Oil Reccomendations? need help asap

[BlueCollarTahoe]

im a little OCD and i honestly love my truck lol i have to change her oil this week but im still not sure what to use. I already picked a filter lol but what should i go with as the oil? the manual says i need 5W-30. okay thats fine but what should i choose? i was leaning towards the castrol GTX. ive searched online but sure ifi should go blend or full synthetic. I just want the best for my truck. what would you guys suggest?

2004 chevy tahoe 5.3 v8 witth 93k miles.


im not sure what was put in last oil change.

 

[ta07hoe]

Used to use bulk 5w30 dexos from the dealer since it was free but I can't do that anymore. Now I use mobile 1 and only delco filters

 

[iamdub]

Ask 10 people this sort of question and you'll get 15 different answers. My opinion (although there's a lot of scientific backing to make it a fact) is that synthetic costs the same if not less than conventional because even though it's about twice the price it can be ran for about twice as long. I pay close attention to my vehicles, especially when I change the oil. I've never really noticed any difference in their running after an oil change except for the most recent change in my Tahoe right before Thanksgiving. I've always ran Castrol Titanium (free from a friend that worked for BP) then switched to Mobil 1 when those supplies ran out. This last time I tried Pennzoil Platinum and immediately noticed quieter running. Also, after 3,000+ miles (went to south Florida for Thanksgiving then to Destin last weekend), I have yet to get that 1.5 seconds of lifter tap after cold startup that I would get randomly 3-5 times over a 6,000-mile oil change interval.

 

[Meccanoble]

I agree with iamdub. There are so many routes to go there and there is no wrong answer, it all depends on how soon you plan to change oil and your concerns. Most including me will say run synthetic. Thats all I run. From a price standpoint, synthetic is better but only if you change your oil in the recommended intervals. If you TRULY care about your car, you'll run synthetic and probably still change earlier than recommended (5k-6k). I personally run Mobil 1 Full synthetic 5w-30 from Walmart, get the gallon jug and its been good to all my cars. Only did 1 change so far on my tahoe with 125k miles at the time and no issues. Some people are scared to change to synethetic at higher mileage in fear of leaks but thats another story.

I used to run Castrol in my BMW M3 but that was recommended by dealer and it was a weight you cant even find in your average store. Mobil 1 has always been popular with domestic cars, but I buy because of price and availability.

 

[95escahoe]

Castro GTX conventional or the syn blend high mileage is good I've used both before, get a Wix filter best filter hands down


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Meccanoble]

Better than AC Delco filter?

 

[95escahoe]

Better than AC Delco filter?

Your gonna get all kinds of answers on this too but imo Wix is the best they make one for conventional oil and one for synthetic



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ta07hoe]

I'd use nothing but an oem oil filter. Compre the quality of an ac delco air filter to a wix air filter. Lower quality foam, paper, and ****** glue job. You think their oil filters are any better? Cut them open and look. I don't like using high mileage oil due to additives and their effect on seals. I change my mobile 1 every 3/3500 miles. I have recently been using the extended life 15,000 mile oil in my mustang and it's good oil. In my mustang 3500 miles and mobile 1 would burn off 1/2 to 1 qt and with the extended life it wasn't even a 1/4 down. Car had 168k on it and idk how many bottles of nitrous through it. 23-27$ for 5qt at Walmart you can't go wrong. Got 6 jugs on sale a few weeks ago at 18.99 for 5qts. I'm a master tech with licenses for inspection and emissions repair so I'd say I have a fairly decent automotive background

 

[Meccanoble]

I agree when it comes to filters, OEM normally is best when it comes to all the store brands. I didnt even know there was a different oil filter for synthetic vs conventional lol.

 

[95escahoe]

I agree when it comes to filters, OEM normally is best when it comes to all the store brands. I didnt even know there was a different oil filter for synthetic vs conventional lol.

Honestly it might just be another money making gimmick some say you can use a regular oil filter with synthetic others say get a filter made for synthetic and longer oil change intervals


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[iamdub]

I think the whole oil thing is way over-complicated. Compare the basic facts and you should be able to make a sound decision. Some people just don't want to pay $6/quart every 6,000 miles, but would rather pay $3/quart every 3,000 miles. It makes no sense to me. Conventional oil breaks down over use. Synthetic almost entirely stays the same. Oil gets dirty regardless of make. At a 5,000-6,000 mile OCI, the synthetic oil is dirty, but it's protective/lubricating properties are still much more retained than what conventional would be. For the dirt factor, use a good oil filter such as WIX/NAPA Gold (NO FRAM!!!), a good air filter (stock or equivalent is fine) and try to use "good" gas such as Chevron/Texaco (No, 93 or "Premium" has nothing to do with cleanliness).

As far as what brand of synthetic oil is best, I feel that our engines aren't designed in such a way that it matters. On that note, my experience with the Pennzoil Platinum may not have anything to do with the brand itself and may just be the simple fact that that last oil change flushed out contaminates that were causing the lifters to stick.

 

[iamdub]

I agree when it comes to filters, OEM normally is best when it comes to all the store brands. I didnt even know there was a different oil filter for synthetic vs conventional lol.

