2020 GM L84 5.3L DFM Engine Oil 0W-30 A Good or Bad Idea? With all of this 6.2L L87 issues that are going on and GM suddenly saying 0W-40 is an option, what are peoples opinions of putting 0W-30 in the 5.3L L84?
GM L84 5.3L DFM Engine Oil 0W-30 A Good or Bad Idea?
- Thread starter scip5.3L
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Sounds good to me! Especially from a brand known to use quality Viscosity Index Improvers, since more VII are used in a 0w-30.
Amsoil 5w-30 sig series just went in my L83
and
Amsoil 0w-30 is in my ‘18 4Runner since 1st change.
both call for 0w-20, both quieter with the 30wt, especially the 4Runner.
Amsoil 5w-30 sig series just went in my L83
and
Amsoil 0w-30 is in my ‘18 4Runner since 1st change.
both call for 0w-20, both quieter with the 30wt, especially the 4Runner.
Mechanical engineers had always been aiming for 10cSt at peak engine oil operating temperature since a about world war 2.
It wasn't until the late 1990s the unholy quest for mpg started under the CAFE crusades and switching to a 20 weight oil was a free way to get another 1 to 2% more fuel economy.
As the GM recall proved, you can run 6 to 9cSt at operating temperature until you can't...
The recall had little to do with oil viscosity, it was a bandaid fix for mechanical defects.
It wasn't oil viscosity but changing the oil viscosity fixed it?
Yep got it.
the change was probly to slowdown the rate of blown motors , so the dealerships , could keep pace with the amount of replacements
i have run 5w-30 in my 5.3 for 22 years, i cant see how it would hurt anything
Yeah that’s more of the point of my question, whether it’s a good or bad idea to run 0W-30
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
I have both an L83/L84 … ran the L83 to 60k (warranty) on 0W20 - plugged in the Range “I could of had a V8 box” - went to 5W30 … It’s running great past 100k and might do similar with my L84 …
Yeah that’s more of the point of my question, whether it’s a good or bad idea to run 0W-
yeah I don’t know much about the euro stuff but I hear it’s good, like M1 0W-30 ESP?
Never lower than 9, and often 12 or 13 were operational targets. With occasional uses as high as 15, although I can't think of any at the moment.
Your statement led me back to the Aviation piston air cooled engine world. The reason most Lycoming and Continental engines use Aeroshell 100, straight 50 viscosity, is almost exactly as you say. The need for a specific viscosity at temps that will happen from time to time. In this case, 12cSt was the goal at a max (or peak) oil temp of 270ºF-275ºF. This provides a no risk situation for the aircraft engine during summertime operations.
Back to the OP's thoughts. There is a wealth of information showing that a quality synthetic 5W-30 is a great choice for these engines with a number of operators achieving very high miles. That would be my first step, maybe to a long life oil like M1, 5W-30EP. With regard to the cSt discussion above, this oil is 11cSt at 212ºF (100ºC). Which is just about right for normal 5.3 operating temps.
I'm using M1 5W-30EP in my 2024 F150 5.0V8 and my Jag F-Type (spec's 0W-20 and has known oil related failures).
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My only concern is I am in Michigan and winter temps can get COLD, below zero is almost a guarantee every winter, that’s why I am possibly thinking 0W-30 vs the 5W-30
If you think using 0w40 is going to magically make up for bearing issues, well good for you. Will 0w30 hurt anything absolutely not but don't be so obtuse as to the REAL issue with that recall.
Then a quality 0W-30 would be reasonable.
Guess we'll find out one way or the other.
Yeah 10 to 100 is considered proper.
For example say you're running 15cSt at the usual operating temperature say it's 50wt in an airplane and normally it runs at 220f, then daily or occasionally the oil heats up for whatever reason say takeoff and ascent for 10 or 20 minutes at a time it's barely 10cSt, you're still good. Then at cruising speed and altitude it drops to 220f and around 15cSt for the rest of the time, no problem.
It gets 0f in New Mexico just about every year, some times I see -10f. I run 5w in anything I plan on having to starting in the morning, but if it gets -10f I'm calling in sick to work and won't have to worry about getting my junk started.
Any 0w-30 I could get I would have to pay shipping on or buy it at an auto parts store and they're going to want at least $40 a gallon for it and I think they only have one selection in 0w-30.
Any oil with a 5W winter rating is acceptable down to about -30 or so. Below that use a 0W rated oil.
Or just use the 0W rated oil all the time. It’s irrelevant to the operating viscosity.
My example of M1 5W-30EP has a pour point of -49ºF and meets the 5W-xx requirement for:
An MRV (Mini-Rotary Viscometer) of -35°C (-31°F) (60,000 cP) Note: Many synthetics will be far less viscous in this test, guess 20,000.
and Cold Cranking Simulator (CCS) -30°C (-22°F)
In the end, the CCS number is a good measure of where the both the engine will crank freely and the oil will pump quickly enough to not have a delay in oil pressure rise. So any 5W-xx oil will start reliably at -22ºF
But it is good to know that some synthetic oils perform remarkably well in extreme cold conditions. With higher end or boutique 5W-30 oils having pour points around the -75ºF range!
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