I am a first time diesel owner and want to start useing syn. oil in my new 4.5 Cummins. What is the best type of syn. oil and oil filter, also where is the best place to order these items from? Thank you all for your help.


Kentucky

Whatever you do wait until 10k miles before running synthetics. Guessing any diesel approved synthetic oil (like 5w-40) will be good. Recommend using Fleetguard filters (Cummins brand) and Mopar (which is a repainted Fleetguard). The filters can be bought at Cummins repair stations or mailorder, like genosgarage.com


MikeyB

You might want to check your owner's manual. I thought I read in mine that Dodge doesn't recommend synthetics. On the other hand, I work with a fellow that has been using Shell Rotella Synthetic for quite a while now. He has a 91 Dodge 12 Valve Cummins with over 380,000 miles. He wouldn't go back to oil.

I was looking at Geno's garage and at the Fleetgaurd site. Can anyone please explain the differences between the Stratapore and Standard filters?

the Stratapore and Standard filters
it is in the filter media. the stratapore is a synthetic media, and i believe it has a finer micron rating than the standard [cellulose] one. the factory mopar ones are fleetguard cellulose ones painted blue with mopar stamped on it.

link to fleetguard site about stratapore media (http://www.fleetguard.com/fleet/en/products/en_prod_inn_stratapore.jsp)

Mobil Delvac 1 is a GREAT HDEO. I have my folks running it in the '04 3500 305/555. The truck has 13k miles on it now and they run 7500 mile OCI's with great UOA's(Used oil analyses). They could take it out to 10k with the highway/towing m,iles this truck sees in the summer but due to warranty fears they stay inside the duty schedual.

I use Chevron Delo 400. Walmart sells it for just over $6 a gallon. Very well rated.

Well, I posted a reply a few days ago and said I would stick by Rotella T. However I just used Chevron Delo (like Hoot) pictured and cannot say anything about it yet. I will let you know what I think though. Oh, I also replaced the fuel filter.....what a breeze!!! You don't have to prime the truck or even try to start it a hundred times. Just turn the key!!

Said I would keep you all informed. I think I am going to make the switch to the Delo. I changed my oil in the evening, and then drove to work in the morning (40 miles 1-way) Needless to say, I noticed a much smoother, quieter motor on the highway. I also changed the fuel filter, so who knows; might just be a combination of the two