Greetings... And a Pennzoil Question

[apwillard1986]

Hello all! I have been lurking about BITOG forums for nearly two years and decided finally to join in. I have spent countless hours enjoying the knowledgeable insight and I have learned much. Thanks!

I do have a question and I hope that maybe someone will provide enlightenment. I drive a Silverado with a 4.3 V6 with 47000 miles on it. It has only seen Mobil 1 EP 10w-30 and Mobil 1 Filters since 1000 miles. I am considering switching to a less expensive setup. My family has always used Pennzoil and the strength and value of their current offerings is folding me back in. I would like to run PYB as I heard the 4.3 seems to like it, and a pureone filter. What’s holding me back is the severity of my daily commute. I drive three miles each way to work and it is all low speed with frequent stops in the hot and humid Houston area climate. Most of my driving is this type. Would a conventional oil keep the engine clean under these conditions with a standard or short OCI? Or, should I use a synthetic such as Penn. Plat. or PU for the extra detergency, stability, and lower start-up viscosity since my oil barely has time to warm-up fully as it is? I have switched to a shorter OCI rather than the OLM when I started doing almost all my driving in town.

Many Thanks!

 

[addyguy]

I'd stick with the M1 EP - just run it longer to make it more economical.

How often do you change oil?

 

[lipadj46]

PYB is good. Stick to 6 month oil changes and I think you will be fine. If you want try Rotella 10w30 semi-synthetic.

 

[apwillard1986]

I used to change when the OLM read between 10 and 15 percent which was usually about 6500 miles. Starting at 30000 miles I started changing it between 3 and 4K.

 

[JHZR2]

One of the benefits of the conventional is that you can change it more often for commutes like that without feeling bad.

I would, however, try to get it out on the highway for 20+ miles every few weeks regardless of oil choice, just to burn undesirables off...

 

[apwillard1986]

It does feel bad! LOL In my family and even at work (I work for my hometown Chevrolet dealer) the 3000 mile oil change is a religion and to be fair they have the high miles on their vehicles to reinforce the belief. This site is the only reason I followed the OLM when my driving was less intense. I get out to San Antonio every other month so it gets some freeway time. I used to go ever other week.

 

[Spyder7]

I see no issues with using PYB on a 3,000 mile OCI. Some might go longer, but your routine is `severe driving` schedule (same as mine is, but for different factors), and there I prefer to err on the side of more frequent than not frequent enough. PYB is priced well and one of the better dino oils.

-Spyder

 

[synthetic_crazy]

Personally I think it depends on how long you plan on keeping your truck. If you are trying for 250,000 plus, then I think Pennzoil Platinum or Ultra would be a wise choice. If on the other hand you plan on trading it in say, a couple years, a conventional would do just fine

By the way

to BITOG!

 

[daves87rs]

PYB would be fine in that way...

 

[MrMeeks]

An old ,friend put 315,000 mi. on a GM PU using PYB with 3500 mi. drain intervals. This truck ran well when traded.He is a very high speed Ca. driver.avoid those 'orange' oil filters.

 

[apwillard1986]

Thanks! My goal is longevity which is why I am agonizing. I guess its a point of pride. I want to take care of my vehicle as well as possible so it will last. I have seen high miles on conventional tho. I'm just curious about others experience as to how it will hold up under this type of service in terms of breakdown, startup flow, and cleanliness. I guess I am a product of the synthetic generation. Now that I am driving a bit less time may out pace miles in terms of aging the truck in reality. Still, this site exists because people agonize over what is best for their given circumstance.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

apwillard1986 I know what you mean about agonizing about the right oil. I used Castrol GTX conventional in my car for four years. I then decided to try Castrol Edge; after I started using Edge I found BITOG and began reading about the positive reviews regarding the Pennzoil synthetics. I had always been skeptical of Pennzoil, however, I am a believer now. The Ultra is very quiet in my car and has cleaned off the varnish on my dipstick. I have right at 1500 miles on the Ultra now and can't wait to send in an analysis on it!

I change my oil every 3,000 (sometimes sooner) whic I know is excessive, but it is cheap entertainment for me

and I am one of those crazy oil people! I guess bottom line though, is that using the synthetic just helps me sleep better at night; for some people a conventional does this! Keep us posted as to what oil you decide to use (try sending in an analysis to Blackstone, they are great!)

 

[lipadj46]

Originally Posted By: synthetic_crazy
I change my oil every 3,000 (sometimes sooner)


Uh Oh, did you just publicly admit to doing less that 3k mile OCIs with synthetic oils (in a BITOG forum to boot)? Somebody call the oil police...

 

[S2500Dog]

Pennzoil Conventional and the Purolator PureOne will be fine in your applications for 5,000 miles or every six months for OCIs. By the way, Pennzoil, Quakerstate, Shell, and Gumout are all made proudly by Shell Oil Products United States right inside Houston, Texas.

 

[Johnny]

Actually the Gumout is made in Ohio.

 

[Spyder7]

Originally Posted By: apwillard1986
Thanks! My goal is longevity which is why I am agonizing. I guess its a point of pride. I want to take care of my vehicle as well as possible so it will last. I have seen high miles on conventional tho. I'm just curious about others experience as to how it will hold up under this type of service in terms of breakdown, startup flow, and cleanliness. I guess I am a product of the synthetic generation. Now that I am driving a bit less time may out pace miles in terms of aging the truck in reality. Still, this site exists because people agonize over what is best for their given circumstance.


The difference in price these days between PYB and PP isn`t that much. And the small difference in price is money well spent if it gives you piece of mind. I`m currently running dino (and always have), but after reading bitog for a few months (and doing more research elsewhere), I`ve decided that syns are a better fit for me and I already have the PP bought for my next oil change.

Even if you go to the syn route, I`d still change it out twice a year (November and April) - assuming you don`t put enough miles on it to justify more frequent changes under your current severe maintenance schedule.

 

[S2500Dog]

Actually Johnny, I went to O' Reilly several days ago and purchase a bottle of Gumout Regane All-In-One. When I read all the information on the back of the bottle, it said made, blended and distributed by SOPUS Houston, Texas.

 

[FL_Rob]

My commute is nearly identical and harsh.I follow the low cost dino sales but always use a pure one because for our application it's nearly the same price as fram xg.Cylinder wash /fuel dilution is our problem and there's no way no combat that except to change it more frequently.Even synth will become too fuel contaminated before long,so whats the point? I dont buy into the 'long drive to burn off fuel' ,it would cost me more in gas than a 5 qt jug from walmart (11.50)for any good dino on roll back.Someone will shoot holes in my theory ,I'm sure.

 

[revelation9985]

I would just use PZ platinum or Ultra. How can you beat PZ platinum for $19.99 for a 5 QT jug at walmart? You have low miles & I see no problems changing to PZ platinum or Ultra for your vehicle. Just my 2 cents. I would just do PZ platinum oil with a purolator oil filter classic.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: lipadj46
Originally Posted By: synthetic_crazy
I change my oil every 3,000 (sometimes sooner)


Uh Oh, did you just publicly admit to doing less that 3k mile OCIs with synthetic oils (in a BITOG forum to boot)? Somebody call the oil police...


Nevermind the oil police -- call me instead -- right after you carefully drain your "used" oil into nice clean, fresh containers. I'll be right over to pick it up and give it a second life!