What is the manufacturer's recommended Oil and filter for a 96 F 350 Powerstroke? and is there something better than what they recommend?

thanks

 

Shell rottella 15w-40 is the best oil I have used in any engine so far.



That's all opinion though, mine

 

The API specification for 96 is very much obsolete now. Use any CJ4 or CI4 and you will be miles ahead of what they called for in 96. Anything ending with a 40 will be a good oil for your engine.

 

12 years ago I jumped into the trucking industry with both feet. I bought a 88 Peterbilt with a 425 Cat from the guy I leased on with. I had no experience with diesels or trucking so I relied on him a lot, he said he always used Rotella so I continued thinking it must be best because so many owner operators did it. I changed the oil at 10,000 mi but always had to add oil at or before 8,000 (from the add line to the full line was about 1 gallon). On the fourth oil change I was at a truckstop I'd never been to in all my approximately 5 months experience and the guy asked if I wanted Mobil Delvac put in instead of the Rotella I had requested. I asked why he was pushing it and he said Mobil would pay for a free analysis. Being a smart businessman I said lets do it. As the miles accumulated I noticed no oil loss, 10,000 and still above the add line. I used Delvac on the next oil change with the same results, I never bought another gallon of Rotella with that truck or the 95 Pete I replaced it with. I run it in my 97 F-250 also.