I switched my 1992 cummins at 130000 miles and had no leaks.Started alot easier in the winter .
Joe

 

I run 0w-40 Rotella SB all winter. and bump it up a little in the summer. but always 0w-40 winters.

 

I don't have any experience with the CTD, but synthetic is a very good choice for diesels. It virtually eliminates turbo failure from heat/coking. There's no "one perfect oil" out there, but a lot of good ones to choose from. Good luck.

 

I run 0w40 syn in winter (gets to -40* here), and 15w40 in summer. Now that I have used up my supply of 15w40, I plan on running 0w40 all year round. I use a locally made Co-op D-Mo SL 0w40.

By the way, the owners manual for my 2002 says not to use synthetic oil until the engine is fully broken in, whioch may take up to 30,000 miles - 20,000 miles or "normal driving" and 10,000 miles of hard use/towing.

 

Thanks everyone who responded / switched on hi mile truck. I will be looking into synthetics, I am running Delo 15-40 right now, but then again, it is summer time. I may go synthetic this fall, I didn't like starting up last winter when it was -20F outside. I plugged it in every day but oil does not get warmed up.
-P

 

For all you synthetic users, how many seconds does it take to build oil pressure on a cold start? Or at least how long compared to dino?

 

Cost is the main factor that made me switch back to regular dino oils , it was costing me 90$ for an oil change getting the lube and filter at company cost...

I can do it with dino oil for 34.50 , I change my oil more frequently during the winter , because of the severe cold temps here , and unburnt fuel from the cold temps making it's way into the oil , as well as condensation from the constant heating/cooling.

I am considering finding another vehicle (gas) to drive in the winter , and leave the CTD alone , it's just too much hassle , cost , and wear and tear to drive this thing around , for the little bit that i drive in the winter ( a tank of fuel regularly lasts me 3-4 weeks)

 

I would agree with JKM on winter driving but it is exactly the driving through the snow drifts and blizzards that I love so much on my Ram. I wouldn't trade it for anything... then of course, the only other small size 4wd aside from a military 4x4 and a 6x6, that I drove in snow was a military jeep, and I like the Ram better.
-P

 

I used Rotella synthetc until Fly J had the sale on Valvoline PB. Never had a problem with pressure at cold start up. I have 153,600 on my truck

 

What is a cold start in New Mexico maybe 0 F try minus 40
Jim O

 

IIRC some parts of NM have gotten down in to the 10 degree or colder range so for them that is cold.