GM 1.5L Turbo - Help Me Pick an Oil!

[AdmiralYoda]

Alright everyone, so after my wife's 2016 Mazda CX-5 got totalled...it was time to go shopping. Initially was shooting for a 2018+ Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain with the 2.0L LTG Turbo engine. Got a good deal on a loaded 2018 Equinox with the 1.5L LYX Turbo engine. 91k miles. Seems well maintained, no red flags.

I need to pick an oil. The OM calls for 0W-20. I plan on going to a xW-30 or maybe even a xW-40 if warranted.

Some Thoughts:

• My wife does a lot of short trips in town. 2-5 miles at a whack a number of times per day. Probably 10-12k per year total. I'd consider this "severe" service. Planning on a 3k OCI.
• I don't care about fuel economy, I just want the best engine protection for longevity.
• Might switch to HPL NO-VII eventually, but for now I just want to stick with off-the-shelf oils.
• A high HTHS oil sounds like a good idea in this situation.

Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 - a BITOG fan favorite,
Mobil 1 FS 0W-40/5W-40 - Formulated for HTHS
Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30

Any other really good options for a turbo'd short-tripped engine? Not too concerned about price as anything available at Walmart (or similar) is in my price range. Thanks!

 

[JoelB]

I'd go with ESP 0w-30 as you're in a colder climate. Shouldn't have to worry a ton about shearing in that short 3k OCI.

 

[ATex7239]

+1 VRP

All my GM vehicles have done well on VL products. GM and VL go together like lamb and tuna fish.

 

[Nessism1]

The Youtube "I Do Cars" dude, Eric, has done teardowns a couple of times on those 1.5T's, and he commented that they melt their pistons. Said GM made changes, but they still do it. I'm not positive where the truth lies, but it seems that using something like Valvoline Restore and Protect would be a good play here, to assure the rings don't stick. Also, use good gasoline, maybe premium even.

 

[buster]

I'd start off with VRP to clean any pre-existing ring deposits. After a few OCI I'd possibly switch to M1 ESP or EP for off-shelf. However, sticking with VRP isn't a bad idea either.

 

[Danno]

I'd go with ESP 0w-30 as you're in a colder climate. Shouldn't have to worry a ton about shearing in that short 3k OCI.

I like this call. Gives me the just right vibe

 

[AdmiralYoda]

I'd go with ESP 0w-30 as you're in a colder climate. Shouldn't have to worry a ton about shearing in that short 3k OCI.

Thanks! My wife's super short-tripping has me worried about shearing, though I may be over-thinking it. It is a GDI engine but I don't think it is known for fuel dilution.

 

[walterjay]

I would use a Euro 5-40 for short tripping and dealing with fuel in the oil.

 

[kschachn]

Thanks! My wife's super short-tripping has me worried about shearing, though I may be over-thinking it. It is a GDI engine but I don't think it is known for fuel dilution.

Can you explain why the short trips are a concern for shearing?

 

[AdmiralYoda]

Can you explain why the short trips are a concern for shearing?

I can not in any scientific manner. Seems like repeated short trips might lead to fuel dilution which may increase the shearing of the oil. But like I said, I may be over-thinking this. If you disagree, I'd appreciate your thoughts on why!

**EDIT. And this is my first turbo'd engine. Turbo's make me think higher shearing, but again I'm just shooting from the hip here.

 

[Zee09]

I'd go for any Walmart name brand 5w30 and change it often like you said. See no reason for extended drain or boutique brand oils....
Spill and fill often.

 

[tblt44]

Q.S. 20k oil but I would change it 5-7k,

just a few bucks more than Supertech but less then the rest.
Honestly Supertech would probably do you good also.

 

[kschachn]

I can not in any scientific manner. Seems like repeated short trips might lead to fuel dilution which may increase the shearing of the oil. But like I said, I may be over-thinking this. If you disagree, I'd appreciate your thoughts on why!

**EDIT. And this is my first turbo'd engine. Turbo's make me think higher shearing, but again I'm just shooting from the hip here.

Fuel dilution, sure. I guess I would not worry about shearing of the VM though.

 

[edyvw]

I can not in any scientific manner. Seems like repeated short trips might lead to fuel dilution which may increase the shearing of the oil. But like I said, I may be over-thinking this. If you disagree, I'd appreciate your thoughts on why!

