L84 5.3 DFM GM Oil Choices

[redhat]

Add pack probably has alot to do with it, on my L84 I notice a HUGE difference between Mobil 1 0w20 the dealer puts in(louder idle) vs 0w-20 Valvoline Restore and Protect...the Valvoline Restore and Protect is WAY quieter

I have about 1200mi on a dealer oil change (the “first maintenance” that GM gives you as a warranty item — I wanted to go through with the dealer provided OC so it’s on the record). It does sound a bit noisier than even the Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0w20 I’ve had previously.

Prob will be changing early and trying out a 30wt this time.

 

[4wd]

UPDATE

I went ahead and changed my oil today. From Castrol EDGE Extended Performance 0w-20 with 2.8k miles to Amosil SS 0W-40. All I can say WOW! You can barely even hear the engine running unless you open the hood or stick your head in the wheel well. I know a lot of people say it's a phycological illusion. However all the valvetrain squeaking/ clatter is gone even at cold idle. If you own a GM AFM/ DFM V8 you know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm not sure if it's the viscosity or the Amsoil add pack but the oil sure seems tacky/ oily rubbing it on your finger tips compared to the used oil. It's a thick 40 wt but Amsoil says it meets DEXOS R spec. I'm very pleased! Maybe I'll try it next on the 2021 Subaru Outback too.



View attachment 267116

I don’t bcs my 2022 is quiet on 0W20
The 2017 has been on 5W30 from 60k-100k
Neither use oil

 

[z71offroader83]

UPDATE

I went ahead and changed my oil today. From Castrol EDGE Extended Performance 0w-20 with 2.8k miles to Amosil SS 0W-40. All I can say WOW! You can barely even hear the engine running unless you open the hood or stick your head in the wheel well. I know a lot of people say it's a phycological illusion. However all the valvetrain squeaking/ clatter is gone even at cold idle. If you own a GM AFM/ DFM V8 you know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm not sure if it's the viscosity or the Amsoil add pack but the oil sure seems tacky/ oily rubbing it on your finger tips compared to the used oil. It's a thick 40 wt but Amsoil says it meets DEXOS R spec. I'm very pleased! Maybe I'll try it next on the 2021 Subaru Outback too.



View attachment 267116

What’s your oil pressure like? I run 5w30 in mine and it’s just a smidge higher than 0w20. Curious what it shows with 0w40.

 

[Nuclear_42]

What’s your oil pressure like? I run 5w30 in mine and it’s just a smidge higher than 0w20. Curious what it shows with 0w40.

It’s roughy the same as before. These engines have a variable displacement oil pump. 30-40 psi idling and 55-65 psi cruising on the highway.

 

[redhat]

Yesterday, I dumped a bulk-dealer 0W-20 and a PF63, 1,200mi on it and filled with Mobil 1 Euro ESP 0w30 and another PF63. I will say the top end is quieter and the truck runs as good as before. No weird issues (honestly there shouldn't be) and everything is cherry. Of course only about 50 miles on it so far, but I don't expect any negatives. Only positives with the higher HTHS. I'd imagine this being low-SAPS and having the approvals it does, it'll do the Gen V DI V8 well.

This will be my go-to from now on, and I think I'll also just buy one flavor and run it in my 2005 Gen 3 5.3.

 

[Patman]

Yesterday, I dumped a bulk-dealer 0W-20 and a PF63, 1,200mi on it and filled with Mobil 1 Euro ESP 0w30 and another PF63.

Why didn’t you just leave that 1200 mile PF63 on there? I’m sure it was still perfectly fine.

 

[redhat]

Why didn’t you just leave that 1200 mile PF63 on there? I’m sure it was still perfectly fine.

I originally planned to but there was a decent sized dent in the bottom of this PF63. Knowing the higher pressure the 63s are subjected to, was a touch hesitant with the potential for fatigued metal.

Also worth of note, the filter was not tight at all. I could unscrew it with my hand super with little effort. I did not like that.

 

[Nuclear_42]

Yesterday, I dumped a bulk-dealer 0W-20 and a PF63, 1,200mi on it and filled with Mobil 1 Euro ESP 0w30 and another PF63. I will say the top end is quieter and the truck runs as good as before. No weird issues (honestly there shouldn't be) and everything is cherry. Of course only about 50 miles on it so far, but I don't expect any negatives. Only positives with the higher HTHS. I'd imagine this being low-SAPS and having the approvals it does, it'll do the Gen V DI V8 well.

This will be my go-to from now on, and I think I'll also just buy one flavor and run it in my 2005 Gen 3 5.3.

ESP 0w30 is very affordable for what it is. Should provide excellent engine cleanliness and resistance to viscosity break down.

 

[z71offroader83]

First let me give credit where credit is due. Nice job taking care of this before it’s a problem!!

First step is definitely going to a 30 grade minimum. The company I retired from had a massive fleet of GM trucks and the fleet manager learned quickly the 20 grade wasn’t cutting it.

For the oil you have a few choices. The Wally option is Mobil 1 fs 0w40, Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30, Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 or something like Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30 which should keep those rings free. Then there’s the boutique option like HPL or AMSOIL Signature Series. These should also keep those pistons clean!!

