Factory oil

[John Jensen]

I did say in cooler climates year round is fine but i just re read the TSB and noticed it said it can be run in warmer climates during summer months but recommended is 10w30.... i guess i was slightly dyslexic when i first read it lol

I understand - been there done that too

 

[Epsilon Plus]

I did say in cooler climates year round is fine but i just re read the TSB and noticed it said it can be run in warmer climates during summer months but recommended is 10w30.... i guess i was slightly dyslexic when i first read it lol

That's where I wonder where their loyalties lie. Are they recommending 10W-30 because MPG? Or because it will adversely effect durability to use 5W-40 in warm comparatively.

I give a rats about MPG. Durability all day. It's interesting that they recommend a 5W-40 and not a 5W-30 in the cold if the lifters were sensitive to thick oil (15W-40).

Also, the people with gummed up engines running 15W-40 that we've seen in the voided warranty posts on FB are technically running the same as 5W-40 if it's not a cold enviro. They are both 40 weight at 100 C. Maybe the gummed up warranty voided engines had conventional and not synthetic, or they all were from cold climates where the W (winter) rating took over.

I dunno, not smart enough for this. I do know that MPG marketing/CAFE drives a lot of engineering decisions though. The reason the 5.3 Silverado uses thin 0W-20 is because of the super small oil passages for the cylinder deactivation to work, not because the engine wears less or is protected by it better.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

That's where I wonder where their loyalties lie. Are they recommending 10W-30 because MPG? Or because it will adversely effect durability to use 5W-40 in warm comparatively.

I give a rats about MPG. Durability all day. It's interesting that they recommend a 5W-40 and not a 5W-30 in the cold if the lifters were sensitive to thick oil (15W-40).

Also, the people with gummed up engines running 15W-40 that we've seen in the voided warranty posts on FB are technically running the same as 5W-40 if it's not a cold enviro. They are both 40 weight at 100 C. Maybe the gummed up warranty voided engines had conventional and not synthetic, or they all were from cold climates where the W (winter) rating took over.

I dunno, not smart enough for this. I do know that MPG marketing/CAFE drives a lot of engineering decisions though. The reason the 5.3 Silverado uses thin 0W-20 is because of the super small oil passages for the cylinder deactivation to work, not because the engine wears less or is protected by it better.

I have no idea what their reasoning is i wish i did as i thrive on actual information not limited basic info..... as far as im conserened the only reason im running 5w40 year round is with our winters i need it and i am not changing my oil every 6 months because they recommend it i get about 8 months on my oil life before i hit the millage limit for the cost of an oil change i refuse to change it early lol

 

[SMK Shoe]

I usually change oil every six weeks. Been using 5W40 T6 Rotello and am happy with it. Would run T5 if Walmart stocked it regularly,

 

[JJC72]

Here is Cummins service letter attached recommending 10W30 Rotella for temps above 0 degrees. Can't go wrong following their guidelines.

 

[Frank]

That's where I wonder where their loyalties lie. Are they recommending 10W-30 because MPG? Or because it will adversely effect durability to use 5W-40 in warm comparatively.

I give a rats about MPG. Durability all day. It's interesting that they recommend a 5W-40 and not a 5W-30 in the cold if the lifters were sensitive to thick oil (15W-40).

Also, the people with gummed up engines running 15W-40 that we've seen in the voided warranty posts on FB are technically running the same as 5W-40 if it's not a cold enviro. They are both 40 weight at 100 C. Maybe the gummed up warranty voided engines had conventional and not synthetic, or they all were from cold climates where the W (winter) rating took over.

I dunno, not smart enough for this. I do know that MPG marketing/CAFE drives a lot of engineering decisions though. The reason the 5.3 Silverado uses thin 0W-20 is because of the super small oil passages for the cylinder deactivation to work, not because the engine wears less or is protected by it better.

When I worked in boating we used someone else's diesels (CAT and MTU) like Ram does. It's more of a partnership than you are thinking. We mutually agreed on what oil, etc. to fill from the factory and the manufacturer had final approval because they are in charge of supporting their engine. We worked with their engineers day-to-day and they were involved with all new products. They reviewed our propulsion and related system's drawings. It wasn't an off-the-shelf arrangement, and it wasn't like Ford or GM where the team in charge of diesels are a small corner of the company that can be outvoted. That is the #1 reason why I didn't think twice about buying a Ram/Cummins - both are going to be more focused on quality and avoiding warranty costs (ignoring CP4) so allegedly a superior product.

