OCI for 2.0L Turbo DI Chevy Blazer + Oil Recommendations

[MurkyAsparagus]

Hi all,

I'm looking for your thoughts, I am pretty set on 5k OCI w/ Valvoline Extended Protection 0w20, unless convinced otherwise, but it is always good to get more opinions.

I'm about to purchase a 2023 Blazer w/ the 2.0L engine. I'm debating the switch to 5k OCI based on my driving habits. I've read through a ton of articles, talked with a couple engineering buds, and looked at some tear downs of the engine. Looks to be a solidly built engine, disregarding the first few years they were in production. Here's the tear down of an older model:



I had a GMC Terrain w/ the 1.5L before, did oil changes every 7500 and was astonished at the amount of sludge I saw on the oil cap after 110k miles. My driving is mostly shorter trips (5-10 minutes), with the occasional 45 min - 2 hour trip every couple weekends. A shorter OCI should help cut down on sludge, fuel dilution, condensation in the oil, and just make the engine last longer without major problems. I would potentially consider 4k OCI and a different oil for this little turbo engine.

My plan is 5k OCI with the OEM PF66 filter and Valvoline Extended Protection 0w20. PF66 seems to be well made, with the newer generation having an e-core instead of louvres. The Valvoline EP 0w20 has exceptional oil analysis, and I've been a Valvoline fan for the last few years, except for 0w16 (TGMO only for my Camry). The PF66 can be had pretty cheap off RockAuto for less than $5 and I tend to just buy 5 or 6 at a time.

What are your thoughts?

 

[barkingspider]

Your 5k oci plan w valvoline is good to go.

 

[BobsArmory]

What area of the world do you live?

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

What area of the world do you live?

Midwest USA, car is garage kept, but not heated.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

Your 5k oci plan w valvoline is good to go.

Sounds good. Thanks!

 

[Patman]

How many miles are on it?
Have you thought about running a few intervals with Valvoline Restore and Protect first and then switching over to EP?

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

How many miles are on it?
Have you thought about running a few intervals with Valvoline Restore and Protect first and then switching over to EP?

It has 23k miles on it. Carfax show's its had an oil change every 7.5k miles, 3 in its lifetime.

I really love Valvoline R&P, but the car is still under a certified warranty. So, Dexos is a must. If it was out of warranty, maybe I would. I would be leery because of LSPI issues, I don't think we have enough evidence yet to see if R&P would prevent LSPI. I know GM had quite a few issues in the past, and releasing Dexos1 Gen3 really aimed to help prevent LSPI. But, its a good thought. I hope it isn't too sludged or dirty after 23k.

 

[BobsArmory]

Valvoline makes a great product and it's hard to argue against an OEM filter for the feel goods. You could spend a lot more money on high end oil & filters but in the end I don't know if it would make that much difference.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

Valvoline makes a great product and it's hard to argue against an OEM filter for the feel goods. You could spend a lot more money on high end oil & filters but in the end I don't know if it would make that much difference.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Yeah, I'd agree with that. At the end of the day, I don't think it'll matter a whole ton. I've always been a big WIX user, even with some quality issues after the Mann+Hummel purchase, but with the warranty and the decent quality of the PF66, I think it will be just fine.

It's also hard for me to justify a $10/qt oil and $10 filter at times, especially for this car. I don't have a lead foot or go fast, it's kept under 40% throttle w/ little boost unless I'm merging. I'll run an expensive oil in a higher HP application, like my PWC, where it needs it.

I'm a little bit of a WIX user I suppose.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Hi all,

I'm looking for your thoughts, I am pretty set on 5k OCI w/ Valvoline Extended Protection 0w20, unless convinced otherwise, but it is always good to get more opinions.

I'm about to purchase a 2023 Blazer w/ the 2.0L engine. I'm debating the switch to 5k OCI based on my driving habits. I've read through a ton of articles, talked with a couple engineering buds, and looked at some tear downs of the engine. Looks to be a solidly built engine, disregarding the first few years they were in production. Here's the tear down of an older model:



I had a GMC Terrain w/ the 1.5L before, did oil changes every 7500 and was astonished at the amount of sludge I saw on the oil cap after 110k miles. My driving is mostly shorter trips (5-10 minutes), with the occasional 45 min - 2 hour trip every couple weekends. A shorter OCI should help cut down on sludge, fuel dilution, condensation in the oil, and just make the engine last longer without major problems. I would potentially consider 4k OCI and a different oil for this little turbo engine.

