Best motor oil choice

[Aperez323]

Hello everyone
What does everyone recommend for motor oil brand. I own a 2023 Ram 2500 diesel truck. I understand they recommend Rotella T-6 10-30 weight for Southern California areas . Is this good enough oil or should I make the extra expense and buy Amsoil brand ?
TIA

 

[Cseybert]

Boy, did you open up a can of worms any good synthetic full synthetic oil is going to be good. Don’t do 15,000 miles in my opinion. Keep it to seven thousand. JMO.

 

[CumminsContender]

Rotella T6 Full Synthetic. I always do my first one at 1000 miles then every 5k after that.

 

[Trash Panda]

*Grabs popcorn

 

[mbarber84]

Hello everyone
What does everyone recommend for motor oil brand. I own a 2023 Ram 2500 diesel truck. I understand they recommend Rotella T-6 10-30 weight for Southern California areas . Is this good enough oil or should I make the extra expense and buy Amsoil brand ?
TIA

If you plan to change the oil every 5,000-7,000 miles regardless:

Good retail Option: Valvoline Premium Blue
Good boutique option: Amsoil HD series

If you plan to change the oil at the end of its useful service life (15,000 mile max interval)

Amsoil Signature Series
Hotshots PAO
HPL Premium CK-4
Schaeffers Supreme
ADMAX maxi-mile w/ moly

As for the viscosity, you only have two approved to choose from. 10w-30 or 5w-40. The 5w-40 must be used if you operate in an environment that routinely falls below 0°F, but can be used year-round too. The 10w-30 is only approved for climates that stay above 0°F.

For your oil filter:

Donaldson DBL7349 is the best oil filter currently available.

A Fleetguard LF16035 is a good alternative choice.

Rotella is “mentioned” in the manual but that isn’t necessarily a recommendation. Shell and Stellantis have a contract whereby Shell supplies some “Mopar” branded oil. More of a scratching-backs thing. Rotella is a pretty marginal oil. Formulated to meet a price point and not necessarily one of the better performers out there. I’d steer clear of it.

 

[Forceofwill]

If you plan to change the oil every 5,000-7,000 miles regardless:

Good retail Option: Valvoline Premium Blue
Good boutique option: Amsoil HD series

If you plan to change the oil at the end of its useful service life (15,000 mile max interval)

Amsoil Signature Series
Hotshots PAO
HPL Premium CK-4
Schaeffers Supreme
ADMAX maxi-mile w/ moly

As for the viscosity, you only have two approved to choose from. 10w-30 or 5w-40. The 5w-40 must be used if you operate in an environment that routinely falls below 0°F, but can be used year-round too. The 10w-30 is only approved for climates that stay above 0°F.

For your oil filter:

Donaldson DBL7349 is the best oil filter currently available.

A Fleetguard LF16035 is a good alternative choice.

Rotella is “mentioned” in the manual but that isn’t necessarily a recommendation. Shell and Stellantis have a contract whereby Shell supplies some “Mopar” branded oil. More of a scratching-backs thing. Rotella is a pretty marginal oil. Formulated to meet a price point and not necessarily one of the better performers out there. I’d steer clear of it.

First I've heard of T6 being marginal and to steer clear. I've used it in cars, trucks and motorcycles for years.

 

[mbarber84]

First I've heard of T6 being marginal and to steer clear. I've used it in cars, trucks and motorcycles for years.

Yeah it has one of the cheapest additive packages in the industry and isn’t even a true synthetic. Starts off life as a conventional cracked hydrocarbon base oil and gets fortified with some synthetic additives. The formulation isn’t all that great. Rotella is popular because it’s cheap. People often confuse popularity with quality. Just because a lot of people use it, doesn’t mean it’s a great oil. It just means a lot of people use it. When you’re changing engine oil at 5,000 miles, or 1/3 the actual oil interval, then it doesn’t mean as much. When you actually dig into the oil at a deeper level, what you find is an oil that’s made to be readily available at bargain pricing. That marketing structure isn’t conducive to an oil with tremendous potential. It’s prone to shearing out of grade faster when exposed to tougher conditions, it has a higher NOACK volatility than many other oils which means it tends to vaporize at high temps more readily, resulting in more oil consumption and filling CCV filters sooner, and it has pretty poor resistance to foaming and aeration. The guys at HPL put it to the test and pretty much demonstrated how poor it handled foaming compared to an oil with a much better formulation. This is just one of many examples of where it’s flaws shine through. There are more but the average consumer doesn’t really ever dive into this stuff.

