Lets talk about oil (again)

flash7210 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:52 am

Rather that ask about what oil anybody SHOULD be using in their CRD,
I want to know what oil you ARE using in your CRD and WHY?

I will use either Shell Rotella T6 5w40 (~$5 /qt) or
Mobil1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5w40 (~$6 /qt).

Why?
Cost and availability.

I can get either of those two at any WalMart, NAPA, or Advance Auto.
Usually I only get the M1 TDT if I can get it on sale.

I've done research comparing M1 TDT and Shell T6 and (to me) they
seem about the same.
Anybody have any data supporting that one is better than the other?

Also, I am curious about other brands and weights of oil.
Is it worth seeking out some obscure brand that is only available at
remote truck stops?
What about 10w40? 15w50?
What about non synthetic oils?

I do my oil changes about every 8000 miles and I don't do any analysis.
Also, I don't feel I'm pushing my oil too hard to justify more frequent
changes.

I've viewed the BobTheOilGuy forum and opinions about oil vary wildly
depending on location, availability, engine, and usage.

I'm just curious to know what oil YOU use and WHY.

Thanks

Dave

snowman_crd · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:02 pm

I use Rotella 5w-40 at 6,000 mile intervals. I usually stock up at Advanced Auto when it is on sale. For me it is about ease of finding product, and it seems like top choice of everyone on the forum.

kissfan79 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:41 pm

Currently I am using Mobil 1 5w-40 TDT. I use it based on the recommenations of the folks here on the forums. I have thought about trying the Shell rotella T6. I too would like to find out what is the absolute best oil for the CRD for internal part protection and engine longevity. I still find it curious that Mobil 1 still recommends the 0w-40 over the 5w-40 TDT oil as the 0w-40 is not diesel rated (unless it is just to cover their arses as Chrysler recommends it in the manual). Does the Rotella T6 have any beneficial additives that the Mobil 1 does not? I know there are members who use the Amsoil 5w-40 European formula. Is this oil diesel rated and possibly a better choice? Who knew choosing the best/right oil could be such a task.

Jim

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 2:12 pm

I use Amsoil Premium Diesel 5w-40, WIX 51515 filter, and 6250 mile interval. I had oil analysis done by Blackstone using this oil and the Amsoil European formula (recommended by amsoil, slighty more expensive, not available in gallon jugs).

Anyway, the oil analysis came out roughly the same with both. Blackstone encouraged a longer interval between changes, but I'm going to stick with 6250. It costs me roughly $80 to do a change including the oil filter and air filter (a/f changed on the same interval).

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 4:38 pm

I am using Rotella T6 because when I came here before buying my CRD it was one of the top recommended oils by other members and I can get it for a good price at wal mart. I have had two decent oil Analiese with it one saying I could go to 8000 miles no problem but I stick with 6250. I would use Mobile 1 turbo diesel truck 5w40 if the T6 could not be located.. I think Amsoil is a great product but I'm not interested in ordering it ahead all the time and the extra cost for now.

Hoosier CRD · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 4:58 pm

Dave,

Glad to answer the question of "Why" regarding the oil that I use in my CRD.

I use Amsoil 5W-40 European Car Formula, Amsoil code AFL. Here's are some reasons why.

In reading the Owner's Manual, specifically Page 315, Paragraph 2 (Second Edition) it states clearly that the oil one should use in their CRD engine should meet "API categories CF or better and the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-10725." In the same paragraph, it states that if an 0W-40 is not readily available then a 5W-40 "is acceptable."

I kinda take that whole "DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-10725" pretty seriously. The Amsoil described above meets that standard along with several other specs like MB 229.51 and VW 505.01. The Germans know a thing or two about diesel engines and the oil that helps them live. I don't think that I am falling for a fallicious argument here.

