Rotella T6 Synthetic in 15W40, uhm what?

Just noticed that our local walmart is now carrying Rotella T6 synthetic in 15W40, what moron came up with this idea? Isn't one of the strong selling points of a synthetic is good cold flow properties?


https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/pro...tella-t6-15w-40-full-synthetic-motor-oil.html

Worst part is they stripped all the 1 gallon T6 5W40 bottles off the shelf. Only 2.5Gals left and who knows how long they are going to last.

What exactly is the benefit of this oil over 5W40?

It probably has slightly better noack figures and more resistance to shearing than the 5w40 T6. It is unusual since the conventional Rotella 15w40 provides fantastic lubrication. I wouldn't worry too much about the 5w40 T6 going away anytime soon. They probably goofed when ordering.

Trying to rationalize corporate policy can lead to severe frustration, but I would bet it has something to do with how they think it would benefit their bottom line

I think you need to check that again. T6 is 5w40, T5 is the 15w40 .

scooperhsd said:

I think you need to check that again. T6 is 5w40, T5 is the 15w40 .

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Hey smart guy. T6 also comes in 5w30 as well. The T6 15w40 is a new offering from Shell. Duh?

turbocharged798 said:

Just noticed that our local walmart is now carrying Rotella T6 synthetic in 15W40, what moron came up with this idea? Isn't one of the strong selling points of a synthetic is good cold flow properties?

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moahr numburs moar bettur
them stupid manufacturers using 0w oil don't they know with zero double-yous the oil is not going to do anything? It say zero there right!

(people are idiots and don't understand viscosity vs temperature)

I got tricked by the same **** this past weekend. I forgot about this thread, went out to get some t6 5w40 and opted not to get 2.5gal. When I got home I remembered reading something about t6 being swapped out and sure enough, like a moron without properly reading I got the 15w40 stuff. Might not be an issue if I didn't live in a part of the world that gets down to -30c during the winter, so now whenever I go back to the US I need to return it.

Slightly different question. How long would an open jug of 2.5gal be good for? I usually do about 8-9000miles per year and I'm good with the 1 gallon container. I know they last for a while when kept sealed.

There are still lots of diesel engines that specify 15w40. I just happened to look up the spec for a 2017 Ram with the 6.7L, and it states 5w40 for below 0 F, and 15w40 for above 0 F.

And the 2014 Duramax Silverado we had in here recently also specified 15w40. So....

In theory a 5w-40 is also a 15w-40. A 15w-40 could be a 5w-40 if it is a certain csk and flows at -30 C degrees.

It is all based on the natual velocity index of the base oil without polymers. Renewable Lubricants, the company, has straight weight oils with a VI of 150 and as a straight weight has no polymers.

These oils with this high of a VI are equal or better than 10w-XX and will not shear. It is therefore possible to make a 15w-40 with a base oil with little to no polymers and highly shear resistant if it is fully refined.

It would be necessary to get the velocity index and cold temp. flow point and noak to determine how refined this oil is. If it is a group III plus, it might have very little polymers and ideal in a high shear environment.

The big reason for 5w40 in our TDI's is for flow through the engine before it is warmed up. About 10- 15 years ago, someone did a comparision between 5w40 and 15w40 in moderately cold conditions (between 0 and 32F I believe, although I might be wrong). The 5w40 was through the engine much faster than the 15w40 - (and this means less time without lubrication is certain areas). So I would want the 5w40 in my 2000 Beetle over a 15w40, even in the summer time. If T6 is now being sold only in 15w40, I would scratch it off my list as acceptable.

No worries, T6 is now sold in 5w30, 0w40, 5w40, and 15w40 viscosities. Next they'll be adding 0w30 and 10w30 to the T6 lineup (just speculation).

turbobrick240 said:

No worries, T6 is now sold in 5w30, 0w40, 5w40, and 15w40 viscosities. Next they'll be adding 0w30 and 10w30 to the T6 lineup (just speculation).

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Problem is that local walmart is only selling the 15W-40 flavor now. They had delo 5W40 on sale. for the same price so I am using that for now.

The Delo is just as good. It's usually roughly a dollar cheaper(by gallon) than T6 at the Wmarts up here.

Amazon has it on sale 5w40
https://www.amazon.com/Shell-Rotell...524&s=prime-day-secondary&sr=1-1-catcorr&th=1

I ran 15w/40 year round in a 200Tdi Land Rover engine. Factory spec'd weight for that engine.

Matt927 said:

I ran 15w/40 year round in a 200Tdi Land Rover engine. Factory spec'd weight for that engine.

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If it is speced for your Land Rover - you're doing the right thing. However, VW has been specing 5wX oils for the TDI's for 20 years now.

turbobrick240 said:

The Delo is just as good. It's usually roughly a dollar cheaper(by gallon) than T6 at the Wmarts up here.

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Agree. Been running this stuff for years. It’s usually cheaper locally than T6.

In my 2012 TDI Dealer Only carries 5w30 Castrol edge Professional wich meets 507.00 spec for use on engine & emmisions being its equiped with a DPF cant just use any Oil or DPF will get pluged up Only Oil i use is VW dealer & Filter.

Huh??? Just went to walmart.com and THIS is what they sell:



https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shell-Ro...-Heavy-Duty-Diesel-Engine-Oil-1-gal/102646780

The last time I went to Walmart (replace MIL's battery in Chevy Equinox), I did some looking at what oil was available - I saw T6 in both 5w40 and 15W40.

This is great news!!! I run 15/40 rotella exclusively in my dirt bike and I'm forced to get t5 because of this. Now I can get the fully synthetic t6 ?

35 Yr Dsl Veteran said:

Huh??? Just went to walmart.com and THIS is what they sell:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shell-Ro...-Heavy-Duty-Diesel-Engine-Oil-1-gal/102646780

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Different walmarts are going to offer different products.

FlipOne513 said:

This is great news!!! I run 15/40 rotella exclusively in my dirt bike and I'm forced to get t5 because of this. Now I can get the fully synthetic t6 ?

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I was just thinking maybe I should start running this in my bikes and toys. Off to BITOG to see what they have to say.