 

[56ram2500]

First I've heard of T6 being marginal and to steer clear. I've used it in cars, trucks and motorcycles for years.

I can say based on using Rotella T-6 5w40 in my engine that it does not do very well if the oil has fuel contamination higher than 3%, I now use Amsoil 5w40 oil so that I know the oil can last 12 months... Oh I also will not use 10w30 oil it was just 300 miles after installing it in my engine on that I got the dreaded typewriter engine noise, was it the cause or just plain bad luck that I don't know but do know I never had it that noise until 300 ,miles after I switched to 10w30, about 12-1500 miles after I switched over to Amsoil best 5w40 oil I noticed that the typewriter noise quieted down some... FYI I used Rotella T-6 5w40 for close to 10 years on my old 06 CTD so its not like I hate the oil, it just does not do well in my engine.

 

[whitexc]

First I've heard of T6 being marginal and to steer clear. I've used it in cars, trucks and motorcycles for years.

Same. All lawn equipment, my turbo Subaru, the old 5.9 Cummins. I have a gasser Ram now so not there but I always thought it was good…..for the price.


Sent from me

 

[Forceofwill]

Yeah it has one of the cheapest additive packages in the industry and isn’t even a true synthetic. Starts off life as a conventional cracked hydrocarbon base oil and gets fortified with some synthetic additives. The formulation isn’t all that great. Rotella is popular because it’s cheap. People often confuse popularity with quality. Just because a lot of people use it, doesn’t mean it’s a great oil. It just means a lot of people use it. When you’re changing engine oil at 5,000 miles, or 1/3 the actual oil interval, then it doesn’t mean as much. When you actually dig into the oil at a deeper level, what you find is an oil that’s made to be readily available at bargain pricing. That marketing structure isn’t conducive to an oil with tremendous potential. It’s prone to shearing out of grade faster when exposed to tougher conditions, it has a higher NOACK volatility than many other oils which means it tends to vaporize at high temps more readily, resulting in more oil consumption and filling CCV filters sooner, and it has pretty poor resistance to foaming and aeration. The guys at HPL put it to the test and pretty much demonstrated how poor it handled foaming compared to an oil with a much better formulation. This is just one of many examples of where it’s flaws shine through. There are more but the average consumer doesn’t really ever dive into this stuff. View attachment 89421

Ok. I always figured it sheared down quick cause my bikes shared a sump with the trans. To be fair, I always changed the T6 pretty often. I have been just too lazy to pull samples to Blackstone to push mileage out even tho I use fumoto valves. I guess it was working ok when I'm changing oil way early usually.

 

[56ram2500]

Ok. I always figured it sheared down quick cause my bikes shared a sump with the trans. To be fair, I always changed the T6 pretty often. I have been just too lazy to pull samples to Blackstone to push mileage out even tho I use fumoto valves. I guess it was working ok when I'm changing oil way early usually.

if you want to do UOA forget Blackstone use either Fleetguard or Amsoil they both use the same oil lab for oil testing and the cost is lower than what Blackstone charges...

 

[mbarber84]

if you want to do UOA forget Blackstone use either Fleetguard or Amsoil they both use the same oil lab for oil testing and the cost is lower than what Blackstone charges...

Yep agreed.
Both of their kits go to Polaris Labs. Amsoil uses them as well for their outside testing.
One of the best UOA labs in the country.
Fully ISO compliant and state of the art.
Waaaay faster turn-around time too.

 

[T143]

If you plan to change the oil every 5,000-7,000 miles regardless:

Good retail Option: Valvoline Premium Blue
Good boutique option: Amsoil HD series

If you plan to change the oil at the end of its useful service life (15,000 mile max interval)

Amsoil Signature Series
Hotshots PAO
HPL Premium CK-4
Schaeffers Supreme
ADMAX maxi-mile w/ moly

As for the viscosity, you only have two approved to choose from. 10w-30 or 5w-40. The 5w-40 must be used if you operate in an environment that routinely falls below 0°F, but can be used year-round too. The 10w-30 is only approved for climates that stay above 0°F.