Up until now, I have used the Mopar oil and fuel filters. There are many alternatives in the filter arena. I will likely stick with a Mann oil filter and a Wix fuel filter in the future. Any good filter will do fine and there are many threads referencing who uses what. My change interval is at the 6250 mile mark. Oil analysis is fine I guess. By the time you pay for enough of those, I don't know that you have saved alot of money.

For the record, I have 122,000 miles on my CRD. Save for the timing belt and surrounding parts (pulleys, water pump, t-stat) my engine is all original as far as I can tell. I bought it with 85K miles from essentially the first owner (long story).

Hope this helps.

kissfan79 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 5:48 pm

That's the thing that kinda' bothers me about the decision of which oil to use. It's almost as if you have to choose between a "diesel" oil or an oil that meets the Chrysler spec that Hoosier was talking about. If there was a diesel oil that met the Chrysler spec.....I'd be happy :wink:

The fact that Mobil 1 5w-40 TDT doesn't meet the Chrysler spec does kinda concern me.

Jim

Hoosier CRD · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:28 pm

Well, about all I can tell ya is to use a quote from Smokey Yunick: "An engine doesn't know what name is on it." By that I mean, an engine, powered by diesel fuel or gasoline, will benefit from an oil that is designated for it.

Here is a link the Amsoil website: http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/afl.aspx

It states clearly that this particular oil will work on either engine. I wouldn't worry too much about it not being strictly an oil for "diesel" engines. The other manufacturer specs, i.e. VW and MB are for diesel engines too. Hope this helps.

amslube · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:12 pm

I've been running the AMSOIL HDD 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil in my wife's CRD since we've had it, over 3 years now. I also run the AMSOIL by-pass oil filter which filter out soot and other particles 2 microns and less. Works for me.... in this vehicle, my 2001 Dodge Cummins which I sold with 265,000 miles on the clock, and my 2011 Ram Cummins (deleted). Excellent oil longevity and very little wear, based on oil analysis samples.

kissfan79 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:13 pm

I guess that is what makes the situation a little cloudy. What is better for the engine.....an API CF rated oil that meets the Chrysler spec (that is also recommended for European diesels) or an API CJ rated oil that is supposed to be better for diesels. I might just give the Amsoil a try.

Thanks, Jim

Greasey Bob · **Joined:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:34 am **Posts:** 228

I use the T6 mostly for availablity and lowish cost. I change the oil every other month about 6k to 8k miles I really do not track it that well.

My wife drives a lot and she is burning veg oil for fuel. So far it has been 60k miles on veg 135k total miles with no real problems. I change her Veg Oil (fuel) filter at every oil change and the fuel filter every year at the end of the fall. Air cleaner every other oil change or if it looks dirty.

jthomas999 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:51 pm **Posts:** 98

I was using

Amsoil DEOTP-EA Synthetic 5W40 Premium CJ4
Amsoil EAO34-EA Absolute Efficiency Oil Filter

until my last oil change I used

Amsoil AFL5L-CA Synthetic 5W-40 European Oil
WIX 51516-EA WIX 51516 Oil Filter

I have 217,000 miles on it and usually do oil and filter changes at about 12,000 mile intervals.
I still have the stock EGR and just did an ECO Tune last week.
So far so good.....

John

SLS · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:45 pm

Hoosier CRD wrote:

Well, about all I can tell ya is to use a quote from Smokey Yunick: "An engine doesn't know what name is on it." By that I mean, an engine, powered by diesel fuel or gasoline, will benefit from an oil that is designated for it.

Here is a link the Amsoil website: http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/afl.aspx

It states clearly that this particular oil will work on either engine. I wouldn't worry too much about it not being strictly an oil for "diesel" engines. The other manufacturer specs, i.e. VW and MB are for diesel engines too. Hope this helps.

Wow!
You got to talk about Amsoil & post a link to your website.....

I have been using Amsoil AFL5L-CA Synthetic 5W-40 European Oil & Amsoil EAO34-EA Absolute Efficiency Oil Filter since I have owned my 06 Jeep Liberty CRD. I would like to add a bypass filter kit if I could find a place for it. Not a lot of room above or below the engine for it.

kissfan79 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:00 am

jthomas999........what made you switch?