My plan is 5k OCI with the OEM PF66 filter and Valvoline Extended Protection 0w20. PF66 seems to be well made, with the newer generation having an e-core instead of louvres. The Valvoline EP 0w20 has exceptional oil analysis, and I've been a Valvoline fan for the last few years, except for 0w16 (TGMO only for my Camry). The PF66 can be had pretty cheap off RockAuto for less than $5 and I tend to just buy 5 or 6 at a time.

What are your thoughts?

The Terrain needed 4k OCIs and quality syn oil remains cheap on store shelves. I doubt you would have seen nothing but a clean engine inside, had you shortened the OCIs.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

The Terrain needed 4k OCIs and quality syn oil remains cheap on store shelves. I doubt you would have seen nothing but a clean engine inside, had you shortened the OCIs.

Probably, I don't have much doubt of that. Is there an advantage to 4k vs 5k OCI that would be noticeable after 10+ years? 5k is convenient because it lines up with so many different maintenance items.

 

[Patman]

Probably, I don't have much doubt of that. Is there an advantage to 4k vs 5k OCI that would be noticeable after 10+ years? 5k is convenient because it lines up with so many different maintenance items.

I highly doubt that you would see a noticeable difference over that extra 1000 miles if you’re using any synthetic oil sold today. Maybe if you ran a cheap conventional.

 

[BTLew81]

23 Acadia. Same setup. Running M1EP in 5w30 flavor. Works well. 5k OCI.

 

[facility1]

just go to Walmart and pick out any SP,GF-6a Dexros gen3, 5w-30 or 0w-20 depending on your climate synthetic oil and filter of your choice and you will be fine(Valvoline EP and Fram for suggestion would be a excellent choice ).

 

[userfriendly]

23 Acadia. Same setup. Running M1EP in 5w30 flavor. Works well. 5k OCI.

How dare you!
You better hope that Bernie Moreno’s Transportation Freedom Act passes and gets signed into law before the viscosity police come knocking on your door.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

23 Acadia. Same setup. Running M1EP in 5w30 flavor. Works well. 5k OCI.

Very interesting. Any sign of varnish so far through the oil fill port?

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

just go to Walmart and pick out any SP,GF-6a Dexros gen3, 5w-30 or 0w-20 depending on your climate synthetic oil and filter of your choice and you will be fine(Valvoline EP and Fram for suggestion would be a excellent choice ).

That's what I'm plnning on doing, minus the Fram. Being under warranty, it's easiest just running the PF66 from AC Delco, decent construction as well. Other than the top tier Fram filter, I would probably never run Fram, just a personal preference from how they used to be built. Valvoline also seems to have a continually running $5 rebate, so an oil change would be ~$40 or less, which is nice. Thanks for the info!

 

[silversport]

the GF's 2013 Malibu 2.0T (LTG) she bought new has used since it's first oil change (Dexos 1 Gen 1 was synthetic blend from the factory) full synthetic (mostly Mobil 1 5W-30 but has had 2 oil changes with Quaker State Full Synthetic 5W-30) as well as the recommended at least 91 octane (mostly Costco 93 octane Top Tier premium)...

once a year oil changes as she never gets to 5K miles and sadly, mostly short travel intervals but I take it out for a longer drive once in awhile...her car shows no engine related issues nor really any major issues in the 12 years so far she has owned it...it has been a very good car for her...

Good luck with your choice

Bill

 

[WobblyElvis]

My driving is mostly shorter trips (5-10 minutes),

This is a problem. Consider taking the long way to work once a week.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

the GF's 2013 Malibu 2.0T (LTG) she bought new has used since it's first oil change (Dexos 1 Gen 1 was synthetic blend from the factory) full synthetic (mostly Mobil 1 5W-30 but has had 2 oil changes with Quaker State Full Synthetic 5W-30) as well as the recommended at least 91 octane (mostly Costco 93 octane Top Tier premium)...

once a year oil changes as she never gets to 5K miles and sadly, mostly short travel intervals but I take it out for a longer drive once in awhile...her car shows no engine related issues nor really any major issues in the 12 years so far she has owned it...it has been a very good car for her...

Good luck with your choice

Bill

Thanks for the info! I think the newer 2.0T allows for regular unleaded gas by just retarding timing, but I'll probably still run a mid-grade or premium for the extra power. Eases my mind to know that it hasn't had any major issues.