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Thread: What oil do you use?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Tucson, AZ
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    Default What oil do you use?

    I have 1500 miles on my new 2500HD, and I'm going to change the oil. I've been a hot rodder for 35 years now. The question is not about my timing on the oil change, but the oil that is the best for this new engine. What is everybody using? How long have you used it? Is there some oils to stay away from?

    I hope I've asked all the right questions, I'm sure there's a boat load of information in everybody's head in this forum, so thanks in advance.

    BBTank

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
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    Canada
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    Default

    Is it an 08 or 09 model?
    If so, make sure the oil is rated CJ-4 (Many are but not all)
    I'd go for Delo or Rotella

  3. #3
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    Default

    It's an 08. I'm just wanting to do an oil change now, and wondered what every body here used. Not very many people in this forum, huh?

    The Corvette forum i use has tons of respones in 10 min., it takes 10 days on this forum.........It'll come around

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Canada
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    Default

    Just a slow night...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
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    Owego, NY
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    Default

    My personal favorites are 15w40 Chevron Delo 400 (conventional) and 5W40 Mobil-1 Turbo Diesel Truck (Delvac-1 Synthetic). Other popular choices include AMSOIL, Rotella, Mobil Delvac 1300 & Castrol Tection ... As Rabbler pointed out, be sure your choice is API CJ-4 rated. For more discussion on oils also checkout Bobistheoilguy.com
    Bill
    03 2500HD D/A CC/SB/4WD,OilGuard, MegaFilter,LiftPump/PreFilter, Bilsteins,RetraxRollTop,J&J Boards,Coolant Filter,AlliDeepPan,FastIdle,AllHeadLightsOn,
    98 K3500 6.5,SOLD

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
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    Default

    I like mobil delvac non-syn.

  7. #7

    Default

    I also have traditionally used Chevron Delo 400 15w40 and have received excellent wear reports. However I'm planning to switch to Amsoil synthetic my next change for the synthetic advantages.
    2007 Classic LBZ CCSB D/A

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2000
    Location
    Gilroy, California, United States
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    396

    Talking

    I use Castrol 5W-40 full synthetic and run it for at least 15k miles. I use it because I can find it occasionally at the local Auto Zone, used to use Mobil 1 when Walmart carried it in the 5 quart jugs, perfect for my rigs, VW takes 5 quarts and Dmax takes 10. Now am, finally seeing Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck (5W-40) at Kragen and I would use that also but have a stockpile of Castrol.
    mattb5150@hotmail.com

    1993 K2500 HD ext.cab 4x4 - SOLD

    2003 GMC K2500HD SLT EXTRA CAB/SB DMAX/ALLI, Bilsteins, Sulastic Shackles, Pitman & Idler braces, KD Headlight Harness, CAT filtration, Lift pump w/KD harness, Denali Door handles, Yukon exterior mirrors

    2003 Yamaha Grizzly 660 Stoopider FAST

    1996 VW Passat TDI 48mpg - SOLD

  9. #9

    Default

    My vote is for the Mobil Delvac products - stays in the engines under extreme towing conditions we create, even in high heat.

    http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...PC-10_FAQs.pdf
    2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L daily driver
    • Previous owner of two 1994 6.5L K3500s, '01, '02, and '05 6.6L K2500s, '04 C4500, '06 K3500 dually, '06 K3500 SRW, '09 K3500HD SRW, '05 Denali
    • Total GM diesel miles to date : ~950K

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2001
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    Morgantown, W.Va. USA
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    Default

    Rotella T 15w-40 every 5000 miles. I get it at Tractor Supply (TSC) at about $19.50 per 10 quart jug (2.5 gallons).

    JP
    Jeff

    "But officer, I ain't Speedin', I'm just flyin' low"

    2001 Silverado 3500 Dually LS Ext Cab, 6.6L Diesel, Banks Stinger Kit, 4" Exhaust, VR Straps, Bilstein shocks, 255/85/16 BFG KM2s
    2004 Suburban 2500 LT 6.0L 4x4, Bilstein Shocks, Federico front/rear sway bars
    1996 Caprice 5.7L LT1, B4U Suspension, KYB shocks & Hotchkis sway bars, BMR RCA - alas I miss ya.
    2013 Caprice PPV 6.0L

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    79

    Default

    shell rotella 15w-40 you can find it everwhere if you need it

  12. #12

    Default

    ...and you'll need lots of it, because it (Rotella) goes away under moderate heat stress!!!

