fredbaro
pa
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Joined: 08/30/2007
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i have a 2007 gmc 2500 duramax with 27000 miles. has anybody switched from regular oil (shell rotella) to a synthetic and have any problems with doing so or seen any improvments. thank you
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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if I was on the road towing for a living again, every day, I would consider going synthetic for my Cummins BUT I'm retired now and the Cummins doesn't work hard but 3 - 5 times a month on my part time haul. Rotella 15w-40 works just fine with 102k + on the odo. I would imagine the DMAX will last several hundred k with regular dino oils and proper filter changes. Dino or synthetic still needs GMs regular schedule oil maintenance change requirements to protect your engine warranty.
Jim
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erd04056
Where ever we park it
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The only reason I can see for changing to a synthetic, would be for extended drain intervals. Other than that, most people can't justify the additional cost of the synthetics over regular oil. Meaning....I can see no benefit to switching to synthetic, and continuing to change your oil at the same intervals as you did with the regular oil.
Your truck will easily see over 200,000 miles no matter which you choose.
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rob85546
Hot arizona
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I put Mobil one.... cant say I can tell an improvement... I think it is worth it, I change the oil by what the computer tells me....
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ib516
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I use synthetic as I do the oil changes myself and save the money that I would otherwise spend paying someone else to do it.
I use the synthetic as it is better for extreme heat and extreme cold. It goes from -40* to 100* here, so it makes sense for me. That said, regular old 15w40 is just fine too, provided it's not below 0* or so. In fact, in my Cummins owners manual, it says to use synthetic 5w40 if the expected temp is below 0*. 15w40 is only good to 0* according to the manual.
I do not extend oil change intervals with sythetic as all oil gets dirty/worn out.
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Cat320
Western AR
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erd04056 wrote:The only reason I can see for changing to a synthetic, would be for extended drain intervals.
GM says the type of oil does not affect when the oil is changed.
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mtlogger
Montana
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Extended drains doesn't mean not changing oil filters as prescribed. I drain my oil btwn 25-35,000 miles and change oil filters twice. Synthetic is fine if you start using it from the get-go. Changing in mid course, means never going back to reg dino oil. Once you start with Syn you need to stick with it.
ib516: My Rotella dino has never failed me at -35F yet and it can't read manuals.
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BeeronIce
Montreal,Quebec
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mtlogger wrote: Changing in mid course, means never going back to reg dino oil. Once you start with Syn you need to stick with it.
What is the reason behind that...please explain?
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Hamops
Oshawa, ON, CA
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I went to Amsoil Full synthetic because I change my oil according to GM's engine oil management system. This means that I go from 8000 to 12000 miles between changes depending on truck usage. The syn oil gives the extra protection that I want for the extended oil change periods.
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ib516
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mtlogger wrote:
ib516: My Rotella dino has never failed me at -35F yet and it can't read manuals.
Well, I read manuals. In the owners manual for the 2007 Cummins/Dodge truck, it specifically states that if the expected temp range is below 0*F, 5w40 synthetic oil should be used. I guess you could phone the Cummins engineers and tell them as to what your experience is and ask why they put that in the manual. 
I'd suggest placing a container of 15w40 outside overnight next time it's -35* and see in the morning what you're asking to circulate through all of the tiny clearances in your engine. It's pretty thick. But hey, it's your truck that you paid for!
Me, I'm a bit of a stickler for things like oil and general maintenence.
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