'09 Pontiac G8 GT break in oil...

[Blokey]

OK, so I have a "what oil should I use" question...

I recently bought an '09 Pontiac G8 GT with the 6.0L L76 V8 engine. I bought 9 qts of Red Line 5w30 with the intention of using it when I hit 1000 miles but I read on the bottle that it's not to be used during break in, wait until at least 3000 miles.

I definitely want to do an oil change at 1000 miles but I'd like your suggestions for a good break in oil. I'd like to take advantage of the once in a lifetime Pennzoil Platinum trifecta deal that's available now: 1) the local Advance Auto Parts has Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 on sale for $4.99/qt, 2) I can use the "$10 off $25 purchase" coupon I got from the AAP website and 3) I'd get the $15 Pennzoil mail-in rebate.

Since that's a smokin' deal for the highly regarded Pennzoil Platinum in 5w30, do you think Pennzoil Platinum is a good break in oil? I plan on using the Red Line 5w30 when I hit 5000 miles.

TIA...

 

[JT1]

NO.....use your favorite conventional.

Now here comes the million people saying like parrots that it is ok to use synthetic during break in because "corvettes and mercedes are".

Regardless of whether it is ok to break an engine in on syn, it's just unesscessary and will do you no good over using a quality conventional type oil.

 

[JohnBrowning]

You can safely use it at 1000 miles. The major parts should be broken in by 1000 miles no problem! Keep in mind break in is completely different then when all the metals start to settle down. On GM V8's it normally takes 50,000 miles for the copper and other wear metals to stabilize and start trending down. Only someone completely retard would think that break in takes 50,000 miles though no one with a properly working brain would ever dream of something that silly! In fact we know that higher levels of additives actually help to produce a more refined finish during break in and during wear in.This is why you have companies bring all these break in additives to the market currently as oils additives levels keep shrinking like my wallet!

So go for it add the Redline and do your normal OCI from 1000 mile point out. I would not bother taking a used oil analysis until you have 3-4 oil changes on the Redline. I normally do not recommend Redline oils for GM products but it will not prevent your vehicle from breaking in I promise you this much! You think the Corvettes never break in because they run Mobil 1 synthetic 5W30 right off the assembly line? The trick to breaking in an engine is driving it rather hard the first 50 miles. Lots of full throttle pulls and engine breaking etc.........

I have some of the best used oil analysis on this sight and I drained my OEM oil out at 58 miles and ran a group III synthetic 5W40 for 1200-1500 miles then I went to Redline 5W40!I drove my car home from the dealership like I was doing a chase seen in the movie Bourne Idenity and look at my used oil analysis results. I went to a beefy GIII/PAO synthetic at 58 miles and a G-V ester based synthetic with insane levels of additives at around 1200 miles!

Porsce,Mercedes,BMW,GM,Lambo,Ferrai,Opel,.........All have high performance beasts that ship right from the assembly line with synthetic oil in them and I assure you they all break in just fine!

In your application I my first recomendation would be to use Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 year round!

 

[JT1]

True....If your engine isn't mostly broken in after 1000mi, it probably isn't going to.

 

[Blokey]

WOW! Thanks for the great responses all! I understand what you're saying JT1 but I'm liking the PP deal more and more that I might just go for it; JB your reply was very informative! I will however stick to the 5w30 viscosity because that is what the owner's manual and oil fill cap says to use. Plus I understand that this viscosity is critical for the DOD to work properly.

 

[kbohip72]

I'd just use regular Pennzoil until the 3k mile mark and then switch to synthetic. It's not like it's going to matter in the long run at all anyway as far as engine damage/protection.

Btw, awesome choice in cars. The G8 GT is one of my current "would really love to own" cars. That and the Cadillac CTS-V. It sucks knowing these are the last of the great cars and the future is nothing but glorified *cough* Prius *cough* econoboxes.

 

[Durango]

Blokey,

I was told in my recently bought Chevy Impala SS I have Mobil 5000 oil in the 5w30 grade right now. So far I just rolled over 3K and will change my oil out at around 6K or when the oil life monitor tells me so. So far no issues will the oil so perhaps that's what you have also.

