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Dealer(s) using wrng oil. Little 2B found

C A S

C A S

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Just wanted to put a shout out about dealer's using the wrong oil w/o disclosing / discussing it.

2019 RAM 3500 6.7 - Manual specs 10-30 Shell Rotella.
On extended rd trip.
Went to a dealer in S.W. Missouri and had the oil changed. Happened to speak with tech and it came tyo light that they put in 5w 40 - which the manual spec for sub zero temps.
Temps were well above freezing at the time and we let them know we were heading south and would not be in colder weather. To shorten it up - the service mngr told me they didn't have any and couldn't get any. My wife and I called dealers in N.W. Arkansas. None had it. Called along our route through Oklahoma. Nothing. Texas. Same. We lucked into some in Waco, but all of the dealer's stated that they were not and could not get Rotella 10/30.

J.I.C Anyone else might think that they're getting what is spec'd for their trk while at the dealer.

C
 
5w-40 will be fine to use, at least they didn't use 15w-40, that could cause problems.
 
Here's a link to the oil TSB.

hdrams.com

TSBs

Here is a sticky thread that everyone can post TSB's in. So the thread doesn't get too cluttered please try to refrain from discussions in this thread and post TSB's only. Please Include: TSB# TSB description Models and years affected if known A link to TSB or PDF or upload an attachment Thanks
hdrams.com hdrams.com

There are a couple key words used in the TSB.

Required.

Recommended.

Safe to use.

"For all trucks, regardless of model year, located in areas where the ambient temperatures routinely fall below 0°F (-18°C) during the winter, it is required to use 5W-40 synthetic engine oil that meets US Material Standard MS-10902, and API CJ-4. Oils that meet this requirement can be found through Mopar, as well as Shell in the Rotella and the Rimula families. Although this grade of oil is required in colder climate areas, it is also safe to use during the summer months, and in warmer climates as well.

However, for vehicles normally located in areas that routinely stay above 0°F (-18°C), there are two grades of engine oil recommended depending on the model year of the vehicle:
• 2018 model year, and older vehicles, it is recommended to use 15W-40 engine oil such as the Mopar, Shell Rotella and Shell Rimula branded oils that meets US Material Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil.
• 2019 model year, and newer vehicles, it is recommended to use 10W-30 engine oil such as Mopar, Shell Rotella and Shell Rimula that meets FCA Material Standard MS-10902, and the API CK-4 engine oil category is required. Products meeting Cummins CES 20081 may also be used.
 
I prefer the full synthetic T6 oil over the T5 blend and have run it in my 2020 from the first oil change with no issues even in +100 heat. As stated in previous posts it safe to use year round.
 
for a 2019+ Rotella T6 5W-40 only way to go in all climates/locations, if you can find it.
 
jkempken said:
for a 2019+ Rotella T6 5W-40 only way to go in all climates/locations, if you can find it.
Click to expand...
I have had a little succes occasionaly finding T6 at my local home depot. They must recieve a case or periodically in their stocking system.

Kinda like ammo, you have to at the store at right time or you be out of luck. Whenever i am in HD, i try to make a point to pass by that aisle.
 
I'd much rather have 5w40 vs 10w30 in my truck if it were diesel
 
So if 10W-30 is the mfr's recommendation for temps above 0, which would likely apply to most of us most of the time, why are so many guys so sold on running 5W-40 that costs twice as much? Just because it's synthetic?

I'm more interested in data if anyone has any, not just because I LIKE the 5W for cold starts and the 40W after it's warmed up which is all just theory and personal preference. I'm a data guy so I would lean toward the mfr's recommended oil for $16 a gallon vs the T6 at twice the price, or even more sometimes if you can find it, unless someone has real world data detailing why we should spend $50 more per oil change.

The guys at Blackstone don't specifically make any motor oil recommendations but analysis and data is their life and last I knew most of them ran conventional in their vehicles, electing not to spring for the synthetic. And who knows more than them?
 
Blythkd1 said:
So if 10W-30 is the mfr's recommendation for temps above 0, which would likely apply to most of us most of the time, why are so many guys so sold on running 5W-40 that costs twice as much? Just because it's synthetic?

