Conventional by OLM?

[donnyj08]

Guys for the first time I'm running Valvoline conventional in the Silverado. Normally I run synthetic Dexos approved oil to ~20% on the OLM or around 7-9k miles.

My original thought was to change the Valvoline conventional out at 5k. Im 3k into the oil change, the OLM is at 73% and the oil still looks pretty clean.

Should I run the Valvoline conventional 7k or dump it at 5k?

 

[901Memphis]

Sounds like 7k will take you to around 20% again won't it? Should be fine Valvoline is a premium conventional not a dollar store brand

 

[Pontual]

You can go even longer, if you don't bother with a little varnish buildup...

 

[AuthorEditor]

I think OLMs are designed around quality conventional oils for the most part, or at least whatever is stated in the manual. Some vehicles do come with the recommendation to use synthetic, but most domestic vehicle manuals I have seen are based on your use of regular oil meeting specs. However, if you are running something out of spec. I would go by distance and/or time.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Valvoline conventional is fine for your 2008 Silverado, as back then the OLM was made with dino in mind. You can leave it in as long as you normally leave it in.

dexos is only required from 2011-on. The only pre-dexos cars that required synthetic are certain Cadillacs, and the Corvette.

That said, Napa Synthetic is on sale for only $2.99 this month, so for that price, why not use a full syn? Even if you don't change it now, you'll still have it for when you do

 

[Kuato]

Since it's unknown whether GM calibrated your OLM for conventional or synthetic, it might be a good idea to take a sample at 5k and leave it in...

Valvoline conventional though should be fine for 7k.

 

[Ethan1]

I'd think a given car's IOLM would assume OEM-spec oil. Run whatever is specified in the owner's manual and you should be fine...

 

[WANG]

DEXOS wasn't a thing back in '08, tons of conventional oils met the GM spec of the day. I wouldn't bat an eye. I have used synthetic oil in my '08 GM V8 since it was new, but comparing my used oil analysis to OLM life remaining results indicates that it would likely be fine with a top shelf conventional like Valvoline conventional.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
Since it's unknown whether GM calibrated your OLM for conventional or synthetic, it might be a good idea to take a sample at 5k and leave it in...

Valvoline conventional though should be fine for 7k.


It was tested on API SM/GF-4 in 2008. A modern API/SN GF-5 would be an upgrade.

 

[53' Stude]

My 11' Focus says to use conventional or synblend oil for 6months or 7,500 whichever comes first MAX

 

[NavyVet88]

Originally Posted By: Ethan1
I'd think a given car's IOLM would assume OEM-spec oil. Run whatever is specified in the owner's manual and you should be fine...


+1

 

[barkingspider]

I would go by the OLM with Valvoline conventional. It will be just fine

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Since it's unknown whether GM calibrated your OLM for conventional or synthetic, it might be a good idea to take a sample at 5k and leave it in...

Valvoline conventional though should be fine for 7k.


It was tested on API SM/GF-4 in 2008. A modern API/SN GF-5 would be an upgrade.



Thanks. You're better educated on those specs than I am....so it seems that OP can run the OLM on a modern dino.