Went to Wally World to get some synthetic Rotella-T 5W40 and I find both Rotella-T and Rotella-T T6

I looked at the labels and read/compared both and the only difference I could find was basically that the regular "T" has a copyright of 2008 while the "T6" had a 2009 copyright. Both are the same price. Kind of odd and I figure that the T6 is a new and improved version?

I would have gotten the T6 but they only had 3 gallons so I had to go for the regular T version.

Anyone know the story behind the 2 different labels?

 

I bought a couple gallons of Rotella yesterday and didn't notice anything different. I will look when I get home. I wonder what the difference is.

 

I've done a little investigating on this issue, and here is a summary of what I've discovered thus far.

The T6 oil has JASO-MA spec compliance listed on the back of the label. The significance of this is that the JASO-MA specs are for motorcycle oils which are approved for use in wet clutch applications (motorcycles). Historically, this would mean that the oil did not have solid forms of friction modifiers (like moly, graphite, teflon, etc.). Soluble moly has been available for some time, though, and there have been wet-clutch acceptable oils for years.

It is suspected that the Rotella T 5w40 formulation has about 3% moly and may have already been capable of performing in wet-clutch environments much like the Schaeffer oils have, but I am not 100% certain about the Rotella moly being in the soluble form (I know that the Schaeffer oils use soluble moly). Therefore, the difference between the standard Rotella T 5w40 and the Rotella T6 5w40 seems to be the formal certification for wet-clutch applications for the T6.

So which one is best for our trucks? IMHO, given that we're talking about two fully synthetic oil formulations, the one which includes moly is a better alternative in that it will give your engine components what is called "boundary lubricant protection" under rapid impulse loads (like from rapid acceleration scenarios, etc.). That may well include the T6 oil, but I have not yet seen any confirmation of the use of soluble moly in it, so I am not sure if it is equally beneficial for our PSD's.

 

Missed that info on the label.

Thanks. Glad I wound up getting the old formula.

 

Well, like I said, it is entirely possible that the T6 oil is using soluble moly, but I cannot find anything in print from Shell (or any other outside lab) that indicates the presence of moly. Apparently, though, the T6 JASO formulation is built around a primarily Group IV base stock, which is a good thing... just not sure about the other stuff.

 

delo 400 did the same thing last year..its now delo 400 LE...i was told it had to do with the new fuel..not sure if the same thing with Rotella or not...

 

Good to see you here Ron.

 

thank you sir good to be back...

 

Yes, Ron... it tickles my gizzard to see your green light, my friend!!

 

thanks Pete...hope to stick around more this time..i feel naked without my supporter logo...

 

I thought the Delo with the LE was the new emissions blend vs the older version.

 

I think I will try and infiltrate Shell R&D by smooth talking a customer rep. Won't cost anything but a phone call and a few minutes time.

Someone at Shell should be willing to share some knowledge.

 

jh225... Any progress on infiltrating the Shell intelligence regime to discover more details about this new T6 oil?

 

Just got off the phone with Shell, what the guy had told me was that nothing is really changing with the oil, it is the same oil. What has changed is their testing capabilities and through these new processes and testings, they have been able to make new claims about the product such as:

• Extended-drain capable
• Energy saving – fuel-economy performance*
• Excellent engine cleanliness and wear protection
• Excellent extreme high/low-temperature protection
• Improved low-temperature flow

With these new claims being made, they feel that it is a new products that they are producing therefore they wanted to rename it to make these new claims known.

It is the same oil and the guy had told me that the regular 5w-40 synthetic is being taken off the market, so if you see any of that on the shelves for cheap to buy it, as you can mix it with the old stuff.

 

WHAT?? They won't be making syn Rotella anymore??? WTF? That PISSES me off!

EDIT: What are they going to do, rename the same chit and charge more?? If that's what they do, I'm done with them... That's crap!