15W-40 winter use

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Nov 7, 2007 | 04:09 PM

f350peter

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From: Somerset, MA

15W-40 winter use

Will I have trouble this winter if I run with 15W-40 dino? I'll be changing oil this weekend, and I have 4 gallons of Rotella 15-40. Should I save this for spring and get a lighter weight oil for winter??
BTW, I'm in southeast Massachusetts, and I DO plug the truck in when temps hit low 30's.

Thanks all!

Nov 7, 2007 | 04:29 PM

littledre1

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From: New Jersey

I ran 15w40 rotella over the winter last year and had no problems. At that time I was living in Hoboken, NJ and my car was in an outdoor parking lot so I couldn't plug it in. I was always able to start it no matter how cold it got. If it was REALLY cold then I would let it go into high idle and warm up for 5 to 7 min then drive off.

I don't know if you remember last winter but we had a couple weeks of VERY cold temps, at least cold for the NE. I think it had been in the teens for a couple of days and my truck was sitting for about 5 days total. I let the glow plugs warm up 2 times and fired her up on the 3rd time no problemo. Just make sure you GPR, glow plugs and batts are in good shape and you'll be fine. Of course if you're always plugging in then you'll be fine. This year I'm gonna switch over to synth just to see if it makes a big difference.

Nov 7, 2007 | 04:33 PM

zx250

Of the next Riffraff East

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From: Concord NC

I think if you keep it plugged up, it don't matter to much. Our temps here in NC don't get that cold and I had always ran 15w40 until lately. I just switched to 5w40 syn. and the last few days it has been in the mid 30's and I can tell I'm gonna like the new oil. Much easier starts and quieter warm ups. JMO but you may want to go 5w40 and enjoy the quietness and not worry about finding a plug everywhere you go.

Nov 7, 2007 | 04:58 PM

jhand124

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From: Farmington, Minnesota

I live in Minnesota and run 5w40 mobil syn, my truck will start at -15 F not plugged in, just remember the glow plugs will stay on for over a min after the light turns off. I cycle them twice and it will start right up. Normaly I would plug it in if the temp is in single digits.

Nov 7, 2007 | 05:04 PM

kawika

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From: Chicago suburbs

If you plug it in, no problems, but if it gets too cold and not plugged in, it will romp a few times when started.

Dave.

Nov 7, 2007 | 07:00 PM

mjlewis

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From: In the Georgia Pines

i ran 15w40 delvac last winter and it was fine. since then i've changed over to 5w40 mobile 1 syn and love it. we had a mid 30ish morning today and the truck fired right up and didnt sound rough like it used to on those cold winter mornings last year on dino. i say keep the dino for the summer and go to walmart and get some 5w40.

-mike

Nov 7, 2007 | 07:57 PM

mybigredford

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From: Prince George, BC

i would say as long as you are able to plug it in where ever you go, then run the 15-40 for the winter, but if there is a chance that you may not be able to, then you may be stranded somewhere you dont want to be, then you should put in at least a 10-30 deisel rated dino oil, or run a syn 5-40.