What oil did your company use for their GM trucks if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Silverado Abe`]

I have 2024 Silverado 5.3L L84. So far so good. I just started doing UOA and so far I have 2 data points. I live in Montana where it gets hella cold. I use 5w30 in summer and Fall. I used Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W30. It held up really well. I drive short trips everyday so my fuel dilution was insane. After 3 months and 1600 miles my cST was 8.6. MY aluminum was at 3ppm. Super glad i had put in a 30 weight oil. When winter of 2025-2026 hit, i went to Valvoline Extended Protection 0W-20. Same thing. Only had 4ppm of Al, with no change in iron. Zero other wear metals. My fuel dilution brought my viscosity down in the 7s.

Valvoline Extended Protection ran definately quieter than the stock ACDelco and 0W20 Pennzoil UP. Im now trying Mobil 1 Advanced Clean 0W20, but that wont be due till June , then ill be going to the Mobil 1 Advanced Clean 5w30. Ill post the results when I can. Im trying to use Dexos oils because im still under warranty.

I can whole heartly reccomend Valvoline Extended Protection 0W20 and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W30. Make sure you get a good filter too. I reccomend Carquest Platinums, Fram Titaniums, and Purolator Boss. The best bang for your buck is gonna be the Carquest Platinums and they have a 99.5% efficiency at 20 microns. They maybe only rated for 10k miles, but in a DFM engine you should never go over 5000 mi between changes. I would rather have all those 20 micron particles filtered. Remember, the L84 is using your oil as hydraulic fluid to power your lifters and everything else.. The number one cause of hydraulic machine failure is contamination. For longevity, you gotta keep that motor on reasonable short OCIs like 4000k miles. I do an OCI of 3months regardless of mileage.

 

[BrendanC]

I have 2024 Silverado 5.3L L84. So far so good. I just started doing UOA and so far I have 2 data points. I live in Montana where it gets hella cold. I use 5w30 in summer and Fall. I used Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W30. It held up really well. I drive short trips everyday so my fuel dilution was insane. After 3 months and 1600 miles my cST was 8.6. MY aluminum was at 3ppm. Super glad i had put in a 30 weight oil. When winter of 2025-2026 hit, i went to Valvoline Extended Protection 0W-20. Same thing. Only had 4ppm of Al, with no change in iron. Zero other wear metals. My fuel dilution brought my viscosity down in the 7s.

Valvoline Extended Protection ran definately quieter than the stock ACDelco and 0W20 Pennzoil UP. Im now trying Mobil 1 Advanced Clean 0W20, but that wont be due till June , then ill be going to the Mobil 1 Advanced Clean 5w30. Ill post the results when I can. Im trying to use Dexos oils because im still under warranty.

I can whole heartly reccomend Valvoline Extended Protection 0W20 and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W30. Make sure you get a good filter too. I reccomend Carquest Platinums, Fram Titaniums, and Purolator Boss. The best bang for your buck is gonna be the Carquest Platinums and they have a 99.5% efficiency at 20 microns. They maybe only rated for 10k miles, but in a DFM engine you should never go over 5000 mi between changes. I would rather have all those 20 micron particles filtered. Remember, the L84 is using your oil as hydraulic fluid to power your lifters and everything else.. The number one cause of hydraulic machine failure is contamination. For longevity, you gotta keep that motor on reasonable short OCIs like 4000k miles. I do an OCI of 3months regardless of mileage.

i run 12k mile intervals with carquest premiums and HPL PCEO 5w-40

 

[scip5.3L]

I have 2024 Silverado 5.3L L84. So far so good. I just started doing UOA and so far I have 2 data points. I live in Montana where it gets hella cold. I use 5w30 in summer and Fall. I used Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W30. It held up really well. I drive short trips everyday so my fuel dilution was insane. After 3 months and 1600 miles my cST was 8.6. MY aluminum was at 3ppm. Super glad i had put in a 30 weight oil. When winter of 2025-2026 hit, i went to Valvoline Extended Protection 0W-20. Same thing. Only had 4ppm of Al, with no change in iron. Zero other wear metals. My fuel dilution brought my viscosity down in the 7s.

Valvoline Extended Protection ran definately quieter than the stock ACDelco and 0W20 Pennzoil UP. Im now trying Mobil 1 Advanced Clean 0W20, but that wont be due till June , then ill be going to the Mobil 1 Advanced Clean 5w30. Ill post the results when I can. Im trying to use Dexos oils because im still under warranty.

I can whole heartly reccomend Valvoline Extended Protection 0W20 and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W30. Make sure you get a good filter too. I reccomend Carquest Platinums, Fram Titaniums, and Purolator Boss. The best bang for your buck is gonna be the Carquest Platinums and they have a 99.5% efficiency at 20 microns. They maybe only rated for 10k miles, but in a DFM engine you should never go over 5000 mi between changes. I would rather have all those 20 micron particles filtered. Remember, the L84 is using your oil as hydraulic fluid to power your lifters and everything else.. The number one cause of hydraulic machine failure is contamination. For longevity, you gotta keep that motor on reasonable short OCIs like 4000k miles. I do an OCI of 3months regardless of mileage.

I’m running 3k oil changes on an L84