Notices
Engine Performance This section is for discussion on all engine building related questions.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: KPower

Rotella T6 Out of stock everywhere - Now What?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 05:29 PM
  #1  
delturcious's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 113
Total Cats: 0
From: Nooga, TN
Default Rotella T6 Out of stock everywhere - Now What?

I've used nothing but Rotella T6 5w40 in my MSM for the last 10 years (like many others here), but it's out of stock everywhere around me. The Ford truck people say it's due to supply chain issues with additives. What are all the T6 diehards using right now that you can actually buy locally?

This car has only been driven about 4000 miles in the last 3 years--it's not getting Amsoil/RP/RL or any other mail order exotic oil.
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 05:59 PM
  #2  
codrus's Avatar
Elite Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,285
Total Cats: 883
From: Santa Clara, CA
Default

If you're beating on it at the track then it's worth mail ordering stuff. If you're not, then it doesn't really matter, pretty much any brand-name synthetic of the right viscosity will be fine. Mobil 1 is probably the easy button.

--Ian
Old Mar 24, 2022 | 12:05 AM
  #3  
technicalninja's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 675
Total Cats: 192
From: Granbury Texas
Default

I'd use Mobil1 0w-40 European car formula

Mobil 1 FS European Car Formula Full Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-40, 5 Quart - Walmart.com

It's got more ZDDP than normal formula, it's close to the same weight, and it's cheaper than the Rotella.
Old Mar 24, 2022 | 07:04 AM
  #4  
WigglingWaffles's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 494
Total Cats: 41
From: Lansing, MI
Default

Have you checked grocery stores?
it sounds odd, but i've yet to not find a full shelf of t6 at a meijer and its always cheaper than parts stores.
Old Mar 24, 2022 | 11:47 AM
  #5  
LeoNA's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 850
Total Cats: 107
From: Commiefornia
Default

Why not use something that is better for the time being until it is back in stock? The T6 is inexpensive which makes it attractive but there are much better products for your application. My suggestion would be Redline 5-40, 10-30 or the M1 0-40.
Old Mar 24, 2022 | 02:03 PM
  #6  
Chilicharger665's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,694
Total Cats: 67
From: SE NM
Default

If you barely drive the car, then how can you justify NOT treating it to great oil? The cost is spread across multiple years.
Old Mar 24, 2022 | 03:19 PM
  #7  
thebeerbaron's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,009
Total Cats: 478
From: San Jose
Default

I have a spare jug of this magical unicorn juice. I'll sell it to you for only 3x what I paid for it because I like you and I'm a good guy. You pay shipping.

In all seriousness, I think T6 is the choice of MT.net not because it's got some magical properties, but because it hit the sweet spot of price, availability, and features.

I agree with @codrus : any name-brand full-synthetic will do for your use case, especially if you're doing changes based on the calendar instead of miles.
Old Mar 24, 2022 | 08:42 PM
  #8  
Blkbrd69's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 431
Total Cats: 76
From: Orlando, FL
Default

Originally Posted by thebeerbaron
I have a spare jug of this magical unicorn juice. I'll sell it to you for only 3x what I paid for it because I like you and I'm a good guy. You pay shipping.

In all seriousness, I think T6 is the choice of MT.net not because it's got some magical properties, but because it hit the sweet spot of price, availability, and features.

I agree with @codrus : any name-brand full-synthetic will do for your use case, especially if you're doing changes based on the calendar instead of miles.
You do realize its not the same oil it was a few years ago?
Last I checked it was being reformulated again, which could be the disruption.
Note any time an oil is "reformulated" it gets worse, complements of the EPA.
Try an actual good oil.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/premium-pro...?code=AMOQT-EA
Old Mar 24, 2022 | 09:42 PM
  #9  
codrus's Avatar
Elite Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,285
Total Cats: 883
From: Santa Clara, CA
Default

T6 was appealing at one point because the diesel oils kept the high ZDDP levels longer than the gas-engine oils did. That's no longer the case, so it's no longer special. That said, there's nothing wrong with T6 -- I run it in my diesel truck (the intended application) and it works fine.

But again, for street driving it really doesn't matter. Change it regularly and you'll be fine with pretty much any brand-name synthetic.

...I generally stay away from the ones that are sold via Ponzi schemes though.

--Ian
Old Mar 24, 2022 | 10:21 PM
  #10  
SIRIUS's Avatar
Newb
 
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 4
Total Cats: 0
Default

Check with a local Dodge dealer. Some of the Cummins engines use T6 so they most likely keep it in stock. I am unsure if any other manufacturers use it but its worth a shot if you cant find it anywhere else.