For your oil filter:

Donaldson DBL7349 is the best oil filter currently available.

A Fleetguard LF16035 is a good alternative choice.

Rotella is “mentioned” in the manual but that isn’t necessarily a recommendation. Shell and Stellantis have a contract whereby Shell supplies some “Mopar” branded oil. More of a scratching-backs thing. Rotella is a pretty marginal oil. Formulated to meet a price point and not necessarily one of the better performers out there. I’d steer clear of it.

I just received my DBL7349 filters after waiting 3 months for it to arrive here in OZ. I have been using genuine only and was hoping to have them before I do my next service but had to use genuine and of corse the Donaldson filters arrive 2 weeks after I serviced my truck. So next service I will be on the Donaldson filters. Cant wait to see the oil analytics then and compare. I run a 10W40 CK4 spec oil.

 

[MegaRed]

I just received my DBL7349 filters after waiting 3 months for it to arrive here in OZ. I have been using genuine only and was hoping to have them before I do my next service but had to use genuine and of corse the Donaldson filters arrive 2 weeks after I serviced my truck. So next service I will be on the Donaldson filters. Cant wait to see the oil analytics then and compare. I run a 10W40 CK4 spec oil.

Not sure about OZ, but 10w40 is not spec'd for the Cummins here in the states.

 

[johnmyster]

Mobil Delvac ESP 5w-40.

Tractor supply rotates the 5 gallon pails for $119 and you can get 1 gallon jugs for $24 at walmart.

Delvac runs rebates twice a year. Buy two pails and two gallons and get $100 back. Great oil for $15.66 a gallon. 12 gallons per rebate cycle, 24 gallons per year, 8 oil changes per year...that's more than I can imagine using.

[Three pack of] Donaldson DBL7349 is $52 delivered from crossfilters.com, and less if you buy more. Boom, there's your $64 5w-40 oil change using full syn and premium filter. Most importantly you can sneer at the rotella guys everytime the topic comes up and scoff at them for an oil that doesn't meet the made up foaming via milk frother test of irrelevancy photo from the top secret HPL labs.

At that cost, it doesn't even make sense to do 30k intervals with Amsoil/HPL with the added cost of bypass filters and UOAs. Run ESP 5k miles and move on with your life.

 

[mbarber84]

Mobil Delvac ESP 5w-40.

Tractor supply rotates the 5 gallon pails for $119 and you can get 1 gallon jugs for $24 at walmart.

Delvac runs rebates twice a year. Buy two pails and two gallons and get $100 back. Great oil for $15.66 a gallon. 12 gallons per rebate cycle, 24 gallons per year, 8 oil changes per year...that's more than I can imagine using.

Donaldson DBL7349 is $52 delivered from crossfilters.com, and less if you buy more. Boom, there's your $64 5w-40 oil change using full syn and premium filter. Most importantly you can sneer at the rotella guys everytime the topic comes up and scoff at them for an oil that doesn't meet the made up foaming via milk frother test of irrelevancy photo from the top secret HPL labs.

At that cost, it doesn't even make sense to do 30k intervals with Amsoil/HPL with the added cost of bypass filters and UOAs. Run ESP 5k miles and move on with your life.

Mobile ESP @ $64 for 3 gallons and another $28 for the Donaldson DBL7349 (if you’re paying $52 for one filter I feel sorry for you). Change it three times in 15k miles, Would equate to $276 for the oil and filters

Versus

Three gallons of Amsoil signature series at $44 per gallon = $132 + $28 for the Donaldson comes out to $160 changed one time in 15k miles. No bypass system needed for a 15k interval. Oil analyses are always optional so that cost irrelevant. Plus having the added benefit of a better additive package that is proven to hold up even beyond the 15k interval, so you’re not at any risk if you “push” it and change later due to schedule, life , etc.

