Who else has a hard time finding Rotella T Synthetic? I went to a couple of places trying to find the stuff and no one had any. The last parts store I went to told me that it was discontinued, but I checked the Rotella site and that doesn't appear to be the case. Perhaps he meant Advanced won't be carrying the synthetic anymore.

Rotella site (http://www.rotella.com/).

As a side note, the site has a forum. The search function didn't work when I checked it out.

I get it at walmart for ~$12 a gallon.

Whats ya'll opinion on switching from the 15-40 Rotella over to the 5w-40 synthetic? I already know the pro's and cons of Dino vs.Syn, My main concern is the heat and viscosity. In the summer it will get to about 120ish in the shade down here in my part of the desert, and I was wondering if anyone thinks the 5w-40 is to thin for this kinda heat, expecially towing.

I searched the Rotella site, but didnt find anything I could use in my decision.

everybody misunderstands the viscosities when comparing 5 and 15. these are the cold flow/winter characteristics. when up to operating temps a 15w40 and a 5w40 both act as a 40 weight.

i use the synthetic 5/40 in all of my street cars.

I was just going to ask if one could use the mobil truck and suv, AKA Delvec 1, in a gasser? It is actually cheaper than the reg. stuff here.

It looks like the Advance auto stores in N.E. Ohio won't be carrying the stuff anymore. Wallmart is always sold out, too.

All 3 walmarts here in Reno stock the stuff in both gallons and quarts. It was only out once and I told them I wanted a case of gallons. Now, it's always available here.

the walmart in wooster, oh still has it but they quit carrying delo 400

So whats the 5 and 15 stand for?

everybody misunderstands the viscosities when comparing 5 and 15. these are the cold flow/winter characteristics. when up to operating temps a 15w40 and a 5w40 both act as a 40 weight.

viscosity (sp) when cold

correct

Run the synthetic, it's amazing.

is the difference that noticable on startup?

I noticed an improvement in turnover speed in the N.E. Ohio cold. I also think synthetic is a good choice for engines that use oil spray cooled pistons. I'm sure there is a measure of resistance to thermal breakdown that can be used to compare other oils, but I am pretty sure synthetic is generally better than dino in this category.

BTW, I'm going to replace my leaking oil lines soon and will replace the stock oil cooler with a larger one of the same design. I am deciding between these two: 11x11x1.5 or 12x11x1.5

Not markedly noticeable in the summer, but extremely in the winter.

Tuscan, I like your idea of new and bigger oil cooler. Let us know how it goes for sure and how much $ it cost all said and done.

if you want a cheap oil cooler than get one of these. 22 bucks from jegs.

ok forgive me if my math is incorrect. but i think i figured out what it would take to pay for the extra cost of the synthetic.

the syn is about 6 bucks more than dino at my walmart. 2 gallons is 12 bucks extra per oil change.

if fuel is $2.50 per gallon, then $12 divided by $2.50 is 4.8 gallons which is what that 12 bucks spent could have bought in fuel. 4.8 gallons times 15 mpg is 72 miles.

the 72 miles is how many miles can be driven on 12 bucks of fuel. now say i change my oil every 3500 miles. 300 miles per tank. 3500 divided by 300 is 11 2/3 or 12 tanks of fuel during the oils life. 72 miles divided by 12 tanks of fuel is about 6 miles.

that means you only have to give up 6 miles per tank to cover the added expense of synthetic rotella.

wow my head hurts.

worth a lot more in my book, no matter what the math says. needing a new engine would make me want to throw myself off the roof