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On January 13th I inquired to Triax about why they claimed the Fleet Supreme 5w40 was a better oil than the Fleet Supreme 15w40 and this was the answer I received.
I had to look up PAO, it is an acronym for Poly Alpha Olefin
Now, why they would list both oils as full synthetic and under the same label as Fleet Supreme and include a different blend of additives, I don't know. There is a lot of information including elemental analysis on the oil in this thread, but here is a short snip of some of the facts involved presented by Triax, Rotella and TSC in a table that I created using Excel.
I think that was actually Amsoil that did that. The founder just repackaged jet engine oil. Super high temperature tolerance but hell on seals not designed for it.
Virtually all oils use mostly synthetic base stock. Most people don't realize what "synthetic" means and why it's used in production. I made finished blends at Chevron in the early 80's before "synthetic" was really a thing. Petroleum crude, being a natural product from all over the world, is vastly varied in it's chemical structure and reacts very differently to additives when you're trying to blend it. Lots to batches were either re-refined or sold at a discount when blends failed to meet spec because the base stock varied so wildly. The object of synthetic base stocks is to create a consistent chemical structure so your blends hit spec every time. The big variable nowdays is the quality of the additive packages.
I happen to know an engineer at Amsoil.....here's the deal....some oils have these chemicals in them that cause seals to swell.
Thank you Sous, sorry to make you repeat stuff thats already been gone over, I appreciate it.
No problem at all. I don't mind repeating facts and documented analysis in order to curtail the propagation of internet lore.
I would much rather repeat factual information provided by someone or an agency than to try and roll back BS that has been relayed. I appreciate your effort to understand and pay attention to the details, it makes for a much more positive community, conversation and experience.
Is probably useless info, but my used oil analysis on Triax 5w40 showed 1836 calcium and 613 magnesium. That's with 9,400 miles that change
Just to fill in a bit of the "unknown" on 5w40. Not sure what it is before use tho
Phosphorus dropped 200
Zinc dropped 100
Moly dropped 35
Boron dropped 200
Just to compare the before and after numbers of that chart some more
I just finished my first oil change to the Triax. As I mentioned earlier, I ended up with the synthetic blend instead of the full synthetic (big finger plus Amazon = Surprise!)
i did pour straight from the 5 gallon jug and it wasn’t difficult at all.
Initial impression: I like it. It does sound a little smoother and quieter. Is it true? Maybe, we will see if my wife notices anything. I will drive it for a few weeks and how it does.
I just finished my first oil change to the Triax. As I mentioned earlier, I ended up with the synthetic blend instead of the full synthetic (big finger plus Amazon = Surprise!)
i did pour straight from the 5 gallon jug and it wasn’t difficult at all.
Initial impression: I like it. It does sound a little smoother and quieter. Is it true? Maybe, we will see if my wife notices anything. I will drive it for a few weeks and how it does.
Pics or it didn’t happen.
Man that's WILD how you were able to pour oil into the truck with that big azz bucket.
I just finished my first oil change to the Triax. As I mentioned earlier, I ended up with the synthetic blend instead of the full synthetic (big finger plus Amazon = Surprise!)
i did pour straight from the 5 gallon jug and it wasn’t difficult at all.
Initial impression: I like it. It does sound a little smoother and quieter. Is it true? Maybe, we will see if my wife notices anything. I will drive it for a few weeks and how it does.
Pics or it didn’t happen.
Hey Ben, good to see you around again.
Not only were you a savior during the north GA Tech Day last year with your PB Blaster, butv he ceramic coating you recommended to me for the paint protection is working great. Paint is still very slick and smooth after many miles and driving through poor weather.
As for the pail pouring, BDP has mentioned the "preferred" method. I am too clumsy and uncoordinated to try that, so I will stick with the 1 gallon or 2.5 gallon jugs. Good thing we live someplace where we can make choices like that.
Just the other day I was talking on the phone with an FTE'r about his recent oil change to TSC from 5 gallon pail. He said it was not difficult at all and I believe him. I mentioned that Mr. Murphy would probably be just outside the garage waiting to screw things up too.
Besides, I prefer to have 1-800-REN-TWES on speed dial for advice about using fluid containers down to 4 oz sizes. I feel that I am supporting American business and families that way...
Talk to you soon Ben and we have set October as another north GA GTG. A few of us will most likely be staying at Jack Rabbit mountain national park campground if you are interested. Shoot me a text or call if you have any questions or ideas.
Is probably useless info, but my used oil analysis on Triax 5w40 showed 1836 calcium and 613 magnesium. That's with 9,400 miles that change
Just to fill in a bit of the "unknown" on 5w40. Not sure what it is before use tho
Phosphorus dropped 200
Zinc dropped 100
Moly dropped 35
Boron dropped 200
Just to compare the before and after numbers of that chart some more
This is good content and information that people want to see or learn about. How an oil performs immediately after being poured into a pan is obvious. How an oil performs after 1000's of miles is what sets it apart.
