Which Rotella is best for my 2007 Tahoe?

[Tmoore8601]

I got this Tahoe ab 3 months ago. The guy I got it from had done a lot of work to it. He was already running T4 in the engine. I don’t really know too much ab it. Would T5 or T6 be any better for it?

 

[avalonandl]

Look up dexos 1 there is shell rotella 5-30.

 

[iamdub]

You don't HAVE to continue running diesel engine oil. You can run anything you want. It is said that the high zinc content in diesel engine oils, while great for engines in general, eventually kills the catalytic converters that gasoline engines have. Some say that's not true, others say it's true but will take a really long time. I ran gasoline engine full synthetic oil (Pennzoil Platinum) until recently when I removed the cats. I switched to Rotella in the T6 flavor cuz I'll only run full synthetic. There is now a Rotella formulated for gasoline engines that appears to be an excellent oil. Since you asked specifically about Rotella, I'd say the one that's best for your '07 is the new one for gasoline engines. If some of that work that the previous owner did was removing the cats, then you can still run that gas engine Rotella or the continue with the diesel engine Rotella, again, in full synthetic.


Bottoms up!

 

[Tmoore8601]

You don't HAVE to continue running diesel engine oil. You can run anything you want. It is said that the high zinc content in diesel engine oils, while great for engines in general, eventually kills the catalytic converters that gasoline engines have. Some say that's not true, others say it's true but will take a really long time. I ran gasoline engine full synthetic oil (Pennzoil Platinum) until recently when I removed the cats. I switched to Rotella in the T6 flavor cuz I'll only run full synthetic. There is now a Rotella formulated for gasoline engines that appears to be an excellent oil. Since you asked specifically about Rotella, I'd say the one that's best for your '07 is the new one for gasoline engines. If some of that work that the previous owner did was removing the cats, then you can still run that gas engine Rotella or the continue with the diesel engine Rotella, again, in full synthetic.


Bottoms up!

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Thank you so much!

 

[Derick]

Bottoms up!

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I put that shit on everything.

 

[Derick]

I just went t6 on mine recently. I put that stuff in everything. Trucks, motorcycles, lawn mowers, I get a good laugh at the looks I get when I smell it and look at the driver and go..... Rotella. Nice.

 

[swathdiver]

I got this Tahoe ab 3 months ago. The guy I got it from had done a lot of work to it. He was already running T4 in the engine. I don’t really know too much ab it. Would T5 or T6 be any better for it?

The T4 is probably why he had to do a lot of work to the engine. We see on the pages of these forums lots of AFM problems caused by folks running the wrong oil in their motors. Stick with Dexos approved oils such as Rotella Gas Truck if your engine still has AFM whether active or not. If it's been deleted or you're running a 4.8, to each his own.

 

[Derick]

Back to this, I put in the t6 last week because that's what I know. However reading a bit more, I think I'm gonna go back to a dexos oil. I was considering just going back to super tech but the Rotella line is a well trusted brand and their gas truck oil is only about 2 dollars more than supertech, and is dexos gen2 approved..... So win win for 18 bucks instead of 16.

 

[iamdub]

...However reading a bit more, I think I'm gonna go back to a dexos oil.

What'dja read that swayed your thoughts?

 

[Derick]

What'dja read that swayed your thoughts?

I'm most concerned about the cat convertor claims. Who really knows the truth...but I figure, at 18 bucks for 5 quarts, for a full synthetic from a premium brand that is dexos happy.....it makes good sense.

In addition, the T6 @ 21 dollars, is 4 quarts. The Rotella gas truck full synth is 5 quarts at 18 dollars, thereby making a cheaper change. And if I know anything about this group, its that ya'll a bunch of cheap mfs.

 

[iamdub]

I'm most concerned about the cat convertor claims. Who really knows the truth...but I figure, at 18 bucks for 5 quarts, for a full synthetic from a premium brand that is dexos happy.....it makes good sense.

In addition, the T6 @ 21 dollars, is 4 quarts. The Rotella gas truck full synth is 5 quarts at 18 dollars, thereby making a cheaper change. And if I know anything about this group, its that ya'll a bunch of cheap mfs.

