The Kinematic Viscosity of the Amsoil HDD 5w30 @ 100C is 11.5, which is the upper end of SAE Grade 30 (9.30-12.49), which is close enough to the lower end of SAE 40 (12.50-16.29) for your winter use there.
Amsoil Experts Needed!
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What should I run this winter as far as dino oil goes since I won't have 5,000 miles on by the time it gets cold?
The manual only recommends 5-40 for cold weather use, which basically means that GM is recommending synthetic for cold weather--I don't know of any 5-40 dino oils out there.
The manual only recommends 5-40 for cold weather use, which basically means that GM is recommending synthetic for cold weather--I don't know of any 5-40 dino oils out there.
coyotekid - I would simply run the recommended dino 15w40 until cold weather hits and change over to synthetic, honestly your engine should be broken in fine by then. (No need to baby it, really)
As you can tell, I say after factory fill your engine will break in fine on synthetic oil. More and more engines start life on synthetic from the factory and they break in fine!
As you can tell, I say after factory fill your engine will break in fine on synthetic oil. More and more engines start life on synthetic from the factory and they break in fine!
I know if I lived in Montana I would use the Amsoil 15-40 or the 5-30 diesel oils. The petrolium oils would be to brutal with the cold weather. I would use 5-30 the winter myself, but thats me.
The Amsoil tech data bulletin on break in only mentions using petro for the fact it is cheaper to flush out the wear metals. They also mention if the engine has problems early on that it can be corrected early on before installing the more expensive synthetic.
The bulletin mentions nothing else as far as a reason not to switch over to a syn. Putting on the bypass would be real smart move to keep the wear metals out of suspension.
The Amsoil tech data bulletin on break in only mentions using petro for the fact it is cheaper to flush out the wear metals. They also mention if the engine has problems early on that it can be corrected early on before installing the more expensive synthetic.
The bulletin mentions nothing else as far as a reason not to switch over to a syn. Putting on the bypass would be real smart move to keep the wear metals out of suspension.
You might look for some 10w30 dino diesel oil. Delo makes one you might find in Mt., if nothing else you might find a Motorcraft in Wal Mart or if still nothing look at a Ford store. Both of these are fine dino oils. Rotella makes a 5w-40 that is group III dino oil.
One of these should get you through the winter and up to 5000 miles.
One of these should get you through the winter and up to 5000 miles.
Synthetic would be the way to go but the 15w/40 oil will be fine for a while because I live in Redding California and in the winter the temps. are usually 29f and the 15w/40 oil works fine . Why not think about Delvac 1 5w40 all year? With the Amsoil bypass filter , the oil will go a lot of miles.
I'm still debating what oil to use in my Chevy Duramax as soon as I change over to full synthetic from the Mobil 1 1300 15-40 I'm running right now.
1. The weather here in Montana is getting colder, but with only 800 miles on the engine, I think it's too early to switch to a full synthetic. I'm planning the switch now at about 5,000 miles. What should I do to protect against the cold weather until I make the switch?
2. I'm a little anal about these things, but I'd like to stick with one brand for all my lube needs, if that's a smart choice. I'd really like to use the Amsoil bypass filter setup with the new pre-luber installed and use Amsoil oil as well. I really like the looks of their full synthetic 15-40, but I'm afraid to run it year round here in Montana. That made me think about switching between their 15-40 (AME?) and 5-30 HDD, but my manual really warns against using anything other than 15-40 or 5-40 for cold weather. The 5-30 just seems too thin to me, but if this is the case, why does Amsoil make it instead of a heavy-duty diesel 5-40?
As you can see, I really want to protect my investment the best I can. Longevity is paramount, so lend me your opinions please!
1. The weather here in Montana is getting colder, but with only 800 miles on the engine, I think it's too early to switch to a full synthetic. I'm planning the switch now at about 5,000 miles. What should I do to protect against the cold weather until I make the switch?
