TRIAX Impressions
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 785
Likes: 150
That is something I have considered on the oil...my last oil change on Rotella included our 5,000 mile trip towing the fifth wheel. This 5,000 mile interval from which I pull a sample of the Triax will mainly be just my daily rat-killing and running around, and some light towing. It will not be a true comparison. My plan is in the next couple of weeks to get my Suzuki back on the road to start using it as my daily run around, and relegate the 7.3 to "Sunday go to meeting" and fifth wheel, towing, hauling duty. At that point I hope to not be putting near the miles on it, so the extended oil change intervals may not pay off.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,351
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Currently 4,100 miles into our cross country trip. 100% of the miles have been towing the 5th wheel over countless grades and up to 9,000 ft elevation running Triax.
Triax Fleet Supreme 15w40 has done well and I have added 1/2 - 3/4 a quart of oil to the pan over the course of the entire trip. I added the oil yesterday morning in SD before traveling on to MT. The Rotella T6 5w40 would burn about a quart during the same period/towing mileage, so there is a reduction in oil consumption, but nothing that I measured. Only based on my observations of the level on the dipstick.
Truck sounds, idles and runs the same as it did on the Rotella best that I can tell. Looking forward to seeing how the TSC Traveler 15w40 does soon and hoping it is somewhere near the Rotella and Triax for 1/3 the price.
Triax Fleet Supreme 15w40 has done well and I have added 1/2 - 3/4 a quart of oil to the pan over the course of the entire trip. I added the oil yesterday morning in SD before traveling on to MT. The Rotella T6 5w40 would burn about a quart during the same period/towing mileage, so there is a reduction in oil consumption, but nothing that I measured. Only based on my observations of the level on the dipstick.
Truck sounds, idles and runs the same as it did on the Rotella best that I can tell. Looking forward to seeing how the TSC Traveler 15w40 does soon and hoping it is somewhere near the Rotella and Triax for 1/3 the price.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,351
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I just received a UOA back from Blackstone after running the Triax Fleet Supreme 15w40 oil in the engine during a 5,500 mile cross country trip towing our 5th wheel. Looks like the oil did well and I am impressed by the UOA results. I am looking forward to doing the same for Rotella and Travelers in order to make an informed decision for my application.
For anyone interested, the results of the UOA are posted here: UOA - Triax Fleet Supreme 15w40
For anyone interested, the results of the UOA are posted here: UOA - Triax Fleet Supreme 15w40
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,351
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Rye, I'm not sure what you were using before, but if it wasn't 5w40 you will most likely see a difference during the winter at the very least.
I live in north GA and the coldest we see is low 20's or teens for a few days. Our truck does not move when during the winter much if at all so I don't anticipate needing the 5w40 vs 15w40 for my application. My injectors are tired at 262,000 miles though and perhaps the 15w40 will make them upset during "cool weather" starts in the 40's and 50's.
I will say that with the Triax I did NOT top off the oil at any point during the 5,500 mile trip out west. Normally, I would have to add about a quart during a trip like that.
There is no doubt in my mind that Triax is a premium blend oil, just like Rotella T6. Although they might not be right for my application. Time will tell and the numbers will provide details about my course of action going forward.
I live in north GA and the coldest we see is low 20's or teens for a few days. Our truck does not move when during the winter much if at all so I don't anticipate needing the 5w40 vs 15w40 for my application. My injectors are tired at 262,000 miles though and perhaps the 15w40 will make them upset during "cool weather" starts in the 40's and 50's.
I will say that with the Triax I did NOT top off the oil at any point during the 5,500 mile trip out west. Normally, I would have to add about a quart during a trip like that.
There is no doubt in my mind that Triax is a premium blend oil, just like Rotella T6. Although they might not be right for my application. Time will tell and the numbers will provide details about my course of action going forward.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
If you're coming from 15W-40, I promise... you'll like the difference.
Crayon Eater
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 333
Likes: 126
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
It’s weird how these trucks respond to different oil. I have noticed 2 things.
1- I feel the truck cranks a little quicker, but it takes an extra second to light off. Maybe the heat in Va lately makes it a bit thin. IDK
2- I have a little vibration at idle, it’s constant at a predictable repetitive moment as the engine idles. It’s noticeable, no miss sound just a little extra vibration in the cab as she idles.
never noticed this with the 15/40 TSC Dino. Only thing I did was an oil change. I’ve driven a 200 miles stop and go and it’s been there.
