Synthetic oils ??? Reccomended???

[JMK]

OK thanks, that is really helpful information and advice which I plan to follow.

I'm going into this winter with a rebuilt ECU, new glow plugs, recirculating heater, and rebuilt injectors so I'm thinking I should be fairly mobile on those frosty -25C mornings.

I have a case of the organic 15W-40 sitting in the garage (I change my own oil), but I think I'll leave it for next summer or perhaps simply forget about using it and stick with synthetic from now on once I change over. I think I'm going to go with a synthetic for this winter. The 0W40 sounds like a good bet then. Is it generally available at the mainstream outlets?

I know for example, with my car, when I priced the synthetic with NAPA and Action Parts, even with my trade discount, it was something like $9.00 or $10.00 per litre, while you could buy a 6l case at COSTCO for $38.00. So it would be nice to figure out the best place to buy the oil if anyone has been purchasing it lately.

[Fishtank]

I know for example, with my car, when I priced the synthetic with NAPA and Action Parts, even with my trade discount, it was something like $9.00 or $10.00 per litre, while you could buy a 6l case at COSTCO for $38.00. So it would be nice to figure out the best place to buy the oil if anyone has been purchasing it lately.

Before you go charging off to the local big box store, check out your local Bulk Plant. These bulk distributors will sell on a cash basis and will give you alot better discount than you will find at any local NAPA or Lordco. The only down side is that you usually have to buy a whole case at a time. But if you are doing your own oil changes that only means less waste in containers, since you can buy cases as 12x1 litre jugs or 4x4 litre jugs, or if you want a pail to use after, you can buy a full 20 litre pail. I worked at one for several years and haven't bought oil from anyone else for 13 years because of the price difference. I HIGHLY recommend everyone checks it out.

The only thing I would clarify in regards to temperature ratings is that effectively the first number is the viscosity of the oil in the vehicle after it's been sitting overnight (summer or winter doesn't make a huge difference) and the second number is the number once the engine is up to temperature.

Ya, that was my intention, thanks for clarifying Green

[JMK]

Wow, great suggestion, I didn't realize the answer was living next door to me. So I just called my neighbour who used to own the local bulk plant and now owns an Esso Station and he told me he's bringing a case of Synthetic Diesel 0W40 home for me tomorrow. He said it is so popular now CP Rail has switched to it, and lots of mechanics use it in their gas vehicles as well.

Thanks for the suggestion Green1 for the 0W40, and fishtank for the bulk dealer, if you hadn't mentioned that I never would have twigged to call my neighbour!

Now off to the Wiki to look up that NAPA part number for the oil filter.