Plus they may have it in single quart bottles.
Old Mar 25, 2022 | 08:29 AM
  #11  
HarryB's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,080
Total Cats: 154
Default

Originally Posted by technicalninja
I'd use Mobil1 0w-40 European car formula

Mobil 1 FS European Car Formula Full Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-40, 5 Quart - Walmart.com

It's got more ZDDP than normal formula, it's close to the same weight, and it's cheaper than the Rotella.
This is what I run since I got the car, for the exact same reasons (plus no Rotella in EU AFAIK)
Old Mar 25, 2022 | 02:49 PM
  #12  
delturcious's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 113
Total Cats: 0
From: Nooga, TN
Default

Originally Posted by Chilicharger665
If you barely drive the car, then how can you justify NOT treating it to great oil? The cost is spread across multiple years.
Because I generally don't spread it across multiple years; I still change it once a year or so. It's cheap insurance.

Originally Posted by WigglingWaffles
Have you checked grocery stores?
it sounds odd, but i've yet to not find a full shelf of t6 at a meijer and its always cheaper than parts stores.
I wish we had Meijer down south! That was great when The Company sent me up north for months on end.

Originally Posted by technicalninja
I'd use Mobil1 0w-40 European car formula

Mobil 1 FS European Car Formula Full Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-40, 5 Quart - Walmart.com

It's got more ZDDP than normal formula, it's close to the same weight, and it's cheaper than the Rotella.
This is very interesting to me, and likely what I'll go with. Thank you!

Originally Posted by LeoNA
Why not use something that is better for the time being until it is back in stock? The T6 is inexpensive which makes it attractive but there are much better products for your application. My suggestion would be Redline 5-40, 10-30 or the M1 0-40.
Because for <1500 non-track miles per year, there's no point to anything more expensive than a local full synthetic.

I remember people complaining about lifter tick after M1 was reformulated, but that was years ago and not the Euro version. I use "normal" M1 in other cars that like it just fine.
Old Mar 25, 2022 | 06:02 PM
  #13  
LeoNA's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 850
Total Cats: 107
From: Commiefornia
Default

Castrol makes a 5-40 edge which I have had good results with, but its also hard to find. Any full synthetic gas engine oil will be a better option for your application then the T6. If you want higher amounts of phosphorus you can buy zddp additives.
Old Mar 26, 2022 | 12:47 PM
  #14  
mr20turbo's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 145
Total Cats: 95
Default

Just saw all the T6 one would want on the shelves at Sams Club.
Old Mar 27, 2022 | 09:10 AM
  #15  
engineered2win's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 207
Total Cats: 65
From: Marysville, WA
Default

I switched to Mobil1 0W-40 Euro Formula a couple years ago after seeing it in action. It'll hold up in a GT3 car for the 24 hours of Daytona with ~150C oil temp. And I can buy it at any Autozone. Good enough for me.
Old Mar 28, 2022 | 03:28 PM
  #16  
bmxfuel007's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 518
Total Cats: 19
From: Redmond, WA
Default

I've been using pennzoil platinum 0w-40 euro. Walmart is always out of stock, BUT my local Oreilly's price matches! I don't think autozone price matches walmart however

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-...uart/245761151
Old Mar 29, 2022 | 08:20 AM
  #17  
TurboTim's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,033
Total Cats: 425
From: Chesterfield, NJ
Default

Good timing on this thread. I haven't changed my oil in...a long time. But only 430 miles ago.

Originally Posted by LeoNA
If you want higher amounts of phosphorus you can buy zddp additives.
This. These ZDDP bottles are cheap.
Old Mar 30, 2022 | 12:04 AM
  #18  
208fabrication's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 79
Total Cats: -6
Default

Valvoline VR1 high zinc
Old Mar 30, 2022 | 08:03 AM
  #19  
TurboTim's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,033
Total Cats: 425
From: Chesterfield, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by 208fabrication
Valvoline VR1 high zinc
I use that in the Jeep, not the turbo miata. I'm not sure why. Not synthetic I guess.
Old Mar 30, 2022 | 05:09 PM
  #20  
cabowabo's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 486
Total Cats: 153
From: Bama
Default

Originally Posted by LeoNA
Castrol makes a 5-40 edge which I have had good results with, but its also hard to find. Any full synthetic gas engine oil will be a better option for your application then the T6. If you want higher amounts of phosphorus you can buy zddp additives.
That's what I'm using on low boost racecar, hasn't blown up yet so seems a-ok in my book.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:39 AM.