I have a 07 crewcab duramax lbz that is ready to roll over 3000 miles. I was wanting opions on what type of oil to use on my first oil change. I run alot of highway miles but I am almost daily pulling a terramite t5c (Approx. 4200 pounds). I was thinking of using a synthetic oil maybe rotella or mobile 5w - 40, but was worried about how thin it is. Any comments would help thanks.

I'm waiting until about 10,000 miles to swap out to full synthetic oil in my 2006. It takes a while for complete break-in because the OEM oil is a sythetic blend from the dealer. My choice here on the S.F. Peninsula, where it doesn't get too hot, is Amsoil Series 3000 5W-30 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel Oil, otherwise I'd use the 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel Oil, if traveling inland. Mobile Oil products are easier to come by than the Amsoil, and very high quality. I use ACDelco, Amsoil and Baldwin filters.

Also, be certain your 2007 doesn't require the new CJ-4 low ash oil, but because you show an LBZ engine it shouldn't. A dual bypass filtration system is a good idea, as it filters out most of the soot particles from the oil, and adds 2 quarts of oil capacity to the engine.

I was told by the local Royal Purple dealer to wait untill 10k miles before changing to synthetic to give the rings time to seat.. I don't know if there is any truth to it or not. Also, I run Rotella T synthetic, but in case you didn't know, it is NOT a true synthetic. It is a highly refined dinosaur oil. On my next oil change I will be switching to Amsoil or Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel which are true synthetics. Also, synthetics will give better protection all around. No reason to worry about them being thin because they flow through the engine better and provide better lubricating properties. If you change you may also note a drop in oil pressure, but this is just because the synthetic is easier to pump through the engine.

Changed over to synthetic and noticed a 1-2 mpg increase the next tank. My oil was at about 10k on dino though so it could have been a little of both. The next day I was doing 80-90mph and averaged 19.35 mpg on a 120 mile trip. You be the judge...


-- Rick

Changed over to synthetic and noticed a 1-2 mpg increase the next tank. My oil was at about 10k on dino though so it could have been a little of both. The next day I was doing 80-90mph and averaged 19.35 mpg on a 120 mile trip. You be the judge...


-- Rick

Never heard of anyone getting that kind of mileage with a Duramax at that speed. I guess you must be the first, whats your secret?

I switched to Rotella T Synthetic at 10,000 miles. I would have have to disagree with Big Shrimpah, Rotella T is full Synthetic, not a blend according to their website.

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rotella-en&FC2=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/products/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/products/product_rotellasynth.html


ROTELLA Products close

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ROTELLA® T Synthetic

Fully synthetic heavy-duty engine oil.



Product Description



Shell Rotella® T Synthetic SAE 5W-40 is a fully synthetic heavy-duty diesel and gasoline engine oil developed especially to meet the requirements of North American driving.



The exclusive Shell formulation offers users exceptional performance and protection in combination with enhanced fuel economy potential over conventional 15W-40 motor oils. This synthetic multigrade engine oil meets the service requirements of virtually all four cycle diesel and many gasoline engine manufacturers.



Applications

Recommended for new and older diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles, including personal vehicles and commercial vehicles such as on-road, off-the-road, truck rental, pickups, delivery, utility, and school bus fleets
Meets or exceeds the diesel engine requirements of API CI-4 PLUS, Cummins CES 20078, Detroit Diesel, John Deere, Dodge, Ford, GM, International, Mack EO-N Premium Plus 03, Volvo and others; For gasoline engines, it exceeds API SL.

Features/Benefits



Formulated for multipurpose use, simplifying inventory needs
Outstanding wear protection and bearing corrosion control helps maximize engine life
Helps speed cold starts even with low winter temperatures
Enhanced oxidation stability and soot control, especially at higher temperatures, aids service life
Improved fuel economy – when compared to conventional SAE 15W-40 oils
Product is warranted against defect and has performance which meets or exceeds virtually all equipment manufacturer’s engine oil warranty requirements.

Approvals and Recommendations

API CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4, CF-4, CF
API SL, SJ, SH
Cummins CES 20078, 20076, 20071
Detroit Diesel 7SE 270
Mack EO-N Premium Plus ’03, EO-N, EO-M Plus
Volvo VDS 2








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Rotella isnt bad, but I personally use Mobil 1 delvac, shouldnt make a diff though becuse on my d max when I bought the oil, I look at the bottles back to back, both meet the same, cummins, mack, cat mercedes specs so shoudlnt matter. Id personally switch it now (I switched mine at 1250 miles because the factory oil looked awfully thin, and I had a sample analized and they said it had high silicone levels (pry due to casting) so I switched it at 1250. Personally If i were you id switch it now, then go 2 more 3500 mile changes I KNOW PREMATURELY, and that will put you at 10,000 miles where you can switch to synthetic. I personally would run cummins blue made by valvoline, if I could find it anywhere, but will pry stay w/the amsoil synthetic that I used in my 6.5 hwen I switch to synthetics.

