Well, I'm about 300 miles under 10k on my 05 6.0. I'm going to switch to Mobil-1 Synthetic oil, my question is what weight should I use? I've read 5w-40 and I've seen 15w-40...

13.5 quarts?

Any recommendations? and also should I get a Motorcraft filter or some other aftermarket.

Thanks all!!!

 

If you're going to run Mobil 1 Synthetic, you'll be running 5W40, which is perfectly acceptable.

Note that typical Mobil 1 is *not* rated for diesel engines. You'll want to go with either Mobil 1 Truck & SUV or Mobil Delvac 1 (same thing, the Delvac is the commercial package while Truck & SUV is retail). Make sure the oil is rated at least CI-4.

13.5 quarts is a good starting point if you're not going to let it drain for an hour or two. Fill with 13.5 and check the dipstick.

From what I've heard, stay with a Motorcraft or Racor (OEM) filter.

 

I run Shell Rotella 5w40 in mine and have never had any problems with the oil. Nothing against Mobil 1, just don't want to pay that much. Either way, you'll be using 5w40 in synthetic or with the dino oil you have a choice of 10w30 or 15w40. The best item you can purchase to regulate the level of your oil in the 6.0 is the Futomo oil drain valve. I use it to regulate my oil level to where it is as close as possible to midway in the "XXXXX" safe operating range on the dipstick. I have found this is the best level for me. Good Luck!

 

I have been using Motor Craft 15w 40 all the time in my 04. I use the motor Craft filters also, They are still available at my local Walmart. I have been thinking about switchung to Rotella of Delvac but I am not sure if I am going to switch yet. For right now the motorcraft stuff works so I am not in a big hurry to change. As for the oil subject as 9 people get 9 different answers. Use what is available in your area. Hope this helps

 

At my last oil change I looked at the Mobil 1 SUV and it is not CI-4 plus and Rotella was. I thought we were to use only the "plus". Am I missing something??

 

Read your owners manual. CI-4, CH-4 is an acceptable substitute, if you cannot obtain CI-4. CI-4 plus is what they would like you to use. I read my 05 owners manaual cover to cover, all the supplements included (tire warranty, vehicle warranty, ect. ect.). I really wish I would have done that BEFORE driving my 03. Oh well, live and learn.

Ryan

 

Yep, Ryan's got it right. CI-4 is strongly recommended, CH-4 is acceptable only if you don't have any other choice (when that was printed, CI-4 was much rarer than it is now.) CI-4-Plus isn't required, but is better.

 

I would only use CI4+ rated oil as it is the newer industry standard/rating for deisel motors. It was designed to answer issues with EGR valves (soot control) and with shearing of the oil... all are problems with the 6.0L motors.

I would look for any quality motor oil with the CI4+ rating as it provides the extra "industry developed" properties you will want!!! Nothing wrong with CI4, but its not the latest "additive package" and designed oil for the newer diesel motors available (light duty or heavy duty).

I would only use synth. for the cold weather benefits and possibly the heat disipation benefits, but talk to anyone in the oil business (look on web) and the further apart the 2 numbers are, the greater chance of viscosity breakdown over time (5W-40, versus 15W-40). Both operate as a 40 weight in summer, but could both break down to their lowest number... hence why your lawn mowers and small engines only say use SAE 30 and not a multigrade oil... air cooled and they run hot and could break down a multigrade oil.

Personally, I would look for a quality dino or synth. oil with the Ci4+ rating and not worry about the brand loyalty issue. If it meets or exceeds the industry rating of CI4+... your doing better than what was first engineered for your motor.

Good luck,

Jeff

 

Thanks Jeff- any ideas on where to find CI4+ ??

 

Go to Wally World and read lables... those you think are "cutting edge" have not upgraded to the latest CI4+ rating. Go to a farm-supply type store and look as well.

Since new, my 2003 Excursion 6.0L has only used Motorcraft oil and filters. While getting my oil changed at the dealer, I noticed the new rating on the quart bottles and did some reading and searching on the web... hence where I got my information from.

I plan on doing my own oil changes now and have bought the Fumoto valve to make draining easier. While at my local farm supply store, I noticed both CI4 and CI4+ Motorcraft oil on the shelf. Of course, I bought 15 quarts of the CI4+ rated bottles!!!

Go to wally world and look at all the dino and synth. motor oils for diesels. Dino will be 15W-40 and synth. will be 0W-40 or 5W-40.

I am a firm believer that if the new rating was given to oils that have increased shear stability... then that is what I am using since the 6.0L motor shears down 99.9% of all oils from a 40 weight to a 30 weight.

Personally, I would never run 10W-30 diesel oil as our manual states and would then choose a good quality synth. oil to get cold weather performance. Personally, the Motorcraft 15W-40 oil is less expensive and is CI4+ rated and is available at different retail outlets (not the dealer stealer).

Since I change every 5,000 miles (and I drive normal driving not severe), I feel that frequent oil changes on or before 5,000 miles is more important than using synth and hoping for extended intervals, or changing as often and spending more to do so... but to each his own and I am not looking to debate which brand is best and why - so don't go there.

All I am saying is to use CI4+ rated oil of your choice and read the bottles since I do not know every brand that may or may not be in your area.

Good luck,

Jeff

 

"I would only use CI4+ rated oil as it is the newer industry standard/rating for deisel motors. It was designed to answer issues with EGR valves (soot control) and with shearing of the oil... all are problems with the 6.0L motors."

Jeff, Rotella T had advanced soot control addatives before the CI-4 and CI-4+ rating came out in anticipation of this. I have done an in-depth post on this awhile back, listing every common diesel oil available on the market. The rating is important, but you need to check the actual products listing from the manufacturer. Just because the bottle does not give the current rating, does not mean the oil is not approved. Can you jsut imagine the marketing headace involved, with just Wal mart stocked oils, now add all the truck stops in, and then all the local parts houses. Their is no way they can recall all of that oil. Moral of the story here is, if the oil you plan on running in your truck is rated in the manufacturers specs, you are safe to use it until the nevewer bottles withthe new labels appear on th shelves.

Ryan

 

In checking with International Rep. (where I get my oil) The CH-4 was replaced with the CI-4. If you get CH-4 is is Ok just doesn't have some additives in it. I had some CH-4 in stock when I got my 04 truck and was concerned this was why I checked on it.

 

MRXLH.....

Using CI4 oil is just fine and meets Fords requirements for our motors. All I am saying is that using CI4+ has to be better since it was designed and rated for reduced shearing and better soot control for EGR valved motors.

The new rating came out last September (or maybe a little before)... they have had enough time to produce, bottle and ship the new rated oil if they wanted to!!! With the volumes that the big boys make and sell and the volumes that just Walmart sells... old inventory is long gone. If an oil company wanted to modify their additve package they would have.

Doing a running line change for lables (that go on the bottles) takes no time to correct, print and put into production as a "running change".

If CH is good, then CI4 is better and CI4+ is BEST!!!!

Thats all I am saying and using in my truck.

Jeff

 

I try to get my oil at Sam's. They seem to be somewhat cheaper than wally world even though it sorta comes off the same truck. As you know Sam's only sells by the case (which you need anyway) and they carry Rotella T 15-40 with the CI-4+ rating. If you want to save a little more money Sam's carries 55? gal drums of Rotella.