I'm more interested in data if anyone has any, not just because I LIKE the 5W for cold starts and the 40W after it's warmed up which is all just theory and personal preference. I'm a data guy so I would lean toward the mfr's recommended oil for $16 a gallon vs the T6 at twice the price, or even more sometimes if you can find it, unless someone has real world data detailing why we should spend $50 more per oil change.

The guys at Blackstone don't specifically make any motor oil recommendations but analysis and data is their life and last I knew most of them ran conventional in their vehicles, electing not to spring for the synthetic. And who knows more than them?
Click to expand...
Not sure what data you are looking for other than the fact that Rotella T6 is a better oil. I don't see anyone arguing with what you use or your reasons. So why are you being rejective of those who want to use a better oil?
 
John Jensen said:
Not sure what data you are looking for other than the fact that Rotella T6 is a better oil. I don't see anyone arguing with what you use or your reasons. So why are you being rejective of those who want to use a better oil?
Click to expand...
I'm not rejecting anything at all. Everyone is free to use whatever they want. I just wondered if here on the Ram side, if anyone had any data showing that we need to use T6. I'm not saying it's bad oil, I just wonder if it's needed. Over on the Dmax side, it's not necessary, at all. My data to support that is, unfortunately I had to open up a 250k mile engine for a bad piston and found the engine internals to look just like new at a quarter million miles on T4 oil. Hone marks clear to the tops of the cylinders, rod bearings that look just like new. I would not have believed it had I not seen it myself. T6 is just not needed with those engines. Are Cummins engines that much harder on oil than GM? Does it gain you some mileage? Oil analysis on extended oil change intervals? So what's the big gain going with T6 vs T4?

I'm not trying to take over the thread here, just asked a question. Maybe I should start a thread on it unless there's already something similar out there?
 
Full synthetic for me. I change my oil myself, so I know what goes in and what filter i'm getting. I don't trust the oil change guys to do it right either.

Since I do it myself, I get do do it less frequent with full synthetic. Since I'm doing it less frequently, odds are it might get cold outside before I change it again. 5w-40 has better properties at both extremes of the temp range, and performs just fine in the middle as well. Lasts longer, temp flexibility without changing it again, and I can do a full syn oil change with T6 in the driveway for what the oil change place wants for dino oil. Works for me, YMMV.
 
Any oil that meets CK-4/Cummins CES 20086 spec is acceptable.

That said, I wouldn't use Dino oil on the modern 6.7L CGI EGR engines with hydraulic lifters.

Synthetic blend or full synthetic is what the higher oil change intervals call for. If you want to run T4, go for it, but change every 3K or do frequent oil analysis.

"GOING BEYOND CK-4 WEAR LIMITS Shell ROTELLA® T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend works even harder than new CK-4 specifications require. It is proven to provide excellent performance across API CK-4 wear tests, delivering an average of 44% better than the maximum wear requirements."

With proper filtration, the T5 T6 and equivalent oils can go extended mileage. I've seen someone claim 100K on T6 with regular filter changes and oil analysis. Now, a filter change is going to introduce a fresh quart which will influence those results.

For my personal use, I only get an oil change once per year and less than 10K so with it running year round, it's going to be T6 5W40. I'd run it longer but prefer going into towing season with fresh oil and not have to deal with doing it every 18-24 months based on miles. Yes, I know the annual oil change due to "condensation" is somewhat of a myth, but believe the contaminants in the oil can contribute to early wear.

Is the Cummins harder on oil than a V8 diesel? I believe they are.
 
I'm one of the odd ones I guess because I prefer 10w-30 semi or full synthetic with a Fleetguard Stratapore Filter. It rarely gets below zero where I live so don't see the need for 5-40. I'm currently running Mobil Delvac Extreme full synthetic 10-30. With today's shortage I found some Shell Rotella T5 10-30 semi synthetic on the shelf so picked that up for my next service. Both are CK-4 and Cummins approved.
An old friend in the know told me years ago that the less spread range on multi weight oil the better due to less chemicals/additives needed to cover that multi weight range. He explained similar to straight grade HD 30 wt. I don't know if that's true today with modern oils but I'm still following Cummins recommendations with 10-30 either way.
On my pre 2019 Cummins I usually ran 5-40 but being 10-30 is approved for 2019 on, that's what I'll run. Either way I'm sure you will get hundreds of thousands of miles out of the Cummins 6.7 with regular maintenance regardless which weight you decide to run
 
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