Schaeffers synthetic oil is the way to go...

All of mine have been swithched at 3k to Mobil 1 5w-40 syn, no issues. Not cheap though. I now run a 6k change unlees the DIC says otherwise (sooner)

Moving to Maintenance forum....

I switched to Rotella T Synthetic at 10,000 miles. I would have have to disagree with Big Shrimpah, Rotella T is full Synthetic, not a blend according to their website.

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rotella-en&FC2=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/products/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/products/product_rotellasynth.html


ROTELLA Products close

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ROTELLA® T Synthetic

Fully synthetic heavy-duty engine oil.



Product Description



Shell Rotella® T Synthetic SAE 5W-40 is a fully synthetic heavy-duty diesel and gasoline engine oil developed especially to meet the requirements of North American driving.



The exclusive Shell formulation offers users exceptional performance and protection in combination with enhanced fuel economy potential over conventional 15W-40 motor oils. This synthetic multigrade engine oil meets the service requirements of virtually all four cycle diesel and many gasoline engine manufacturers.



Applications

Recommended for new and older diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles, including personal vehicles and commercial vehicles such as on-road, off-the-road, truck rental, pickups, delivery, utility, and school bus fleets
Meets or exceeds the diesel engine requirements of API CI-4 PLUS, Cummins CES 20078, Detroit Diesel, John Deere, Dodge, Ford, GM, International, Mack EO-N Premium Plus 03, Volvo and others; For gasoline engines, it exceeds API SL.

Features/Benefits



Formulated for multipurpose use, simplifying inventory needs
Outstanding wear protection and bearing corrosion control helps maximize engine life
Helps speed cold starts even with low winter temperatures
Enhanced oxidation stability and soot control, especially at higher temperatures, aids service life
Improved fuel economy – when compared to conventional SAE 15W-40 oils
Product is warranted against defect and has performance which meets or exceeds virtually all equipment manufacturer’s engine oil warranty requirements.

Approvals and Recommendations

API CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4, CF-4, CF
API SL, SJ, SH
Cummins CES 20078, 20076, 20071
Detroit Diesel 7SE 270
Mack EO-N Premium Plus ’03, EO-N, EO-M Plus
Volvo VDS 2








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Use of, and copying from, this site is subject to our terms and conditions. Please read our privacy policy.

well their website lies, and they are able to call it a full synthetic due to the court case of mobil vs castrol

It is a group III based oil, not a synthetic

go with the synthetic. i run the amsoil 5w-30HDD diesel oil and i love it

Thank you all I installe d rotella t 5w40 synthetic today.

My opinoin too is that t5c isnt alot of weight to really load it down and break it in. We have a few t5c's at work, now 2 t9c's w/ the diesel, much better then the jcb mini cx's we demoed.

After doing some research from Big Shrimpah, I found a web site that explains a little more in depth about the information given by Big Shrimpah. It is a good read.

http://www.syntheticsbestoil.com/mobil.htm

I was not looking for a confrontation, just looking to inform fellow readers and Duramax Owners.

I switched to AMSOIL 15W40 at 900 miles and installed a bypass filter at 5000 miles, so I guess my engine is going to take a little longer than the average to break in. :) My plan is to have the oil analyzed every 5-10K miles and change the filters. If all looks good I'm leaving the oil in for another 5-10K miles. If the additives and viscosity all look good when analyzed there isn't any reason to throw out the oil. I'm hoping for 100,000 miles out of my oil.

100,000 miles huh? I believe thats a little extreme don't ya think, lol.

Wow, dumping synthetic at 6,000 miles??? What a waste of natural resources IMO. These trucks take 2.5 gallons. I run Shell Rotella T 15W40 DINO, and recently sent in a sample with 8,000 miles on it. Blackstone labs told me to go 8,500 on my next change because everything look excellent. If I can go 8,000 miles on base crude, you can easily go that on synthetic.

Wow, dumping synthetic at 6,000 miles???

I must have missed something, but I can't see where. Who's dumping synthetic at 6,000 miles? I run Mobil 1 synthetic in my Honda Civic and it gets dumped every 5,000 miles, but we're only talking about 3 1/2 quarts of oil too. :D


DOH! Never mind....I just found the 6K reference in an earlier post.

Schaeffers synthetic oil is the way to go...

x2.

With Dino, I change every 2500 to 3000 if I'm lazy. In my truck, with synthetic, every 5k. Excessive? Maybe for some. Oil is cheap enough, and I never ruined an engine with too many oil changes. Plus, it goes right in the waste burner for shop BTU's...

I would also wait until 10,000 miles. I would use Mobil delvac 1, Amsoil, Hydrotex, but not Rotella. Rotella is made from class 3 base stock which is not nearly as good al the other oils I mentioned. Rotella T is great standard 15 40, but their synthetics are lacking the quality you're looking for by going synthetic.