval we don’t know if Ford just finally got around to certifying the oil (if so it sure took a long time for one of the most popular oils for our Trucks) or maybe Rotella did change the formula but if that’s the case then why don’t we see any bottles with the new Ford spec?
It’s a bit of an unknown right now.
I would stick with something that has the spec on the bottle until you can buy the T6 with the spec.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 102
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I just bought 4 gallons of T6 Rotella thinking it was good to go with it now being on the approved list. Seems it would be a little irresponsible of Ford to add it to the approved list if the intentions were only to approve CK-4 T6 after a certain date. I am thinking perhaps I should wait for confirmation though.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,274
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From: St Louis Suburbs
Yes...somehow we need clarification on if there is a new T6 formula meeting the spec or if the old one was just approved as safe. What we do know is if the new Ford spec is not printed on the container it's the older formula...which again may be the only formula. Personally I would wait until you can buy it in containers with the new Ford spec.
I don't think this is a Ford thing. They cannot control inventory levels for all that T6 oil out there. Theoretically they are only approving what they were sent to test. T6 meets all kinds of approvals from other manufacturers so that oil will remain on the shelves until it's gone.
Smart business sense for Rotella would be to get new containers printed with the Ford spec on them so people like you know it's safe to use in their vehicles. Or send their vendors stickers to put on the bottles so people would know.
I bet if someone puts enough effort into this they could get an answer from either the Rotella people or the Ford people on what is really going on.
I don't think this is a Ford thing. They cannot control inventory levels for all that T6 oil out there. Theoretically they are only approving what they were sent to test. T6 meets all kinds of approvals from other manufacturers so that oil will remain on the shelves until it's gone.
Smart business sense for Rotella would be to get new containers printed with the Ford spec on them so people like you know it's safe to use in their vehicles. Or send their vendors stickers to put on the bottles so people would know.
I bet if someone puts enough effort into this they could get an answer from either the Rotella people or the Ford people on what is really going on.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 633
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From what I've read here on FTE Shell is telling folks who ask that they did not change anything but personally I don't buy into that... Shell lost credibility with me when late last summer they filled jugs with CK4 and labelled it CJ4. ...I purchased several gallons of Valvoline PBE before CJ4 became impossible to find locally when that's used up I'm just gonna stick with them
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 628
Likes: 12
From: Madison WI
Just changed my oil and used T6 as it is on 
's list. This is a serious question...
How the hell would know, by looking at my receipt I have as "proof of maintenance", where it says "Shell T6 5W-40", whether or not the oil I used had the certification stamp on the bottle's label? Unless I'm missing something, seems like a lot to do about nothing.
's list. This is a serious question...How the hell would
know, by looking at my receipt I have as "proof of maintenance", where it says "Shell T6 5W-40", whether or not the oil I used had the certification stamp on the bottle's label? Unless I'm missing something, seems like a lot to do about nothing.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 26
From: St Louis Suburbs
They probably wouldn’t know and couldn’t deny a claim with proof of maintenance.
But the chances of issues while under warranty are small. I would be more concerned if you are planning on driving the truck after the engine warranty expires.
This assumes the T6 on the shelves may allow more wear than known Ford cert oils.
Lots of guessing here here and what if’s that’s for sure.
But the chances of issues while under warranty are small. I would be more concerned if you are planning on driving the truck after the engine warranty expires.
This assumes the T6 on the shelves may allow more wear than known Ford cert oils.
Lots of guessing here here and what if’s that’s for sure.
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Junior User
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From: Aledo Tx
The thing is with the standard thermal printer receipts you get at most stores now, they don't last but maybe a year or so and fade out and become illegible. Going to be difficult to prove to Ford if you had to. I've often wonder what to do if the IRS came calling...
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 26
From: St Louis Suburbs
The thing is with the standard thermal printer receipts you get at most stores now, they don't last but maybe a year or so and fade out and become illegible. Going to be difficult to prove to Ford if you had to. I've often wonder what to do if the IRS came calling...
Added benefit if you are going to use the T6 is you can see if it's hurting your engine or not.
The $30 for the analysis provides benefits plus you are still money ahead vs having someone else change the oil for you.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Aledo Tx
An oil analysis is not proof you changed your oil and filter. I understand why else would you get it analyzed but its not proof you performed service. Not even proof its from your f250. More than likely Ford would accept various "proof" but, if Ford wanted to be difficult they could.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 26
From: St Louis Suburbs
An oil analysis is not proof you changed your oil and filter. I understand why else would you get it analyzed but its not proof you performed service. Not even proof its from your f250. More than likely Ford would accept various "proof" but, if Ford wanted to be difficult they could.
They would have to be real jerks to deny the analysis as proof though. You can see through things like wear metals and TBN's that the oil was changed and more that just a sample was taken out.
I have never heard a story of someone having an engine claim rejected because you didn't get the oil changed at a Ford dealership or some quick change place, etc.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 102
Likes: 15
Since I already purchased the oil after it being added to the approved list and I know T6 Rotella is a superior product, I decided to use it. I have a hard time believing they changed anything in the formula, and from what I understand, the Ford tests just took longer in order to be approved. I will let you know in several thousand miles whether or not it was a mistake! 
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