Does anyone know whether Shell Rotella 15W-40 motor oil is a better choice over Mobil Delvac Super 1300 15W-40 motor oil. I have a 1989 760 GLE (gas engine) with 185,000 miles on it. I plan on using mobil 1 oil filters, but what is a good quality dino 15W-40? I know about synthetics (very well), but I really need a decent diesel 15w-40 heavy-duty motor oil! I drive about 1,000 mles per a week and live in the northeast, but with the summer approaching, and the enormous 99.9% of hwy mileage, i need protection at a equtible expense.

Thanks in Advance!

Save some money and use the Mann oil filters instead.

As for the oil, Chevron Delo 400 and Shell Rotella T have been my preferences.

-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

I've happily used Rotella for years. The higher sulfur content (I think that's what it is) can destroy catalytic converters, though. However, I've never found that to be the case; I just wanted to say it because I have read it before. Additionally, Chevron's Delo is good, as are several other 15w40 brands. I used to use it a lot because my cars would sit idling while I was waiting to lead funeral processions or while I was letting it run at graveside with the A/C on (at one time I worked in the funeral business). I never had any oil-related problems, or dead catalytic converters. I suppose the manufacturers mention that just in case someone, somewhere, does have a problem. Overall they are all pretty decent.
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Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

I've used Castrol 10-30 or 15-40 for years, beginning in the late 60's with my old Triumphs. I did have a problem once with getting gunk in my oil pump, following an unfortunate incident with a brick mailbox, but, otherwise, I have had no problems related to engine oil, etc.

I have been using the rotella in my 740 gl for a long time 200+K and it work fine. I am a student studing diesel tech and frankly synthetic is a waste of money. It viscosity changes little with temp change but knowing your engine has great amount of wear the oil is easily diluted or contaminated so synthetic or not it get dirty. that dirt is not usually traped by the filter and damage the parts or cause faster wear. My advice is use the multi grade (rotella) 15w-40 and add a STP oil treatment. CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 3,000 TO 5,000 MILES OR 4 MONTHS DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS. Make sure your thermostat is working fine and when starting the engine just allow engine to run for 1 minute to make sure oil pres is fine and engage the tranny and drive slowly not to exceed 3500rpm If car idle with no load on the engine it takes long to warm up and this is when oil is most likly to get diluted by blowby.
good luck.

A good quality dino oil is one that says it meets API "SL" quality grade - in other words just about everything on the shelf today. This is the latest gasoline engine standard as introduced in July 2001. Oils meeting this spec are "designed to provide better high temperature deposit control and lower oil consumption". (API Motor Oil guide). Even better if the oil also meets ILSAC specs.

The rest of the advice you need is in your owner's manual regarding viscosity rating: 5W30 for cold/cool weather, 10W30 for just about everything, 15W40 or a synthetic 10W30 for extreme heat or heavy duty use. (going fast on the highway is not heavy duty).

As long as you're in the owner's manual, note the line "Volvo do not recommend the use of oil additives".
--
Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F, 94-944 B230FD)

I've never been too impressed with the delvac in a vehicle engine.It cooks off at an alarming rate. It seems to be most popular in stationary generator and pump engines that sit alot.

Ist choice would be the Chevron Delo , it holds up best ( of the dino oils) in severe conditions.
2nd choice would be Rotella. it has better detergents( which quite frankly shouldn't make any difference ina gas burner )but has a habit of burning off a bit quicker.

If you know about synthetics, I'm assuming that you want to use a 15-40 dino oil due to excess consumption,in which case the Chevron Delo would be best.
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-------Robert, '93 940t, '90 240 wagon, '84 240 diesel (she's sick) , '80 245 diesel

if your near ny i would try using black bear