24 Valve 2nd Gen Dodge Cummins 98.5-02 Discussion of 24 Valve 5.9 Liter Dodge Cummins Diesels with VP44 Injection Pumps
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synthetic or regular oil?

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Old 12-30-2011, 03:06 PM
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Default synthetic or regular oil?

ok guys was getting ready to change my oil and have allways been a fan of synthetic oil mainly because of the increase fuel mileage you get. is it worth it or not its about a $45 dollar difference.

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

is it worth going synthetic in the transmission and transfercase and rear end also.
had a ford lightning once and converted all rolling parts to synthetic and gained 3 mpg. hence the questions.
 

Last edited by starrysky111; 12-30-2011 at 03:06 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old 01-04-2012, 10:35 AM
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It's been a few days and no response, so I'll pipe in
I too am a fan of synthetics for many reasons but lets address the one you mention..fuel economy.
A gain in fuel mileage has many variables but in general, using a syn can help improve it. Data will show that most of the gain comes from using a syn in the drive train..tranny and diffs, but you can get some from engine oil as well.
So if mpg is the goal, then it should be used throughout as you have done in the past.

As for cost difference, it all depends on which oil you want to use and how you want to use it. One could actually save money in the long run.....
 
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Old 01-04-2012, 11:41 AM
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you wont go wrong either way, Synthetic is a better oil, however your motor wont complain using non synthetic oil as well. I was using Rotella 15w40 in my cummins, i switched to Synthetic Rotella 5w40 and it seems to start better in the colder temps. but that is the weight of oil i am using. I prefer 5w than 15w anyway.
 
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Old 01-04-2012, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by starrysky111
ok guys was getting ready to change my oil and have allways been a fan of synthetic oil mainly because of the increase fuel mileage you get. is it worth it or not its about a $45 dollar difference.

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

is it worth going synthetic in the transmission and transfercase and rear end also.
had a ford lightning once and converted all rolling parts to synthetic and gained 3 mpg. hence the questions.
The one and only oil I ever ran and noticed a change in MPG was JD 0W40 in my cummins...gained maybe .5mpg over 7500 miles. I have run a host of oils, conventional, blends and synthetics, from amsoil to rotella, delo, valvoline, castrol etc etc and never noticed any difference in mpg in either my dodge or my ford. If I still owned a Cummins it would get nothing but a 15w40 all year in New England. It was a great cold weather engine.
 
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Old 01-04-2012, 05:03 PM
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Default synthetic oil

Originally Posted by Heath
It's been a few days and no response, so I'll pipe in
I too am a fan of synthetics for many reasons but lets address the one you mention..fuel economy.
A gain in fuel mileage has many variables but in general, using a syn can help improve it. Data will show that most of the gain comes from using a syn in the drive train..tranny and diffs, but you can get some from engine oil as well.
So if mpg is the goal, then it should be used throughout as you have done in the past.

As for cost difference, it all depends on which oil you want to use and how you want to use it. One could actually save money in the long run.....
Ill be hitting your website in the next month to get 5w-40 oil and a good filter. if i remember right my 2002 24v cummins takes 11 quarts with filter??? question, you offer military discounts? pm me. Thanks bud
 
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Old 01-05-2012, 12:01 AM
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i personally run shell rotella 15w-40 in my 2001 have been since i got the truck never had a problem with it cold or warm weather thats what the dodge dealer that i bought it from recomended i have thought about switching over but cant complain about the rotella just my.02
 
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Old 01-05-2012, 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by globalwarmingcontributor
Ill be hitting your website in the next month to get 5w-40 oil and a good filter. if i remember right my 2002 24v cummins takes 11 quarts with filter??? question, you offer military discounts? pm me. Thanks bud
Correct on the amount. As for pricing(that goes for anyone) don't order til you contact me. Don't want anyone paying more than they have to
 
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Old 01-05-2012, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by starrysky111
ok guys was getting ready to change my oil and have allways been a fan of synthetic oil mainly because of the increase fuel mileage you get. is it worth it or not its about a $45 dollar difference.

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

is it worth going synthetic in the transmission and transfercase and rear end also.
had a ford lightning once and converted all rolling parts to synthetic and gained 3 mpg. hence the questions.
Run synthetic in it it will start better and idle quieter. My neighbors all noticed when I swapped mine over. Your biggest gain in the dodge is changing the gear oil in the front and rear end over. The transfercase should already have synthetic atf+4. The trans also should of come with a synthetic. What is the mileage on the truck and have you serviced the trans yet?
 
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