**EDIT. And this is my first turbo'd engine. Turbo's make me think higher shearing, but again I'm just shooting from the hip here.

There is fuel-related shearing and mechanical shearing.
Fuel-related issues are easy to deal with. Just exercise your car now and then.
I would use Mobil1 ESP 0W30. It has higher ZDDP content than ESP 5W30, and unlike 5W30 it is ester, PAO and GTL.
If you are staying with 0W20, ESP 0W20 X2 is IMO best off the shelf option.
Of course, HPL no VII would be the best bet.

 

[Kira]

Turbo's make me think higher shearing,

Turbos make me think of heat!

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

I ran Valvoline EP 0w20 in my 1.5L GMC Terrain. I had mostly short trips to work, about 2 miles. I didn’t have any issues in my 125k miles.

This engine did have issues with LSPI when it first came out.

 

[Jpc1623]

I have 60+ thousand miles on 1.5t equinox been using 0w20 since new and have been following OLM for the most part. I’ve used Pennzoil, Royal Purple and Val EP all test and all did fine from 5000 to over 6000 miles . Was told try 8000 next time.

 

[factorytuned2012]

Alright everyone, so after my wife's 2016 Mazda CX-5 got totalled...it was time to go shopping. Initially was shooting for a 2018+ Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain with the 2.0L LTG Turbo engine. Got a good deal on a loaded 2018 Equinox with the 1.5L LYX Turbo engine. 91k miles. Seems well maintained, no red flags.

I need to pick an oil. The OM calls for 0W-20. I plan on going to a xW-30 or maybe even a xW-40 if warranted.

Some Thoughts:

• My wife does a lot of short trips in town. 2-5 miles at a whack a number of times per day. Probably 10-12k per year total. I'd consider this "severe" service. Planning on a 3k OCI.
• I don't care about fuel economy, I just want the best engine protection for longevity.
• Might switch to HPL NO-VII eventually, but for now I just want to stick with off-the-shelf oils.
• A high HTHS oil sounds like a good idea in this situation.

Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 - a BITOG fan favorite,
Mobil 1 FS 0W-40/5W-40 - Formulated for HTHS
Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30

Any other really good options for a turbo'd short-tripped engine? Not too concerned about price as anything available at Walmart (or similar) is in my price range. Thanks!

3,000 miles you could run just about any synthetic available. 0W20 is fine but if you sleep better a 30Wt is also ok

 

[BobsArmory]

My wifes 2016 Malibu has the 1.5 liter engine & it suffers fuel dilution issues in the winter because of her tendency to remote start for warm up quite often. Her current fill is HPL no VII 5w-30 but we will be switching to Mobil1 ESP 0W-30 this fall and probably stick with that till end of life unless something better comes along.

I'm hoping the higher HTHS of the ESP will offset the winter fuel dilution. Plus it's available for a pretty good price at Wallmart.

 

[Jetronic]

Alright everyone, so after my wife's 2016 Mazda CX-5 got totalled...it was time to go shopping. Initially was shooting for a 2018+ Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain with the 2.0L LTG Turbo engine. Got a good deal on a loaded 2018 Equinox with the 1.5L LYX Turbo engine. 91k miles. Seems well maintained, no red flags.

I need to pick an oil. The OM calls for 0W-20. I plan on going to a xW-30 or maybe even a xW-40 if warranted.

Some Thoughts:

• My wife does a lot of short trips in town. 2-5 miles at a whack a number of times per day. Probably 10-12k per year total. I'd consider this "severe" service. Planning on a 3k OCI.
• I don't care about fuel economy, I just want the best engine protection for longevity.
• Might switch to HPL NO-VII eventually, but for now I just want to stick with off-the-shelf oils.
• A high HTHS oil sounds like a good idea in this situation.

Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 - a BITOG fan favorite,
Mobil 1 FS 0W-40/5W-40 - Formulated for HTHS
Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30

Any other really good options for a turbo'd short-tripped engine? Not too concerned about price as anything available at Walmart (or similar) is in my price range. Thanks!

Similar engine as in my MG, I'm running a no VII 10W-30 in it from Ravenol. I know that's neither off the shelf or easy to get for you but it shows high hths (3.5+) isn't an issue.

I run 95 RON in the colder half of the year, but when it gets warmer I hear knocking at times for a second so I run 98 in summer and don't hear the knocking anymore. Compared to US fuels that would be 91 and 93 ish AKI.