Oil Confusion
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New User
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Oil Confusion
I'm confused folks. Getting ready to change the oil in my 2000 here in Northern Kentucky. I'm just south of the river and Cincinnati Ohio. If I look at the manual, I'm confused as to whether 10w-30 or 5w-30 would be the best choice. If I look at the 10w-30 range, does the black bar that says Preferred count? Or is the temperature range in the white bar to the right what it is saying is preferred? We will certainly have days over 30 before my next change. But something is telling me to use the 5w-30. If it matters, my last change was Rotella T 15w-40. Thanks folks!
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 530
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From: Cabot, AR
Yes, Rotella 5w-40 Synthetic is great oil to you especially if it gets really cold where you are. I along with others run it year around. Downside is that it's 22.00 per gallon.
Last edited by 95Z71; Nov 29, 2008 at 12:05 AM. Reason: Opps meant 5w-40; my bad
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
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From: Columbia, MO
For a diesel, you don't want either of those oils. You'll have a difficult time finding either of those weights in a diesel approved oil. Making sure the oil is diesel approved is of the utmost importance for a diesel engine. Diesels put a lot of soot and more dirt into the oil, and a diesel rated oil has extra detergents to counter act the extra dirt.
You'll want to find either a 5W-40 or 15W-40, depending on how cold it's going to get. Up there in Ohio, I would get the 5W-40 synthetic. Good brands are Schaeffers, Delo 400, and Rotella.
The 10-30 and 5-30 ratings are for the gas engines. Your truck should have a supplemental manual that is specific to the 7.3 Diesel.
You'll want to find either a 5W-40 or 15W-40, depending on how cold it's going to get. Up there in Ohio, I would get the 5W-40 synthetic. Good brands are Schaeffers, Delo 400, and Rotella.
The 10-30 and 5-30 ratings are for the gas engines. Your truck should have a supplemental manual that is specific to the 7.3 Diesel.
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Ugh, my bad. I knew something didn't seem right.
Over the next three months or so which is about how long it'll be before my next change, average temps are between 20 and 45. We'll have some teens and zeros in there though for sure. I planned on switching to syn in the spring. Maybe I should just go ahead and do it now.
Thanks again for the pointers!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Jeffersonville , Indiana
Actually Rotella and Motorcraft make a 10w30 diesel oil. The 10w30 will work fine for you in the winter months as long as you are not towing to much. If towing I would run the 5w40 or stick with the 15w40. I live in Southern Indiana and I ran Motorcraft 10w30 in my 6.0 in the winter and you could tell a big difference in cold starts with the HEUI system on the truck. I just picked up some more Motorcraft 10w30 oil last week that I'm going to put in my 6.4 for the winter months. I do agree the 5w40 oil would be best in your truck in the cold months its just to much money for me and I'm not going to run extended drain intervals anyway.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: South Eastern MN
Actually Rotella and Motorcraft make a 10w30 diesel oil. The 10w30 will work fine for you in the winter months as long as you are not towing to much. If towing I would run the 5w40 or stick with the 15w40. I live in Southern Indiana and I ran Motorcraft 10w30 in my 6.0 in the winter and you could tell a big difference in cold starts with the HEUI system on the truck. I just picked up some more Motorcraft 10w30 oil last week that I'm going to put in my 6.4 for the winter months. I do agree the 5w40 oil would be best in your truck in the cold months its just to much money for me and I'm not going to run extended drain intervals anyway.
I was JUST about to mention that, thanks.
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I don't plan on running extended intervals either, I'll change again in 5k. And I will not be towing anything.
I double checked what I looked at last night:
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../00700732e.pdf
Looks like the diesel supplement to me. I pulled it off Ford's Owner site. I need to get out of the house and check the manual in the truck I guess.
Thanks again for the info guys.
I double checked what I looked at last night:
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../00700732e.pdf
Looks like the diesel supplement to me. I pulled it off Ford's Owner site. I need to get out of the house and check the manual in the truck I guess.
Thanks again for the info guys.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,292
Likes: 6
From: Ardenvoir, Washington
I'm confused folks. Getting ready to change the oil in my 2000 here in Northern Kentucky. I'm just south of the river and Cincinnati Ohio. If I look at the manual, I'm confused as to whether 10w-30 or 5w-30 would be the best choice. If I look at the 10w-30 range, does the black bar that says Preferred count? Or is the temperature range in the white bar to the right what it is saying is preferred? We will certainly have days over 30 before my next change. But something is telling me to use the 5w-30. If it matters, my last change was Rotella T 15w-40. Thanks folks!
I also vote for Rotella T 5w-40 year round.. my engine loves it..
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,241
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From: Powder Springs, East TN
Actually Schaeffers is cheaper then Rotella Syn. if you get it from a Rep. in a 300 dollar bulk order instead of buying it in stores at markup pricing.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
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From: Columbia, MO
I always figured I'd rather order a little more oil now and spend the extra on actual product rather than shipping charges. Usually, I'd place one order for all my oil, grease, and fuel treatments to use in the truck and jeep, which would have me set for the whole year. It's sometimes tough to spend that much all at once on oil, but it was much easier knowing I'd only have to do it once a year, and always had the oil on hand when I was ready to change it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,241
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From: Powder Springs, East TN
I was close heh, it is worth it to just get the full order or just share the order with a PSD buddy thats near by (thats what I did) and if you cannot find a rep to work with you in your area there is reps on here that can work with you 
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