High mileage engine oil weight question

[LexAtlanta]

All:

I have a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe with the 5.3L and 173,xxx on the clock. In the past 20,000 miles it has burned 3 quarts of oil...something new. The engine has only had syn oil since new...I have run Red Line, Royal Purple, Amsoil, Mobil 1 and PP. I have been running Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 for the past 2 years (50,000 miles or so) and am wondering if I should switch to a heavier weight motor oil and / or change the oil type itself. What do you all think of running 10w30, 10W-40 or even 20W-50? Is a higher mileage syn blend oil like Valvoline Maxlife (?) a better oil then the PP? I live in the Atlanta metro area, drive approximately 500 - 600 miles per week and have 6,000 mile OCIs. I currently get 14 to 15 mpg and would like to at least keep those numbers, if not improve them. I would also like to keep the vehicle for another several years.

TIA and I look forward to your responses.

 

[river_rat]

What the heck, try the Maxlife?

 

[HTSS_TR]

Try Maxlife or other high-mileage xW30, it should stop/reduce oil consumption and gas mileage should not changed much. Also, check PCV valve and replace(or clean) if it's clogged.

 

[spasm3]

3 quarts in 20,000 is not bad at all!!! thats a quart in under 7000 miles! I wonder if an hdeo oil like rotella t-5 or t-6 might help. These oils have no friction modifiers which sometimes make leaks or consumption worse.

 

[sicko]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Try Maxlife or other high-mileage xW30, it should stop/reduce oil consumption and gas mileage should not changed much. Also, check PCV valve and replace(or clean) if it's clogged.



+1

MaxLife has shown itself to be a quality oil at a great price, and should be able to handle 6k mile oil changes without issue. Try it for a few OCIs and see if it reduces consumption. If you really want to stick to synthetic, try to find Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic (you might have to order it from NAPA), or check out M1 High Mileage.

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: sicko
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Try Maxlife or other high-mileage xW30, it should stop/reduce oil consumption and gas mileage should not changed much. Also, check PCV valve and replace(or clean) if it's clogged.



+1

MaxLife has shown itself to be a quality oil at a great price, and should be able to handle 6k mile oil changes without issue. Try it for a few OCIs and see if it reduces consumption. If you really want to stick to synthetic, try to find Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic (you might have to order it from NAPA), or check out M1 High Mileage.

+2.....Try MaxLife for a few OCI's.
________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L Duratech) / 86K
Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w20 / OCI: 1 year or 10K +/-
Mobil 1 102 filter.

 

[ronrackley]

Originally Posted By: LexAtlanta
All:

I have a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe with the 5.3L and 173,xxx on the clock. In the past 20,000 miles it has burned 3 quarts of oil...something new. The engine has only had syn oil since new...I have run Red Line, Royal Purple, Amsoil, Mobil 1 and PP. I have been running Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 for the past 2 years (50,000 miles or so) and am wondering if I should switch to a heavier weight motor oil and / or change the oil type itself. What do you all think of running 10w30, 10W-40 or even 20W-50? Is a higher mileage syn blend oil like Valvoline Maxlife (?) a better oil then the PP? I live in the Atlanta metro area, drive approximately 500 - 600 miles per week and have 6,000 mile OCIs. I currently get 14 to 15 mpg and would like to at least keep those numbers, if not improve them. I would also like to keep the vehicle for another several years.

TIA and I look forward to your responses.



I'd use Rotella 5w40 synthetic or, if leaks are a problem with it, Rotella 15w40 conventional if it were mine. A quart every 7,000 miles is nothing to get excited about, though.

 

[river_rat]

Originally Posted By: ronrackley
A quart every 7,000 miles is nothing to get excited about, though.

+1 --Especially with almost a kilo-deuce on the clock. I'd say the engine is doing pretty good and will likely be around for quite a while.

 

[fdcg27]

So you use less than a quart in an OCI, and therefore don't really need to add any oil?
Good for you.
I would not worry about the consumption you're seeing.
If you would be happier, you could try Pennzoil Platinum 10w30 in your area year 'round, and see whether it reduces consumption.
Otherwise, I'd just keep doing what you've been doing.
Sounds like a good wearing Chevy, just as you would expect.

 

[LexAtlanta]

Thanks everyone for the input. I went to Wal-Mart last night and bought the 5qt jug of Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 for $14.00. I will add that plus one quart of the PP I have and see how it does.