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0w-20 v. 5w-20 in 2015 5.3

mike5511

By mike5511
in Engines & Drivetrain

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Z45 Senior Enthusiast

Z45

Posted
Posted

0W-20 oil is thinner oil with lighter viscosity that creates less drag on the crankshaft, pistons and valve-train. Additionally, the oil pump can pump thinner oil more easily, improving oil circulation. Any increase in fuel economy may not be noticed by the average motorist. Machined internal engine parts are more precise than the parts of 20 years ago. This means that clearances between moving parts are smaller and more exact. Thinner oil such as 0W-20 can flow more freely through the engine while still filling the spaces. Thicker oil is harder to push through the spaces between the parts. This causes the oil pump to work harder, which in turn increases oil pressure while simultaneously decreasing oil volume. A lack of oil volume results in a decrease of lubrication and cooling, which may decrease engine part life.

 

The lighter viscosity of 0W-20 oil flows faster at start-up compared to higher viscosity oils, which helps reduce engine wear in critical areas by lubricating parts faster. Valve train components at the top of the engine require immediate lubrication at start-up.

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Z45 Senior Enthusiast

Z45

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Be careful of cheap dexos oils...

 

oil_price_vs_quality_zps7mcycaeg.png

Higgs Boson Enthusiast

Higgs Boson

Posted
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How long are any of us going to keep the truck? I never understood the fuss over what oil/weight to use, especially with the quality of oils today.....

 

If you are going to keep your truck until you literally die and want it to run until then, ok, maybe I can understand, but if you are going to put 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150K on your truck, does the fuss over which oil make a difference?

 

I don't think so...change your oil, of course, but 0/20 vs 5/20 vs Mobil 1 vs other leading brand.....doesn't matter.

Black02Silverado Senior Enthusiast

Black02Silverado

Posted
Posted

 

That would be an interesting test. The only issue is that for the most part, M1 0W-20 is still less expensive then the ACDelco 0W-20. I can get 5 qt jugs of M1 at Walmart for around $25 ($5/quart). I couldn't find many retailers selling ACDelco 0W-20 online but found one selling it at $5.97/quart. For the do-it-yourselfer's, M1 is pretty reasonably priced IF you buy it at Walmart. I'm guessing the dealerships probably charge more for M1 then ACDelco if you were to get your oil changed by them.

 

P.S. I actually bought M1 0W-20 from Walmart for about $13 for a 5 qt jug after a $12 rebate. Walmart isn't listed on Mobil's approved retailer list but the rebates went through (and for others on the BITOG forum).

Can't beat those prices! I have found a good deal once on Mobil 1 0w-30 for a dollar a qt at Autozone last year. I grabbed the last 6qts they had on the shelf. Just enough for one oil change.

  • 2 weeks later...
Red_5 Enthusiast

Red_5

Posted
Posted

I'm not an engineer but I'd guess 5w20 would be fine. Once out of warranty, I'd certainly try it especially since I live where it's pretty warm year round so my "cold" starts aren't like the cold starts of those up north. While the truck is still under warranty, I'll do what the manual says.

 

I usually buy Mobil 1 when it's on sale at Costco - currently $10 off a 6 pack. .

mike5511 Enthusiast

mike5511

Posted
  • Author
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Just found Mobile 1 0W-20 dexos approved oil at a salvage store for $15.75 for a 5 liter jug......bought all 6 jugs!

Tek74 Enthusiast

Tek74

Posted
Posted

Sticking with the OW-20 as recommended by the manufacture. Their engineer designed the engine and know what's best for it, so who am I to question it. I did switch to Amsoil full synthetic at 2k miles though. I intend to keep my truck for about 14-15 years, so I'm treating her right from the get go.

mike5511 Enthusiast

mike5511

Posted
  • Author
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Sticking with the OW-20 as recommended by the manufacture. Their engineer designed the engine and know what's best for it, so who am I to question it. I did switch to Amsoil full synthetic at 2k miles though. I intend to keep my truck for about 14-15 years, so I'm treating her right from the get go.

That is what I'm doing also. But I believe any quality oil will do just fine. The truck I just traded off was a 2000 with 149,000 miles on it. I always used dino oil in it and changed every 3000 miles. I intended to drive it until 250,000 miles before trading........Should of stayed away from the car lot!!! lol

Tek74 Enthusiast

Tek74

Posted
Posted

That is what I'm doing also. But I believe any quality oil will do just fine. The truck I just traded off was a 2000 with 149,000 miles on it. I always used dino oil in it and changed every 3000 miles. I intended to drive it until 250,000 miles before trading........Should of stayed away from the car lot!!! lol

 

I agree that using any quality oil and changing it at appropriate intervals is fine, but changing it every 3k - 5k miles would be annoying for me. I prefer 100% synthetic, particularly Amsoil, for its high quality and extended drain intervals of 1 year and 15k - 25k miles, depending on severity of use. I'm easy on my engines, and only average about 12k -15k per year, so changing it once per year works out for me.

mike5511 Enthusiast

mike5511

Posted
  • Author
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I agree that using any quality oil and changing it at appropriate intervals is fine, but changing it every 3k - 5k miles would be annoying for me. I prefer 100% synthetic, particularly Amsoil, for its high quality and extended drain intervals of 1 year and 15k - 25k miles, depending on severity of use. I'm easy on my engines, and only average about 12k -15k per year, so changing it once per year works out for me.

i wouldn't feel comfortable running it that long between changes unless I was sending off samples and they said it was okay.

Badass69 Senior Enthusiast

Badass69

Posted
Posted

i wouldn't feel comfortable running it that long between changes unless I was sending off samples and they said it was okay.

Once you actually do it for a while you quit caring and it's the norm. I have been running 15000 mile changes in my old 05 for around 75000 miles of its 170000 mile life now... My 15 Silverado is going to be the same but I will sample it especially watching got fuel dilution to see what I can get.

 

Sent from my potato

TJay74 Senior Enthusiast

TJay74

Posted
Posted

I change my oil every 7500 miles and have since around 2001 when I bought my 2001 Formula Firebird. Over the last 5 GM vehicles I have never had an issue handling my oil changes that way.

tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

I put less than 7k miles a year on my vehicles so it will be once a year with what ever is on sale that meets specs.

Eddie 70 Senior Enthusiast

Eddie 70

Posted
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I am generally pretty easy on my vehicles. Once in a blue moon I will get on it just a bit. I am one that changes oil every 5000 miles and rotates the tires every 10000. It is easy for me to keep up with like this. When 20000 or 25000 rolls up, I know its time for an oil change and/or tire rotation. I also set the tire pressures each oil change. And like always, I use what ever weight the manufacturer recommends but in a Synthetic oil and usually a Wix brand filter.

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