The best advice you can get for oil.
Don't use additives either, just spend the extra cash on good quality oil.

 

I didn't want to start a new thread when I didn't have to and this question relates to the oil I picked anyways. My Totella t6 meets api sm not sl. I read on another forum to only use an oil that meets api sl not sm unless the oil with sm meets the needs for engines with flat tappet cams. Is this true for the straight 6? Is startup chatter normal?

 

Oh how the myths abound. SJ was the current API category way back in 2001 so SL and SM far supersede SJ. Can SJ and SL even be found today? Doubt it. The most current category is SN and it supersedes all others.

 

I wouldn't say its all myths but there is definatly a lack of research into what the diff is before we recommend one.

A true statement is our engines need more zinc or zddp and the newer rating do try and cut some of that zinc out because it is bad for the emissions friendly cat converter.. but are these oils made to protect just as good without zddp absolutely they just supplement in other additives to protect that are cat convert friendly.. I go by virgin oil analysis so I know what I'm putting in not just the api rating..

 

I said it was ALL myths???? My point was, SM exceeds SL and SN exceeds them both.

 

rotella 6 is good oil, depending on what weight you have in there is important and especially where your located.. I do not have any startup "chatter" so I would say no thats not normal. I run a 5w-30 or 5w-20 year around so that might also be the reason mine has no chatter..??

 

All i could find was 5w 40 but I also have the bigger filter that my f-250 with the 460 took like some people on other forums had really good luck with. The FL1a Motorcraft, but I purchased a k&n in that size but maybe since the filter media is so small it restricts flow? Then again maybe its oil thickness again...