SIMPLE oil question
 

ok, I just changed my oil and put in 5w40 rotella T synthetic in anticipation of the coming winter. However, we still probably have a 70 degree day here and there, and the overall avg temp is in the 50's and 60's.

The question is NOT whether synthetic is better than dino, whether rotella is a true synthetic, whether my car is going to spring leaks and start shooting oil out of the windshield washer spouts, or whether I am going to suffer in eternity for using cheap oil.

The question IS, is this oil going to be too thin for the remaining mild days before it really hits?

Please, this is not an oil thread. :)

The oil will not be too thin. A 5W-40 will protect just the same as a 15W-40 will in mild temps.

I haven't run synthetics in my diesel yet. I plan to. The Rotella 5w-40 was one of them I was looking at. I have run synthetics in gassers since the late 80's. I do trust synthetics. I doubt you will have any problems. Oil has come a long way in even the past 10 years. Not to mention in the past 25-30 years.
Tom

ChetWesly....you'll be fine. Thats why it has the "40" weight rating to keep you covered in warm/hot temps as well as the "5" for cold temps and start-up. Its a good quality diesel rated oil..... thats what matters and not whether it is a "true synthetic" (thats not worth the brain power expended debating).

I personally like blending RotellaT 5W40 with Rotella 15W40 for winter and then do more frequent oil changes than you would do with a full synthetic.
It is your personal preference........

Cheers

I don't know much about oil or what the numbers really mean. I could learn myself on that a little more I guess.

Thanks for the responses.

I just switched our 300D over from 15w40 dino rotella to the 5w40 synthetic rotella yesterday. Runs great on it. :D I think I may use it in my car too...(as will my dad)....its almost $2 a quart cheaper than Mobil 1. And it comes in gallon jugs (easier to fill the engine! :D) I have 4500 miles to go till my next change though....

I figure that its better to do the changes a little more often (maybe 4000-4500 miles) on Rotella synthetic....than to go longer on Mobil 1. I also found the Turkish Made Fram Filters at Pep Boys!! I bought all 4 they had....and will be going back soon to see if they have more. :D Gotta stock up. :D

I've been running Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 year-round. No problems.

I use rotella or mobil 1 5W40 year around, including some 100F+ ambient temperatures. It will be fine.

I run Mobil Delvac 1 5w40 year round. Have for the past four years.

your not going to spring leaks... if anything it will clean everything out and renew the seals.

No, it's not a true synthetic oil. It's traditional oil thats been cracked to give it similar properties of synthetic. Search google for "group III oil".

Cervan is right. You won't spring leaks, it will probably even help if you have any seeping seals.

Fingers crossed on that promise :D

Don't forget the fact that these synthetic products have powerful detergent characteristics and can un-do years of mis-deeds (running petro-based oil).

On the plus side, they can free up piston ring deposits with extended use, restoring compression, lowering fuel and oil consumption, and make an old engine run at its best. I know a few folks (W123 and W126 hi-milers) who have switched to these modern oils and have had mostly positive experiences.

It also eliminates this "seasonal oil changeover" mindset and permits extended drain intervals when monitored via UOA. In many cases, operating expenses can be reduced at several levels.

Enjoy :)

Compared with dino oil (I'm running Rotella 15W40 in my 240D) has anyone seen a noticeable change in oil pressure with 'synthetic' Rotella or Mobil I?

Happy Motoring, Mark

Didn't anyone read my initial message???
 

This is NOT an oil thread! :)

Thats pretty much unavoidable. :D