For a diesel engine to run properly, they need lubrication from good-quality diesel oil.
If you get a motor oil that has been manufactured keeping diesel engines in mind, then using it will make the diesel engine run seamlessly without causing any problems. In fact, many types of oil which are made especially for diesel engines are incompatible with gasoline engines.
Diesel oil, furthermore, can be either synthetic or conventional. Synthetic oils are pricier, but they do a better job of lubricating the engine components and hence, last longer. Additionally, they’re made using additives, which shield the engine from damage. As a result, synthetic oils are highly recommended for engines engaging in heavy-duty work.
But with a plethora of synthetic diesel oils on the market, how does one decide which one to buy? With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the best synthetic oil for diesel engines, so read on to find out my top picks!
Best Synthetic Oil For Diesel Engines
1. Shell Rotella ‎550046215
Shell has a long-standing reputation for manufacturing quality motor oils. It also has a global clientele, and its products are very well-reviewed. This particular model comes in a container with a volume of 128 FL Oz.
Product Highlights
If you’re looking to protect your engine from wear and tear, then this entirely synthetic oil is the ideal pick. To this effect, the Shell Rotella 550046215 has passed strict tests such as the OEM and the API-CK.
The average result obtained for this product was 50% of the suggested limit, and this is actually an impressive achievement. You can use the oil to lubricate engines that engage in heavy-duty activities like agriculture and farming without fearing that the engine will give away.
Moving on, the oil flows through the engine quite smoothly and can reach critical areas in no time. This leads to enhanced mileage and improved performance.
Lastly, the oil prevents deposit formation and sludge accretion in the engine pipes. The cleaner the engine pipes, the longer the life of one’s vehicle.
What’s There To Like About It?
I liked the 1.5% fuel economy of this oil, which means that it uses up less fuel and saves money in the long run. However, this doesn’t compromise engine performance and durability in any way. In fact, it helps decrease friction within the engine.
In addition to the above, a good fuel economy also means fewer emissions. This really stood out to me since I am a fierce environmentalist, and I like my products to be as environmentally-friendly as possible!
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I liked the performance of this oil but did find one flaw in its working. Like most of its counterparts, this oil works well in cold climates. However, it isn’t as robust when used in an extremely hot environment, and it might become too thin if it is used in soaring temperatures.
Pros and Cons of Shell Rotella ‎550046215
Pros
Cons
- Full synthetic 5W-40 diesel engine oil with Triple Protection Plus technology protects against wear, deposits, and oil breakdown
- Improved wear performance with significantly increased level of protection against harmful engine wear (compared to previous generation API CJ-4 engine oils)
- Enhanced fuel economy capability of 1.5% without compromising engine protection or durability (compared to 15W-40 oils)
2. Motul 8100 X-cess
Motul has been in the synthetic oil market for a long time now, and the Motul 8100 X-cess is one of its flagship products. However, it ranks in second place on my list because it isn’t as fuel-efficient as the Shell Rotella ‎550046215.
Product Highlights
One major highlight of this product is that not only is it compatible with diesel engines, but it works like a charm with gasoline engines too. Additionally, no crude oil is utilized to manufacture this oil, and this means that Motul oil will enhance the performance of your engine.
What’s more, the oil acts as a cleaning agent and doesn’t allow heat to build up in the engine. It also protects the engine from getting worn out and helps it to work seamlessly even in harsh climatic conditions. The oil further boasts a viscosity of 5W-40, and thus, reduces friction and increases the speed of the engine.
Yet another noteworthy highlight of this product has to be the fact that it is evaporation-resistant for all vehicles. Race car drivers, especially, highly recommend Motul, and according to them, Motul oil is incredibly long-lasting and doesn’t require a top-up till 2000 miles.
What’s There To Like About It?
Right off the bat, I liked the way the oil was packaged. It came in a 1.3-gallon container, which is designed in such a way that pouring oil into the car is easy. In addition to that, the oil container can easily be carried around wherever one goes, ensuring that an oil top-up can be made even when away from home.
Lastly, I also liked how affordable the oil was, which was partly due to the free shipping offered by the brand!
What’s There Not To Like About It?
There is nothing about the oil that I, per se, felt could be improved upon; however, there is one thing you must ensure before buying the oil. Motul isn’t recommended for use in all kinds of cars, and many vehicle manufacturers suggest against it.
Thus, before investing in Motul, ensure that the vehicle manufacturers give it the go-ahead.
Pros and Cons of Motul 8100 X-cess
Pros
Cons
- For best performance, follow the manufacturer's recommendations in your vehicle owner’s manual.
3. Mobil 1 44986
Mobil’s synthetic oil has made a name for itself when it comes to powering vehicles that run on gasoline. Of late, it has been gaining popularity among diesel-powered vehicles, too, thanks to the many cool features it has.