So do it once with amsoil for $160, Or do it three times with Mobil for $276. Now add the labor and time, downtime of the truck, oil disposal, etc etc.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[johnmyster]

Mobile ESP @ $64 for 3 gallons and another $28 for the Donaldson DBL7349 (if you’re paying $52 for one filter I feel sorry for you). Change it three times in 15k miles, Would equate to $276 for the oil and filters

Versus

Three gallons of Amsoil signature series at $44 per gallon = $132 + $28 for the Donaldson comes out to $160 changed one time in 15k miles. No bypass system needed for a 15k interval. Oil analyses are always optional so that cost irrelevant. Plus having the added benefit of a better additive package that is proven to hold up even beyond the 15k interval, so you’re not at any risk if you “push” it and change later due to schedule, life , etc.

So do it once with amsoil for $160, Or do it three times with Mobil for $276. Now add the labor and time, downtime of the truck, oil disposal, etc etc.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

You mathed incorrectly.

Crossfilters has the donaldson for $52 for a three pack. $17.33 per filter. Price goes down if you order more.

ESP at $15.66 a gallon after rebate is $47 per change. Add filter and you're at $64 per interval. Mobil has given enough rebates in 2025 to support eight oil changes at this price of 3 gal each.

Or instead, get Delo 15w-40 full syn 3 gallon box at walmart for $57 and get the $30 rebate, now you're at $44 per interval ($27 for oil and $17 for filter.) Chevron has given enough rebates in 2025 to support four oil changes at this price of 3 gal each.

Three oil changes in an 18-month interval isn't killing me on downtime vs only doing one, plus I have other things to keep up on truck. Washes, tire rotations, fuel filters, detailing, modifications, etc. The argument may hold up for some, but most would say me changing full syn and donaldsons at 5k interval is throwing away money anyway and I should go longer. The math for the amsoil largely works out because you're sending the filter 15k rather than changing more frequently. I could easily go multiple intervals on a good filter, just like I do on my cars.

In any case, Amsoil doesn't meet any manufacturer specifications/approvals. If it were so great it would be on the Ford F1 list that any of the swill at walmart can pass. I'm sure it's passable oil but the "savings" isn't there for users like myself. Short intervals gives more opportunity to purge fuel dilution, moisture accumulation, and soot accumulation. Fancier grp-4 base and secret sauce add pack won't do anything for the first two and isn't a 100% solution on the third.

 

[mbarber84]

You mathed incorrectly.

Crossfilters has the donaldson for $52 for a three pack. $17.33 per filter. Price goes down if you order more.

Sorry, I was going by what you posted initially, which was:

“Donaldson DBL7349 is $52 delivered from crossfilters.com, and less if you buy more”

As for the specs, I’d say it looks like they meet or exceed plenty. Cummins CES and Chrysler are the two applicable to this current series of Ram
Also, 15w-40 isn’t an approved viscosity for 2019+ trucks.

Your vehicle, do whatever makes you happy.

 

[johnmyster]

Sorry, I was going by what you posted initially, which was:

“Donaldson DBL7349 is $52 delivered from crossfilters.com, and less if you buy more”

As for the specs, I’d say it looks like they meet or exceed plenty. Cummins CES and Chrysler are the two applicable to this current series of Ram
Also, 15w-40 isn’t an approved viscosity for 2019+ trucks.

Your vehicle, do whatever makes you happy.

Regarding 15w-40, that's fine. Chevron makes delo in 5w-40 also...with CES approvals on the label.

Rotella has given enough rebates in 2025 to do three changes of T6 at $9 a gallon if you play the game right.

Regarding, specifications, Amsoil "reccommends for" Cummins CES and Ford F1 which is a little different than actually getting tested for those approvals and getting on the list. But even Rotella T4 carries the Cummins CES approval for which Ram gives a 15k interval, so it doesn't take fancy boutique oil to get to 15k.

I'm not claiming amsoil can't make a good oil by blending bases and additive packages that they purchase from refineries and additive labs...just like Shell and Mobil and Valvoline, and Warren do. (Chevron being the exception: a company that has base stock refining AND add pack production AND blending in-house.) I'm just saying the "reccommended for" hype that they play is an interesting game.

 

[T143]

Not sure about OZ, but 10w40 is not spec'd for the Cummins here in the states.

10W30 is not good enough where I tow during summer. Cant see how a 10W40 is going to be a problem please explain it so I understand because 5W40 is spec’d.
Dang you guys have no clue how we are raped in OZ with service parts, those DBL7349’s cost me $65 its $25 less than genuine so a win there.