Last Updated on March 27, 2020 by Team TRA
Keeping your diesel engine at its peak performance is vital for the well-being of your rig or vehicle. You can achieve this through proper engine maintenance and regular oil changes. One priority of every vehicle owner is to identify the best diesel oil. But how exactly do you do that?
With different viscosity grades, driving habits, and engine requirements, it can be somewhat challenging to determine your ideal oil. You want something that offers superb wear protection and lubrication to keep your engine running efficiently. In this post, we’re going to take the frustration and guesswork out of choosing the best diesel oil.
Keep on reading our article to learn more! We’ve got some reviews of the best oil for diesel engines, as well as features and benefits listed to help you.
Benefits of Diesel Oils
Diesel oils are used in heavy vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and tractors. They are also used in SUVs and cars. Compared to gasoline, diesel oils have several benefits, including:
- They are more economical
- They’re safer
- They’ve higher fuel efficiency
- Lower emissions
- Higher mileage
The only problem is that conventional diesel oils’ viscosity levels increase at lower temperatures. This converts them into a non-flowing gel. When this happens, the oil can no longer flow through the fuel lines.
The good thing is that there are synthetic oils that feature anti-gelling agents to keep your engine running in cold environments.
Choosing the Best Diesel Oil
There are several factors you should consider when choosing the best diesel oil. First, you should consider the viscosity grade your manufacturer recommends. This will help you determine the right starting temperatures of your diesel engine. The oil should be able to ensure optimal engine performance even when under pressure.
The American Petroleum Institute has taken on the responsibility of giving each type of engine oil a specific certification. You will find this certification listed on the front of the bottle like “CJ-4” for example. What’s it mean if an oil has a specific certification? It means that it contains everything necessary (additives and all) to protect a certain kind of engine. American Petroleum Institute (API) CJ-4 oils are used in engines running on ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel.
Cost is also an essential factor, but you shouldn’t go for cheap ones that may not perform well or at all. Also, an expensive oil doesn’t mean it’s high quality. Plan your budget and compare the prices of different diesel oils.
Bear in mind that not all oils have the same formulations. You want an option that’s compatible with your engine. This is why you need to pay attention to the viscosity and performance levels of your oil. Be sure to check your manufacturer’s chart of recommended viscosity grades. You should also choose an oil that will clean your engine parts without causing any damage.
Comparison Table: Best Diesel Oils
Here is the table of our picks for the best oils for your diesel engine. Take a scroll through, and use our more detailed product roundup below to make your decision.
We have these in order of price ascending, but keep in mind, the market fluctuates and might not completely match up with our data.
| Image | Oil | Type | Configuration | Cost | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Delo Synblend Diesel Oil | Synthetic Blend | 15W-40 | $3.00/Quart |  |
 | Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil | Full Synthetic | 5W-30 | $6.77/Quart | |
 | Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High Tech Diesel Engine Oil | Full Synthetic | 5W-40 | $7.06/Quart | |
 | Motul Synthetic Gasoline and Diesel Engine Oil | Full Synthetic | 5W-40 | $7.62/Quart | |
 | Shell Rotella Diesel Engine Oil | Full Synthetic | 5W-40 | $8.17/Quart | |
 | Schaeffer Oil SynShield Durability Advantage | Full Synthetic | 15W-40 | $9.76/Quart | |
 | Castrol EDGE Euro Diesel Engine Oil | Full Synthetic | 5W-30 | $12.44/Quart | |
 | Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection | Conventional | 15W-40 | $12.98/Quart | |
 | Red Line Diesel Oil | Full Synthetic | 15W-40 | $13.25/Quart | |
 | Hot Shot's Secret Stiction Eliminator | Oil Additive | N/A | $25.40/Quart ($0.56/ Quart of Diesel Oil) | |
10 Best Diesel Oil Products of 2020
Well, now that you have some essential pointers about diesel oil, we will share with you some of the best oils for your engine. We have listed these oils based on several factors, such as viscosity, price, and quality.
Let’s take a look at them.
1. Delo Synblend Diesel Oil- $3.00/Quart
- SAE 15W-40
- Synthetic Blend
One of the most affordable diesel oils on our list is this synthetic blend from Chevron’s Delo line. Their heavy-duty diesel engine oil features the patented Isosyn technology that helps the life-length of your oil and protects better. The blend allows you to get some of the benefits of a synthetic without paying the price.
2. Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30Runner Up: Best Synthetic Oil for Diesel Engines
- $6.77/Quart
- 5W-30
- Full Synthetic
This is an advanced full synthetic formula that prolongs your engine’s life by preventing sludge build-up. It has excellent overall engine lubrication and wear protection. Mobil 1 120764 oil meets all the ILSAC GF-5 performance standards to ensure the best engine performance.