Honestly it might just be another money making gimmick some say you can use a regular oil filter with synthetic others say get a filter made for synthetic and longer oil change intervals


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've never heard of filters specifically designed for synthetic oil. Sounds like BS to me. The AC Delco filters are just fine as long as they're not the new "E-core" design. For a while, I used the Walmart's house brand of SuperTech because it was the exact same filter as the AC Delco, made by the exact same plant, but about $2 cheaper. Last I compared, that appears to have changed so I just default to the safe bet and go with WIX.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

for some reason its hard to find wix filters where im at. I tried to find wix air filters to replace the crap that was in my baby lol no luck so i went with a FRAM one since i would have to order the AC Delco one. I plan to change every 3k miles just wanted to do it the right way and i want to keep emergency bottles in my truck of the same oil i put in so im doing the research now and comparing. i was gonna do it on my own but its freezing cold here and i have to work out doors to make it happn so im gonna take it to the mechanic to do it on a lift and all that but i will be watching lmao they use castrol gtx among other stuff but i was gonna bring whatever i decided on and have them use that lol I think im gonna go with the castrol gtx synthetic with the mobil 1 filter i picked up. I dont think they have mobil one on hand unless i go buy it and bring it. Im still sort of in between what im gonna do but im doing it this week.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

tried to find AC Delco filters and didnt find it at any store. I rarely find AC Delco stuff like a complete line up anywhere. ill see motor oil here, then brake fluid at another store, sparkplugs at one not at another. No walmart in the city limits. stores i check out are autzone, Advance auto parts, and pepboys. seems i have to order ACdelco stuff. i will for the future but this has to be done this week. i think im making a good choice for my truck though even though its not the AC delco stuff im not trying to cheap out on equivalents.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

Basically at this point im leaning towards one of these 2:

mobil 1 extended life

Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30


thoughts of these 2? planning on doing every 3k regardless. car has 93k miles on it.

 

[BlueCollarTahoe]

which mobil1 are you guys using? the ones who posed they used it in their cars

 

[ta07hoe]

Regular mobile 1 syn in truck and 15,000 mile stuff in my car. Car takes 5w20 and Walmart never has normal syn 5w20 mob1 so that's why im using the 15k now. Don't forget just because the oil lasts longer doesn't mean the filter does. Try amazon you can find delco stuff there a1 auto rock auto.

 

[iamdub]

You can't change oil TOO often as long as your bankroll can support it. But, 3K on synthetic is a waste. Also, I don't believe in the "3 month/3K mile" thing. That's been the word for decades, spawned way back when oils were nowhere near the quality they are today. It's perpetuated by those who sell oil and shops that change oil. But those who KNOW oil (scientists/chemists, engineers, etc.) would tell you that the oil is still "good" well after 3,000 miles. I'd feel totally comfortable running a quality non-synthetic for 5K-6K, unless it was in an engine that "ran dirty" and needed to be changed not to replace bad/broken-down oil, but to get the dirt out.

Jay, do you have a NAPA around you? Their "Gold" filters are relabeled WIX. Or, if you prefer to shop online (I do), order you a couple of WIX filters off Amazon to be ready for your next changes. O'Reilly carries WIX oil filters as well.



Not to get off subject, but wanted to say it here since I mentioned this new-to-me oil: There may be something to this Pennzoil I just switched to. I decided to check the oil while filling up yesterday at the gas station. At about 3,300 miles, the oil is still a shade of amber. I don't recall any oil in the past not being very dark at this mileage.

 

[Denali2k8]

I use Amsoil ONLY in my bikes (sportbikes) and they get rode aggressive. Never had an issue. Gonna start using Amsoil in the Denali and prob switch the wife's jeep over to amsoil instead of whatever is on sale @ auto parts store.

 

[ta07hoe]

You can't change oil TOO often as long as your bankroll can support it. But, 3K on synthetic is a waste. Also, I don't believe in the "3 month/3K mile" thing. That's been the word for decades, spawned way back when oils were nowhere near the quality they are today. It's perpetuated by those who sell oil and shops that change oil. But those who KNOW oil (scientists/chemists, engineers, etc.) would tell you that the oil is still "good" well after 3,000 miles. I'd feel totally comfortable running a quality non-synthetic for 5K-6K, unless it was in an engine that "ran dirty" and needed to be changed not to replace bad/broken-down oil, but to get the dirt out.

Jay, do you have a NAPA around you? Their "Gold" filters are relabeled WIX. Or, if you prefer to shop online (I do), order you a couple of WIX filters off Amazon to be ready for your next changes. O'Reilly carries WIX oil filters as well.



Not to get off subject, but wanted to say it here since I mentioned this new-to-me oil: There may be something to this Pennzoil I just switched to. I decided to check the oil while filling up yesterday at the gas station. At about 3,300 miles, the oil is still a shade of amber. I don't recall any oil in the past not being very dark at this mileage.

You can't go by looks and opinion. Go look at oil Analysis's people have had done for our motors or any for that matter with different kinds of oil. I run mob 1 3-3500 in my truck since its 160k and gets some fuel contamination. The oil does not sheer or loose viscosity or become to contaminated at that mileage so why go another 1000 and have that happen. Spending 26$ for 1 extra oil change a year isn't breaking the bank but it sure keeps things clean and well lubricated. Idk how much experience you have in the automotive field but there is a CLEAR difference in someone's motor that changes it at 3k vs 5k with or without synthetic. what scientists or chemists or engineers have you been getting your info from lol