I fully agree. I'd say that the ZDDP affecting the cats is dependent on how much oil your engine burns. And, when it comes to LS engines and burning oil...

You'll be 100% fine with the Rotella gas truck oil. You're not being cheap at all.

 

[Derick]

I fully agree. I'd say that the ZDDP affecting the cats is dependent on how much oil your engine burns. And, when it comes to LS engines and burning oil...

You'll be 100% fine with the Rotella gas truck oil. You're not being cheap at all.

The other thing in the back of my mind is that I was hoping to get some new found oil pressure with the thicker rotella. And, well, I do. for about 500 miles. With 5w30, I was seeing 17 psi at hot idle, about 25-30 at cold idle, and about 37-42 at revs. Well, the rotella did in fact give me higher oil pressure, but once it got broken in a little bit, it seems like it all came back to what it was before. So, really, I gained nothing for it - but it was a test, and I got my results.

 

[iamdub]

The other thing in the back of my mind is that I was hoping to get some new found oil pressure with the thicker rotella. And, well, I do. for about 500 miles. With 5w30, I was seeing 17 psi at hot idle, about 25-30 at cold idle, and about 37-42 at revs. Well, the rotella did in fact give me higher oil pressure, but once it got broken in a little bit, it seems like it all came back to what it was before. So, really, I gained nothing for it - but it was a test, and I got my results.

Using a heavier oil to increase pressure just satisfies your mind but doesn't do anything toward remedying the problem. Have you done any troubleshooting for the cause? Might have to start your own thread about it. I apologize if you have already, it's impossible to keep up with all the low oil pressure threads with these things.

 

[Derick]

Using a heavier oil to increase pressure just satisfies your mind but doesn't do anything toward remedying the problem. Have you done any troubleshooting for the cause? Might have to start your own thread about it. I apologize if you have already, it's impossible to keep up with all the low oil pressure threads with these things.

I have, and I started a thread on it I think, but I think ultimately the word is that things are fine. I've posted vides of my oil pressure and how it reacts and the concensus is that it is working as directed. I feel like its low, but what do I know. I also had the oil pickup tube oring replaced when the trans was rebuilt. I have no evidence that it actually was done. The mechanic didnt send pictures of it as I had requested, so I'm working on faith that it was done.

 

[iamdub]

I have, and I started a thread on it I think, but I think ultimately the word is that things are fine. I've posted vides of my oil pressure and how it reacts and the concensus is that it is working as directed. I feel like its low, but what do I know. I also had the oil pickup tube oring replaced when the trans was rebuilt. I have no evidence that it actually was done. The mechanic didnt send pictures of it as I had requested, so I'm working on faith that it was done.

You can easily test the O-ring yourself. If it were replaced, you'd be able to tell that the oil pan bolts were turned. You should also see a new oil pan gasket and/or some fresh-looking RTV squished out of the front cover. Also, even if it were replaced, there's a chance it wasn't done properly. It's fairly easy to roll it out of place when pushing the pickup tube back into the oil pump.

 

[Derick]

Im just putting my final thoughts in here.

I love rotella. It's cheap, generally works great and I was super excited to move to the rotella gas truck product. However, they are pretty proud of that product. The REGULAR price of the 5 qt of rotella 5w30 gas truck is about 40 dollars. I think they are trying to entice the market right now, and it can be bought online at about 21 dollars for a 5 qt jug. Advance auto seems to be the most common retailer that actually carries it in stock. Now, after I made my final decisions, I did go to walmart, and lo and behold they had it on the shelf for about 20 dollars. Likely to match and compete with advance.

Now, my final decision is this. I'm going back to the supertech full synth 5w30 that is dexos approved. I have no reason not to do it this way. I am not going to try and drag out 10k or 15k mile oil changes. For the price, at about 30 dollars for 6 quarts of oil and a KN filter, 3000-5000 miles is just fine. The rotella is likely a great product! But at 40 dollars a jug, plus the extra quart, and the filter...that's easily a 60 dollar oil change. My oil pressure never really changed much with bouncing between oils. It always seems low, but I think the reality is that it's just the way it is. People have chimed in and said its fine, I've posted videos, and the consensus is that it's fine. No sense in trying to make myself feel better by messing with oil that isn't really designed for the vehicle it's being put into.