GM 5.3 liter V8/6.2 liter burning oil

It’ll kill them eventually, at least it did on my ‘18 Transit 250 company van-1 quart burned every 2000 or so took out a cat at 110K miles.
That is kinda what I was getting at, it seems GM would do something about that if it's eating that much oil. I guess as long as it gets passed the 80K fed emissions warranty....
 
My expectation is not to buy a GM vehicle again. Ford has its issues but not like this. The GM vehicle starts burning oil new off the lot. In addition there is this lifter system which seems to have a lot of issues.
Unfortunately every company has their winners and losers. When the railroad switched to 5w30 it was a huge improvement and these vehicles are run hard and put away wet.
 
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Unfortunately every company has their winners and losers. When the railroad switched to 5w30 it was a huge improvement and these vehicles are run hard and put away wet.
Was it running better on 5W30?
 
I found the official word from GM. They state 0W20 is the only oil that can be used and that if another viscosity is added to the engine the oil should be changed "as soon as practical".
Beyond that bulletin I see internet posts suggesting that 0W20 should only be used.

Dodge uses a similar cylinder deactivation system and I found bulletins where they insist on you using the viscosity they state to use. In one bulletin they stated to use 5W20 and stated that if another viscosity is used it will negatively impact that system.

Keep in mind I do not work for GM or Dodge so I have no free access to their bulletins. All I have is Google. I suspect there is probably more bulletins down at the dealership and this is a frequent question over there.

Mr OverKill if you disagree with this information feel free to call GM and make your case. I am simply posting information I found on the internet. There is no debate with me sir.

Link to bulletin:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/MC-10246634-9999.pdf

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FWIW, the FCA system is the same on engines that spec 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 0W-40. There's no mechanical changes and the lifters are the same parts.

As you know, the single biggest impact on viscosity is temperature, which is why these systems simply cannot be as viscosity sensitive as some seem to feel. That said, the OEM is going to tell you to use whatever lube was spec'd for CAFE, as they can't advise you to use anything else. We see the same thing with Toyota spec'ing different grades in the USA from Australia, for the same engines.

I don't think there's anything wrong with using the spec visc, but if somebody is experiencing considerable oil consumption, stepping up a grade to see if it slows or stops it isn't going to hurt.
 
FWIW, the FCA system is the same on engines that spec 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 0W-40. There's no mechanical changes and the lifters are the same parts.

As you know, the single biggest impact on viscosity is temperature, which is why these systems simply cannot be as viscosity sensitive as some seem to feel. That said, the OEM is going to tell you to use whatever lube was spec'd for CAFE, as they can't advise you to use anything else. We see the same thing with Toyota spec'ing different grades in the USA from Australia, for the same engines.

I don't think there's anything wrong with using the spec visc, but if somebody is experiencing considerable oil consumption, stepping up a grade to see if it slows or stops it isn't going to hurt.
My point being with this post is a new vehicle costing over $60000 should not have any problems and most certainly not something like burning oil. We should not be sitting here trying to invent fixes for new vehicles. So like I said this is it for me and GM.

To be clear all of the various GM vehicles with the 5.3 and 6.2 are burning oil. Its not just one. Im not sure how we got to "burning oil" becoming the normal on new vehicles.
 
My point being with this post is a new vehicle costing over $60000 should not have any problems and most certainly not something like burning oil. We should not be sitting here trying to invent fixes for new vehicles. So like I said this is it for me and GM.

To be clear all of the various GM vehicles with the 5.3 and 6.2 are burning oil. Its not just one. Im not sure how we got to "burning oil" becoming the normal on new vehicles.
Agree with you completely, this level of consumption should not be construed as normal, nor should it be pandered as "acceptable" with the spec viscosity. I do find it interesting though (but not surprising) that going up a grade seems to reduce or stop the problem. But I agree with you that this should not be necessary.
 
My point being with this post is a new vehicle costing over $60000 should not have any problems and most certainly not something like burning oil. We should not be sitting here trying to invent fixes for new vehicles. So like I said this is it for me and GM.

To be clear all of the various GM vehicles with the 5.3 and 6.2 are burning oil. Its not just one. Im not sure how we got to "burning oil" becoming the normal on new vehicles.
I agree as well. Almost all manufacturers are claiming a quart per 1000 miles is normal. Unacceptable…
 
My point being with this post is a new vehicle costing over $60000 should not have any problems and most certainly not something like burning oil. We should not be sitting here trying to invent fixes for new vehicles. So like I said this is it for me and GM.

To be clear all of the various GM vehicles with the 5.3 and 6.2 are burning oil. Its not just one. Im not sure how we got to "burning oil" becoming the normal on new vehicles.
The bottom line is CAFE trumps longevity on the priority list of every ICE manufacturer...this is not just a GM problem and it will only become worse in the coming years unless regulatory targets are eased.
 
To be clear all of the various GM vehicles with the 5.3 and 6.2 are burning oil. Its not just one. Im not sure how we got to "burning oil" becoming the normal on new vehicles.

GM states up to 1 quart per 2,000 miles is acceptable, I think 1 quart per 3,000 miles would be more reasonable.

ALL engines burn oil...It's just a question of how much?

I can 100% guarantee not every 5.3L/6.2L Gen V DFM engine burns excessive amounts of oil.
 