Jim

CIMARRON13 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2012 1:27 am

Rosella T6 here. I stocked up about 6 months ago when Autozone had a sale for $5 off the gallon size. It's cheap at regular price but I couldn't help getting enough to last 3-4 oil changes.

turbobike · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:02 am

FYI......Rotella T6 still on sale at Tractor Supply...$17.99

dirtmover · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2012 9:51 am

kissfan79 wrote:

If there was a diesel oil that met the Chrysler spec.....I'd be happy :wink:

The fact that Mobil 1 5w-40 TDT doesn't meet the Chrysler spec does kinda concern me.

So let's see what Chrysler specified:
- lower front ball joints that separate
- rear control arms that rust
- blower motors that catch fire
- fan clutches that fail
- a TC that is not beefy enough for the transmission line they put it in
- window lift plates made of flimsy plastic
- glow plugs that disintegrate in the engine
- lousy tires
- a suction based fuel delivery system with fittings that are not designed for a pressurized system
- a fuel pre-heater that heats up so much it melts the power connector and leaks
- ...
- ...

...and you really trust what Chrysler spec? :wink:

kissfan79 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:31 pm

LMAO....

Good point.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2012 1:19 pm

Dirtmover,
I agree about your assessment of the Chrysler specification. What kind of oil to you use?

So, I did a search of various oil brand specifications and searched to find the oils that meet
MB 229.31 and 229.51.
see here: http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolistenmain.php?content_action=showselect&navigation_path=bevolisten&language_id=0&blatt=229.51&suchbegriff=

Amsoil is not on the list :?:

Neither is M1 TDT 5w40 or Rotella.

I researched ACEA classifications and it looks to me that any oil that is MB 229.51 is also an ACEA
C3/C4 oil. These C3/C4 oils are formulated for diesel engines using a DPF from 2007 to now.

Our engines are from 2005-06 and dont use a DPF.

The data sheet for M1 TDT claims ACEA E7.
ACEA E7 is for HD diesel engines without a DPF.

So I went back to the MB website above and looked up MB 229.3 and guess what?
M1 TDT 5w40 was on the list!

I'm gonna guess that MB 229.3 is for pre 2007 diesel engines without a DPF.
What do you guys think?

ACEA classifications: http://lukoil-lubricants.com/info/classification/00007/

kdlewis1975 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:05 pm

Maybe the more important specs and recommendations to look at are those of the engine manufacturer rather than focus on what Chrysler recommends. Anyone try to look up VM Motori's specs?

These discussions are always amusing in the sense that we really will never know the answer. There is too much variability in the way we drive, where we live, and in the manufacture of the components.

To know this would require a fleet of probably 100 vehicles use the same oil and change it at the same interval and have oil analysis done and have complete tear downs done every 100 miles and compare the wear with the original manufacturer's measurements. Then repeat and compare for each brand, viscosity, API rating, etc. There is just too much noise in the data to believe the single point references.

I happen to use the Rotella T6 myself due to availability and cost. It has the rating for the more recent API rating. A lot of tractor trailer drivers recommend the Rotella line of oils. I have no other basis to make a decision other than the above. Because additives may not be universally the same or compatible from brand to brand, I avoid the impulse to switch brands with every oil change.

Things we do know: one should use diesel spec oil, oil viscosity should be selected with climate considerations, having the appropriate quantity in the motor is important, it should be changed at reasonable intervals, oil filters should be of sufficient quality, EGR soot in oil does not aid lubricity.

With the considerations above, the best we can do is to use whatever and report whether the motor still runs or not. Oil analysis is fine, but there are so many variables from one vehicle to the next that one can't put a lot of stock in it. We don't have enough evidence to proclaim any one brand or variety is better than another for the engines.

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Lets talk about oil (again)

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