Oil type/change interval recommendations for OM617?
 

We have used Mobil 1 in our Toyotas for many years now, and I've seen people on here talk about using Rotella. I would only take the car on drives that last at least 30 minutes (no milk runs -- those are reserved for the gassers). Also, what oil type should I go with/what else should I look for in the oil? How often should I change it?

Sorry if I'm starting a fight here...

I'd do one of the modern 5W40 oils if the car isn't a leaker. If it is a leaker, I'd do a dino 15W40. I don't really know how many other choices there are today.

FWIW, people are reporting that W*mart is now selling Chervon's most excellent DELO 5W40 oil for around $19/gallon. (You'll find multiple dino and syn diesel rated oils at W*mart.)

Drain intervals are going to be a function of what kind of shape your injectors are in and how much soot you are producing. The only way of nailing this down is to do some sampling and establish a baseline for the engine. I'd be sampling at 5,000 miles and determine if you can go beyond that. Diesels can generally go for longer intervals with ULSD as the soot production is so much lower now.

nothing to fight over :)

15w40 dyno 3000 miles
or
10w40 semi-synt 3500 miles

.

Thems fighting words ;)

I have always only used 30 w oil in 'all' cars I have ever owned. 'Here' is socal coastal, and it snowed here the year I was born & once again in 1967. Never had a hard frost (frost is rare anyway) (rarer than rain!) I've never had the need for multi-vis oils. Originally Valvoline (old label =API CC) then to Pennzoil (old CD). Never any problems

53 chev actually used reclaimed oil 11 cents a quart!
67 VW (about 5 bugs & buses)
75 ford pu
79 VW Rabbit diesel (x2)
82 chev 6.2 d (x2)
84 MB 300 TD
84 chev blazer 6.2
83 MB 300cd
& a few others

Well Jooseppi doesn't live in socal, but he lives in Maine. Plenty cold in the winter. I have been so happy with Mobil 1 (5/40) since I started using it 5 or 6 years ago. I think it is labeled for Diesel Light truck or SUV. I probably put on 7,000 per year, run it 50 miles a day for 150 days a year and change it once a year. I drive it hard when the engine warms up. It uses no oil, leaks no oil and so I add no oil, by the time I change it in October, it is pretty much down to the add oil mark. I check the oil level at least once a month.

Rotella T6. 5W-40. Perfect for all climates.

Change it every 6K miles.

The filter easily goes 6K miles and this oil is more cost effective than the Dino crew who change it every 3K and, as a benefit, it provides a much easier start in the cold.

Actually, I live in Massachusetts. Wish I lived in Maine...

Hmmm, I remember Roy saying he goes up 9000 miles between oil changes. I may try averaging you two out... do you recommend using Mobil 1 10W-40 in the car at all? Please don't ask why... :rolleyes:

Synthetic or not, you want a diesel rated additive package.

You need to use a diesel-rated oil. Mobil 1 10W/40 is great for a gasser. It does not have the additive pack for a diesel, so it is not recommended. Instead, use Mobil 1 5W/40 rated for Turbo Diesels. That's what I am using, it works well, helps with cold startups if the temps are down.

Thanks,

Packman.

Agree. And I change oil and filter once a year whether it needs it or not!

I have in past used 15W50 or 5W50 when they were available.

Can I put additives in the oil? Here is why I'm still trying to use it... :rolleyes:

no fighting because of what i do !!! ;)

i use AMSOIL Series 3000 100% Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel Oil, changing at a 15k mile interval with filter changes every 5k......awesome stuff !! have been using it for almost 10 years in my Benz diesels......one has 326k now , the other has 283k.... :) every fluid in my Benz's is from AMSOIL, thus they are petroleum free cars, even the fuel... take that OPEC !!! ;)

i use their products in all my other power equipment, toys, boat etc as well......as the company that developed the first synthetic motor oil, as well as being continued leaders in the lubrication industry, they make awesome stuff !!

I always assumed that even 100% synthetic oils came from petroleum feedstocks. Are you sure that Amsoil 3000 isn't petroleum-based? I don't mean to be argumentative, but am just hoping to learn.

On a hot day what is your oil pressure at idle? The older diesels may preffer straight 40 grade diesel rated if you can aquire it for the same price. Thirty weight in older diesels is different than thirty weight in modern diesels.

I can see no harm in using the 40 weight. If the weather did not swing so bad temperature wise where I live Single grade oils would be in some of my cars.