2. I'm a little anal about these things, but I'd like to stick with one brand for all my lube needs, if that's a smart choice. I'd really like to use the Amsoil bypass filter setup with the new pre-luber installed and use Amsoil oil as well. I really like the looks of their full synthetic 15-40, but I'm afraid to run it year round here in Montana. That made me think about switching between their 15-40 (AME?) and 5-30 HDD, but my manual really warns against using anything other than 15-40 or 5-40 for cold weather. The 5-30 just seems too thin to me, but if this is the case, why does Amsoil make it instead of a heavy-duty diesel 5-40?
As you can see, I really want to protect my investment the best I can. Longevity is paramount, so lend me your opinions please!
I will just say the 5w30 is not "too thin" to protect a modern engine. I don't think I would use a 15w40 in Montana winter, but the 5W-40 is also diesel rated. You could probably use the full syn. AME 15w40 until November. (I use it year 'round here)
If the owners manual warns against True Synthetics until 5000 mi then I second the Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 since it is a only a Group III.
If you want a True Dino the Delvac 1300 15w40 you are currently using meets 10W cold pumpability standards.
Otherwise you will have to locate a 10w30 HDEO like Motorcraft (Used in the new Ford 6.0 PSD) or Rotella T. Delo and Delvac are hard to come by in this weight.
Gene
If you want a True Dino the Delvac 1300 15w40 you are currently using meets 10W cold pumpability standards.
Otherwise you will have to locate a 10w30 HDEO like Motorcraft (Used in the new Ford 6.0 PSD) or Rotella T. Delo and Delvac are hard to come by in this weight.
Gene
where i live we have about 2 weeks every year when the tem. will be -30,thats not wind chill but the real tem. i have run the amsoil 15w40 in my farm tractors for years and it works great. i think it would work just fine in your duramax in montana.
Indeed we get occasionally below the teens here. I have been through a few winters with the Amsoil 15w40, and yes it flows better than a dino 10W-X in cold.
My choice if I had a by-pass filter would be
1. 5w30 hdd
2. 5w40 european oil It's recommended for the TDI and other diesels so it would work great.
3. 10w40 AMO It's also diesel rated and has a pour point of -47.
4. 15w40.
Don't worry about the Series 3000, it's pretty bullet proof stuff, and is more than enough protection for the chevy in any situation compared to a conventional 15w40.
1. 5w30 hdd
2. 5w40 european oil It's recommended for the TDI and other diesels so it would work great.
3. 10w40 AMO It's also diesel rated and has a pour point of -47.
4. 15w40.
Don't worry about the Series 3000, it's pretty bullet proof stuff, and is more than enough protection for the chevy in any situation compared to a conventional 15w40.
Gene K,
The owner's manual doesn't ever really state when it is OK to switch to a synthetic; the 5,000 mile mark is just what I've seen recommended here in some applications. However, it seems that others such as Pablo see no problem switching a little earlier. Maybe I should make the switch to synthetic for cold weather and not worry about finding a cold weather dino oil?
mssparks,
Would you recommend switching to grades in the summer or just use 5-30 year round? Although I have faith in Amsoil, totally disregarding the owner's manual unnerves me a little. If I ever do have warranty issues, using a 5-30 might be a problem. I guess I can always drain it and put "the right" oil in!
Also, why is the HDD 5-30 better than the 5-40 European? I'm considering just using the 5-40 year round. I'm considering this because I can get some pretty wild temp swings. For example, last June I went from driving in 70 degree weather one day to starting my truck at about 20 degrees the next morning at my job which is at 7000+ feet elevation.
The owner's manual doesn't ever really state when it is OK to switch to a synthetic; the 5,000 mile mark is just what I've seen recommended here in some applications. However, it seems that others such as Pablo see no problem switching a little earlier. Maybe I should make the switch to synthetic for cold weather and not worry about finding a cold weather dino oil?
mssparks,
Would you recommend switching to grades in the summer or just use 5-30 year round? Although I have faith in Amsoil, totally disregarding the owner's manual unnerves me a little. If I ever do have warranty issues, using a 5-30 might be a problem. I guess I can always drain it and put "the right" oil in!
