C-15 can it run on synthetic oil?

Schaeffer's products ARE blended with both Group IV and Group III and Group II+ oils. Read the tech sheets. This whole "what is a true synthetic and what is not" is nothing but marketing hype. You have to blend in some Group III or Group II+ oil along with the Group IV PAO synthetic because a Group IV will not hold the additive package of the oil in suspension properly. The actual misinformation is that a particular oil is only a Group IV PAO "true synthetic". Schaeffer 9000 full synthetic is a Group IV and Group III blend. Schaeffer 7000 Synthetic Blend is a Group IV and Group II+ blend. I use the 7000 series and really like the results.

And truth be told, outside of the lab, there is hardly any difference any more between a Group IV "true synthetic" and a Group III synthetic. If you look at data sheets, the wear tests, pour points, NOACK volatility rates (burn off) are so close that the average user could not tell the difference. And if you did more of that internet research you advocate, you would find that lubricating products made from whale oil in the 1800's is still, technically, classified as a true synthetic. But I sure would not pour that crap in my engine! A Group IV synthetic is made from ethylene gas which is made from Natural Gas. Group IV is a carbon based oil just like any other except it has a very uniform structure. Group III is refined using severe hydrocracking that weeds out the non uniform properties and makes it a very uniform product very close to the Group IV. For the average user, they are not going to tell the difference.

What many fail to realize is that while the base oil is important, it is the additive package in the oil that is as much important. That is where one brand can excel above another. over 40% of any gallon of oil is additive package. You can have the fanciest base oil on the planet, but if you have a lousy additive package, it will be a junk oil in an engine.

 

Sorry Can't agree Talk too Schaeffer about the 9000.......

 

I'll do ya' one better. I will give you the link to both the Series 7000 which I use and the Series 9000. I like them both. Both have some Group IV PAO in them, but they both are also blended with non Group IV stuff. Oh, I talk to Schaeffer quite frequently about their products. Just go it a load of their stuff on the 31st.

Notice in the second paragraph of the 9000 sheet "blended with a COMBINATION of select synthetic base fluids". That is Group IV and Group III and Schaeffer does not hide that fact when you call them.

http://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/244-9000-td.pdf

The Series 7000 I run, it is a Group IV and Group II+ blend with the same add pack. Again, let the second paragraph explain it.....

http://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/222-700-td.pdf

 

Thanks for making my point that group three isn't a synthetic base oil........ Now take your toys and go play in another sand box, It's a new year, taking a break from these boards for some is a good start Good bye........

 

So what if a group III is not "technically" a synthetic base oil. Doesn't make a bit of difference. There is nothing earth shaking about a "true" Group IV synthetic. At least not to anyone that is driving regular production vehicles down the road. A group III will offer virtually the same performance as a group IV. Only in a controlled lab setting would anyone even be able to tell the difference. The courts, the Federal Trade Commission, the auto industry, the American Petroleum Institute, and the Petroleum Quality Institute of America all disagree with you though. Must be nice standing on that small island out in the middle of the ocean hollering when no one is listening.

 

2019... hello to everyone. 5 years since this post was created and I'm still reading what others have to say about what viscosity oil should you run in cold temperatures. Cold temperatures I mean 10-30F. Anyone have more experience with cold temperatures please share with us. I have a 2004 CAT acert C15 with 1.2 million miles. No rebuild yet but I understand that it can come anytime soon. I owned and maintained this truck for 2 years since it had 850k. When I purchased my T600 owner didn't care very much between Delwac or Rotella or any other oil that shops are using. But most important for me was that he changed it regularly. Since day one I used Rotella T4 15w40. Until this year in 2018 I switched to same Rotella with its advertised better oil then T4 which is T5 15w40 synthetic blend. Like I mentioned before my C15 has 1.2 million miles and my maintaince interval is 12k. Between oil changes I'm adding 1 gal no more. No oil leaks at all. Lately couple weeks I started to look and see if I can find anyone who drives in cold weather and how others are fighting the cold starts. Switched to a lower viscosity oil or adding a coolant heater like Webasto or Espar. I decided to go with same oil Rotella T5 but different viscosity 10w30. Will see how it will go for me. Hope I will not screw up but doing this switch. Planning to stay with 10w30 when it's cold. In Spring, Summer and Fall will stay with T5 15w40.

 

Hi, I'm back with the results of my test switching to 10w30 from 15w40. Big mistake never switch to a lower viscosity unless you have newer engine with low miles and have to start your engine daily in a really cold environment. Switching from 15w40 to 10w30 instantly you will see lower oil pressure and highter oil consumption. I'm talking if you have an older engine with a lot of miles. Nothing bad happened to my engine when I switched to 10w30 but I lost one oil filter and plus service and cost to go back to 15w40. Roughly 200$. Sharing my experience with all of you who probably would like to make sure before making a decision. Never tried 5w40 synthetic on my 05 Accert C15 BXS. Probably will pass this test because of the cost of the oil. Hope this will helps someone.

 

For what it's worth I run Delo 5W-40 synthetic in my old B models, pickups, excavators, etc. It is fairly inexpensive @ around $20 per gallon, and the main reason that we use it is to be able to go 10000 miles between services on our pickups, and cold-weather starting.
Oil samples have been good.

 

deleted. Responded to a old very old post