You can use this oil on diesel multi-valve fuel injected engines found in light vans, SUVs, trucks, and passenger cars. This Mobil oil also reduces stress on starting system components to ensure your engine lasts for long. With superb viscosity control and enhanced frictional properties, it makes an exceptional pick for any great driver like you.
3. Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40 Engine OilBest Low Friction Diesel Oil
- $7.06/Quart
- SAE 5W-40
- Full Synthetic
Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High Tech oil is a low-friction oil for all-season diesel engines. It’s a combination of base oils to ensure a reduce oil and fuel consumption for your engine. This motor oil also boasts outstanding engine cleanliness and reduces pollutant emissions. It ensures optimum oil pressure at all engine speeds. You also get excellent wear protection and reduced fuel consumption.
4. Motul Synthetic Gasoline and Diesel Engine OilBest Diesel Engine Oil for Turbo
- $7.62/Quart
- SAE 5W-40
- Full Synthetic
For those with new cars featuring turbo Diesel and catalytic converters and high displacement engines, the Motul 007250 8100 oil gets the job done for you. This is a multi-purpose oil, and many experts recommend it when your car is still under warranty.
It has a weight of SAE 5W-40 to perform efficiently in both cold and normal temperatures. Also, it’s full synthetic oil, meaning crude oil is not used in making it. Using the Motul 007250 8100 oil gives your superior mechanical performance and reduced engine wear.
5. Shell Rotella Full Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel Engine OilBest Power Stroke Diesel Oil
- $8.17/Quart
- SAE 5W-40
- Full Synthetic
If you want the best diesel oil for heavy-duty applications, then Shell Rotella T6 oil makes a great choice. It provides effective engine cleaning and wear protection. It’s a fully synthetic oil made of petrol and diesel oil for low and high-temperature protection. Shell Rotella T6 also reduces carbon deposit, and its viscosity doesn’t vary widely, even in cold temperatures.
This oil is for both heavy-duty and function uses, so it can adapt to different driving environments.
6. Schaeffer Oil SynShield Durability Advantage 15W-40 Diesel OilBest API CK-4 Diesel Oil
- $9.76/Quart
- SAE 15W-40
- Full Synthetic
Schaeffer Oil has been in the lubricant business for 179 years. You don’t get through that many years without having an outstanding product and a drive to continually improve. A representative from Schaeffer Oil contacted us and pointed out that based on the third-party tests (dynamometers from Caterpillar and TRC fuel economy tests) many of their products outperforms most other engine oils. After doing our own research on Schaeffer Oil, we decided to include the CK-4 diesel oil from their product line in this list.
7. Castrol EDGE Euro Diesel Engine Oil 5W-30Best Synthetic Diesel Oil
- $12.44/Quart
- SAE 5W-30
- Full Synthetic
For maximum wear protection for your engine, you can look to Castrol EDGE Euro Diesel Engine Oil 5W-30 5L to provide that. This oil offers a guarantee for optimal short-term and long-term engine performance. It’s a fully synthetic high-performance engine oil for both diesel and gasoline engines. You can expect this oil to maintain outstanding performance even under pressure. The Castrol EDGE 5W-30 can ensure engine efficiency as well as offer protection.
8. Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection- $12.98/Quart
- SAE 15W-40
- Conventional
Shell Rotella makes a great heavy duty diesel engine oil that is a full conventional formula. The T4 Triple Protection targets wear, deposits, and oil breakdown. Anything from your personal pickup to a Semi-truck is going to benefit from the use of this oil. You will pay slightly more per quart with this diesel oil in the broad sense. However, it is pretty par for the course when it comes to other diesel conventional oils.
9. Red Line 15W-40 Diesel OilBest Heavy Duty Diesel Oil
- $13.25/Quart
- SAE 15W-40
- Full Synthetic
To ensure maximum durability for your engines, Red Line 21405 diesel oil has that capability. It’s suitable for medium and heavy-duty diesel truck engines. It works by reducing corrosion in your car’s engine. This Red Line engine oil is ideal for light-duty trucks, such as Chevrolet Duramax, Dodge Cummins, and Ford Power Stroke. It works great for vehicles in tropical countries and those areas with ambient temperatures that are above normal.
10. Hot Shot’s Secret Stiction EliminatorBest Diesel Oil Additive
- $25.40/Quart
- Treats 45 Quarts of Oil
- Restores and Cleans
If you want to clean your injectors and other parts of the engine, Hot Shot’s Secret Stiction Eliminator makes the ideal pick. This oil is a blend of synthetic cleaner and a proprietary carbon nano lubricant to help remove stiction.
You can use it in your diesel engine to increase fuel efficiency, reduce wear and dissolve sludge. This oil is ideal for nearly all engines, including farm equipment, semi-trucks, pick-up trucks, and autos. Whether you drive Audi, Dodge Cummins, or Volkswagen, you can rely on Hot Shot’s Secret Stiction Eliminator.
