I've got time to change my own oil tomorrow but what is the better synthetic oil to get? From what I found at Wal-Mart and O'Riellys is (respectively) Rotella 5w-? and Mobile 1 diesel. What other options are there (that I can find and not have to wait on shipping?)

 

We put Amsoil in our diesels. You can go longer between oil changes. It is a synthetic oil. It helps improve fuel mileage and helps engines last longer. It may sometimes be difficult to find but it is worth it IMO. Here is a link that provides more info.

http://www.oilsandlube.com/

 

My vote is to just stick with a good Dino oil like Shell Rotella T 15w40 and go on down the road. Why pay 2 or 3 or more times for the oil? Walmart sells regular Rotella for about $7.99 a gallon.

Your Cummins engine will long outlast your truck and a Million miles is not uncommon running regular Rotella. Just change it regularly. I change mine at 5K but would feel comfortable going to 7.5 or maybe 8k with no problems.

I spoke with a Blackstone Labs Tech one day and he advised me that no matter what oil you run, even synthetic, you need to drain it often. (no longer than 10k interval) Even if the additive package in it will allow you run for extended intervals, there are still microscopic metallic particles floating and circulating in that oil that the oil filter cannot catch. The only way to get those out is to drain it and add fresh. So for that reason im choosing to stick with Dino oil and stay on a 5k interval rather than spending extra on the syn.

 

Mobil 1 Truck & SUV (exact same stuff as Mobil Delvac 1) is one of the absolute best synthetics available for diesels in my opinion. It is every bit as good as Amsoil and some would argue that it's better. If I were running synthetics that's what I'd use. It's about $21 per gallon at Walmart.

I have to agree with Texas CTD though. As far as I'm concerned the added cost of running synthetics isn't worth the benefits. I ran synthetics for about 15,000 miles and noticed no difference in fuel mileage, noise or anything else so I switched back to dino juice.

I use Mobil Delvac 1300 Super...the "Million Mile Oil". Like Texas CTD said, if you change your oil when you're supposed to then your engine will outlast the truck it's sitting in.

 

Just to clear this up, the Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5-40 is the same as Delvac 1, just packaged differently. The Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5-30 is a different formula for gas motors.


Direct quote from Mobil 1 website:

"Comparing Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 to Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40
How does the new Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 oil compare to Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40? Which is better for my 2003 Ford F-350 Powerstroke diesel?
-- Greg Braden, Rockford, MI

Answer:
Either brand is a great choice since Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 and Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40 are the same product branded differently for different markets."

 

Well I got Delo 400 dino ($10) per gallon instead of $90 for 3. I may pay for it in the end but I'm going to change between 5,000 and 7,500.

 

I think that the filter that you choose may be more important that the oil.

 

Fleetguard Stratopore...that's the only thing I ever use. Avoid FRAM.

 

Valvoine Premum Blue Extreem (Full Synthetic)

It's endorsed by Cummins and exceeds what dodge requires you to run. Plus you can pick it up at Napa for about 16 bucks a gallon. Can't go wrong with it.

 

Ditto and Ditto. Fleetguard Stratapore.

 

Rotella T, only.
And 3894 filters...

 

Last time I changed the oil in the truck, it drained out so quickly the pan couldnt let the oil sink in fast enough, it overflowed all over the garage floor. Have some kitty litter or oil absorbent in handy.

 

5 gallon bucket
No problem, close enough for wind when it trickles at the end, and no problems when it starts flowin!

 

Yeah, I was thinking about using a bucket too but if I took it to Napa/Autozone/Oreilleys, I couldnt get it down there with it sloshing every where in the back of the truck.

 

they have lids for 5 gallon buckets