Also, 3/4 ton and up is exempt from CAFE standards, they don't even submit for testing. Take a look at the window stickers next time you are on the lot. I doubt they think about MPG at all unless one of the competitors is doing so much better it hurts sales.

 

[Wildwoods]

My 2021 Ram 3500 HD came from the factory with the oil level at the bottom of the dip stick. The dealer says the truck has Rotella T-6 10W30 in it. Finding this oil in 1 qt bottles is pretty much impossible in Flagstaff (0-15 degrees winter, 90's summer). Does anyone know if it's acceptable to add a qt of Delo 400 XLE SAE 10W-30 (Synthetic) to the Rotella? I have 760 miles on the truck and haven't decided yet which oil to fill with when I drain for my break-in so I don't want to buy a gallon jug of Rotella yet. The owners manual says 10W30 synthetic but I keep hearing good things about Valvoline Premium Blue but from the best I can see only comes in 15-40 full synthetic. Maybe I should just keep it simple and stay with Rotella... non the less, I am still interested if it's ok to use two different manufacturers of the same diesel oil type (10W30 synthetic) if I'm ever in a low oil situation and can't find the same manufacturer.

 

[Wildwoods]

Here is Cummins service letter attached recommending 10W30 Rotella for temps above 0 degrees. Can't go wrong following their guidelines.

Wow, that was fast! And helpful. Staying with Rotella T-6 10W30! Thanks!

 

[dslbrnr]

Adding a quart of a a different brand oil is perfectly acceptable as long as it meets Cummins specs.
I use Mobil Delvac Extreme 10-30 synthetic

 

[Wildwoods]

OK, great. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Brutal_HO]

My 2021 Ram 3500 HD came from the factory with the oil level at the bottom of the dip stick. The dealer says the truck has Rotella T-6 10W30 in it. Finding this oil in 1 qt bottles is pretty much impossible in Flagstaff (0-15 degrees winter, 90's summer). Does anyone know if it's acceptable to add a qt of Delo 400 XLE SAE 10W-30 (Synthetic) to the Rotella? I have 760 miles on the truck and haven't decided yet which oil to fill with when I drain for my break-in so I don't want to buy a gallon jug of Rotella yet. The owners manual says 10W30 synthetic but I keep hearing good things about Valvoline Premium Blue but from the best I can see only comes in 15-40 full synthetic. Maybe I should just keep it simple and stay with Rotella... non the less, I am still interested if it's ok to use two different manufacturers of the same diesel oil type (10W30 synthetic) if I'm ever in a low oil situation and can't find the same manufacturer.

Perhaps it was implied, but DO NOT use 15W-40 oil in the CGI Cummins engines. 10W-30 is good year round. Synthetic only 5W-40 if operated frequently below 0F.

 

[RichM752]

 

[Epsilon Plus]

Went Hot Shot's Secret Green Diamond Fleet 5W-40 and I live in Phoenix where we rock 120F.

 

[Wildwoods]

Yeah, I know.... the oil discussion gets old. The only thing not mentioned was that the only Rotella 10w30 I could find is T5, a synthetic blend which met the Cummins CES 20086, API CK-4 specs (no mention of MS-10902). I'm changing today at 1,500 mile break-in.

 

[rktjr1]

Cummins doesn't put any oil in these engines. If they did, it'd likely be Valvoline Premium Blue. Cummins engines in Ram pickmeups are filled by FCA with a Shell product cuz that's who they're currently in bed with. As others have noted, for 19 it's a 10W-30 fill that meets both FCA and Cummins specs and is no good for the winter that occurs over a large swath of North America. I researched this a while back to identify specifically what oil was in the pan and based on that dig, my best guess is Rotella T5 Semi Syn. I dumped the factory fill in Oct and filled with Rotella T6 Syn (5W-40). That's what's gonna stay in it going fwd.

Did you notice any improvement with 5w40?