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engine oil recommendations
Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:24 am
by brewskie
Hi Folks,
Have been running Rotella T 5-40 synthetic since November, looking at changing to something heavier for the summer. Any recommendations?
Cheers
Rob from Winnipeg
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 9:12 am
by RaddCruisers
You're fine running that grade in the summer, but if it's really hot where you are, then you might want to go with 15W40 or 20W50 - should be a diesel grade oil.
~John
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 9:25 am
by brewskie
should I stay with synthetic or go back to reg oil?
Thanks
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 9:33 am
by konadog
I don't think it really matters - I went back to regular 15-40 for the warm seasons but will switch back to synthetic 5 - 40 when it gets near and below freezing again in the fall

Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 10:04 am
by strada-caster
I thought switching back and forth from syn. to conventional or conventional to syn. was bad for an engine. not recommended etc.
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 10:10 am
by konadog
ccautos Glen assured me that switching between synthetic and regular motor oil is not a problem

Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 10:25 am
by Blackberry
strada-caster wrote:I thought switching back and forth from syn. to conventional or conventional to syn. was bad for an engine. not recommended etc.
Not according to:
http://www.synthetic-motor-oil-change-a ... etic-oils/
...but they qualify it suggesting using same brands when switching between Synth & Not.
...and according to these guys:
http://www.mobiloil.com/usa-english/mot ... _faqs.aspx
....theirs is fully compatible with non Synthetic:
...and not in answer your question but to share something interesting found while looking for an answer (Synthetic vs. Not & the Environment):
http://environment.about.com/od/earthta ... toroil.htm
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(one of) the best things about the internet is the stuff you sometimes find when looking for other stuff
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:54 am
by Erebus
I read the articles Blackberry gave links to, and I see nothing about switching. The only reference was that mixing isn't an issue.
I went with 5w40 synthetic for the winter, and will switch back to 15w40 conventional for the summer. Haven't heard much to make me change my mind. Going longer intervals with synthetic sounds good, but only if you regularly test the oil and add additives, something I'm in no position to do.
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:16 pm
by nvanadm
Ever since I moved back to Ontario from BC i've been using Shell 15w40 because it's easy to find. I don't drive my van through the winter so I'm planning on staying with 15w40.
Just wondering what everyone else uses and if there's a better brand of oil that I should use instead.
Opinions/Thoughts?
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:17 am
by Strada 92
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:26 am
by nvanadm
I will only be using 15w40 as I only drive my Delica during the summer months.
I was more curious about specific brands of oil and why they (you) choose them.
Good chart though!
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:39 am
by rezdiver
20 liter pails of motomaster 15w-40 diesel oil from canadian tire when they are on sale for around 45 dollars. or whatever else is on sale thats as cheap. they also have their 20 liter pails of shell rotella 15w-40 on sale at times for around 55 dollars.
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:30 pm
by nvanadm
rezdiver wrote:20 liter pails of motomaster 15w-40 diesel oil from canadian tire when they are on sale for around 45 dollars. or whatever else is on sale thats as cheap. they also have their 20 liter pails of shell rotella 15w-40 on sale at times for around 55 dollars.
Thanks for the input! I appreciate your response.
So basically all oils are created equal? Oil doesn't really change from brand to brand?
Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:32 pm
by nxski
Synthetic is definitely different! I'm sure other brands differ as well, but I'm not sure how...

Re: engine oil recommendations
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:32 pm
by thedjjack
rezdiver wrote:20 liter pails of motomaster 15w-40 diesel oil from canadian tire when they are on sale for around 45 dollars. or whatever else is on sale thats as cheap. they also have their 20 liter pails of shell rotella 15w-40 on sale at times for around 55 dollars.
I always run 20L pals of Rotella in all my diesels never synthetic for me (I change it so often it is not worth the expense and Vancouver temperatures do not warrant the better flow at cold extremes)
Oils are not all the same...One research study showed that keeping the same type of oil in a motor for life (constant oil was more important then brand) and it showed life of the motor would be longer. I stay consistent always Rotella and always change every 4,000km unless extreme use (work) then I change about 3,000.