Continue on with Kirkland 0W-20 or switch to Amsoil?

[stevejones]

Vehicle in question is a 2019 K2 Silverado w/5.3 AFM. Purchased new, always ran the Kirkland w/short OCI's done by yours truly. Now it's out of warranty, so no Dexos no matter. Would you continue to run Dexos Kirkland or switch to Amsoil w/longer OCIs? Current mileage is 25K, no motor problems to date. I want to keep my AFM lifters from xplodin'!

What say you?

 

[JavierH19]

I'm running any 0/5w-40 in my 2021's 6.2 and I'm still under warranty. Oil won't keep them from dying, disabling it so they don't get starved of oil helps a lot more and using good oil helps to prolong them a bit more more but they're still afm lifters and they can fail anyway even if disabled from the factory and with better oil. Still helps.

 

[dnewton3]

No oil will stop the AFM issues. As noted above ... delete the function or r/r the parts.

As for the choice of lubes, I suspect the Amsoil is capable of OCIs well past what you may want to do. So your choices will make or break your ROI.

 

[tasch72]

At some point the lifters will need to be replaced, even if tuned out.

As far as oil choices, it depends on how much you want to be under the truck, IMO. If you don't mind changing oil every 5k miles or so, then there's no reason not to use a Dexos oil. I would even recommend going up to a 5w-30 for better MOFT if you're not concerned about using OE-specified oil.

If you're planning on putting a bunch of miles on the truck and you only want to change the oil once a year, or you want to really get the most out of your investment, then a boutique oil will give you that flexibility.

 

[Rand]

There is always middle ground use brand name like M1 from walmart costs slightly more than Costco brand but less than half of amsoil.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Looking at the mileage on your Silverado my guess is the Kirkland Brand with one change a year would do you just fine.

 

[64bawagon]

I have run the Kirkland in a couple different GM vehicles with changes around 6k. The analysis has shown the Kirkland oil to be a solid choice especially when considering the price. I believe I paid around $17 for a 5 qt jug of 0W20 for my Equinox. That combined with a Champ XL filter puts me well below $25 for a pretty solid oil change. Sure there are better choices if you want to stretch change intervals but dollar for dollar I think the Kirkland comes out at or near the top, As far as following D1G3 specs I think most full syn in those grades will carry that spec. I think Valvoline doesnt (IIRC) but mostly because they dont want to pay the licensing tribute to GM.

 

[Urshurak776]

I have run the Kirkland in a couple different GM vehicles with changes around 6k. The analysis has shown the Kirkland oil to be a solid choice especially when considering the price. I believe I paid around $17 for a 5 qt jug of 0W20 for my Equinox. That combined with a Champ XL filter puts me well below $25 for a pretty solid oil change. Sure there are better choices if you want to stretch change intervals but dollar for dollar I think the Kirkland comes out at or near the top, As far as following D1G3 specs I think most full syn in those grades will carry that spec. I think Valvoline doesnt (IIRC) but mostly because they dont want to pay the licensing tribute to GM.

Looks like Valvoline is licensed now in 0W-20 amd 5W-30:

GM dexos 1 Gen3 certified and approved in SAE 0W-20 and 5W-30, Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil provides 24X stronger protection against engine-killing contaminants than the leading full synthetic, keeping your motor running smooth whether it’s a Ford, Toyota, Dodge, Jeep or Honda. Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic, from the Original Motor Oil brand trusted for more than 150 years.

Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-30

Anything a conventional motor oil can do Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic can do better. Designed with the highest quality base oils and additives, it delivers 25% better deposit protection and 40% better protection against wear than industry standards. With less wear, you can expect stronger...

shop.valvolineglobal.com

 

[Highlander 1459]

answer depends on if the end user likes to spend triple the money on a boutique product or continuing along the bargain path they were on. End result will be the same for the engine, but your wallet will be heavier if you keep using Kirkland.

I am a long term user of either Kirkland or Supertech synthetics ( about 20 years now,and both are made by Warren Highline) . I recently purchased 2 five quart jugs at Costco for $30.99. Costco regularly puts it on sale.. unless moeny doesn't matter, stick with the budget brands.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

I think Valvoline doesnt (IIRC) but mostly because they dont want to pay the licensing tribute to GM.

Valvoline does. You’re probably thinking specifically about not seeing dexos approvals on 5w20, since GM does not have any vehicles that recommend that grade. They do however recommend 0w20 & 0w30, which are what normally carries dexos approvals.

There are a very small handful of 5w20s that do, but generally not.

 

[oil pan 4]

I wouldn't run an oil that ends in 20 in a 5.3L.

 

[Urshurak776]

I wouldn't run an oil that ends in 20 in a 5.3L.

How come? I know a guy that does stone work as a side job (fireplaces, etc) with a 2018 or 2019 5.3L Sierra. Pulls a trailer that's pretty heavy when loaded up. Has 160K or so last I knew earlier this year. All 0W-20 it's whole life. Bulk 0W-20 at that (he gets it cheap from work.) Hot South Carolina.

Personally, I'm worried more about his transmission. Not the 0W-20.

 

[oil pan 4]

How come? I know a guy that does stone work as a side job (fireplaces, etc) with a 2018 or 2019 5.3L Sierra. Pulls a trailer that's pretty heavy when loaded up. Has 160K or so last I knew earlier this year. All 0W-20 it's whole life. Bulk 0W-20 at that (he gets it cheap from work.) Hot South Carolina.

Personally, I'm worried more about his transmission. Not the 0W-20.

By the 1960s mechanical engineers all over the world, so really just the US and Europe had figured out that the ideal viscosity for engine oil was around 10 to 12cSt a operating temperature.
Operating temperature on trucks these days is usually around 210 to 230f and up to 260f towing as some bitog members have reported.
Problem with 0w-20 or 5w-20 is the oil is hitting 10cSt at around 180f.
At 212f a 20wt oil can be 7cSt.
Obviously it doesn't ruin engines immediately or we would know by now but it appears to be another way OEMs can ensure they sell another car or truck in about 10 years....