Using store-brand motor oils, yes/no

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi Ray,IN,
The link you provided lead me to an oil for gasoline engines. In the drop down box, there is no choice for a diesel engine. I'm confused. Gas or diesel engine, my vehicles get the same brand name oil from the beginning of their life until the end. The same for filters. Brand name all the way.

I looked up that picture on the Menards website, but the jugs I saw in the store said 15W40 diesel oil, $9.99 for a 5qt. jug. That's about the cheapest priced oil I've seen in this century. I too wonder who actually produced this oil (to the stores specs). I will always use Rotella or Delo (I buy a 5G pail of Delo for $39.99 at a local farm store-on sale),but wondered what was the general consensus.

[38Chevy454]

More discussion and info about oil than you could ever hope to learn:
Used Oil Analysis - Bob is the Oil Guy - Bob is the Oil Guy

look in the HDEO section (heavy duty engine oil)

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by 38Chevy454

More discussion and info about oil than you could ever hope to learn:
Used Oil Analysis - Bob is the Oil Guy - Bob is the Oil Guy

look in the HDEO section (heavy duty engine oil)

I see nothing on that page that says HDEO/heavy duty engine oil.

[38Chevy454]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I see nothing on that page that says HDEO/heavy duty engine oil.

Under "Oil Forums", but here is the link direct:
Heavy Duty Engine Oil (HDEO) - Diesel/Gas Pickups/Trucks/Vans | Bob Is The Oil Guy

[guardrail53]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I have always used either Shell Rotella or Mobil Delo 15W40 motor oil in my diesel engines. Today I saw this motor oil and it caught my attention. A synthetic-blend 15w40, 5qt jug for $9.99. Sound too good to be true,and most of the time it is. I didn't have time to read the back label to determine if it was certified by diesel engine mfgrs as meeting their standards.
Opinions____

First off, Mobil does not make Delo oil, Chevron does! Mobil Delvac is the correct name for Mobil diesel oil! And the Shell brand is Rotella T. Both are Dino oils, not synthetic or synthetic blends. Both work very well and are by far the two most used oil in the trucking industry! A lot of the trucking co.'s are going 15,000+ miles on these oils, before changing, with no signs of breakdown or loss of viscosity. As shown by oil analysis.
I ran Mobil Delvac 15w40 in my big motor in my semi, also in the 8500kw diesel generator. I also ran it in my Kabota diesel tractor, and my Ford F-250, 7.3 diesel pick-up.
Rail!

[SkiSmuggs]

Originally Posted by guardrail53

First off, Mobil does not make Delo oil, Chevron does! Mobil Delvac is the correct name for Mobil diesel oil! And the Shell brand is Rotella T. Both are Dino oils, not synthetic or synthetic blends. Both work very well and are by far the two most used oil in the trucking industry! A lot of the trucking co.'s are going 15,000+ miles on these oils, before changing, with no signs of breakdown or loss of viscosity. As shown by oil analysis.
I ran Mobil Delvac 15w40 in my big motor in my semi, also in the 8500kw diesel generator. I also ran it in my Kabota diesel tractor, and my Ford F-250, 7.3 diesel pick-up.
Rail!

Just to be clear, the top two are Shell and Mobil or Shell and Delo?

[DonavonP]

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America This is off topic technically but may be of interest to some.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I mostly use Rotella T or Delvac, but have used the Traveller store brand from Tractor Supply Co in the past. It's rated CJ4/SN, so I'm not worried. I change my oil & filter every year even though it has only about 7000 miles on it. The Traveller brand is usually about $50 vs $60 for the Rotella, and I don't mind saving $10 here and there when the product is not inferior.

Among CJ4 spec oils there may be differences in additive packages, but they all meet engine manufacturer specs. That's what the API designation (CJ4) is all about. Maybe premium brand oils are better in some way, but it's hard to define what is science and what is marketing hype.

I was in Sam's Club yesterday and picked up 5 gals of Rotella for $60, so my dog ain't in this fight.

[guardrail53]

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

Just to be clear, the top two are Shell and Mobil or Shell and Delo?

Shell Rotella T and Mobil Delvac 15 w 40 are the top 2 in sales in the U.S. Not sure which is first or second? Rail!

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by DonavonP

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America This is off topic technically but may be of interest to some.

I say your post is exactly on topic. The quality of motor oils is the basis for me starting this thread.Thank you for the link.

[Denlor]

There are cheep engine oils out there but just take a moment to think about why they are cheep. There are only a few large oil companies in this world Exon, Shell, Chevron, Mobil and a few other large oil companies. These oil companies do spend a lot of money and time into research and development of their product. There are addiitives placed into oils for engine use such as anti-foam, antioxidents and so on that can be increased or reduce in order to make a cheaper or an oil that just meets requirements for your engine. You may purchase an oil for your vehicle that meets the (minimum) specified requirements for your engine but does it really meet what you would like to have in your engine. For the few extra bucks go with an oil that has had an extensive research done and not and oil that is just cheap because they cut back on some additives in order to make the price less. Cheaper is not always better.

[Gary RVRoamer]

There are cheep engine oils out there but just take a moment to think about why they are cheep.

The size of the brand's advertising budget is a major factor.


Seriously, Cummins does not specify anything but CJ4 in their engineering standards document for lubricants in their on-road diesel engines. No extra additives, no special oil brands or types, just API CJ4.

[Tony Lee]

I'd say a lot of people buy name brand milk at double the price of store brand milk because they don't realise that they both meet the same specifications and are likely out of the same plant anyway.

Same with oils.

[spritz]

I checked out some of your destinations, Simply Fascinating,
Thanks for doing something I could never do and have pic's of it all.

Best Wishes,
Tim