Product Highlights
Mobil makes some of the best synthetic oil for diesel engines since it can work in a range of temperatures and even in chilly weather. It has a liquid volume of 1.4 gallons and a viscosity of 5W-40.
Furthermore, it is a conventional motor oil. This means that it has been refined from petroleum or crude oil. Conventional oils are suitable for use with pretty much all sorts of modern engines and are thus versatile.
Another highlight of this oil is that it shields the engine from wear and tear and boosts its overall performance as well. It also helps prevent leaks and doesn’t need constant changing. Since the oil comprises a formula that is entirely synthetic, harmful chemicals are less likely to build up in the engine of the vehicle.
What’s There To Like About It?
Mobil is a brand with a stellar reputation, so I had high expectations while buying this oil. I am pleased to report that the product actually exceeded them! I like how it complies with ILSAC GF-6 standards. This is important because this indicates that the oil is adept at reducing low-speed pre-ignition or LSPI.
Apart from this, I also liked the non-spill packaging of the oil, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that no oil was spilled during transit.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I have one small grouse with this product; however, my problem has nothing to do with the quality of the oil. I feel that the design of the bottle could be improved upon since it was a pain to pour oil into the car through it. I had to eventually get a funnel for the job, which cost me extra money.
This is where this product loses out on points and lands up in the third spot. The Motul 8100 X-cess is much more convenient to pour in comparison.
Pros and Cons of Mobil 1 44986
Pros
Cons
- Fit type: Universal Fit
- Package Dimensions: 7.63 L x 9.63 H x 8.13 W (inches)
- Package Weight : 11 pounds
4. Scheaffer 0700CK4-006S
The next product on my list is the Schaeffer 0700CK4-006S which weighs 7.39 pounds and is a top-rated diesel oil. I noticed many five-star reviews for this, owing to its excellent performance and top-notch features.
Product Highlights
For starters, the oil has a viscosity of 15W-40 and is thus able to function well under harsh conditions to produce top-notch results. It can work in dust, mud, and snow and won’t break down.
Moving on, the oil contains antioxidants and anti-wear additives, which enhance the shelf-life of the engine by protecting it from breaking down. The synthetic oil creates a sort of durable film, which shields the engine from heat, and helps prevent wear and tear. You can go ahead and use the engine for mowing, digging, plowing, etc., without concern for its performance.
The oil also effectively reduces contamination to the engine, thanks to its deposit-dispersing and soot-busting capabilities. What’s more, it contains moly, which lessens the friction produced within the engine.
What’s There To Like About It?
First off, I liked how Scheaffer has been in the game for around 175 years, so that’s almost a two-century-long experience in the automotive oil industry! Scheaffer has established a name for itself, and anyone who knows me knows how much importance I give to brand value.
Also, when it comes to practical usage, my pickup truck has been running smoother than ever before, all thanks to Scheaffer's!
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The overall performance of this synthetic oil was fantastic, and I really have no complaints about it. However, the price is really high. This isn’t a synthetic oil that you can afford to keep buying again and again, so that was a bit of a downer.
This is why I ranked it in fourth place over the Scheaffer 0700CK4-006S. Apart from this factor, its performance is truly exemplary.
Pros and Cons of Scheaffer 0700CK4-006S
Pros
Cons
- Excellent wear protection during severe operating conditions
- Oil durability: strong oxidation and viscosity control with less oil consumption
- Better contamination control with superior soot-busting, deposit-dispersing capability
5. Chevron Delo 222290470
This oil by Delo has been specially formulated for those who drive for an extended period of time. The volume of this product is 1 gallon, and it is made using ISOSYN-advanced technology.
Product Highlights
To begin with, the product is made using extremely advanced additive technology, which protects the engine from wear and tear. It has been designed for both off and on-highway applications, and because of this, it can work with GHG 17, EPA 2010, and EPA 2014 compliant engines.
The product also meets the stringent requirements of EGR soot control and thus, is able to minimize soot production within the engine. It has a viscosity grade of 15W-40, which lends durability and longevity.
It also meets all the standards of emissions and reliability and includes a host of useful functions like turbocharging, intercooling, and exhaust selective catalytic reduction. It also provides greater fuel economy and helps save money in the long run when used with diesel engines.
What’s There To Like About It?
One of the things I liked about this synthetic oil was that it works well in every kind of climate. I like to make a cross-country drive up to the mountains, and much to my delight, the product worked very well with my truck.
I also liked how minimally-polluting the oil is and releases fewer emissions than many of its counterparts.
However, my favorite thing about this product has to be the warranty that Chevron provides with this oil. The warranty covers all lubricant-related damage to the engine, and I found this quite useful.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I have no complaints about the working of the oil since it lived up to my expectations. However, I was rather unhappy with the way the product was shipped. I had ordered two jugs of oil, and both of them were leaking on arrival. This created a huge mess, and the oil was quite difficult to get out of my clothes.
The Scheaffer 0700CK4-006S was much more securely packaged and hence, is a spot above this.
