what type of oil should I use for winter?
 

I'm soon to get my fall oil change- just wondering what do people use for winter oils. I live in NJ near new york city but often am in Troy, NY (near albany) , so its not too cold but I'd say an average temperature on a winter day is about 10-30 degrees F (low to high).

I've been using Mobil Delvac 15W40.

Also would there be any advantages to using a synthetic?

Thanks.

Also, if anyone lives in either of the areas I mentioned above I have had some problems with my car I posted in this thread -
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/203745-1991-350sdl-car-shutoff-problems-turbo-problems-i-just-want-my-damn-car-work.html

I am looking for someone in the area I can possibly meet up with to help me diagnose the problems and *hopefully* fix them.

Synthetic is available in the 5w40 weight which is perfect for easy cold starting, it flows way way way better than 15w40 dino oil.

Two good and readily available oils in this weight are Shell Rotella-T 5w40 Full Synthetic, and Mobil 1 "Turbo Diesel Truck" 5w40 synthetic.

I've used both, they both work well. Rotella is a little cheaper, and is available in gallon jugs.

Totally recommend it for use both year round and especially in the winter. The engine will appreciate it.

I use Rotella 15w40 all year. I haven't had any trouble starting in either place I've lived the past few years (State College, Pa., and Delaware) ... including a -7 degree start. Maybe be a different story for other folks ... everybody's car (and weather) is different.

Any 5W40 synthetic diesel rated oil will be very good year-round.

You should pick an oil and stick with it. Changing oil types and weights results in mixing and could have adverse effects between the additive packages.

Valvoline Quickstops have the Premium Blue Extreme 5w40 I use in my truck during the winter, also a synthetic like the others have mentioned. Kinda spendy though if you don't have a hookup at a lube place. Some autozones sell it ~14 bucks a gallon, you just have to look around.

Modern diesel oils will spare you from the "seasonal changeover" and can provide myriad other benefits. These oils are rated all seaon/all climate.

at Wall'sMart's:

• Shell syn Rotella (blue bottle) 5W40 @$16/gallon
• Mobil 1 5W40 Turbodiesel Truck @ $23/gallon

Enjoy.

I've been using the "Diesel/Turbo" 5-40 synth. And with 231K on the clock, I thought long and hard about the 5, and not the 15 we're used to with dino diesel. Still, cold start protection is what I'm after = 5-40 synthetic diesel blend motor oil.

I bought the Mob1 since Wally World didnt have the Rotella ( its like $5-6 more). I saw the Rotella synth at Tractor Supply.

wow $16/gal is cheap.

That was also , btw, the price at Tractor Supply 16.xx/gal.

Yeah, at autozone you can get the Rotella-T 5w40 Synthetic for $17.99 a gallon, but they also have the rewards program, and, they are not walmart, which is why I buy from them 99% of the time. (down with walmart)

Come my next oil change (a ways away at this point), I'll be switching to the Rotella Synthetic over the Mobil stuff. Cost effective and means I can change it a little sooner (4000-4500 miles rather than 5500)

I was in Autozone today and checked:

syn Rotella was $18/gallon

M1 TDT 5W40 was $6.19/qt.

I use the Mobil Delvac 1, 5W-40 in all my cars, year round. I get it at a good price from my MB dealer - they add my orders to their running Mobil Oil orders at a minimal mark-up. It comes in gallon jugs (silver vs. the dino Delvac which comes in a black gallon jug). Better price than the quarts of Truck and TurboDiesel at Wally World. But, oil choices these days are pretty broad, and you have to try to get it wrong. Especially if you select a good Diesel oriented, true synthetic. Jim

Any 5w40 synthetic is good for year round. I prefer Delvac 1.

can someone explain to me the difference between 5w40 and 15w40 . Why is 5w40 double the price?

Also which is better considering my car is a big oil burner. I can't find a leak anywhere - it doesnt leak- just burns oil like a monster. Would a heavier oil be better in this case?

How much oil does your car burn? Might be time to start looking for a long block. You do know about 3.5L 603's rod bending problems correct?


Synthetic costs a ton more, because its more expensive to make. But its less affected by cold temps so it starts better in the winter.