What type of oil to use for Winter

[ladorn45]

Hey Everyone,

I have been reading up on what type of oil I should be using for the tahoe in winter weather, but keep getting mixed advice. Would like to get everyone's input on what grade oil they use on their tahoes in the winter. I live in NJ so we don't have super harsh winters but I do Drive up north a lot. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Sasquatch]

5-30 synthetic all year round.

 

[ladorn45]

Okay so you don't put 0w or 5w in your truck during the winter?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Should already have 5w in there.

 

[Rocket Man]

Same all year, 5w-30.

 

[Sasquatch]

If i lived in the arctic circle i might think of going with a thinner oil but here in the northeast 5-30 works fine.

 

[mmeachem]

5w30 synthetic all year


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[PG01]

Shit, I remember when everything got 10w-40....maybe 30...... didnt matter what it was

 

[Matahoe]

At 165k I now use Quaker State Defy 10w30 High Mileage (semi-synth). I did originally use Mobile1 5w30 full synthetic but it ended up going right by the valve stem seals and piston rings gunking up / carbonizing my valves and top of pistons. As you can imagine it was eating oil quite rapidly...about 2 quarts every 3-4k mIles. Now I burn 1/2 quart per oil change. Either its the higher weight oil im using, the high mileage additives or a combination. Either way im doing quite well now in the oil consumption department.

I did do a fair bit of research and it's actually recommended to use 10w30 over 5w30 if you use your truck for any type of play/towing/offroading as it offers better protection. All 5w30 gets you is maybe .5 mpg more and quicker winter starting. You will have to weight the pros and cons yourself. I would say use 5w in the winter and 10w in the summer. Seems like a no brainer.

 

[BeenChevy]

Yep, 5w-30 synthetic M1 75K+ does well for mine, even in -30F.

 

[06Escalade]

0w does not necessarily mean thinner, learned that on another oil forum. For example M1 5w30 is actually thinner than M1 0w30 until you reach -20F. Only then does 0w30 makes sense. So for most conditions a 5w30 is just fine, maybe better.

 

[67RS427]

I was getting low oil pressure from my stock bottom end with 150k miles. I switched to 10w40 and will probably run it all winter here in Michigan. Oil pressure is great now and will hopefully save my engine until my 416 short block is ready...

 

[cekkk]

We lived at 9,000 ft elevation for many years and many cars and trucks. Just run the grade your car's owner's manual shows at the temperatures it shows. 0W, 5W, 10W talk less important than manufacturer's advice.

 

[ladorn45]

Okay thanks everyone for all your advice. Last question what are your thoughts on oil extractors. I Like the idea since I live in a apt complex and park my car in the parking lot. It seems like it will make it alot easier to change my oil. Are they anygood?

 

[BeenChevy]

They're the best invention known to people who know about changing oil.. I never looked back and it makes the job a hell of a lot easier. I think mine is called a "No mess" system.

 

[D is for DENALI]

I use Mobil 1 5 30 synthetic...

Last change I used 0 30 because it was on sale, but now i have a cold start benign piston slap(almost sounds like a lifter tick, but its not) till the motor warms up a little.. so next change im going back to 5 30 and never leaving...

 

[BeenChevy]

One you have the slap, you'll notice it for the life of the piston skirts Doesn't cause any real harm or performance issues but yeah 0w-30 isn't recommended.

 

[Matahoe]

So basically it all comes down to what we have always been told...

The 5W in 5W30 represents the starting viscocity of the oil. The colder your engine is the more need for oil to reach vital engine parts quicker. The 30 weight part represent viscosity at full engine operating temp (approx. 210F). All 30 weight oils for example (0w30, 5w30,10w30, etc) all have the same viscosity at full engine temp.

The benefits of a low winter weight oil only serves to provide quicker starting and reduce startup wear in colder temps. That pretty much sums it up. Theoretically if you want to achieve additional protection between moving parts then you would need to step up to a 40 or 50 weight oil like 15W-50. But I would only do this in a warm climate. Additionally oil weights higher than 30 are not recomended by GM.

 

[SnowDrifter]

I use 0w30 M1 ESP year-round. Has favorable viscosity characteristics and HTHS

 

[ladorn45]

Anyone ever use Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage. Only ask cause they have 5 quarts for 10 bucks