Hello everyone,
I've spent countless hours trying to determine what would be the best 5w-40 oil for me to use in my 2017 6.7l F350. The truck will be occasionally used to tow a 11,000 pound boat. My problem is that after reading countless engineering studies, reviews and recommendations from manufacturers I'm more confused than ever. I don't necessarily require any particular brand and the price is secondary compared to the engine protection I would be getting. I don't run my oil at extended intervals and I will be changing it every 5,000 miles. I believe in running full synthetic oil and I wouldn't have a problem paying for 100% synthetic if people in the forum thought it would be advantageous.
After thinking about this for awhile I realized that the best place to get the best oil recommendation is from this forum by asking people who have used a particular brand of oil for an extended period of time how well their trucks have held up. I would really like to hear statements like "I've used brand x for 150,000 miles pulling heavy loads with no engine oil related problems." My goal is not to start a brand war in the forum but to survey users of 5w-40 oil to determine what most people are using and how well have their trucks held up in towing situations. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Bob

 

I found a site that tests oil recently (not BobIsTheOilGuy) and the top 5W40 synthetics were Mobil One Turbo, T6 and Delo LE 400. Amsoil did well too. At over 47,000 miles, I've not tried all. I used T6 until somewhere over 30K, then switched to Valvoline PBX (Premium Blue Extreme). While they are all similar, Mobile One does seem to have an edge over the others, but it is dear. Delo will probably be what I try after the PBX runs out.
If I remember correctly, Mobil One had the highest breakdown temp around 270 degrees with the few others being 255-260.

 

Thanks for the information regarding the diesel oil recommendation. Do you remember the website name or address?

 

I use Rotella T-6. If you were looking for a consensus on which oil to use you will not get it. I will agree with SkiSmuggs that Mobil One is a great product but would be very pricey if you are changing every 5000 miles. I recommend instead of spending the money on oil changes that you send in an oil sample for analysis at the 4000 mile mark. The analysis will tell you how much life is left in your oil and how well your oil is holding up.

 

I've ran the Delo LE 400 5w-40 in my last two diesels and plan on running it in the 2017. I've had the oil tested by two different analysis companies and both gave it a thumbs up. My only other choice would be the LE oils.

 

It took a while to find it, but here it is: https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/201...-test-ranking/

And it took a while to find what I had seen before:
SYNTHETIC DIESEL OILS:

5W30 Amsoil Series 3000 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil synthetic = 280* F

MOBIL 1 TURBO DIESEL TRUCK, 5W40 synthetic, API CJ-4, CI-4 Plus, CI-4, CH-4 and ACEA E7 = 270* F

5W40 Amsoil Premium Diesel Oil synthetic, API CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CF, SN, SM, ACEA E7, E9 = 265* F

SHELL ROTELLA T6, 5W40 synthetic, API CJ-4, CI-4 Plus, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4/SM = 260* F

CHEVRON DELO 400LE, 5W40 synthetic, API CJ-4, CI-4 Plus, CI-4, SL, SM = 255* F

 

Thanks SkiSmuggs, this is the type of information I was looking for.

 

That's an interesting list. It would nice if it was organized better, but beggars can't be choosers. My engine oil has hit 242° F a couple of times. I look forward to a test of Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5w-40.

 

Agreed as the organization seems haphazard. I actually removed the synthetic 15W40 oils from that list as I only care about 5W40. And PBX is what I've used the last two and next two oil changes.

 

There are a bunch of good 5w40 options. If you want a good oil, look into the Lubrication Engineers 5w40. Oil is a personal preference and can bring up some good fueds on the forums.

I'm running it because I've been reading many posts over the years on various forums from Jim Kukulski. He knows more about oils and lubrication than anyone I've followed online. Give him a holler on PowerStroke Army or any of the 6.7 Facebook pages. Guy knows his stuff.

 

The oil is Ford approved and is Monolec Ultra® Syn Heavy Duty Engine Oil from Lubrication Engineers Inc.

 

I have no technical data to provide. I go by observing others choices and technical data to make my decision.
Ive been using shell T6 for quite a while, used it in my 6.4/6.0 and Side by side + quads.

Im making the switch to chevron delo 5w-40 for this new truck (17 6.7). Grabbed 10 jugs today on sale. Also a fair bit cheaper than t6..

 

The Rat 540 report....lol, that guy is so full of himself. Yes, I did read his reports for about a year,thought it was interesting at first...To each his own.
I have been around diesel equipment my whole life, and choose to run conventional in my truck as I feel that it can better suspend and trap the impurities from being in a diesel.
Dont get me wrong, I use synthetics in some things, I even have a 5-40 in my truck now for winter. I would prefer a 10-30 Dino for winter...doesnt seem as easy for me to get in my area. Like it was stated...UOA's is a great way to follow up with your oil...and helps with choices, there is a thread on here for UOA's. My brand of choice is Cen-Pe-Co btw....although it isnt as easy to get for some. My nephew works for a private lube shop, he says that every diesel that goes through the shop, leaves with Delo.

 

There are quite a few good oils out there. I personally started using Mobil Delvac 1 when I had a Freightliner with a 330HP Mercedes in it. Having been using it in the 6.4 I had and now in the 6.7L. Pricey but so is a new engine. Good oil is cheap insurance IMHO!

 

In my 2011 truck, (which I sold at 145,000 miles) I ran the Shell Rotello in the summer and Shell T-6 in the winter months. I changed the oil when the Oil Life Minder popped up on the command center or about every 7500 miles. I sent in oil samples at 5,000 and at 6,000 and finally at 7,500 and they always came back as the oil was just fine. So I quit worrying about when to change and just started changes as advised by the truck computers. A few of my oil changes were done at the Ford dealership and they used the Motorcraft oil.

My 2015 truck is at 86,000 miles and has had mostly Shell T-6 in it. Since the CK standard came out last spring, I've switched to the Delo since the Shell was not on the approved list.

About 1/3 of my truck's mileage is towing. 13,000lbs GN horse trailer, a flatbed with skid loader or mini excavator and dump trailers. So I'm frequently in that 10,000 to 14,0000 lbs range towing. My trucks are working hard. I have frequently seen 242° to 244° oil temps when climbing mountain grades here in Utah with my horse trailer in tow. Some of those grades take 20-30 minutes to climb, So the oil temps stay high for those climbs and my oil has still passed the Oil Analysis when submitted. So I'm not too worried about the above-referenced report of oil breaking down at 255-260°. I get my oil as hot as anybody and it hasn't caused a problem. In fact, I think I read on Shells Website that their oil was good up to 400°. I'm going to have to go check now.