My owners manual states you can use either 15w oil or if you use 5w oil it has to be synthetic. Also don't not use 5w synthetic blended oil as its not an approved oil to use, this was told to me by Dodge. I run Amsoil HDD 5w oil year round with out any problems and I know of a few in So Cal who use it year round with fail. Also if you live where it gets below zero in the winter its a good idea to use 5w synthetic oil for easier start ups.

 

Bingo the man has it. CJ API rating formulation was introduced specifically for EPA '07 DPF equipped engines. not just cummins, but all DPF diesels.

EPA '07 Detroit Series 60 engines mandate CJ oil, or warrantee is void. I work for the Detroit dealer here. I've seen it with my own eyes.

 

And the reason is?????? To preserve the life of the DPF. It has nothing to do with how well it protects you engine.

 

its formulated differently to be able to absorb more soot among other things. has nothing to do with preserving the life of the DPF.

 

Not correct. The lowered phosphorous levels are speciffically for DPF life. Unfortunately , the phosphorous was the binder for zinc. Zinc is an anti-scuff additive. They also reduced the calcium levels, but that was mostly for the TBN. With ULSF, the need to fortify the TBN is greatly lowered.

 

I agree. It IS to extend the life of the DPF.

 

arg, you're right I wasn't thinking whilst talking.

 

Don't give yourself a wedgie over a change.
SI oil has steadily reduced the ZDDP levels since the 70's when catalytic converters first came out. Cats had very poor life and testing they found out that phosphorous does contaminate. CJ-4 oil has more ZDDP (zinc phosphorous) levels than the SI oils from 20 years ago.
Base oils are vastly improved with the new CJ-4 specs. They were already improved with CI-4+ spec. Much of the additives in oils up to the late 80's was not for the engine directly. The additives extended oil life.

C-4 oil is similar to GEO oil. GEO is used in natural gas & LPG versions of the same diesel engine we run. GEO has ultra low levels of ZDDP and sulfated ash. GEO has always used higher base stock oil, lowered calcium, and moly to replace the zinc.

They have run CJ-4 in engines for about 5 years.

I used to run Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40 synthetic. I need the 5W for winter and i found the -40 works better for summer temps than the Amsoil -30 synthetic. NOT bashing the Amsoil. It is one of the finest oils out there, but I disliked the breather tube misting in the summer when I worked the truck. I change oil annually.

Today, I changed to Rotella 5W-40 CJ-4 oil in November. I get it for a much better price than Delvac. I'll get a UOA in June to see how it is holding up. I'll probably start a new thread.

I will stand on my soap box now.

The 3,000 mile oil change interval was obsolete 10 years ago.

Your owners manual is the WORST source of information. They are limited when published and obsolete within 5 years.

 

funny how it works........I had to take the Detroit diesel EPA07 course today at work. went through the the whole system on the series 60.

 

I agree that the owners manual is a poor source for info BUT if the service intervals in that manual are not followed they can and will deny warranty.

 

Last words "... and obsolete within 5 years." Warranties are usually gone by 5 years.

 

Ugly isn't it? I had to deal with similar stuff on the (now discontinued) Series 50.

 

we're scheduled to Re&Re 50 Calgary Transit buses with reman Series 50s. cute little buggers.

not really ugly system. pretty simple actually. but it'll just mean steady work for years to come.

 

we got 3 in already......its good to have work lined up.