I also am curious on this — are we talking “burning a lot of oil” over a 8-9k in-dash oil maintenance minder? Or a lot over 3-4-5k intervals checking if every few weeks/per month?

I would not be surprised to see a small block V8 on dealer fill of whatever have you economy oil to burn some over a long OCI with how some of these barges are driven and or used (towing, lead foot, etc.).
 
When I was employed, we had a small fleet of Chevy vans 2000-20017. 5. whatever non DOD V8s. To a vehicle they would hold their oil until 3 to 4 thousand miles of an OCI then oil consumption would go up noticeably. Change the oil and back to no consumption. Pay attention to the machine, it is telling you that it requires an oil change, screw the OLM. Oil was bulk Chevron Supreme 10-30.
 
I found the official word from GM. They state 0W20 is the only oil that can be used and that if another viscosity is added to the engine the oil should be changed "as soon as practical".
Beyond that bulletin I see internet posts suggesting that 0W20 should only be used.

Dodge uses a similar cylinder deactivation system and I found bulletins where they insist on you using the viscosity they state to use. In one bulletin they stated to use 5W20 and stated that if another viscosity is used it will negatively impact that system.

Keep in mind I do not work for GM or Dodge so I have no free access to their bulletins. All I have is Google. I suspect there is probably more bulletins down at the dealership and this is a frequent question over there.

Mr OverKill if you disagree with this information feel free to call GM and make your case. I am simply posting information I found on the internet. There is no debate with me sir.

Link to bulletin:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/MC-10246634-9999.pdf

View attachment 254306View attachment 254307View attachment 254308
Thanks for the info
 
my 2 cents... As we all know the manufacturers are scrambling for fuel efficiancy. They are balancing on a razors edge. no one want to change the oil, spend money on fuel, or be inconvienienced in any way! OVER 7000 miles on an oil change is unrealistic IMO. Perhaps in an engine that sees all highway miles, always hot and under light load. Perhaps manufactures should do 8 months or 12000 miles. There is just so much that happens when engine is city driven right?, with a ton of start stops, ESPECALLY gas engines with this new SS and DFI tech. Someone mentioned to "listen to what the machine is telling you". Ford is no bargan. Im not sure whom is anymore. That being said the oils are better than they have ever been. I think near (more beyond) their limit. I mean how thin can they make the oil and expect it to clean, lubricate, seal and suspend deposits? It goes without saying. Cat converters are not designed to process the materials in oil especially additives in Engine oil. Especially one that is PZEV or CARB certified cat. Dont ask how I know... What im saying is Manufacturers Know the game. They play the grey area. Refuse there is a problem. 99% of the people will just live with it or trade the vehicle on a schedule, passing the problem on perhaps getting the engine rebuilt properly, eventually. The goals for most of the manufacturers is simple. First Goal is getting the new vehicle off the lot EPA approved. Second is dealing the warrantee period and how they can deny a claim. Third is the consumer and thier satisfaction. But when its over its over folks now the problem you own, outright. 99% of us dont have the time to fight them. You wont buy another GM? So perhaps They offering a small incentive on a trade Called customer loyalty bonus, Credit card point discount, etc. and you think perhaps the new ones are better. but they are perhaps not. They rope us in and They win.

Everyone has a class action suit going on for something these days. It seems to be a Financial risk assesment calculation (a line item on the loss side). How can we tell them its not ok is the question that I see.
 
I found out that GM oil consumption limits is 1 quart in 2,000 miles. So lets say your interval is 5000 miles than its 2.5.quarts...etc...

If you think your GM engine is consuming more oil than their limit you have to take it to the service department every 1000 miles so they can keep a log...if your truck is under warranty.

If you have a truck like this its best to check the dip stick at least once a week...maybe take a photo of it with some type of measuring device for reference.
 
Cut oil consumption drastically and quieted engines.

Knowing a few engineers out of Warren /Milford, this would be right on. The ONLY reason 0w20 is used is for the MPGs. This is pretty much true of any of the “eco tech” engine family. I have a co worker with an 18 Equinox with the 1.5 w about 70k on it, running M1 5w30. And he gets a few miles a gallon less than my 19- like 50ish miles or so. Running both engines side by side, his runs quieter. Seems to be slightly perkier when driving too. Folks tend to forget these engines are run all over the world-in different weights.

Heck, I’m considering the idea myself, granted my 1.5 seems to be quite happy with its PUP 0w20. Catch is, just don’t tell the dealership you want 5w30. They might be a little mad. (Granted mine wouldn’t question me, lol)

It also doesn’t help that many folks drive their trucks hard- leading to the oil getting a beating. This might be where thicker might give you a hand.
 
I found the official word from GM. They state 0W20 is the only oil that can be used and that if another viscosity is added to the engine the oil should be changed "as soon as practical".
Beyond that bulletin I see internet posts suggesting that 0W20 should only be used.

Dodge uses a similar cylinder deactivation system and I found bulletins where they insist on you using the viscosity they state to use. In one bulletin they stated to use 5W20 and stated that if another viscosity is used it will negatively impact that system.
There’s no difference between a 0 & 5w20 at operating temperature, wouldn’t this be when cylinder deactivation is most likely to be functioning?
 
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