hey guys. im thinking very heavily about starting to use Rotella T 5w40 synthetic in my truck from now on! would this be ok to use in my truck since it is kind of a heavy oil??

my truck is: '03 ford ranger v6 4.0 sohc w/ 43,000 miles on it.

my truck is spec'd for 5w30 (WSS-M2C205-A), but alot of people are using 5w20 due to new ford specs. this is why i am questioning using a 5w40 rotella (although i really want to).

i did have an idea though. tell me what u guys think...

since the 5w40 rotella syn comes in 4qt. jugs only, i thought maybe i could mix 1qt. of a lighter synthetic oil to make the rotella not so heavy? maybe a 5w20? which weight and brand syn oil would u all recommend?? i would have to mix 1qt. of something i guess, might as well be lighter i quess.

sorry this was long! thank you for yalls help!! any input at all is welcome

-Bo

(for all u fellow BITOGers i posted this over on BITOG too, just to get as many responses as i could. but over here i can get the Ford opinion i need for my truck! thanks!)

 

the 4.0 is never to use 5w20. i would stay with the 5w30.

 

Ditto the above. From all I have seen and heard, the 4.0 is NOT a candidate for 5W20.

Not suggesting it, just mentioning it: if I had a 4.0 (I have had 2) and lived in a moderate climate (I do), I'd use a good 10w30 (I did).

 

i know not to use 5w20, im wondering if it would be ok to run rotella t synthetic 5w40?? my point was that ford is going to the lighter oils, so i was questioning going with the heavier 5w40 over 5w30...i'd be going kind of in the opposite direction.

 

whats the point of using a heavy oil in there?

 

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Bo, go ahead and use the thicker oil. Seems you want to reduce your fuel mileage, noticeably. This way, you will be putting more gas in your truck more often. How did your 4.0 v6 become a oil burner? When an engine is loose, burning oil, with a blue haze out of the tailpipe, that is when it's time to use a thicker oil. But as Ford390 asks, and I will too. Why do you want to use a thicker oil, in a modern, emissions controlled 4.0 V6?

 

i think duke is under the thicker is better bug. Seems that is a real illness over at BITOG.LOL

 

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I have no "issues" with the 5w40 Rotella oil used in a diesel engine. But not in newer gasoline engines, unless it's a worn out beater engine. I think if anyone put any type of "40" oil in the refrigerator, then took it out 24 hours later to pour it, you would see my point. Again, diesel applications, are different, in that those oils are designed to suspend the combustion by-products that are produced in any diesel, as compared to by-products of a gasoline engine. Looks like I'll have to visit BITOG ASAP, see what is being taught there? Ed

 

''Looks like I'll have to visit BITOG ASAP, see what is being taught there? Ed''


ohh no! you will come back a amsoil salesman and hooked on german castrol and you will put a bypass filter on everything! they will even convince you your lawn mower needs 12.00 a quart redline oil. LOL

 

Many of the issues raised are valid. Be sure to consider that mixing engine oils affects the balance of the additive packages. If your engine has wear issues, consult a good mechanic.

 

i just wanted to use rotella due to its great add pack. my uncle has used it for years in his trucks and farm equipment, including gasoline trucks. however now ford trucks are going with thinner oils. so using this old method unfortunately will not be a good choice as i have seen now. i did not necc. want to go thicker, but that is the thinnest rotella syn! thats ok i guess, ill just use havoline! any other reccomendations on oils? thanks for all the input guys! (and yes BITOG is a little extreme with some things, but going to a thicker rotella has nothing to w/ any of them! )

 

if you really want a diesel oil rotella sells a 5w30 and 10w30.

 

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BO, this is the correct solution! Ford390 nailed it. Otherwise, all I am saying is your gas mileage and overall engine performance will suffer with the thicker oil. Remember too, this causes the O2 sensor, to rethink the slower warm-up times, adding a richer fuel mixture, longer, and the cat convertors don't need the extra "junk" in them, over the course of an OCI. Stick with Ford390's suggestion, in using a diesel rated lubricant.

 

however i see no real need to use one in a modern engine. these enignes will outlast the truck with even the cheapest api 5w30 oil. 5w30 diesel oil is sold in bulk only so plan on buying 2 55 gallon drums minimum. 1.76 a quart 775.00. it also has a low flashpoint as it is never to be used in weather warmer than 40 degrees.

 

i pretty much just wanted a really good synthetic oil. any recommendations on a good synthetic? Pennzoil Platinum maybe?

thanks for your help guys! i guess im just caught up in the old way of thinking....my uncle and grandpa swearing by their diesel oils! i will definately stick with a 5w30.

-Bo