Oil synthetic versus regular for a daily driver

[Percy]

I have owned my Delica now since November and am now due for an oil change. I live in PoCo, which is quite close to Assiniboine Motors and have seen there prices on here. Are those prices typical? How is that establishment? I purchased through Japanoid but do not like their hours. Next question is should I go with synthetic as my wife and I have turned the Delica into a daily driver. Is the extra cost worth it? I did a search but did not find much information about synthetic unless I live in a cold climate which of course I do not. One last question not really on topic but there are so many helpful people on this site, my transmission seems a bit clunky when shifting especially under acceleration even after it has warmed up. Is this normal?

[FalcoColumbarius]

What kind of transmission is it? Automatic or manual?

Regarding oil: I use Lubro Moly, a semi synthetic. I remember reading somewhere something about how one ought to change the engine seals if going to full synthetic oil, I'm not sure on that but it might be something you could look into. CVI is a good place to go if you don't mind driving to Richmond, their phone number is: (604)-247 0500.

Falco.

[Percy]

On that side note of mine my transmission is an automatic and it is a L400 Spacegear.

[jessef]

Percy

Go full 15w40 Rotella Synthetic

$30/4L @ Canadian tire. Blue container

Your engine will run smoother. The 2.8L 4M40 likes synthetic oil.

As for your trans, check the oil. It should be translucent red and not smell burnt.

If it hasn't been changed for a long time, a flush/fresh trans fluid change goes a long way towards a smoother shifting auto trans.

[dasein]

Oh, the oil wars.

First, the grade of Rotella Synthetic is 5W40, and the corresponding
Esso oil is XD-3 extra at 0W40.

Shell oil and others like it is not a fully synthetic oil. It is made from crude oil, but refined to a degree that Castorl, who brought the stuff to market, won the right to call it synthetic in a court battle about a decade ago. These oils are made with what is called Group III base stocks.

Real synthetic oil, and it matters to me because of the cold pour point, due to the fact I run equipment in Whistler, is made with PAO base stock. Pardon this spelling approximation: polyalphaolephin base stock. Other than the boutique brands, the only one I know is Esso XD-3 extra 0W40.

Thinner oil is good, your motor will suffer from less wear at start up, particularly on cold days. This can really matter for diesels in below zero temps. You also see a very slight mileage improvement.

Synthetic oil also breaks down slower (oxidizes), has less tendency to create sludge and varnish (important if you plan to run the thing for a long time), can handle more viscosity improver (hence 0W40 instead of 5W40), and more other benefits that are not coming to mind right now. Surprised I even recalled PAO.

If you phone the tech desk at your oil company, and they will not tell you what the base stock of your oil is, then it is a Group III synthetic, or a Group II mineral (both are mineral). If your oil has a PAO base stock, they will sing it loud and clear. That is the Cadillac of oil, and if you are going to pay extra for Synthetic oil, that is what you want.

I have not spoken to the Esso tech desk in about three years, so it is possible that they now make XD-3 with Group III stock, so please do give them a call if you are interested and post your results.

[jessef]

15w40 Rotella Synthetic

Typo.

5w40 Rotella Synthetic

[DeliTan]

Hi Folks;

I am in the process of ordering some of the new Shell Rotella T6. I intend to use it in all of my vehicles (except the Segway)

It is a fully synthetic 5W40 intended for diesels but I have heard from my motorcycle buddies that its the best for my kind of bike (according to them, NOT Honda). The Shell bulk plant doesn't stock it for some reason.

The price from Shell Bulk is $7.77 per Litre (in 12 litre cases). Not carried by WalMart, CrappyTire, Lordco or Costco, but Napa is interested in bringing it in for me at cheaper than the Shell price. If anyone wants to piggy back on the order, lemme know soon... It could take up to 2 weeks to arrive.

And just 'cause I'm crazy, I will be adding the WS2 to my oil again.

john

[bigbird]

Your engine will run smoother. The 2.8L 4M40 likes synthetic oil.

Silly question....Do 2.5Ls also like synthetic oil?

[DeliTan]

I bought the only 2 cases that Napa had in their warehouse but Wendy at Napa 5558 Imperial says they will reorder some but it might take a couple of weeks. If you are considering full synth then do your homework on this stuff...

$6.97/L before taxes and eco fee

john

[Firesong]

I go Synthetic in the winter OW40 rotella for the easy starts in the deep freeze.
In the summer not so worried. Also have a frantz bypass filter for the oil so
there isn't the acidic build up you would normally see.

Depends on how much money you want to shell out and do you do it often enough.

Firesong

[mac_stang]

synthetic is always best!!But benifits can be slight and not worth the extra cost unless EXTREME conditions exist ie extreme cold/hot,
frequent stop /starts, and general aggressive driving, and most commonly...prolonged change intervals!!

[Profister]

Education is power!
http://www.smartsynthetics.com/amsoil-s ... estock.htm