0W-40 or 5W-40 only

[Navi]

I have been humming and hawing on going thicker for a long time. A little while back I decided to rid my garage of the 0W20 and went 5W30 because I was burning oil. Today I learned that GM has ended all debate on the topic by telling us to use 0W40 in an engine they were initially saying to use 0W20. I also learned that GM has on record 30,000 failed 6.2 liter engines because of 0W20.

So going forward it will be either 0W40 or 5W40 in my garage. Whether it be Ford.or GM it will be getting a 40 weight oil. The only question now is which brand exactly? Mobil? Castrol?

 

[wemay]

How does GM's mistake of first, design error, then, recommending the use of the 'wrong' initial viscosity, and finally, now recommending a 0w40 as the 'fix' for said design flaw solidify your decision?

Nothing wrong with either choice, they'll work just fine. But your trust in GM ("they've ended all debate") as the means to this choice is ill placed, in this scenario.

 

[Navi]

How does GM's mistake of first, design error, then, recommending the use of the "wrong" initial viscosity, and finally, now recommending a 0w40 as the "fix" for said design flaw solidify your decision?

Nothing wrong with either choice, they'll work just fine. But your trust in GM is ill placed, in this scenario.

GM has been requiring 0W20 I believe since the year 2015. Since that time there has been engine issues such as failed.lifters, burning oil and bearing trouble. Lots of debate on the internet about 0W20.

Im happy that GM finally gave the thumbs up to going thicker because Im the type of guy that wants to believe in the manufacturers suggestions. Thus switching to 5W30 was a stretch for me. Now I know its a safe course of action to take. Going forward though Im going to embrace 40 weight.

 

[wemay]

On the topic of switching being fine, yes it is, many of use here have said as much throughout the years. Thicker does offer better protection. And going from a 20 to 40, significantly so. But design failures such as the one originally cited in your first post, and subsequently responded to by me, would still exist if the original oil recommendation were 0w40.

In other words, GM's " giving the thumbs up" is a hard pill to swallow. They also gave the thumbs up on this design and the use of 0w20.

I'm not anti GM, far from it. I'm anti this specific engine and their decision surrounding what can fix it. I own a Malibu which has been great so far.

 

[Navi]

On the topic of switching being fine, yes it is, many of use here have said as much throughout the years. But design failures such as the one originally cited in your first post, and subsequently responded to by me, would still exist if the original oil recommendation were 0w40.

There are many design features in my GMC I have not been pleased with. However Im stuck with this vehicle for now but this will be my last GM vehicle. Ford modified the problematic Gen 2 Ecoboost (now Gen 3) resolving its design problems. However GM did not do the same.

 

[wemay]

I can understand your sentiment.

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

seems like you’re blaming the weight of an oil instead of blaming the design of the engine. There’s millions of cars including the Prius, Tacoma, tundra, Corolla, etc etc that have done just fine on 0w20 and will do just fine on 0w16/0w8

 

[svenson]

I have been humming and hawing on going thicker for a long time. A little while back I decided to rid my garage of the 0W20 and went 5W30 because I was burning oil. Today I learned that GM has ended all debate on the topic by telling us to use 0W40 in an engine they were initially saying to use 0W20. I also learned that GM has on record 30,000 failed 6.2 liter engines because of 0W20.

So going forward it will be either 0W40 or 5W40 in my garage. Whether it be Ford.or GM it will be getting a 40 weight oil. The only question now is which brand exactly? Mobil? Castrol?

How does GM's mistake of first, design error, then, recommending the use of the 'wrong' initial viscosity, and finally, now recommending a 0w40 as the 'fix' for said design flaw solidify your decision?

Nothing wrong with either choice, they'll work just fine. But your trust in GM ("they've ended all debate") as the means to this choice is ill placed, in this scenario.

https://www.automotivedive.com/news/gm-recalls-597K-pickups-suvs-engine-failures-v8-nhtsa/746799/

 

[billt460]

It's becoming more and more obvious that the primary reason these "manufacturer recommended" thin oils were introduced in the first place, was because of CAFE fleet mileage incentives.

Several manufacturers have since changed their "recommendations" to higher viscosity oils. Kia, Hyundai, and GM being 3 of the most recent. They've had to replace millions of dollars in engines under warranty.

The comeback by many is, "they're bad engine designs". And while that may be true to some extent, it doesn't change the fact they seem to be going back to higher viscosity oils at the same time. That's not a coincidence. They are doing it for a reason.... They even admit to it.

"GM dealers will inspect and either repair or replace the engines if necessary for free. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil"...

 

[Bailey28]

Hyundai TSB calls for 40w in the 1.6 Gamma engines. From the first oil change to the TSB I was using 10w30, now 5w40. 140k on one of the Gammas and it is still going. 3.5k OCI.

