Community Forums

DaveBunker · 04-16-2022, 11:50 PM

Should I be running Shell Rotella T-6 or stay with the non-synthetic. I don’t put very many miles on the coach and since I lost my wife last Thanksgiving to pneumonia, it’s been sitting a lot. I do change it every year regardless. Just wondered what the general consciences was.

jacwjames · 04-17-2022, 07:40 AM

My preference is just straight oil.

I also have been testing my oil, sending samples to JG Lubrication, and because of good result have extended my oil change. This is a personal choice. When I was building our house we weren't using the rig at all, only getting moved occasionally as we developed our property. Just couldn't rationalize changing yearly with 100 miles on the oil. I've done 3 samples in the last 5 years. Changed the oil twice.

Camp CA · 04-17-2022, 08:14 AM

Suggest looking at what your engine manual recommends. My Ford gas engine recommends SAE 5W-30 premium synthetic blend engine oil. My Foord diesel truck recommends synthetic as well.

astrnmrtom · 04-17-2022, 07:12 PM

As long as it meets manufacturer's specs, use whatever makes you happy.

It's very arguable that for a rig that isn't used much and mostly sits, synthetic isn't worth the cost. When we were only using our rig for occasional weekend trips nearby, I used regular oil. Now that were are on the road full time dragging a toad, climbing grades, and driving in all kinds of weather, I use synthetic. But that's my personal preference.

96 Wideglide · 04-17-2022, 07:59 PM

If I had more money than I knew what to do with, I'd probably run T-6.

But I don't

!!

Chargerman · 04-17-2022, 08:12 PM

You can run synthetic in your Coach but I think it’s a waste of money unless it is specified by the manufacturer. In mine Detroit specifically says it can be used but do not extend the change interval beyond what they recommend when doing so. I run T4

groveln · 04-17-2022, 09:12 PM

I run Rotella T6 but that stuff has become very hard to find. Going to to have to switch over to Mobil Delvac 1 on this coming spring oil change.
Synthetic oils lose about four percent of their weight when run at 400 degrees for six hours, while conventional petroleum-based oils lose 30 percent & I like that Extra protection when running my 400 ISL in the summer heat for 12 hrs or more.

stuben · 04-17-2022, 09:53 PM

I do not see any advantage to running synthetic oil in a diesel engine. I operated a fleet of trucks with cummins motors and we changed oil at 20K miles or more depending on when the truck came back to base. Chevron Delo is my choice in a diesel.

wamcneil · 04-19-2022, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacwjames

I also have been testing my oil, sending samples to JG Lubrication, and because of good result have extended my oil change. This is a personal choice. Changed the oil twice.

X2. I believe the Cummins specs say for RV use, to change the oil after some mileage or annually unless it's tested. So this is also what I do. A test is a lot cheaper than an unnecessary oil change! Easy to pull a sample up through the dipstick tube.
Cummins recommends Valvoline Premium Blue (ie- NOT synthetic) and uses it in all their engine development and testing. They say synthetic is fine to use if you want, but do not recommend extended change intervals.
The general consensus is that these engines will last a really, really long time on conventional oil, so go synthetic if your OCD demands it, otherwise, stick with conventional oil.
Personally, I don't think the brand of oil matters much, and use rotella t4 because they have it at walmart.
Cheers,
Walter

RobRoy · 04-23-2022, 09:30 AM

In the Synthetic Motor Oil market place the word Synthetic is IMO used very very loosely almost useless IMO and it covers a very w i d e range motor oils.

That said PAO Synthetic oils are by far superior to Hydrcracked synthetic oils and in most cases you can tell by the price ( or maybe read the container) ..PAO synthetic's is very expensive as in comparison.

Both oils used in the same environment and same situation will be dirty at the same interval ...that said PAO synthetic's will dissipate heat way faster and handle loads far superior than Hydrocracked synthetics.

The best advice IMO is as stated earlier in this thread by others here is to have it tested ....any other way is purely anecdotal and based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.

The term "synthetic oil" is used very loosley IMO and you need to know what your are trying to accomplish by using it.

Happy Trails

edge68474 · 04-23-2022, 10:05 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGirwUAMnDE

Looking at the above post, I wondered what is PAO and what is Hydracracked oil.
The link above came up and I watched and listened to it. Good info I thought , so I linked it here for us.
I did learn something from the video. The guy's shirt has an Amsoil patch on it.

Thank you RobRoy for getting me to search

Alpine36 · 04-23-2022, 10:13 AM

Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about oils or lubrication can be found right here.

https://bobistheoilguy.com

edge68474 · 04-23-2022, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine36

Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about oils or lubrication can be found right here.

https://bobistheoilguy.com

Yes. Another great oil info site. I've been there a few times.
Thank you for sharing it.

Iceclimber · 04-23-2022, 11:31 AM

Both oils come from oil. "Full synthetic" oil is simply a marketing term and there are no global standards applied to that product because each manufacturer considers the recipe proprietary. You read how synthetic is better at this and that but what you don't see (happy to be proven wrong) is scientific evidence it has some sort of benefit other than you reduce the weight of your RV because your wallet is much lighter. I am not trying to start a religious war, - just not a believer personally. I also don't believe that oil ages out, and I am a firm believer in testing your oil rather than just changing it because a year went by.