Oil change for summer run

Pennzoil motor oil
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dla

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Getting ready to change the oil in 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche. It has the 5.3L with AFM. I've been running 5w30 Quaker State Ultimate Durability or Pennzoil Platinum depending upon what I can get on sale. I usually change out the when the OLM hits 25%-20%.

With the hot Baltimore, MD summer weather around the corner and my commute time of about an hour and half to go 39 miles (each way) in stop and go traffic it has me rethinking my oil weight. Half of the commute is stop and go, bumper to bumper traffic trying to get out of the City. Then the last half of the commute is highway speed driving.

Should I step up to Rotella T6 in 5w-40 or Mobil 1 0W-40 for the summer months? The heat index can get pretty hot (100+) but the truck does have the HD towing package installed on which adds extra cooling capacity.

Am I over thinking things or just stick with the 5w30. What would offer the best protection?
 
You are under warranty still so you do want to use something with correct approvals, right?

Your current 5w30 should be good and no doubt Mobil 1 0W-40 is a GREAT oil and just about a "thick 30wt", but I would not use it or T6 if they are not a GM approved oil for 2011 vehicles.
 
I am still under warranty but I put almost 30K miles on it in the first year. I'm more concerned about getting the ultimate protection for the engine because I plan to keep well past when the warranty expires.
 
Don't your vehicle require Dexos 1 oil?

I would use an approved Dexos 1 oil @ 5W30 as required by the owners manual - warranty.

I live near the Florida line and have long hot summers. Both vehicles I own require 5W20 oil use it year around with no issues. Same goes for the last 3 vehicles owned.

Link to GM Dexos approved oils.

GM Dexos Approved Oils.

Thicker is not better!

Synthetic 5W30 Dexos approved if you are worried about extra protection.
 
The car isn't air cooled so you do not need to run heavier oil in the summer.

Follow the manufacturer recommendation. Find the one with the highest viscosity index.
 
Thanks for the replies and the reassurance that the 5w30 will be all right.
 
Using the dexos1 PP or Mobil 1 are absolutely fine choices. Mobil 1 0w40 will not be a problem either and the one I will be using from here on out in my Charger. The Rotella is not necessary at all.
 
Originally Posted By: dla
Getting ready to change the oil in 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche. It has the 5.3L with AFM. I've been running 5w30 Quaker State Ultimate Durability or Pennzoil Platinum depending upon what I can get on sale. I usually change out the when the OLM hits 25%-20%.

With the hot Baltimore, MD summer weather around the corner and my commute time of about an hour and half to go 39 miles (each way) in stop and go traffic it has me rethinking my oil weight. Half of the commute is stop and go, bumper to bumper traffic trying to get out of the City. Then the last half of the commute is highway speed driving.

Should I step up to Rotella T6 in 5w-40 or Mobil 1 0W-40 for the summer months? The heat index can get pretty hot (100+) but the truck does have the HD towing package installed on which adds extra cooling capacity.

Am I over thinking things or just stick with the 5w30. What would offer the best protection?


What kind of filter are you using?
 
5W30 Quaker State Ultimate Durability or Pennzoil Platinum as you currently are doing , drain & fill on your transmission fluid every 20K miles , drain & fill engine coolant every two years (with long life coolant) , bleed and fill brake fluid every two years . * With your driving situation the above fluids are what I would be continually paying attention to and you will never have any issues .
 
Mobil 1 5w30 & AC-Delco PF-48 is what i just put in my 2010 Avalanche for the Hot Summer run.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dparm
The car isn't air cooled so you do not need to run heavier oil in the summer.

Follow the manufacturer recommendation. Find the one with the highest viscosity index.


+1.....remember...thinner oils run cooler (even in the hottest summers). Stay with a 5w30 Syn and the highest VI...and you'll be OK.
 
The heat index doesn't matter to machinery. Humidity only matters to flesh. The actual temperature matters to machinery. The oil is significantly cooled by the air around the block and past the oil pan.

All that said, stick with a 5w30 or 10w30. There is no need to go heavier unless you're doing heavy towing in very hot weather, and even that is debatable. Your hot slow traffic is a light load on the engine.
 
+1 for stick with what you are doing.
Synthetics handle the heat from Turbos, they can handle a summer just peachy keen.

The only thing you need to keep in mind is more coolant system failures kill engines than the choice of oil. The thing for stop and go traffic is to keep your coolant in good shape. If you are doing 30,000 miles a year I would definitely drain and fill every 2 years.
 
A good 5w30 is pretty stout stuff. Anything 4718M rated should handle any heat and power levels you can throw at it. Works for 430HP Corvettes = works for you!
 
The heat index has nothing to do with the ambient operating conditions for the engine.
Actual temperature does.

And it VERY much makes a difference in oil temps, whether air cooled or water cooled. Not the coolant temp, but engine parts will also be much hotter in summer.

But you have a modern car and are not at full throttle in stop and go - just part throttle. Oil temps should be good.
Your 5-30 is more than enough except for very tough circumstances.
 
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