What oil are you using.

[aaronarf]

I'm undecided at this point. My local wal mart has Mobil 1 and platinum, but not the ultra. The ultra seems quite a bit higher from the places I looked, but will look again with your reference being close in price.

 

I leave the oil in my cart on amazon and watch it...usually get it for around $30 per 5qts + rebates.

 

I have a stash of about 35 quarts in my garage right now, in two different weights for all our vehicles.

Edited February 10, 2017 by AaronArf

[15_silverado]

 

I leave the oil in my cart on amazon and watch it...usually get it for around $30 per 5qts + rebates.

 

I have a stash of about 35 quarts in my garage right now, in two different weights for all our vehicles.

Just curious, are you using 0w-20 all year round

[TedH]

2, 5-gallon jugs of Mobil 1 0W-20 @ Walmart with the premium Fram synthetic filter. Under $60 before taxes.

 

I 'heard' 8 qt was the new 'full'. That was after I just put 8 qt in with my change as I figured it was right at full. Watching and seeing that I have LESS 'consumption' this time (my first change). I suspect either dealer or PO (purchased GM Certified used in April '16) did not fill properly. Hoping anyway...

Edited February 10, 2017 by TedH

[sdeeter19555]

2, 5-gallon jugs of Mobil 1 0W-20 @ Walmart with the premium Fram synthetic filter. Under $60 before taxes.

 

I 'heard' 8 qt was the new 'full'. That was after I just put 8 qt in with my change as I figured it was right at full. Watching and seeing that I have LESS 'consumption' this time (my first change). I suspect either dealer or PO (purchased GM Certified used in April '16) did not fill properly. Hoping anyway...

Watch Amazon.com and Walmart.com, as they tend to have sales on Mobil 1 for $20/5qt jug.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[aaronarf]

Just curious, are you using 0w-20 all year round

Plan on sticking with GM recommended weights

[RDKILL]

I use garlic infused Extra Virgin Slow pressed Olive Oil.

 

RT

I used it before, but found that Coconut Oil has a better viscosity only because it is NOT infused with garlic...however, I'm hearing great things about Avocado oil as well as Grape seed oil...may try one of these next!

[07Softail]

So whats anyone's thoughts on using 5w-30

 

The Silverado 4.3L V6 calls for 5w-30 all season long. So why not the 5.3L

 

Also the 6.2L Corvette calls for 5w-30 so why not the 6.2L trucks

 

I think I'm going to make the switch to 5w-30

 

Can a 0w-20 protect as well as a 5w-30

 

I personally don't care about fuel mileage, I just want the best protection

 

Any thoughts welcomed

I have been using Mobil 1 EP 5-30 since new. I never used the free oil changes.

 

RT

[Cowpie]

Plan on sticking with GM recommended weights

 

 

As opposed to what, a 30w?

 

You guys do know, don't you, that for GM to maximize their mpg numbers, they have to use something like a 20w to do it. And they are required by the gooberment, to recommend only the same oil viscosity they use in the testing. A 30w would work just fine in these pickups. Many fleets that have 1500's and cars with engines that call for the 20w will just fill them with the same 30w they have in bulk for their other stuff. And they are not having failed engine problems any more than anyone else. And GM is honoring the warranties just the same. Heck, I have never had a dealer or OEM of any vehicle, personal or commercial, or equipment even ask me what oil or viscosity I was using in over 4 decades.

 

But, from a technical standpoint, I would opt for a 5w20 over a 0w20 that they recommend. Same viscosity oil, just the cold flow standard is met at -35c for a 0w20, and -30c for a 5w20. I am not going to see lower than -30c in my area except on extremely rare occasions every few years or so. But because a 5w20 requires fewer viscosity modifiers, it has a lower NOACK (burn off vaporization rate) than a 0w20. That can actually be of benefit when it comes to AFM and VVT concerns. And depending on formulation, a 5w20 may be more shear stable than a 0w20. And yes, there are 5w20's on the dexos1 approved oil list for those that worry about such things. So GM does approve of 5w20. And even if a dealer was to take a sample, they couldn't tell the difference between a 0w20 or 5w20. Can't be done with a used oil sample test.

Edited February 12, 2017 by Cowpie

[BigBlueLB756]

I used it before, but found that Coconut Oil has a better viscosity only because it is NOT infused with garlic...however, I'm hearing great things about Avocado oil as well as Grape seed oil...may try one of these next!

I'll get you a great deal on a 55 gallon drum of snake oil if you're interested. Maybe you'd like to become a distributor?

[aaronarf]

 

 

As opposed to what, a 30w?

 

You guys do know, don't you, that for GM to maximize their mpg numbers, they have to use something like a 20w to do it. And they are required by the gooberment, to recommend only the same oil viscosity they use in the testing. A 30w would work just fine in these pickups. Many fleets that have 1500's and cars with engines that call for the 20w will just fill them with the same 30w they have in bulk for their other stuff. And they are not having failed engine problems any more than anyone else. And GM is honoring the warranties just the same. Heck, I have never had a dealer or OEM of any vehicle, personal or commercial, or equipment even ask me what oil or viscosity I was using in over 4 decades.

 

But, from a technical standpoint, I would opt for a 5w20 over a 0w20 that they recommend. Same viscosity oil, just the cold flow standard is met at -35c for a 0w20, and -30c for a 5w20. I am not going to see lower than -30c in my area except on extremely rare occasions every few years or so. But because a 5w20 requires fewer viscosity modifiers, it has a lower NOACK (burn off vaporization rate) than a 0w20. That can actually be of benefit when it comes to AFM and VVT concerns. And depending on formulation, a 5w20 may be more shear stable than a 0w20. And yes, there are 5w20's on the dexos1 approved oil list for those that worry about such things. So GM does approve of 5w20. And even if a dealer was to take a sample, they couldn't tell the difference between a 0w20 or 5w20. Can't be done with a used oil sample test.

