Thinking of changing oil weight to 5W30 after GM's recent recall

rav3 · May 4, 2025

Anyone else thinking of increasing their oil of choice from 0W20 to 5W30 after this recent GM recall on their 6.2L? After watching this video sure makes sense to me.

ftwhite · May 4, 2025

I have been using 5w-30 mostly since I got my 2018 6.2L new. My logic was this engine is very similar to LT1, and 5w-30 is recommended there, and protects from wear better. Any gas mileage lost was worth it to me since I knew I was going to keep it well past warranty period. Oil analysis over the 103,000 miles has shown it works fine. 0w-20 also worked when the dealer performed oil change a few times, so long as I kept oil change interval to less than 4-5k. Not enough samples of each at consistent intervals to be scientific, but good enough for me. Not sure I’d go to 0-40, but good to know 40 an option for super hot conditions.

add: anyone switched their 8speed from the LV (low viscosity) ATF to the normal ATF? I assume it was spec’ed for similar reasons, with similar wear risks. I use the Amsoil LV ATF now, and it seems to work well, but maybe the high viscosity stuff can get me to 200k?

Edited May 4, 2025 by ftwhite

Grumpy Bear · May 4, 2025

Ever read me saying this for every reason he mentions in that video? To the point people complain about my harping on this!

I ran a year (2019) with 0W20, kept records and ran a UOA. Then switched back to *W30 and ran another. See the Lead and Tin in the 0W20? Bearing materials. See it disappear with the 10W30? Otherwise very similar add packages. Did I get a bump in MPG. Best year ever, but not worth killing Pepper for it. I keep receipts. I document and I share. But if it takes a video and a GM major SNAFU and NTSB TSB to get your attention fine.... :rolleyes:

Edited May 4, 2025 by Grumpy Bear

asilverblazer · May 6, 2025

On 5/4/2025 at 6:37 AM, Grumpy Bear said:

Ever read me saying this for every reason he mentions in that video? To the point people complain about my harping on this!

I ran a year (2019) with 0W20, kept records and ran a UOA. Then switched back to *W30 and ran another. See the Lead and Tin in the 0W20? Bearing materials. See it disappear with the 10W30? Otherwise very similar add packages. Did I get a bump in MPG. Best year ever, but not worth killing Pepper for it. I keep receipts. I document and I share. But if it takes a video and a GM major SNAFU and NTSB TSB to get your attention fine....

Two columns have other elements showing up in considerably different quantities, what are those?

Way more magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, etc.

Grumpy Bear · May 6, 2025

11 hours ago, asilverblazer said:

Two columns have other elements showing up in considerably different quantities, what are those?

Way more magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, etc.

Magnesium is an LSPI friendly substitute for Calcium. TBN's are very comparable. Add the Mg and Ca and you will see that it is nearly the same concentration as the Red Line HP calcium.

Yes, the ZDDP package is a bit more robust. The CUMMINS Valvoline Restore 10W30 is a diesel oil developed for freeing stuck rings in the CUMMINS ISx15. Mg is a more efficient dispersant but about the same as a neutralizer. This value has zero impact on bearing wear. That region is hydrodynamic lubrication. It had nearly no impact on ring/liner wear either. Remember that ZDDP and ZDTP are also antioxidants.

Lead and tin I discussed in the first post. Reduction in wear metals is viscosity generated. The silicon is an antifoam agent. Just a blenders choice on amount based on base oil foaming tendencies. Aluminum is mostly piston wear and identical. Copper is, in this case, oil cooler leaching. Slightly different reactivities. Neither seems to have much copper passivator.

Those things not 'wear metals' are just variations in chosen chemistries, like Moly content. Did I cover it all?

Edited May 6, 2025 by Grumpy Bear

rav3 · May 6, 2025

GrumpBear...where did you learn all this chemistry? Help this old crayon eating Jarhead LeatherNeck what the acronyms stand for...

ZDDT

ZDDP

LSPI

I just know oil weights...bigger the number the thicker it is

Grumpy Bear · May 6, 2025

3 hours ago, rav3 said:

GrumpBear...where did you learn all this chemistry? Help this old crayon eating Jarhead LeatherNeck what the acronyms stand for...

ZDDT

ZDDP

LSPI

I just know oil weights...bigger the number the thicker it is

Pulling some info from WIKI so I don't butcher it. LOL

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_dithiophosphate

Zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP)

Zinc dialkyldithiophosphates are a family of coordination compounds developed in the 1940s that feature zinc bound to the anion of a dialkyldithiophosphoric salt. These uncharged compounds are not salts. They are soluble in nonpolar solvents, and the longer-chain derivatives easily dissolve in mineral and synthetic oils used as lubricants. They come under CAS number 68649-42-3. In aftermarket oil additives, the percentage of ZDDP ranges approximately between 2 and 15%. Wikipedia

(ZDTP) (Sorry I typoed this earlier)

This guy will explain this better

LSPI = Low speed Preignition Kind of unique to GDI motors. Calcium detergents in small displacement boosted motors at low RPM under high loads are primary targets. GM 2.7 in example. Also can be a problem for most any hard working low rpm GDI motor.

Where did I learn it? Well that education started with my work experience with Big Oil starting with Getty. API school is something you were required to attend back in the day. As I worked for several, Chevron Research, Chevron USA, Conoco, Phillips, Gulf and Eastman Chemical in various roles, including lab rat, I was sent to allot of schools. Perhaps a third or more of my working life was in a classroom paid for by the before listed outfits. I am an avid reader and for a long while had access to SAE papers via Getty & Chevron Research and a few University Libraries. I kind of lived in them for a few years. Somewhat of an autodidact. Information sponge. Some people fish. LOL. This practice of Big Oil teaching is gone sadly as are Mustangs (A name people from this kind of teaching was given) I'm retired now and have been for some while. No more freebies.

