What oil are we running?

[Dustin Jackson]

2015 Suburban 5.3 l83

I know factory recommended is usually the best advice but given what I’ve seen on the 6.2s and I think I saw that the lower oil viscosity was to blame there.

I’ve seen comments that 0w-20 is used in these motors for the sake of fuel economy but doesn’t offer as much protection as 5w-30.

I will be deleting AFM so no worries there and I’m thinking of using 5w-30 since my 08 Tahoe already uses it.

Thoughts before I do my first oil change to my new to me burban?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

And to potential “engineers know what they were doing” comments. the engineers also introduced AFM, they’ve had to make compromises in the past for better mpg so wouldn’t put it past them to use an inferior lubrication for the sake of mpg

 

[B-train]

Stick with 5w-30 full synthetic and change it every 5k. You won't hurt a thing and will give your engine better overall lubrication protection. Done it in all my vehicles since 1998 and over 1,000,000 miles without one mechanical failure due to poor lubrication. And, none of the vehicles had oil consumption issues (usually 0.5 qt per 5k or less. 2008 Lucerne did start to use oil later in life but that was due to neglect of previous owner).

Current 0w-20 vehicles that get 5w-30 now:
1. 2017 Denali, 6.2L. 140k on 5w-30, no issues or oil consumption. Same MPG
2. 2025 Malibu 1.5L. Changed to 5w-30 at 5000 miles. Engine noticeably happier. Not one change in MPG.

It works, and is the proper all around viscosity in my book.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Ow30 or 5w30 Group4 full synthetic. If it's good enough for GM's 6.6L L8T, it's good enough for a 5.3L.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Thanks guys I’m going to run the same 5w-30 oil that I use in my Tahoe. What filter are yall using?

 

[B-train]

I buy GM filters in bulk. PF63

 

[Art Contoni]

WIX WL10255 in the 2013 Tahoe and 2017 Yukon

 

[ZKWBQD]

2015 Suburban 5.3 l83

I know factory recommended is usually the best advice but given what I’ve seen on the 6.2s and I think I saw that the lower oil viscosity was to blame there.

I’ve seen comments that 0w-20 is used in these motors for the sake of fuel economy but doesn’t offer as much protection as 5w-30.

I will be deleting AFM so no worries there and I’m thinking of using 5w-30 since my 08 Tahoe already uses it.

Thoughts before I do my first oil change to my new to me burban?

Until March of this year, my local Chevy dealer refused to install anything other than 0W-20 in my 5.3L. However, now they tell me the new EPA allows them to put in any oil the customer wants. So naturally, I am now using 5W-30. Same thing happened with a Toyota I also own. The point of 0W-20 oil was 0.02 MPG increase. I have permanently disabled engine stop-start and the Daytime Running Lights.

 

[texasyukonfl]

What are our thoughts about Valvoline Restore and Protect vs. Amsoil? Seems to be differing opinions about the two oils and which is better for these engines. Looking for some cleaning capability from the oil. Or is it better to just use a FI cleaner? if so what do you recommend?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@texasyukonfl I think the consensus is that all oil is pretty much the same brand to brand. Walmart Dexos 5w-30 full synthetic is the same as any other you would find at autozone or orileys.

I find whatever full synthetic 5w-30 Dexos certified oil I can find on sale and stock up. Amazon, Walmart, Costco all have their own in house brand oil which is cheap and made at the same plant every other oil is made at.

 

[SpareParts]

I think @swathdiver might have a chart showing some differences.

 

[2017sltXL]

Stick with 5w-30 full synthetic and change it every 5k. You won't hurt a thing and will give your engine better overall lubrication protection. Done it in all my vehicles since 1998 and over 1,000,000 miles without one mechanical failure due to poor lubrication. And, none of the vehicles had oil consumption issues (usually 0.5 qt per 5k or less. 2008 Lucerne did start to use oil later in life but that was due to neglect of previous owner).

Current 0w-20 vehicles that get 5w-30 now:
1. 2017 Denali, 6.2L. 140k on 5w-30, no issues or oil consumption. Same MPG
2. 2025 Malibu 1.5L. Changed to 5w-30 at 5000 miles. Engine noticeably happier. Not one change in MPG.

It works, and is the proper all around viscosity in my book.

Made the switch to Mobil 1 ESP on my '17 5.3 after I did the delete, currently at 154k miles and doesn't burn any between changes.
My mpg actually increased, but I think part of that is the fact I had to have it tuned after the cam swap, and had it tuned for 91 octane so those savings are offset from the higher price per gallon.

I plan to switch the 25 Equinox, same engine as you Malibu, once the oil is due next time.

 

[jyi786]

What are our thoughts about Valvoline Restore and Protect vs. Amsoil? Seems to be differing opinions about the two oils and which is better for these engines. Looking for some cleaning capability from the oil. Or is it better to just use a FI cleaner? if so what do you recommend?

I regularly dismiss such claims of "magic mystery oil" as snake oil claims, but I'm here to tell you: this oil is totally different.

The Valvoline Restore and Protect oil is the TRUTH. It made the lifter typewriter tick (in normal operation) completely disappear and my engine runs absolutely silently now. Sometimes I forget my truck is running, it's that quiet. I have an L86 still with AFM in my 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV.

If I were switching to 5W-30, which I did myself, there is no point in going with anything but Valvoline Restore and Protect. Might as well get ALL the benefits while you're at it; just remember to change it religiously, because the first few oil changes WILL remove gunk and varnish and you run the risk of clogging up your filter.