Chris(MA)

Was in autozone today and saw they have 2.5 gallons of shell rotella 5w40 synthetic for $60. Its diesel oil however, this would be convenient for me as I could use it for my benz turbo diesel and the 996, any negatives to running this? I'd change the oil every 5-6000 miles.

no additives that would harm the catalytic converter?

ejdoherty911

Diesel truck oil for your non-diesel sports car? Sound like a GREAT idea! i can't think of a single reason not to put the wrong oil in your car. I stopped using "engine oil" a long time ago and have been using extra virgin olive oil in my 996. 45 HP gain at the tail lights.

RWPinNC

Probably not a good ideal. I'm new to these boards and looking for a 996/997 and already doing my homework on the best brands of oil, filters, etc. Look at the certifications met by the T6. I suspect they will be different that those required by your Porsche.

That said, T6 is an excellent oil for diesels. And a lot of off-road motorcycle guys have been using it for years in their bikes (high temps, lugging motor in the woods, but frequent oil changes). But the Porsche is probably not a good place to experiment.

By my faulty mental calculator thats $6/qt. You can get Mobil 1 from Wallyworld for about $23 for a five quart jug (at least the 0w40), and there's a Mobil 1 rebate for $12 on a jug. May be worth checking out.

fpb111

It won't hurt anything. Many run it.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turb...otella-t6.html

Specs in this thread.
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forum...Number=2243973

In the list of Porsche approved oils as 2012?
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...-oil-list.html

CarlOrton

T6 carries the SAE SN or whatever the latest rating is. Main diff is that it carries ZDDP, which has been eliminated from most "auto" engine oils, which helps with anti-scuffing properties.

mattie_k

I use it in all my vehicles.

JohnCA58

deleted

JohnCA58

the SAE CK oil (Rotella) TBN has been reduce when it was CJ back in 2007 when big diesel were required to run catalyst exhaust systems, it will not harm the P-car emissions but I don't see anything with the right viscosity. great oil but known to be called Rosmella with the older diesel with open breather systems.

Billup

I've found mixing 50% Mobil 1 4T motorcycle formula with 50% T6 diesel formula to yield the best results. However, after changing to this mix my brakes started making a squeaking noise.

dporto

Just slather it all over the rotors, that should take care of the noise. If not, just throw the pads in a bucket of the mix over night. Wipe off any excess before reinstalling...this should do it

Nickshu

This is a popular oil for vintage car guys because it's about the only high zinc/ZDDP oil you can buy at most FLAPS. However I thought high ZDDP is not desirable on "modern" cars because it will damage the catalytic converter?


Info: https://www.amsoil.com/newsstand/cla...ar-protection/

fpb111

Flat six and LN Engineering both recommend JG oil partly due to its higher ZDDP content.

https://lnengineering.com/index.php/...iven-oils.html

Macster

Some people were recommending this oil for 996 Turbos. My research into the oil found it has a high mineral oil content. Porsche calls for synthetic oils only in its engines. It is not even an approved oil for Porsche diesel engine and AFAIK it is not even approved for use with M-B diesels.

My advice is to run an approved oil in your Porsche. There are around 100 to choose from but Mobil 0w-40 is probably the best choice. If you live where it doesn't get that cold you can run 5w-50 (not a typo for 15w-50!) if you are afraid of the "40" weight in "0w-40". (0w-40 oil held up real well in both my Boxster and my Turbo in triple digit heat.)

If you want something in the "5w-40" class of oils there are a number of oils to choose from. I don't recall any specific ones off hand. Run by your Porsche dealer and get a printout the latest approved oils list. I get one of these lists every couple of years or so.

You might get lucky and find an approved oil that is also approved for use in your M-B. If not then my advice would be to run whatever oil M-B approves for its car and as I said above run an approved oil in your 996.

If you elect to run a non-approved oil you can use any criteria in picking the non approved oil you want to run. The Rotella jug is quite colorful. As good as any reason then to run it.

FastM96

I run T6 in my Rover Disco II V8 due to the flat tappet (read: old) GM/Buick design. The ZDDP protects that engine, and it's an '03 so I would say catalytic converter concerns are generally unwarranted. T6 shouldn't hurt the 996 but without a specific, compelling reason I'd suggest sticking with M1 Full Synthetic 0W-40 for cooler climates and Castrol Full Synthetic Racing 5W-50 for warmer.

Schnell Gelb

" Newer formulations of Rotella T6 however are API SM rated as safe for pre-2011 gasoline vehicles." It's TBN is 10.6.