 

[Jetronic]

Back at the dealership, we ran those gamma engines on Acea C3 oils since day the first oci. It doesn't solve the issues like oil burning completely, but most make it a long time. If the oil gets low or they over heat they're done though, no tolerance for that.

 

[wemay]

It's becoming more and more obvious that the primary reason these "manufacturer recommended" thin oils were introduced in the first place, was because of CAFE fleet mileage incentives.

Several manufacturers have since changed their "recommendations" to higher viscosity oils. Kia, Hyundai, and GM being 3 of the most recent. They've had to replace millions of dollars in engines under warranty.

The comeback by many is, "they're bad engine designs". And while that may be true to some extent, it doesn't change the fact they seem to be going back to higher viscosity oils at the same time. That's not a coincidence. They are doing it for a reason.... They even admit to it.

"GM dealers will inspect and either repair or replace the engines if necessary for free. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil"...

If you're vaguely alluding to me as one of the "many" with a "comeback", your mistaken. I'm specifically addressing this GM "fix", nothing else. Are you of the opinion that a 40 would have resolved this situation if these vehicles came with that recommendation originally?

 

[Patman]

I have been humming and hawing on going thicker for a long time. A little while back I decided to rid my garage of the 0W20 and went 5W30 because I was burning oil. Today I learned that GM has ended all debate on the topic by telling us to use 0W40 in an engine they were initially saying to use 0W20. I also learned that GM has on record 30,000 failed 6.2 liter engines because of 0W20.

So going forward it will be either 0W40 or 5W40 in my garage. Whether it be Ford.or GM it will be getting a 40 weight oil. The only question now is which brand exactly? Mobil? Castrol?

No need to go with a 5w40 or 0w40 here, just find a suitable 5w30/0w30 that has a 3.5 HTHS and that should give you a nice bump in protection over the 0w20. I’m partial to M1 ESP because it’s easy to find and a great price but there are other Euro 30 grades with a 3.5 HTHS too.

 

[Ayrton]

I have been humming and hawing on going thicker for a long time. A little while back I decided to rid my garage of the 0W20 and went 5W30 because I was burning oil. Today I learned that GM has ended all debate on the topic by telling us to use 0W40 in an engine they were initially saying to use 0W20. I also learned that GM has on record 30,000 failed 6.2 liter engines because of 0W20.

So going forward it will be either 0W40 or 5W40 in my garage. Whether it be Ford.or GM it will be getting a 40 weight oil. The only question now is which brand exactly? Mobil? Castrol?

I'd go with Mobil. It could be in my head, but I believe their Euros keep engines cleaner than Castrol's Euro formulas.

 

[jetman]

0w-20 isn't the problem
and
0w-40 isn't the cure.

 

[nickaluch]

GMC terrain 1.5 I think I'm going 5/30 dexos spec not 0/20 to thin for my liking in a mini turbo 4 plus one less oil I need makes my life easier all my other vehicles I use 5/30

 

[cptbarkey]

Panic sentiment. Dont buy a junk GM 6.2 and you'll be fine.

 

[Navi]

GM has a very big problem in that 30000 engines have already failed. So Im just guessing at what it costs GM...225 million for those. Next comes 500,000 more of these vehicles which might have these issues...over 3 billion dollars of engine replacements.

So switching to 0W40 is a move of hope and desperation for GM. As for us owners and our out of warranty vehicles switching over to 0W40 is also a move of hope and desperation. It might not be the cure but it couldnt hurt.

I already made the switch to 5W30 previous to the 0W40 news...

 

[cptbarkey]

GM has a very big problem in that 30000 engines have already failed. So Im just guessing at what it costs GM...225 million for those. Next comes 500,000 more of these vehicles which might have these issues...over 3 billion dollars of engine replacements.

So switching to 0W40 is a move of hope and desperation for GM. As for us owners and our out of warranty vehicles switching over to 0W40 is also a move of hope and desperation. It might not be the cure but it couldnt hurt.

I already made the switch to 5W30 previous to the 0W40 news...

As usual with all your threads you talk past people, you already decided what you want to do in your first post. Good luck.

 

[TwoC400s]

I won't comment on the issues with the GM engines, I don't know enough to say anything useful.

But on the topic of 0w40 and 5w40 motor oils, well, I've used many over the last 20 years.

I use Castrol Euro 5w40 in anything that wants MB 229.5, BMW LL-01, or VW 502/505. It's easy to find, usually a decent value (does occasionally go on sale), and has kept the powertrain of every car I've put it in clean, quiet, and healthy.

If you're trying to squeeze every penny/qt of value out of engine oil purchases, maybe other brands with rebates are for you, I'm too lazy for that nonsense.