 

No reason other then I have a bunch of 0w20 for another one of our vehicles that I traded in I need to use up. If I see any consumption due to burn off I will consider switching after I use up my stash.

[Cowpie]

That'll work. I also will do that occasionally with engines myself.

Edited February 13, 2017 by Cowpie

[Chance Neel]

I believe the real difference between platinum and ultra is the ultra is low ash which meets the requirements for your ecodiesels and engines with oil lubed turbines. Outside of that just use the platinum on these NA engines. After my first two freebies I'll probably use platinum or amsoil and the best filters I can find. Amsoil is such a pain to get though.

[Chance Neel]

Just read this

 

https://540ratblog.wordpress.com

 

Best 0w20 tested was Quaker state full synthetic and it's cheap at Walmart mart. Provided higher PSI than pennzoil or mobile one. He also shows why changing oil more often is more important than the oil used. Change it every 5k and that engine will run like its new for a very long time.

 

$20 for 5 quarts.

Edited February 20, 2017 by FlyingTexan

[Chance Neel]

28. Eight 0W20 Oils Tested and Compared

 

The following oils were tested in Spring 2016 for their Wear Protection Capability at the normal test temperature of 230*F, which is representative of normal operating conditions. They were also tested for their onset of Thermal Breakdown points, rounded to the nearest 5* increment. They are ranked here just among themselves, based on their film strength/load carrying capability/shear resistance psi values.

 

The Wear Protection reference categories are:

 

.

• Over 105,000 psi = INCREDIBLE wear protection

 

.

• 90,000 to 105,000 psi = OUTSTANDING wear protection

 

.

• 75,000 to 90,000 psi = GOOD wear protection

 

.

• 60,000 to 75,000 psi = MODEST wear protection

 

.

• Below 60,000 psi = UNDESIRABLE wear protection

 

.

 

The HIGHER the psi value, the BETTER the Wear Protection.

 

1. 0W20 Quaker State Ultimate Durability, API SN, synthetic (gold bottle) = 124,393 psi

Its onset of Thermal Breakdown = 270*F

.

.

2. 0W20 Toyota Motor Oil, API SN, synthetic = 101,460 psi

Its onset of Thermal Breakdown = 255*F

.

.

3. 0W20 Mobil 1 Extended Performance, API SN, dexos 1 approved, synthetic = 100,229 psi

Its onset of Thermal Breakdown = 265*F

.

.

4. 0W20 Pennzoil Platinum, Pure Plus Technology, made from Natural Gas, API SN, synthetic

(silver bottle with blue vertical stripe on the label) = 92,504 psi

It’s onset of Thermal Breakdown = 275*F

.

.

5. 0W20 Castrol Edge, Fluid Titanium Technology, API SN, dexos 1 approved, synthetic

(black bottle) = 90,745 psi

It’s onset of Thermal Breakdown = 270*F

.

.

6. 0W20 Valvoline SynPower, API SN, synthetic = 89,556 psi

It’s onset of Thermal Breakdown = 270*F

.

.

7. 0W20 Mobil 1 Advance Fuel Economy, API SN, dexos 1 approved, synthetic = 79,612 psi

It’s onset of Thermal Breakdown = 270*F

.

.

8. 0W20 Kendall GT-1, with liquid Titanium, API SN, synthetic = 71,385 psi

It’s onset of Thermal Breakdown = 260*F

.

.

As you can see, the wear protection capability of these oils varies widely. In fact, the number 1 ranked oil in this group, the 0W20 Quaker State Ultimate Durability, which is in the INCREDIBLE wear protection category, provides a WHOPPING 74% MORE wear protection than the last place 0W20 Kendall GT-1, which is only in the MODEST wear protection category.

 

Yet, if you look at the bottles, every single one of them boasts about the excellent wear protection they provide, to try and convince you to buy that product. But, obviously some of those claims do NOT stand up when put to the test.

 

So, if you did not have my test data as proof of their actual capability, and simply looked at the claims on the bottles instead, you would think all of them provide comparable wear protection. But, that is simply NOT the case. Motor Oil Companies are among the worst, for what some would call, blatant false advertising.

 

Unfortunately, since there is often no truth in advertising, it is in your best interest to never believe anything you read related to motor oil advertising. And that is why I started motor oil testing in the first place. To find out the truth about how various motor oils actually perform. Without my Wear Protection Ranking List, selecting the best oil for your engine, is only a guessing game.

[Black02Silverado]

Just read this

 

https://540ratblog.wordpress.com

It has some good info. The only thing is it is 4 years old and oil formulations have change a good bit since then. To stay current he would have to do this basically every year.

 

Just like the new diesel oils that are coming out.

 

Taken from the API.org site.

 

"API FA-4 oils are neither interchangeable nor backward compatible with API CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 oils. Refer to engine manufacturer recommendations to determine if API FA-4 oils are suitable for use. API FA-4 oils are not recommended for use with fuels having greater than 15 ppm sulfur. For fuels with sulfur contents greater than 15 ppm, refer to engine manufacturer recommendations."

 

So in this case, if you diesel calls for the FA-4 that is what needs to be used. It can not be used in anything that calls for any other spec since it is not backwards compatible like the way dexos™2 is now.