Winter oil weight

Stroked68

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Thanks for the info guys! Can you only get 5 40 in synthetic? My truck has almost 283k on it now so you think I should just switch to synthetic??
 

DaveBen

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5W40 is only available as a synthetic oil. You can switch if you change the filters and keep the oil change interval (oci) at 5000miles or less. I change mine every 5000 miles and keep an eye on it.

Dave;tu
 

KRISTOLSON

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Yeah yeah I know the extended oil change interval is controversial. When I did my oil testing I was hoping for 15-20K miles on synthetic oil, but I was only able to get 12-15K before my viscosities and base numbers were down. But at 10K I can still break even economically to put in synthetic and I still feel very safe. If I had to change synthetic at the same interval as conventional I think I would be wasting my money. Its just too much really expensive oil to dump out at short intervals. I would get a 10w30 diesel oil for the winter, then go back to 15w40 for the summer. Here is a cut-n-paste from amsoil's recommendation site for a 7.3. Owners manual has the same recommendations. OM also notes that 15w40 is preferred above 30F and required for towing above 50F. 10w30 is preferred between -10F and 30F.

Engine Oil
Grade 1......CH-4
SAE 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil (AMEQT)
Synthetic 15W-40 Diesel Oil (DMEQT)
Synthetic 15W40 OE Diesel Oil (OEDQT)
-9 To 90 F......10W-30
Above 10 F......15W-40
Below 30 F......5W-30
Below 0 F......0W-30

5w40 syn gives you the flexibility to tow safely in all temps.
 
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DaveBen

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You are talking about Amsoil and you don't consider that a waste of money for 5000 mile oil changes?? Rotella T is a LOT CHEAPER than Amsoil.

Dave
 

KRISTOLSON

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who said amsoil? says right in my sig i run mobil...Anyway dont want to offend or confuse anyone. I changed my previous post a little bit to make it easier to understand. I was just trying to make 2 points-

- if you dont take advantage of the benefits that(any brand) synthetic can give, why pay double for it? 5000 miles is too early to bin synthetic even in a demanding engine like these. (in my opinion)
- half of the people that have superduties rarely operate in the severe category that would justify 5000 mile changes. Some people are too conservative and may be wasting money,

sorry if what i was trying to say wasn't clear before.
 
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DaveBen

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You made reference to Amsoli recommendations and that is where I got that. I am not looking to discuss Amsoil - I won't. No offense taken Krist.

Dave :)
 

Smoky

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If you change to Synthetic for the winter (5W40), can you change back to dino (15W40)in the summer?
 

BIG JOE

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:confused:

I'v been running the 5W40, full syn, year 'round, for 10+ years and 150,000+ miles now.. up and down the Sierras, the Rocky's and across the dessert(s).

I run my 7.3 hard.. but I don't abuse it.

I change the Premo filter @t 6000 miles, add 1 quart. Change the oil/filter(s) @ 12,000 miles. (sooner if my SOTP tells me I should)

JMO guyz'n Galz.. but I think this WHOLE Oil thing.. has alota HYPE to it. (Mine'z better than yerz ?)

Joe
 

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