Hi everyone! I just bought a 2004 Chevrolet Impala (9C1 police package) with 81k miles on it. It has the GM 3800 Series II (L36 N/A) engine. Since the car was bought from an auction I have no idea what kind of oil was used in it previously. I was thinking about switching to synthetic motor oil. Any suggestions for the brand of synthetic oil to use in the car? Is it even a good idea to switch to synthetic? I do about 50% city/50% highway driving.
2004 Impala - Oil?
- Thread starter sarotara
- Start date
- Status
Pennzoil Platinum seems to be a big hit and its priced well.
might not be a bad idea to do a cycle of Auto-RX first.
might not be a bad idea to do a cycle of Auto-RX first.
The L36 isn't picky about oil at all. You should be good with anything you choose. I run GC in mine, ran Mobil 1 before that. Switching to synthetic should be fine, but it may start leaking a little if it's not already, the valve covers in these things tend to do that after a while; easy to replace, though.
Engine is almost bullet proof.
Might try a cheap syn oil and a short interval as a start.
Super-tech syn is priced low and it's a decent syn.for 3000 miles.
Then go with a brand name syn and 6000 mile changes.
Since it's cold there, 5w30 should do you.
Not sure when the 3800 changed from 10W to 5W, but I've ran 5w30 during the winters in my first three 3800s.
05 and up call for 5W year round.
Might try a cheap syn oil and a short interval as a start.
Super-tech syn is priced low and it's a decent syn.for 3000 miles.
Then go with a brand name syn and 6000 mile changes.
Since it's cold there, 5w30 should do you.
Not sure when the 3800 changed from 10W to 5W, but I've ran 5w30 during the winters in my first three 3800s.
05 and up call for 5W year round.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Sticky
