View Poll Results: which oil
stick with Valvoline 15w40
4
11.43%
switch to Valvoline 5w40
8
22.86%
switch to something else
23
65.71%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll
winter oil
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: KC MO
winter oil
I have only had my truck since March, so this will be my first full winter with it. I have been using Valvoline Premium Blue 15w40. For winter I was considering switching to the Valvoline synthetic 5w40.
I am in the Kansas City area so we get pretty crappy weather, but it doesn't get crazy cold like it can further north. But unfortunately the truck does sit outside 100% of the time.
Think I should switch? Should I consider Rotella or another brand, or even 0w40? Thanks for your opinion.
I am in the Kansas City area so we get pretty crappy weather, but it doesn't get crazy cold like it can further north. But unfortunately the truck does sit outside 100% of the time.
Think I should switch? Should I consider Rotella or another brand, or even 0w40? Thanks for your opinion.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
I think the full synthetic 5w-40 would be fine, its readily avail. at all your local parts chains or the Rotella at your local Wally World..You'll be suprised how much easier it is to start with those syn. in there.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
I use the Rotella 15-40 year around with no problems a lot of folks go to the 5-40 synthetic in the winter some run it year around also. I never needed to so I save that extra cash for a different type mod.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Western PA
I'm going to switch to 5w40 Rotella in mine. Any brand synthetic should be fine. This is my first winter with my powerstroke but I have switched oil weights in my diesel tractor in the past and like the results so I'll be doing the same with the truck.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Just switched to 5w-40 Rotella today. Even though its more expensive then the regular 15-40, I prefer synthetic any day. As for what brand, that shouldn't matter as long as its rated CI-4. Its noticeably better and quicker starts with the 5w-40 syn.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
There's nothing wrong with Valvoline Premium Blue. You don't HAVE to switch from 15w-40, but the 5w-40 synthetic will probably help for a little quicker cold start and maybe a little less diesel racket when the engine is cold.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 23
From: Tucson
I actually run the 10W30 motorcraft diesel oil that ford recommends and I actually feel like the truck runs better than it did when I was using Rotella synthetic.
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 2
From: MI -- farmboy
I run schaeffer synthetic 9000 series oil, 5w-40 I have for a year now, all last winter, all this summer and will all this winter. I also run the same oil in my diesel equipment. Solves many problems, including sluggish cold start.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Newport, RI USA
I am going to use Rotella 5w-40 for the first winter with a diesel... I have heard good things about it, especially in winter. One advantage of Rotella is it is commonly available.
I had Blackstone test the Motocraft 15w-40 at 3300 miles and I learned a lot... one is that the oil is still fine and two is that I have been changing my oil TOO often for the last 35 years! It was well worth the $22.50 and will save me a lot of time and money in the future.
I had Blackstone test the Motocraft 15w-40 at 3300 miles and I learned a lot... one is that the oil is still fine and two is that I have been changing my oil TOO often for the last 35 years! It was well worth the $22.50 and will save me a lot of time and money in the future.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
I run Mobil Delvac 15-40. I used to run Shell Rotella 15-40 until I got a deal on some Delvac, and my truck seems to like it better. I live in SoCal so the winters aren't what most would consider very harsh so I stick with dino usually. The few times I've run synthetic I've noticed the difference, but it is more costly. If I lived in a colder climate I would probably run synthetic during the winter months to ease the start-up stress.
Just my .02
Just my .02
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Ponchatoula, La.
Just switched from Rotella SAE 30 wt to Rotella Syn 5w-40. Noticably easier to start. Feel like it was a good decision, prolly should've done it sooner... Moving my drain intervals from 5000-6000, to 10,000, @ 10K, drop the filter- add 2 qts run another 5K until complete change @ 15,000. Also, use Baldwin Filters