So I don't read as much as I have to buy it now. I still enjoy it. This craft is like medicine. You have to keep up with the journals to stay current. There's some stuff going on now that is mind blowing. And a bunch that is just opportunistic. I read enough to be useful to myself and share when I can. Call it a hobby now.

Edited May 6, 2025 by Grumpy Bear

Srode1 · May 7, 2025

I thought the recall was switching the 19-24 6.2s to 0w40 not 5W30, am I wrong? I was thinking of switching to 0W40 myself next change.

PunchT37 · May 7, 2025

Iv`e been running 5w30 in my `25, L84 since 600 miles.

rav3 · May 7, 2025

40 minutes ago, Srode1 said:

I thought the recall was switching the 19-24 6.2s to 0w40 not 5W30, am I wrong? I was thinking of switching to 0W40 myself next change.

You are correct. But if you watch the video, the Oilguy commented, as I always believed, that car mfg have continued to reduce oil weights to achieve more MPG because the EPA requires higher mpg, as short term goal rather than to keep them running longer. My '92 535i specified 20W50. Now BMW put 0W12 in engines. To me this can't be good. So, if 0W40 now seems to be ok for the 6.2l V8, 5W30 show be ok for my L83 5.3L instead of the specified 0W20. I wanted to get feedback from the Forum guys on this, that's the reason for the original post.

Z45 · May 8, 2025

Its 21 to 24 models 6.2L ONLY. The 0W-40 is a band aid measure to try to prolong the engines along with a extended warranty. Any replacement engine will get 0W-20.

The problem with the 6.2L is reported to be Supplier Issues (COVID?) not oil viscosity. Millions of vehicles on the road using 0W-20. Friend has 5 yrs (+-) old Honda Accord with well over 150,000+ miles running AMSOIL SS 0W-20 and it running strong.

If you want to use a different viscosity than recommended then keep it to yourself, don't write it on a oil change sticker etc. If for some reason you have engine issues, it could be used as a reason for warranty denial.

Edited May 8, 2025 by Z45

rav3 · May 8, 2025

6 minutes ago, Z45 said:

Its 21 to 24 models 6.2L ONLY. The 0W-40 is a band aid measure to try to prolong the engines along with a extended warranty. Any replacement engine will get 0W-20.

The problem with the 6.2L is reported to be Supplier Issues (COVID?) not oil viscosity. Millions of vehicles on the road using 0W-20. Friend has 5 yrs (+-) old Honda Accord with well over 150,000+ miles running AMSOIL SS 0W-20 and it running strong.

If you want to use a different viscosity than recommended then keep it to yourself, don't write it on a oil change sticker etc. If for some reason you have engine issues, it could be used as a reason for warranty denial.

@Z45. Thanks forcreply. As mentioned above, I am aware what the recall is for (6.2l). Also, in the video above, the oil guy explains why auto mfgs are specifying lighter weight oils. (For efficiency to meet epa standards, not engine longevity)

As for warranty, my 2017 is way out of warranty period so, as intended my car mfg, any issues are on Mt dime. As for that, I don't think the recall is to replace any 6.2 V8 that breaks after the exstended warranty period.(10 years or 150k miles) It's just to extend the life past any warranty time frame. That's a ticking time bomb, IMO.

IMO, 0W40 oil isn't going to help "potential rod bearing damage from contamination" i think the 0W20 weight oil is the problem and that's what the oil guy explains. I feel this is true for ALL cars. Put light weight oil in to help meet EPA mpg standards for the life of the warranty & then it's the owners problem & expense. Same with "stop/start" & the stupid AFM lifters. Many have had to spend $ to remove that junk so their truck will live longer.

Ok, finished with my reply rant. Love ya brother.

Semper Fi

PunchT37 · May 8, 2025

How many bearing problems, chain guide, cam phaser, lifter, AND oil consumption issues are here today, across the board? Has the problems gone up in the last 5 to 7 years?

Z45 · May 8, 2025

3 hours ago, rav3 said:

@Z45. Thanks forcreply. As mentioned above, I am aware what the recall is for (6.2l). Also, in the video above, the oil guy explains why auto mfgs are specifying lighter weight oils. (For efficiency to meet epa standards, not engine longevity)

As for warranty, my 2017 is way out of warranty period so, as intended my car mfg, any issues are on Mt dime. As for that, I don't think the recall is to replace any 6.2 V8 that breaks after the exstended warranty period.(10 years or 150k miles) It's just to extend the life past any warranty time frame. That's a ticking time bomb, IMO.

IMO, 0W40 oil isn't going to help "potential rod bearing damage from contamination" i think the 0W20 weight oil is the problem and that's what the oil guy explains. I feel this is true for ALL cars. Put light weight oil in to help meet EPA mpg standards for the life of the warranty & then it's the owners problem & expense. Same with "stop/start" & the stupid AFM lifters. Many have had to spend $ to remove that junk so their truck will live longer.

Ok, finished with my reply rant. Love ya brother.

Semper Fi

I take anything the oil guy says with a grain of salt. He is just one internet expert (in his own mind) of many out there. If I am not mistaken he is die hard Ford fan and has no love for GM vehicles.

Grumpy Bear · May 8, 2025

31 minutes ago, Z45 said:

I take anything the oil guy says with a grain of salt. He is just one internet expert (in his own mind) of many out there. If I am not mistaken he is die hard Ford fan and has no love for GM vehicles.

He is Formally Educated in this field like your Doctor is in his. Like your Lawyer, your Accountant. Not quite a "Project Farm" sort of guy.