GM 1.5L Turbo - Help Me Pick an Oil!

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.

He's had 1 I believe with melted pistons. I suspect a tune might be partly responsible for that particular engine.
 
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.

I don't do short trips like your wife, but if she does enough of them a day, the oil will eventually warm up and stay warm between trips. I mean, it looks like she does 10 or so trips per day, there can't be very much time between each of them.
 
GM created a turbo test.

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He's had 1 I believe with melted pistons. I suspect a tune might be partly responsible for that particular engine.

Eric specifically stated that the early 1.5T was prone to burning pistons, but GM applied some update, yet the engine in his later teardown was likewise affected.
 
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!

Nice! I can point you to several threads elsewhere with claims of 200-300K miles on 2018+ LYX 1.5 equipped Equinoxes.
I own a 2021 Equinox with the LYX 1.5T. I bought it used last year with 30K miles. I'm currently just shy of 60K. I have run mine on 0w20, 5w20 and 5w30. No noticeable difference in fuel economy, NVH, etc. I have also run VRP 0w20 through it with 3 successive oil changes.

These engines, like most GDI, forced induction engines have kind of a complex PCV system. Lots of moisture and oil will wind up in the charge air cooler with short trips in cool/cold weather. Water build up in them can freeze and cause plugging and/or cracked CACs. There's no real way to mitigate this. GM sells lower grille covers for cold weather use to block air flow across the CAC. All you can is try to reduce short trips, or live in a climate that's warm all the time. With my usage, there is basically no short trips, so I'm lucky there.

If you haven't yet, I would do 2 back/back ATF drain/fills on your 6AT It's going to need it badly at that mileage. These 6T40's blacken the ATF in 30-40K miles. You're also going to want to drain/fill the transfer case and rear diff if it's AWD equipped (75w90 gear oil is all you need). Luckily all these fluid drain/fills are super easy on these vehicles.
 
Eric specifically stated that the early 1.5T was prone to burning pistons, but GM applied some update, yet the engine in his later teardown was likewise affected.
The teardown or two he's done were on the LFV verion of the 1.5. I've yet to see him do an actual LYX. They could be identical though.
 
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.
+1
I agree on the 3k OCI's, especially with high octane (premium).
Most of those teardowns were likely on engines run hard with regular fuel - high possibility they were rental/fleet vehicles.
 
If you haven't yet, I would do 2 back/back ATF drain/fills on your 6AT It's going to need it badly at that mileage. These 6T40's blacken the ATF in 30-40K miles. You're also going to want to drain/fill the transfer case and rear diff if it's AWD equipped (75w90 gear oil is all you need). Luckily all these fluid drain/fills are super easy on these vehicles.
That's the plan. No maintenance history on Carfax but what I can see from the oil fill hole looks clean. GM's severe service for the transmission is every 45k, lifetime fill for standard service.

I plan on doing two spill and fills with some Valvoline Dexron IV to get rid of what is in there, probably the factory fill. Then I'll do a couple with HPL's ATF-Green. Bought a case for the Mazda that got totaled, lucky me it uses the same HPL Green.

I'll probably do all the fluids this weekend. I've got some Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-90 already for the rear diff and transfer case.

Coolant and spark plugs will be next in the coming month or so.
 
91K miles?!

VR&P. some here say it works. Give it a couple three 3K OC. It must sorely need it.

Never had luck with Forum Favourites

BUT!

Can't doubt the ESP 0W30 looks worth a try seeing many favorable UOA/VOA and of course the certifications.
 
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.
Instead of premium gasoline, he can use regular gasoline with TCW3.
 
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