What oil do you use?

[BigBlockTank]

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

[Rabbler]

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

[BigBlockTank]

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

[Rabbler]

Just a slow night...

[jbplock]

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

[madmatt]

I like mobil delvac non-syn.

[Nolafishr]

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

07 Silverado 2500HD - LMM Diesel

[BigBlockTank]

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

[a5150nut]

If your still looking for input, I use Rotella 15/40. Tried Dello but it seems to disappear to fast.

[curmudge1]

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

[HH]

Amsoil 15W-40 in the K3500
Amsoil 5W-40 in the diesel Jeep

[rustyk]

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".