Changing my oil 2000 5.3

rjirvine · August 19, 2006

I just drained my oil from my 100k mile 2000 Silverado 5.3 and put the drain plug and new filter in. Since it takes 6 quarts, I started with one quart of 5W-30 and when I went to pour in the 5 quart bottle, i noticed it was 10W-30 (asked my wife to pick me up the oil at wal-mart...but I won't even go there).

So, Should I just add the 10W30 or get 5 quarts of 5W-30. I know the manual recommends 5W-30, but from what I read if it's 0 degrees and above 10W-30 is fine. I figure my next oil change will be in Nov/Dec. Most of my driving is to work on the freeway about a 7 mile drive each way.

Thanks!

RyanZ71 · August 19, 2006

both 5W30 and 10W30 is approved for use on the trucks, your not going to do it ANY harm by using 10W30 I would go buy 5 more quarts of 5W30, then buy one quart of 10W30 and use 10W30 the next time you do an oil change

rjirvine · August 19, 2006

I already put the quart of 5W-30 in there. I guess I'll go get some more 5W-30 tomorrow. I send my oil samples off to Blackstone labs, and last time (first sample) they said I was reaching the lower limits of 5W-30 viscosity because I had 1% fuel in the oil. I think it's because I make such frequent short trips. I drove about 30 miles and then drained the oil for this sample to see what it would be, I may just put the 10W30 in there and not worry.

I was also thinking of upgrading to synthetic, since I drive about 7,000 miles a year, but that'll probably be another post...

CoastyAV8R · August 20, 2006

I wouldn't worry about mixing 5w-30 and 10w-30. The first digit is for the oil's ability to flow when it's cold. The second is for when it's warm. Since it's the middle of summer it's not going to make a difference. Just go for it.

If your thinking of running a synthetic motor oil here's a little tip for ya. I run the Walmart synthetic oil. My friend worked for Walmart for years and he said Walmart's oil is made by a popular oil manufacturer like Pennzoil so it's a great quality oil without the price.

KICK · August 20, 2006

the only problem you have is worrying that you caused a problem.

quit worrying, it aint a problem.

Jansen · August 20, 2006

RJ,

I run synthetic (Mobil 1). I send my oil off for analysis (Blackstone) and my daily drive is 7 miles round trip. I run 5K on my oil and the viscosity comes back clean as indicated by Blackstone labs.

As far as hurting your engine, wouldn't worry about it. I agree with Kick, and the others, you wont/didn't hurt a thing.

Jansen

RyanZ71 · August 20, 2006

I figure, why waste your time and $$$ sending your oil in for analysis and all that silly stuff, just change you synthetic every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, you will still have saved $$$ in the long run.

rjirvine · August 20, 2006

Last time I had the oil analysis done was the first time, and my truck had 100,000 miles on it. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay since I had bought it at the 92k mile point. I switched the filter to Purolator Pureone filter, so I'm sending this one off to get checked. I also had 1% fuel in the oil, which they suspected was from short trips. This time I drove for about 30 miles and then drained the oil, so we'll see what the ratio is now. Hopefully it's no worse. Then I probably won't have it done for awhile.

I'll have to read up on sythetic and see if I'll make the switch. I drive about 8k miles a year, so maybe I'll be able to change it once a year or so.

dewfpo · August 20, 2006

I would have no worries, put the 5Q's of 10W30 in and have fun.

DEWFPO

Jansen · August 23, 2006

I sent oil in for analysis due to piston slap issues. GM acknowledge it but said to F*** off about it. I thought an oil analysis might give me warning of impending doom. So far, everything looks good.

Jansen