oil filters

[JimT]

I typically use all fleetguard filters. 15w40 conventional Delo here, no issues with it. A lot of guys here use Rotella, end of the day, pick one and stick with it. I had Donaldson and NAPA Gold filters in the truck early on when a different mechanic was working on it. They ended up being more expensive with no noticeable difference. In fact the NAPA Gold crankcase filter clogged up faster then the fleetguard due to design differences.

It's not about love or hate for synthetic, it's about using the right tools for the job. Even Cummins recommends using conventional 15w40, unless you operate in a lot of below freezing temps. Will synthetic or syn-blend hurt? Probably not, but it's typically more expensive and most likely won't improve any performance.

As far as oil change interval, that should match you fuel mileage, though at 10k miles it won't hurt the engine. Usually get my PM lube/oil/filter changes done at TA/Petro. I only recently had a bad experience where the "tech" at TA lost or just forgot to put the o-ring back on the fill cap of my Davco. Under load it kept fuel flowing fine, but at idle instead of sucking fuel from the tank it would just draw air in from the cap. Somehow I made it 450 miles before it started sucking air into the primary fuel filter and the engine cut out. My local go-to mechanic (who I rarely use anymore) said that's what I get when I use "the cheap guys" to do my oil changes. But they are HALF THE PRICE he charges, twice as fast and available on the road whenever, wherever I am.