I have an 03 Montero Limited (3.8) and the engine has always ticked. It's not always consistent and usually not very loud but it is annoying since this is a very quiet engine otherwise. Now I will admit that since I have owned it, I have not changed the oil myself. I do know that it always got a synthetic 5w-30. Now, however, I am able to change my own oil again, which I prefer since I can put higher quality oil in and a good quality filter.
I have read a lot about Rotella T6 and how most people really like using it and seems to quiet down lifter's, etc. Based on my research, the only reason not to use T6 is if your engine burns oil, which I am fairly certain mine doesn't (never have seen any smoke or smelled oil from the exhaust). I do have some leaks (replacing passenger rear cam seal this weekend). The main appeal to me is the detergent that can help clean the engine, and the claims of smoother running/eliminating valve noise. I have two concerns/questions:
1) Is there any advantage of Rotella T6 vs something like Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic?
2) I live in South Dakota where it gets fairly hot in the summer (~4 months of steady 80+ temperatures) and very cold in the winter (~3-4 months of temperatures rarely rising above 10 or 15 degrees, and can be below 0 for weeks (new record this winter of -37 F AIR temperature). How will T6 operate in these temperatures? I let my engine warm up before pulling away, and I never take it above 3k rpm before it is up to temp.
I am ok with running different oil's through different seasons but would prefer not to blend oils. I have always used synthetic Mobil 1 5w-30 in my previous vehicles and been happy, but the Montero is the first with a lifter tick. I'm aware of oil additives and I have used them, but they only last so long and I don't really like dumping a $5 bottle of "something" into my engine.
I have read a lot about Rotella T6 and how most people really like using it and seems to quiet down lifter's, etc. Based on my research, the only reason not to use T6 is if your engine burns oil, which I am fairly certain mine doesn't (never have seen any smoke or smelled oil from the exhaust). I do have some leaks (replacing passenger rear cam seal this weekend). The main appeal to me is the detergent that can help clean the engine, and the claims of smoother running/eliminating valve noise. I have two concerns/questions:
1) Is there any advantage of Rotella T6 vs something like Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic?
2) I live in South Dakota where it gets fairly hot in the summer (~4 months of steady 80+ temperatures) and very cold in the winter (~3-4 months of temperatures rarely rising above 10 or 15 degrees, and can be below 0 for weeks (new record this winter of -37 F AIR temperature). How will T6 operate in these temperatures? I let my engine warm up before pulling away, and I never take it above 3k rpm before it is up to temp.
I am ok with running different oil's through different seasons but would prefer not to blend oils. I have always used synthetic Mobil 1 5w-30 in my previous vehicles and been happy, but the Montero is the first with a lifter tick. I'm aware of oil additives and I have used them, but they only last so long and I don't really like dumping a $5 bottle of "something" into my engine.
