Mobil One to Rotella T Changeout
 

Used Rotella T (5-40) syn for first time yesterday ... initial impressions:

1. Reddish in color
2. Additives "smell" totally different than M1 (15-50); R-T has a very "industrial" odor (somewhat akin to rear differential lubricant)
3. Did not seem as "slimy" to the touch and did not seem to "drip" down the sides of the containers as rapidly as M1 does
4. On start up R-T took a bit longer than M1 to come up to pressure on gauge
5. With fully warmed engine (80C +/-), and at idle R-T appears to run about 0.25-0.5 bar higher than M1
6. On quick rev of engine, R-T seems a bit slower to max pressure than M1

Not sure what all the above means, but may net out that M1, at 5-40 is actually thicker in use than M1 15-50?

Reason for switch is that while R-T does not have the same attributes as M1, it is relatively close and does cost about 30%less.

Anyone else with same experience with R-T?

I use it. I like it so far. I used Rotella dino for awhile, always liked that.

I use Rotella T dino in my car and in my diesel boat motors and none of the engines use oil. The Rotella T dino is widely used in commercial truck fleets. R-T dino keeps engines clean. The R-T syn doesn't have as low a pour point as M-1, but in Va. you should be just fine.In Alaska, I'd go for the M-1. The main thing is to change the oil often. I change at 3000 miles, thus I don't think that syn-althought superior to dino- is worth it unless I move to a cold climate.:)

Recently at WalMart, Rotella Synth was way more than Mobil 1. Almost $5 a quart, while M1 was somehow under $4. (Original price of Rotella Synth, at WMart was $4.33.) I have old cars, and I think I am back to an old favorite. Rotella T Dino. 10W40. $1.73 QT. Change it often and change it hot!

1500 mile update on Rotella Syn ... not much to report.

Impressions (can't say data based) ... just general observations:

1. Perhaps less smoke on startup than with M1 15-50
2. Maybe higher oil pressure on the gauge, during low rpm operations, than with M1 15-50

Will continue to report if anything else of interest.

The price at Walmart was what got my attention ... a bit over $3.20 a quart ... since then more synthetics are available.

Would obviously prefer Delvac 1, but, I think I can offset the inherent long drain interval advantages by changing mine a bit for often.

Fake "Synthetics"
 

Rotella T is not a true synthetic.

A couple of years ago, a change in the regulations made it leagal for oil makers to advertise an oil as a full synthetic, even if there were only a small amount of actual synthetic addatives in the oil.

Mobil 1 is the only true name brand oil (Red Line, Amsoil amd Bardahls are also true synthetics but less widely available and much more expensive!).

Rotella is also NOT on the list of oils approved for use by Mercedes after extensive testing.:eek:

Here's the list:

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

RBM

Just want to clarify, my understanding after reviewing the link, Rotella T is approved for certain applications. The new synthetic Rotella is not.

With the exception of the hydraulic oil and the coolant, every fluid in my car is not on the MB approved list ... am far less concerned with that (my understanding of this issue is that something small or silly keeps products off a list like this ... like Shell not presenting Rotella T formally for testing ... or testing start intervals mean new products arrive between ... or, bad feelings between the various corporate suits, etc).

Suspect that if it meets other SAE etc standards that it would also be a suitable product.

Interesting point, though ... other comments (this should get juices going!)

I DON'T GET IT
 

Rotella T Synthetic is API SL approved. This would indicate it can be used in all gasoline engines (that require/allow the 5W/40 viscosity).

Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic is no more a 'true synthetic' than Rotella T based on what I've read. Don't get me wrong, I've trusted M1 for many years, but the Rotella T Synthetic sale price was too good to pass up.

API SL is API SL. What am I missing?

Brian
84 733i 5-speed - M1 or whatever is laying around
89 300TE 183,xxx - M1 since 60K miles
01 VW Eurovan GLS - Rotella T Synthetic, 5W40 is all they allow

Looking at the approved list, Rotella T (15/40) appears to be approved under Sheet 228.1-"MB sheet 228.1 approved oils
for diesels, Super High Performance", BUT gasoline engines are not mentioned.
JEG

Synthetics and Dino
 

This is very confusing. If Mobil-1 is not a true synthetic, what is?

I note that at the store they stock Synthetics, Synthetic Blends, High-Mileage and regular multiweight oil, with prices ranging from $4.39 to 1.39 per quart.

They do not tell the percentage of synthetic in a synthetic blend, nor do they tell why one oil is better for "high mileage"engines, nor what is the number of miles that indicate a need for high-mileage oil.

I have noted that Mobil-1 is thinner than other oils. In my 300D, they all turn black immediately, even though I drain the engine hot for an hour or so and change the filter too at 3000 miles.

I have used Rotella Synthetic, but I have not noticed any major differences other than it seems slightly thicker than Mobil-1