Regardless of what an iPhone decibel reader says or what a butt dyno says, documentation and verification of analysis cannot be ignored.
Thanks Wesley for posting this information. The elements are difficult to identify as a new formula since most oil companies hold their recipe close to their heart. Rightfully so as well especially since we are in the age of knockoffs and sub-par manufacturing.
Originally Posted by url
Thanks everyone for the thorough replies. I’ll give this a go on my next change and report back!
You are welcome sir. Being informed and able to make an educated decision is a very powerful tool to have at your disposal.
I’ve only ever sent samples in when it was dumped out and changed. I’ve had short runs of around 7k and long ones of 18k. They upped the price to around $40 per shot if you want the TBN tested so that would get a little expensive. If trying to hyper mile an OCI with an Amsoil bypass it would make more sense to send a sample in at 10k or so.
This is last one I got using Delvac 1 5W40 was a little disheartening...lead was high but I have some thoughts about that. Schaeffer has been in there for about 1200 miles or so and believe the truck likes it a little better than T6 or D1. I will leave it in there for 10k or so and do another run with it since I have 2 gallons left over from the case I bought. And of course it will be tested.
@Brandonpdx , how's the Schaeffer OTR been treating you?
I swapped to Triax Fleet Supreme 15w40 yesterday. I was lucky and found a local seller that gave me a great deal on the 4 gallons of 15w40 and 2 gallons of 5w40.
Upon starting the truck, I did NOT notice a difference in the noise, tone or anything else regarding the engine running. But, the truck was in the garage with the VW on one side and the wall on the other, so I don't feel this is a fair representation of noise level differences or not.
A friend of mine said it took about 20 miles or so for him to notice a difference in the noise level, so I ran the truck to town for fuel and back which is about 30 miles total. I don't think I heard a difference in the noise, tone or sound of the engine, but maybe there was... It is hard to say because just a couple of weeks ago I swapped in a different turbo, so I am unsure at this point.
I am planning to give the Triax a fair shake based on the recommendation of several FTE'rs and run it 5,000 - 7,500 miles cross country towing our 5th wheel. I am optimistic and hopeful that it does make a difference in noise, tone or sound. But, I am also hoping it doesn't because it can be difficult to obtain compared to the Rotella T6 I have been running for the last 8 years. So, it is kind of a catch 22... Like it and have more difficulties finding it especially at a premium price, or don't like it and move on to other options in diesel engine oil. I may switch our Subaru (3.6L gasoline) over to Triax as that may give me an easier way to discern a result or lack there of. All of our vehicles receive synthetic oils and premium filters and I believe this contributes to the good mechanical condition we have had from each of them. ***Knock on wood***
20 days and 1500 miles of heavy towing later and I am happy/satisfied with Triax Fleet Supreme 15w40, but not to the point of paying a premium price and looking for it online with limited availability.
So far that is...
I have Triax Fleet Supreme 5w40 to run through the engine yet, so I am genuinely giving Triax a fair shake and a chance to win my business.
Over the last 1500 miles of towing heavy while on a cross country trip, I did notice one benefit of the 15w40. The oil level is still dead on the full mark, where it was when we left home with the 5th wheel in tow. I remember @Y2KW57 saying he was planning to switch to Rotella T6 15w40 now that they have expanded the T6 inventory.
He said something about how 15w40 doesn't need to be topped off as much or at all (I think) when compared to 5w40 in his experience. Even though they have the same viscosity when hot.
I did not or have not noticed a difference in running or idle sound or level. Although, I was only going off my "ear dyno" and not a legitimate decibel measurement device or app.
I have run Rotella T6 5w40 for 8 years and if Triax Fleet Supreme 15w40 or 5w40 doesn't win me over, I will be switching to Traveler 15w40 from Tractor Supply just like ArmyLifer did. He went from Triax to Traveler and his UOA came back great.
I made the switch to Triax at my last oil change. I am planning to pull a sample at 5k and send it in to see how things are looking. I had been running the Rotella T6 in 5w40. My UOA showed extremely high iron in my oil, so I am hoping that is not repeated. I am not sure where I am on the Triax Oil either, did not see any life changing differences with it. The big test for me will be how long I am able to run the oil between change intervals. It was not my plan, but I am putting a ridiculous number of miles on my pickup (25k since September when I got it) and so extended oil change intervals can definitely pay off for me.
Absolutely! You have to go with a product that you are happy with. I have several qualifiers or criteria that an engine oil either hits or misses. If it misses, it needs to perform superior in another area.
I should be able to get ~6,000 hard, heavy towing miles on this dose of Triax. I was willing to try it due to several other FTE'rs liking the product.
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Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
