Winter Engine Oil

A good rule is do not put any load on a cold engine until your oil pressure comes down to normal running pressure.
If your pressure running down the road at 60 mph/100kph is 45lbs then do not put the truck in gear until your cold start pressure comes down to 45lbs. As long as your pressure comes up within 5 seconds or so and you hold the engine at a high idle of 1000rpm or less during warmup you are not doing damage. DO NOT TAKE THE ENGINE ABOVE 1000rpm until the oil pressure comes down to normal running pressure!
yes a synthetic oil will cut your warmup time if it is 5W40 but you should stick to the same rules on warmup pressures.
This is what I was taught and I have got 1.2M miles out of a Cat 3406 and 1.7M out of my series 60 before an inframe.

 

Very good advice!

10w30 Delo Blend or 10w30 DelVac Conventional year round works well. 5w40 is noticeably easier starting and easier pumping in the winter forsure!