    (If you currently think your Duramax or 6.5L uses a quart every ____ miles, quit using Rotella and it will quit using/vaporizing oil...)
    2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L daily driver
    • Previous owner of two 1994 6.5L K3500s, '01, '02, and '05 6.6L K2500s, '04 C4500, '06 K3500 dually, '06 K3500 SRW, '09 K3500HD SRW, '05 Denali
    • Total GM diesel miles to date : ~950K

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    New Orleans
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    15

    Default

    Rotella 15W40 Here, No Problems in 10,000+ Miles!

    07 Silverado 2500HD - LMM Diesel

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
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    Default

    Well, no offense guys, but you haven't helped me one bit. You guys are all over the map. Well, at least on oil. I'm suprised that there wasn't 4 or 5 folks that liked the same oil. seems that everybody has the one that works for them.

    Thanks for taking the time, really, I do appreciate it. I guess I'll have to find the one that works for me. Thanks again Tank

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Knoxville,Tennessee
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    Default

    If your still looking for input, I use Rotella 15/40. Tried Dello but it seems to disappear to fast.
    "The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government."
    -Patrick Henry


    A5150nut
    2006 K3500 D/A
    94 6.5 4x4 5spd Sold

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    West Orange, NJ, USA
    Posts
    194

    Default Rotella Synthetic

    I used the Rotella synthetic when it was cheap at Walmart... it may still be cheap.

    I recall a discussion a couple of years ago, and there were a number of people who used the Rotella syn & were happy.

    FWIW, YMMV.

    --
    Dave

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    SE Wisconsin
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    488

    Default

    Amsoil 15W-40 in the K3500
    Amsoil 5W-40 in the diesel Jeep
    1993 K3500 - Peninsular 18:1 engine, marine injectors, high capacity cooling, AL Core Radiator, 3" DP and 4" exhaust, ISSPRO Gauges, Girdle, AMSOIL Dual Oil Filter System, 1997 Air Filter(trashed the K&N), 395K on Body, 165k on engine.
    1997 GMC Savana - 6.5 TD
    1966 CJ5 - V6 Gas - highly modified
    1967 Jeepster - Stock
    1986 Jeep CJ7 - Stock
    1993 Grand Cherokee - 6.2 diesel
    2007 Grand Cherokee - 3.0 diesel

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Brooker, FL
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    1,217

    Default

    Disclaimer: I was a field sales/products application engineer for Shell years ago, and for 30 years, was one of two U S Navy Fuels and Lubricants Technical Officers, so I have a fairly good background.

    The Shell company philosophy is not to make a product with dazzling specs, but one with the fewest shortcomings possible. I use Rotella T 15W/40 in both the motorhome (6.5L TD) and the van (6.9L NA, 150K mi.). The only alternatives I would use are Kendall Super-D 3 or Mobil Delvac 1300. I had an '81 Nissan Maxima 2.8L NA diesel, on which I put 275K miles; the only maintenance was a new set of injectors. My sister bought the car and put on another 300K. It's never been apart, still going at 700K. Super-D 3 30 the whole time.

    Synthetic in diesels is a luxury, because the oil generally needs to be discarded due to contaminant levels and the depletion of the additive package long before the base stock is in danger. My opinion might change if it's proved that the ULSD cause less contamination (as I think it will). I change at 4K miile intervals in the motorhome because most driving is interstate. The van, every 3K.

    To address Mark's comment about high consumption with Rotella T 15W/40: There are times when consumption will be higher due to heavy loads. This is usually desirable as it's usually from oil on the cylinder walls, which minimizes scuffing. I'm sure times have changed, but heavy loads with Delo back in my day caused other issues.

    To sum up, any oil meeting CI-4 is more than adequate. CI-4+ is better, CJ-4 (Rotella T and Delvac), still better. This assumes changing at the manufacturer-recommended intervals, keeping in mind that most vehicles are operated in conditions the owners manual would define as "severe".
    '94 Barth 28' Breakaway M/H ("StaRV II") diesel pusher: Spartan chassis, aluminum birdcage construction. Peninsular/AMG 6.5L TD (230HP), 18:1, Phazer, non-wastgated turbo, hi-pop injectors, 4L80E (Sun Coast TC & rebuild, M-H Pan), Dana 80 (M-H Cover), Fluidampr, EGT, trans temp, boost gage. Honda EV-4010 gaso genset, furnace, roof air, stove, microwave/convection, 2-dr. 3-way reefer. KVH R5SL Satellite. Cruises 2, sleeps 4, carries 6, and parties 8 (parties 12 - tested).

    Stand-ins are an '02 Cadillac Escalade AWD 6.0L and an '06 Toyota Sienna Limited.

  19. #19

    Default

    I use Amsoil in everything in my stable. I had to convince myself through UOA to extend my OCI but it does work and I convinced myself. I now do 15k miles on my oil then change.
    [CENTER]2005 Silverado 4X4 CC LB LLY [/CENTER]
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