GM 3800's Tolerate 5w-30?

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Run the 10W30 year round in your 3800.


Says the guy from South Texas...

Tell me, what do you think the benefits or advantages are to running a 10w30 over a 5w30 year round? Especially when their 100c viscosity is usually within a tenth or two of each other as is the HT/HS.

 

[Nickdfresh]

In New York State I can't imagine 10w30 would be needed. 5w30 is just fine, especially now if it meets the Dexos1 spec. I realize the original question was asked five or six years ago and was bumped by someone seemingly obsessed with using 10w30 at all costs. That's fine, but I had a 1990 Buick LaSabre 3800 II that called for 5w30, though I did use 10w30 in summer due to high miles. There's a big difference between today's 5w30's over the ones in the mid-90's...

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
In New York State I can't imagine 10w30 would be needed. 5w30 is just fine, especially now if it meets the Dexos1 spec. I realize the original question was asked five or six years ago and was bumped by someone seemingly obsessed with using 10w30 at all costs. That's fine, but I had a 1990 Buick LaSabre 3800 II that called for 5w30, though I did use 10w30 in summer due to high miles. There's a big difference between today's 5w30's over the ones in the mid-90's...


Agreed, and I've noted the same thing about the thread bumper...

 

[Boss302fan]

I have been using 5W30 for 3 years in my sons 2003 Monte Carlo SS with 80K miles. It was on Mobil 1, but I now use QS Defy and his 3800 engine runs smooth as silk on the Defy oil...

 

[Hoofhearted]

+1 "smooth as silk"

 

[Nyquist]

If you look at the manual, GM probably advises using a 5w30 for colder winter months. My folks have a 98 LeSabre with the Series II 3.8L engine. My Dad has always used 5w30 in winter months--November through March. The car has 177,000+ miles on it now and still runs like new.

 

[wtd]

I used to have a 2004 Monte Carlo SS Dale Jr. edition that had the supercharged 3800 in it and the factory recommendation was 5w30 and that is all I ever used in it for the almost four years I owned it. Engine was very quiet with this viscosity. I used Pennzoil Conventional in it the entire time I had it. Car had 100,600 miles on it when I got rid of it.

Wayne

 

[Hib_Halverson]

Got a modified, 300-hp, 3800 Series II in an '01 Camaro. 116,000 miles. On Red Line 10W30 for it's whole life.

 

[Ram01]

GM 3800 motor was a beast that motor will be missed

 

[Shannow]

I've got 15w40 in mine, Holden'r recommendation for colder times (20W-50 for "normal" operation).

That being said, I've run, and will run (after I'm done with 15 litres of Shell Helix with cleaning power) 5w30s before...

 

[Hollow]

Old bump.

FWIW, I drained NAPA 10w30 out of the 92 Olds and refilled with Pennzoil High Mileage 5w30 (I doubt it will help my leaking valve cover gaskets, but if I don't have to change that rear one I'll be happy.)

Seems smoother at start up with the 5w30, but other than that no change.

 

[SJohnson]

We have a '96 LeSabre with the 3800. I currently have Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 in it. Most of my 4-5 year oil stash is 5w30. That's what I've used and what I'll be using, with out hesitation, for the next few years.

 

[Shannow]

Last OCI in my L67 I ran a 5W30 (Magnatec Fuel Saver, HTHS 3.2)...using a type K thermocouple dropped down the dipstick hole, I found that my normal 25km commute the oil reaches 105-110C.

So from now on will run an A3/B4 5W30/10W30 (currently using up some Magnated 5W40.

 

[jdavis]

My first vehicle ever at 16 years old was a 1990 Buick LeSabre with a 3.8, being young and dumb back then I drove that car HARD and barely ever changed the oil, it took all the abuse.

 

[JR]

regal had 27+k on bulk 5w20 and filter, olm light had not triggered
2.5gts of make up, 1qt Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0w20, 1.5qts MMO
current fill is Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0w20, 1qt MMO, and ultra3387A, going til the light comes on.

-harvey

p.s. there is 200,500miles on clock.
1qt was right out of tire shop, it was at add line.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I ran GTX 20W50 in my 87 Olds 3800. Sold it with a lil over 350,000 miles to buy a 3000GT. My gf's 98 Olds 3800 ran the best on 10W40. Startups on anything thinner always sounded "clacky" from the top end.

 

[hpb]

There's thousands of those engines in Holden Commodores still running around Oz that've lived their entire lives on the cheapest 20w50 available...they're a pretty tough old boat anchor.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Originally Posted By: Hollow
Old bump.

FWIW, I drained NAPA 10w30 out of the 92 Olds and refilled with Pennzoil High Mileage 5w30 (I doubt it will help my leaking valve cover gaskets, but if I don't have to change that rear one I'll be happy.)

Seems smoother at start up with the 5w30, but other than that no change.


You'd be surprised. Pennzoil High Mileage stopped the leaks in our 3800 in the Firebird. I used the 10w30, however.

 

[bigt61]

I've used 10w30, 10W-40, 20W-50, Mobil 1 15W-50 and currently 5w30 Maxlife blend in my old 3800 '94 Pontiac. It doesn't care, runs on anything.

 

[Boss302fan]

I switched from Defy 5W30 to Pennzoil High Mileage conventional 5W30 on my sons 2003 Monte Carlo SS and the 3800 loves it. Very quiet and smooth on startup... The manual states 5W30 as does the oil cap.