Changing my oil - but (GASP) not with Mobil 1 - 0W40

[stevesrt8]

Originally Posted by GoofyTimL

I'll go 5k miles immediately on the first change to QB on the MSRT8, and after another analysis it will go 7500... or possible 10k. So, vs. changing Mobil1 at every 3k... it evens out. And I do believe the technology in this oil is legit.

I just hope DCX agrees with you if there are any warranty issues for you in the future!

Can you really verify by analysis if you are getting any "coking" (burnt oil deposits) under the piston crowns? Since we run uniquely hot in this area compared to almost any other engine, I would be very interested in this prior to increasing my oil change intervals.

Thanks in advance.

And kudos to Jmatt again for publishing an oil expose'. I just changed to 15w-50 Mobil one to kill the dreaded whine, but I'll quickly choose another oil for the future.

[bigsnake]

Here's what Mobil1 has to say about the 5-40.

Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40

[JMatt]

Originally Posted by Moose

danno, you ask great questions...

JMatt, you kick ass on good info. I was just reading about this on a dyno page and was going to switch, but I still felt uncomfortable regarding the SRT's. Now I'm switching for sure.

Thanks Moose!

I just went back and read my 2005 SRT-8 Owner's Manual.

It recommends (and I quote):

"Use API rated SL/CF full synthetic engine oil. SAE 0W-40 is recommended."

Note - it says use SL.

This verifies that the original specification was made when SL was the standard - NOT the current SM, which lacks some key wear-reducing ingredients.

Remember this about vicosity ratings: The first number is the rating for cold. The second is the rating for hot. Especially if you live where it's cold, you want a 0w or 5w to make sure the oil flows at start-up on cold mornings.

The colder your locale, the more desireable a 0W would be. My car NEVER gets started with its oil temp below 50 degrees. 0W is not very important to me, and it won't matter for anyone at even 20 degrees fahrenheit. The difference between 0W and 5W isn't real apparent until sub-zero (fahrenheit) temperatures.

That being said - I chose a 40 weight oil (5W-40) - what was originally recommended. I then ruled out the 0W-4o Mobil 1 due to the new formulation with the lack of some key ingredients. That pushed me to 5W-40. DCX said synthetic - and I like that recommendation.

So I looked at all the available 5W-40 full synthetic oils.

Some good choices:

Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck
Mobil 1 Truck & SUV
Rotella 5W40 rated CI-4

Of these, perhaps the Truck & SUV oil is the closest to what we HAD.
However, the Turbo Diesel Truck is "heavier duty" and includes even more wear fighting ingredients. Downside is that theoretically you can harm your cats with too much. I doubt my high-flow cats are doing much right now......

Thus my choice - Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck. Same manufacturer as factory fill. Same viscosity where I drive as factory recommended. Even more wear-resistance than factory fill.

IN THE ALTERNATIVE:

I never really thought much about these products, but it seems adding a bottle of STP Red with each oil change really is beneficial, and not just the snake oil I always assumed it was.

If you're sticking with the new formulation Mobil 1 0w40, I'd add a pint of the STP Red.

[bigsnake]

Matt, why STP red instead of blue? It's my understanding that the red is for 4 cylinder application.

[JMatt]

Postscript:

I just did the math.

Adding one pint of STP Red to 6.5 Quarts of Mobil 1 0w40 synthetic, will bring the wear-reducing agents to 110% of what they originally were.

Of course, the new 0W40 only has 55% of the wear reducing agents that Turbo Diesel Truck oil has.

Even after adding the STP Red, it only has 55% of what comes in the Turbo Diesel Truck oil.

Maybe it's overkill - but it's simple, easy, and available. Even Mobil 1's corporate responses seem to sheepishly admit that the Turbo Diesel Truck oil would be pretty darn good for our cars.

Last comment: The credit for the research goes to a number of folks in the Porsche world. I think of the oil/air cooled Porsche's as the "canary-in-the-mineshaft." If you can think of a group of people more in tune to the oils in there cars than a bunch of people with very high-performance cars, that are now at least 10 years old, that rely on the oil to help cool the cars, in engines that are very expensive to replace, rebuild, or maintain.......

You get the point. I'm just following the lead.....

[JMatt]

Originally Posted by bigsnake

Matt, why STP red instead of blue? It's my understanding that the red is for 4 cylinder application.

Red has twice the key ingredients as Blue. I don't know why they market one or the other. I assume, from reading their web-site tha they are marketing based on the premise that today's 4-cylinder engines are working harder than today's V-8's. This may be true when comparing a Mitsubishi Eclipse to a Buick LaSalle. If you focus on performance level per cylinder, I'd look to the Red.

NOTE: The STP website points out that STP Red (and Blue) will increas your oil viscosity. This is not something I desire. Therefore, I'd recommend some of the other oils I chose rather than a simple additive.

Finally - I want to reiterate that I'm not part of the whole "Brand X" is the only way to go crowd. If Royal Purple or Redline or Amsoil is your thing - great. I stuck with the same brand - even though I changed oils. Hopefully that helps me be a little more scientific, a little less biased, and a little more creditable as a source.

I hope I have been helpful.

[bigsnake]

Yep, that was very helpful and I try to learn something new every day about my SRT!to keep it rolling along at peak performance!

[srt8danno]

Since I just had my oil changed on Thursday with the 0W40 I will run out and get a bottle of the STP Red as you suggested. I also used to think of it as snake oil….but now I’ve seen the light.

[SHADE]

Can someone post a pic of the turbo diesel bottle?

I know I'll get the wrong crap if I dotn have a picture.

[JMatt]

Originally Posted by SHADE

Can someone post a pic of the turbo diesel bottle?

I know I'll get the wrong crap if I dotn have a picture.

Probably overkill, but does this help?
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40