Made the Switch

[jmiller]

Made the switch to Synthetic this weekend to Rotella T6 5/40.

While fixing a couple leaks and installing oil cooler line kit from Leroy, I broke down and filled the crankcase with synthetic.

I'll see what benefits come from the switch. Expectations are a slight improvement in mileage, easier winter starts and not needing to change viscosity summer to winter.

I drive the bike too much in the summer and hardly put 3k on the truck. 5/30 is really too thin for the summer and 15/40 hasn't cranked fast enough in the winter to assure reliable starts after sitting.

 

[btfarm]

Keep us up to date as time progresses John.

 

[great white]

Me too, as of yesterday.....

 

[Crankme69]

I run the syn in the winter John & regular 15/40 dino in the summer.

 

[jhornsby3]

I switched to the Rotella synthetic a couple years ago and love it. Runs smoother, easier to start, a little quieter and gained about 1.3 MPG after a couple of tanks. I was running 110.10 miles a day comute, so I figured what the heck. I'm still changing the oil every 5k. The only negetive I have seen so far is that the oil pressure guage is all wacky. When I put the cheaper dino in after the head gasket fiasco, the guage ran normal. The oil seems to be somewhat cleaner at change over.

John

 

[jmiller]

Update: Synthetic Oil Switch

So, its been 6 months.

This morning was the first near 0F morning. Truck sat for 10 hours in 10f or colder. 2F at start up. Turned the key, waited for the "Wait" light to go out. The truck cranked right up, like it was 30 or 40F.

In this weather condition using dyno oil, it would barely start. Some times it wouldn't start and would require 30 minutes with the block heater.

Mileage has improved, about 1mpg in semi urban driving.

Pleased :hihi:

 

[Burning oil]

1mpg is huge improvment! Only thing better would be Amsoil products :thumbsup:

 

[jmiller]

It would be better if I didn't hammer it so much too.

 

[jrsavoie]

i've used 5w30 Amsoil year round in all of our vehicles for many years. I also have a FS2500 or Amsoil bypass in most of the vehicles.

It's what I did with the old 89. I was pleased with the results and see no reason to change.

Does Amsoil or Schaefer's make a power steering fluid for our old trucks?

Years ago when I checked around Royal Purple was the only company that said their power steering fluid met GM's specs.

 

[Burning oil]

Amsoil has their PSFCN fluid for GM Saginaw boxes. Go here http://www.lubedealer.com/pmdcable/home.aspx, then to product look up on left column, then input your truck info.