1- I feel the truck cranks a little quicker, but it takes an extra second to light off. Maybe the heat in Va lately makes it a bit thin. IDK
2- I have a little vibration at idle, it’s constant at a predictable repetitive moment as the engine idles. It’s noticeable, no miss sound just a little extra vibration in the cab as she idles.
never noticed this with the 15/40 TSC Dino. Only thing I did was an oil change. I’ve driven a 200 miles stop and go and it’s been there.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
It’s weird how these trucks respond to different oil. I have noticed 2 things.
1- I feel the truck cranks a little quicker, but it takes an extra second to light off. Maybe the heat in Va lately makes it a bit thin. IDK
2- I have a little vibration at idle, it’s constant at a predictable repetitive moment as the engine idles. It’s noticeable, no miss sound just a little extra vibration in the cab as she idles.
never noticed this with the 15/40 TSC Dino. Only thing I did was an oil change. I’ve driven a 200 miles stop and go and it’s been there.
1- I feel the truck cranks a little quicker, but it takes an extra second to light off. Maybe the heat in Va lately makes it a bit thin. IDK
2- I have a little vibration at idle, it’s constant at a predictable repetitive moment as the engine idles. It’s noticeable, no miss sound just a little extra vibration in the cab as she idles.
never noticed this with the 15/40 TSC Dino. Only thing I did was an oil change. I’ve driven a 200 miles stop and go and it’s been there.
Crayon Eater
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 333
Likes: 126
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Ok just to post up I did have an odd vibration at idle after the OC swap from 15/40 Dino to Triaxx 5/40 synthetic. I replaced some parts to include the IPR which seems to have helped a lot but I still feel the slightest difference. No one else notices it but me and I’m OCD. I did talk to a well known Injector company, I’m going to paraphrase (and without testing my sticks it’s an educated guess) but he said thinner full synthetic oil can cause the symptoms of poppet wear to be more noticeable. It can cause the poppets to open a fraction early and close a fraction late, compounded by 8 injectors and it can show/ be felt.
That said we had our first cold snap and the truck started the best it has since I’ve owned it at freezing temps. Course I also replaced the GPR this past year so who knows.
Just wanted to say I think Triaxx is a great oil but these hydraulic driven injectors can be finicky. As it gets colder I think I’ll really like the 5/40 full synthetic.
I have 5 gallons of TSC 15/40 and I have 4 gallons of Rotella 15/40 T6. I’ll try them next respectively.
That said we had our first cold snap and the truck started the best it has since I’ve owned it at freezing temps. Course I also replaced the GPR this past year so who knows.
Just wanted to say I think Triaxx is a great oil but these hydraulic driven injectors can be finicky. As it gets colder I think I’ll really like the 5/40 full synthetic.
I have 5 gallons of TSC 15/40 and I have 4 gallons of Rotella 15/40 T6. I’ll try them next respectively.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,351
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
RyeThomas, you could also try a different flavor of 5w40 diesel oil and see if it is in fact the weight of the oil. Many of us were following along in your idle vibration thread and it seems that the injector company has clued you into the possible cause of your observations. Although, since you have a stockpile of 15w40 for future use, maybe just scrap the whole 5w40 trials until your stockpile has been depleted.
5w40 synthetic will absolutely allow the 7.3L to start easier in cold temperatures, just like a working GP system helps quite a bit too.
Keep us updated either here or there!
5w40 synthetic will absolutely allow the 7.3L to start easier in cold temperatures, just like a working GP system helps quite a bit too.
Keep us updated either here or there!
Crayon Eater
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 333
Likes: 126
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I’m not going to scrap the Triaxx, I believe in it but I also admit I may be seeing some consequences.
We shall see, I’m driving the truck more which doesn’t make sense with fuel prices but I like driving her. So won’t be but till the spring and I’ll be going back to 15/40
We shall see, I’m driving the truck more which doesn’t make sense with fuel prices but I like driving her. So won’t be but till the spring and I’ll be going back to 15/40
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,351
Likes: 5,945
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I’m not going to scrap the Triaxx, I believe in it but I also admit I may be seeing some consequences.
We shall see, I’m driving the truck more which doesn’t make sense with fuel prices but I like driving her. So won’t be but till the spring and I’ll be going back to 15/40
We shall see, I’m driving the truck more which doesn’t make sense with fuel prices but I like driving her. So won’t be but till the spring and I’ll be going back to 15/40
I too would not scrap/waste the Triax oil as I had a good experience with it while towing heavy cross country this past summer. I achieved 12.3 MPG over 5,500 miles while towing the 5th wheel and that is pretty darn good in my book.
It cost us nearly $40 to fill up our 2016 Escape with 87 octane fuel today...