Durango

 

[Blokey]

I wondered what the factory fill in the G8 is, Mobil 5000 wouldn't surprise me but keep in mind that the G8 is assembled in Australia (the engine's built in Mexico) so the supplier may be different than a US/Canada built car, I don't know. Anyway, good to know that the factory fill should be a good oil, I guess I'm sweating this too much that's all! I'm still old school when it comes to the early (1000 mile) oil change, not that it'll probably make a difference anyway, but I figure an early oil change with a conventional or synthetic (for a good price) oil wouldn't hurt. For this "weekend car" I figure I can then splurge for the boutique RL since I won't be changing it that often.

kbohip72, I'm hoping my G8 will be my future version of the "low miles original owner '64 GTO" dream car that I see at the car shows and on TV

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

I closely monitor oil consumption to determine when an engine is broken in. By this criteria, my LS1 wasn't broken in until after the 5000 mile point using break in OCIs of 500, 1500 and 3000 miles with conventional. Switched to M1 at the 8k point. From about the 6k point until now, the engine uses maybe 1/4 quart between OCIs of about 4k.

According to the GM project manager, all the 2002 LS1 F-bodies had M1 as a factory fill. I suspect it's the reason it took so long for my engine to break in. I do remember reading a TSB on Corvettes a few years ago about excessive oil consumption, with a "fix" doing a tempory switch to conventional oil to properly seat the rings.

I believe the exotics use M1 purely because of the marketing money that comes their way. I also suspect a lot of them are pre-run, and are broken in at the factory.

You may be able to break in your engine with a Group V oil like RL, but why take the chance? Wait until you are sure it is not buring oil before changing to it.

 

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: Blokey
I wondered what the factory fill in the G8 is, Mobil 5000 wouldn't surprise me but keep in mind that the G8 is assembled in Australia (the engine's built in Mexico) so the supplier may be different than a US/Canada built car, I don't know. Anyway, good to know that the factory fill should be a good oil, I guess I'm sweating this too much that's all! I'm still old school when it comes to the early (1000 mile) oil change, not that it'll probably make a difference anyway, but I figure an early oil change with a conventional or synthetic (for a good price) oil wouldn't hurt. For this "weekend car" I figure I can then splurge for the boutique RL since I won't be changing it that often.

kbohip72, I'm hoping my G8 will be my future version of the "low miles original owner '64 GTO" dream car that I see at the car shows and on TV

Blokey,

I too am old school but now a days these new engines that are made are considered a different breed of aminal. That's what my manual kinda tells me so that's why GM incorporated the new fancy "Oil Life Systems". I admit to being slightly confused though cuz the dealership from which I bought my Impala they want me to schedule an oil change but my instruction manual say it's not necessary due to the factory installed OLM. Of course it's obvious the dealerships are trying to gain more business/money to pad the bottom line. I wonder if the head office (GM) knows that their own dealers are stiffing the customers still after taking delivery of there new cars????

Anyway enough said for now.

Durango

 

[mechtech2]

I'd hold off using the Red Line oil until I packed on more miles.
Maybe 10,000.
Some of this is because I consider Red Line to be very good, but very expensive and not ever necessary.

 

[addyguy]

Don't use the Redline while under warranty. It's not actually certified to the specs you need it to be for your warranty.

If this engine calls for dino, you will need a 5w30 that is API SM, GF-4 oil that meets GM 6094M. If this engine calls for synthetic, you will need a 5w30 synthetic that is certified to 4718M.

Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 is a perfect oil choice, as it meets ALL of these requirements, and is cheap to boot!

 

[99 GASE2]

Originally Posted By: Blokey
OK, so I have a "what oil should I use" question...

I recently bought an '09 Pontiac G8 GT with the 6.0L L76 V8 engine. I bought 9 qts of Red Line 5w30 with the intention of using it when I hit 1000 miles but I read on the bottle that it's not to be used during break in, wait until at least 3000 miles.

I definitely want to do an oil change at 1000 miles but I'd like your suggestions for a good break in oil...

For me, breaking in was the 1st day of ownership of my '09 PBM Pontiac G8 GT with Premuim Package & Sunroof.

After getting the motor oil warmed up to operating temps.
Hit a freeway onramp.
Sided the shifter to the right for "Sports" Performance mode.
& Pushed down the go pedal
& hang on lol

Becareful though!!!
If you go WOT: The 1st to 2nd gear shift can make your rear end step out!

Back on topic...
I dumped my factory fill dino motor oil at 1K miles.
& went with GC & a NAPA Gold oil filter.