Also, why is the HDD 5-30 better than the 5-40 European? I'm considering just using the 5-40 year round. I'm considering this because I can get some pretty wild temp swings. For example, last June I went from driving in 70 degree weather one day to starting my truck at about 20 degrees the next morning at my job which is at 7000+ feet elevation.
Okay, if your using the 5w30, I would use it year round.
As far as the "right viscosity" Generally in any oil analysis 1 grade up or down is acepted. If you look at the Vis of the 5w30 HDDD is is almost a 40 wt anyhow. So if something were to happen you will be okay. Secondly performing an oil analysis is the most important process to any extended drain program.
Believe there are probably plenty of Conventional diesel oil's out there that are out of grade within a few thousand miles.
The series 3000 is better than the 5w40 european because it contains a better basestock blend with more expensive esters and a bettter addtive package which is designed to hold up better than even the 15w40, all the while saving fuel milage, reducing wear and increasing Horse Power.
The series 3000 HDD will outperform all other Amsoil oils and generally any other oil on the market for it's price. I'm sure someone could make a better one, but not for less than $12-15 a quart.
Hope this helps.
My first choice would be the HDD 5w30. It handles soot even better than the 15w40 AME, and will generally give a bit better fuel economy.
If you are using a bypass filter (or even without one) with oil analysis, you probably won't have to be much concerned with summer-winter changes.
The 10W-40 would be fine, the 5W-40 would be fine.
Just pick one and go with it.
If you are using a bypass filter (or even without one) with oil analysis, you probably won't have to be much concerned with summer-winter changes.
The 10W-40 would be fine, the 5W-40 would be fine.
Just pick one and go with it.
I like the 5w30 (HDD). I am slowly switching over from 10w40 (AMO) and 5w30 (ASL). I know the numbers aren't everything, however, the CCS viscosity of the 5w40 "eupopean" oil is very similar to Amsoil's 10w30 oil. Going by the numbers it doesn't seem like such a good selection for cold winter use regardless of being a 5w oil.
Just wondering. A friend of mine has an 03 DMax and tried the 5w30 AMSOIL and his engine rattled louder than normal. He didn't like the extra noise he got when he switched so he went back to the 15w40 AMSOIL and it has been fine since. I know it doesn't get to cold here in NC but he wanted to run the 5w30, turns out it wasn't the thing to do in a DMax. Is anyone else having this same problem?
Rat,Have the friend get a analysis to me as soon as he can and I will evaluate.
Coyote,
I am tuning using lubes to stop the vibe issues associated with injection and lube aspects of these engines. Allowing the engine to operate as designed while gaining performance and durability increases using more appropriate lubes. I could care less about brand stuff. I recommend what works based on what you tell me you want.
TD
Coyote,
I am tuning using lubes to stop the vibe issues associated with injection and lube aspects of these engines. Allowing the engine to operate as designed while gaining performance and durability increases using more appropriate lubes. I could care less about brand stuff. I recommend what works based on what you tell me you want.
TD
Coyote, for your temps and that engine the Amsoil AME 15w40 is perfect and reasonably priced.
Break-in will not be affected.
The cold weather is going to drive you to a syn or you will need to run a thinner oil or trick a conventional 15w40 to get the job done.
Shell Rotella 5w-40 could be employed until the 5000 mile marker you set for the engine.
Whatever you decide analyze the oil to make informed decisions that will help you achieve long and optimum performing life.
I do not recommend the bypass set up on a diesel engine this size, while they help the benefit is at best incremental from what I see daily in analysis results.
Break-in will not be affected.
The cold weather is going to drive you to a syn or you will need to run a thinner oil or trick a conventional 15w40 to get the job done.
Shell Rotella 5w-40 could be employed until the 5000 mile marker you set for the engine.
Whatever you decide analyze the oil to make informed decisions that will help you achieve long and optimum performing life.
I do not recommend the bypass set up on a diesel engine this size, while they help the benefit is at best incremental from what I see daily in analysis results.
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