Pros and Cons of Chevron Delo 222290470
Pros
Cons
- Fit Type: Universal Fit
- Enhanced emission control system life
- Reduced inventory costs
Buyers Guide
Buying a synthetic oil that works well with an engine isn’t as easy as one may expect it to be. Since motor oils don’t come cheap and synthetic oils are priced even higher than conventional motor oil, one has to be extremely cautious about buying an oil. Here are some of the factors that you must look at before buying a synthetic oil:
1. Viscosity
The viscosity grade is a significant criterion when it comes to picking the best synthetic oil for a diesel engine. Viscosity-wise, diesel engines usually fall between a range of 15W-40 to 5W-40.
The number that comes after denotes how thick the oil is when it functions at room temperature. On the other hand, the number coming before W indicates the oil thickness when the temperature is cold.
A diesel oil with a viscosity of 15W-40 that we highly recommend is the Scheaffer 0700CK4-006S.
2. Application
Read the label of the diesel oil to understand the kind of application the oil is designed for. Some of the most popular oil applications are extended performance, better mileage, etc.
3. Additives
Additives are substances added to the oil to increase its efficiency, and these differ from brand to brand. For example, detergents are added to the oil to remove sludge and deposits from the engine. Another additive is a viscosity-index improver, which maintains oil thickness at increased temperatures.
So, figuring out which additives are required will help select a good diesel oil.
4. Viscosity Index
When heated, motor oil thins, and when cooled, it becomes thicker. In view of this, the viscosity index calculates the difference in oil adhesion and quantifies this in a unit between 100 to 210 Fahrenheit. If an oil has a high viscosity index, it means that its viscosity is more stable.
Moving on, the most premium synthetic oils have viscosity indexes of about 180, without the need for additives.
5. Pour Point
This refers to the lowest point at which you can pour motor oil out of a container. Pour points are useful for determining how appropriate a particular oil is for cold weather.
Synthetic oils usually have lower pour points than regular ones.
6. Total Base Number (TBN)
TBN or Total Base Number refers to the number denoting the oil’s capacity for absorption of acid generated by the engine. The greater the number, the greater the oil longevity.
Motor oils with a higher TBN are able to neutralize a significant quantity of acidic materials and by-products of combustion. This, in turn, protects the engine from corrosion.
7. Road Conditions
It's important to consider the terrain you’re going to be driving on before you buy diesel oil. If the roads are rugged and demanding, then the engine will be prone to additional wear and tear. Thus, always opt for high-quality oil when dealing with rough terrain.
The Chevron Delo 222290470 is our recommendation for people who do a lot of driving.
8. Quantity and Shelf Life
Full-scale oil changes are required after a long gap of time; however, top-ups are needed then and now. But once you open a diesel oil container, it lies on the shelf for quite some time before it is used again. This gap between opening it and using it can severely hamper the potency of the oil.
This is why I recommend buying oil that comes in an opaque container and has a functional seal with a tight cap. These measures will slow down the degradation of the oil.
9. Climate and Environment
The environment plays a major role in determining the kind of synthetic oil one must buy. If you live somewhere that’s really cold, the oil you use will thicken frequently. Apart from this, the risk of oxidation also rises when it’s humid.
Lastly, pollution increases the risk of your engine having particulates, so you're susceptible to this issue if you live somewhere with a poor air quality index.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The major distinction between regular oil and diesel oil lies in the presence of zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate. It is essentially an additive that is meant to prevent wear and tear of the engine and is present in diesel oil but not regular oil.
What’s more, regular oil is usually thicker than diesel oil and has lower viscosity in comparison to it. Thus, diesel oil is smoother and better with respect to dealing with extreme temperatures.
When you open a container of diesel oil, its color shouldn’t be black. If it is, then kindly ask for a refund! However, used diesel oil turns black due to the presence of soot, which is produced by the engine as it functions. The soot enters the oil pan through the combustion chamber.
The shelf life of motor oil relies largely on the way one stores it. If the container is sealed and has never been opened, then it should be good for many years, provided it is kept in a temperature-controlled room.
However, if the oil has been opened and left to sit out in an area that experiences fluctuating temperatures, then its shelf life will see a drastic reduction.
My Final Recommendation
Before I sign off, I’d like to remind you to carefully pore over the manual before buying any kind of synthetic oil. In fact, pay special attention to the viscosity and the time period between an oil change.Â
The best-quality diesel oils will give you at least 10,000 miles before needing a change, though top-ups may be required sooner. However, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all value and may differ based on the weather and road conditions of a particular place.Â
With this in mind, let me tell you about my top picks among the products on this list. I give the first place to Shell Rotella 550046215 because it is super functional yet affordable. A close second is the Motul 8100 X-cess because of its engine-protecting properties and rave reviews.Â
With this, I’ve come to the end of my list, and I’ll see you again soon!Â