Oil for a 2008 Suburban with 5.3?

[HawkeyeScott]

Pulled the trigger this week on buying a 2008 Suburban with a 5.3 Vortec with 108,000 miles. The vehicle appears to have been pretty well maintained, though there's some light staining on the dipstick (above the oil level). Will be doing some towing with it, so it's likely only to see synthetic. I have some NAPA oil I recently picked up to stash and some Mobil 1 0w30 I got last year on clearance.

It has the AFM system, so I will watch for consumption. (I'll also get to doing new fluids, ATF filter (4 speed) and plugs once spring gets here. That "renewal" of a used vehicle is actually one of my favorite things about buying used.)

Any suggestions on oils, both in the stash and otherwise? Any other thoughts on maintaining this particular vehicle?

 

[LeakySeals]

I would use the Mobil 1 0w30. My 6.0 which is similar is butt dyno picky. Loves Mobil 1 5w30, ruff idles on other syns like PP.
Change the front diff and transfer case fluid before anything else. I changed mine when I acquired at 110k. Too late. Both fluids were black. And now its got issues in the TC. Transfer cases are picky, if you change fluid brands viscosity matters. Shudders on anything that is out of spec.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

For OLM cars, I like to use the cheapest synthetic on sale and run it to the suggested OCI. Goes good with a Fram Ultra, Hastings/Baldwin, or anything made by Wix.

For the ATF, if your transmission doesn't have a drain plug, get a Dorman pan tha thas one, so future ATF changes are much easier.

 

[beanoil]

Good friend has a Yukon, same year, same engine. Pulls a camper through the summer, does bad weather duty in the winter.
Rotella 10w30, still ticking along at 152k.

 

[BobsArmory]

Yes pay attention to the transfer case, they can be pricey to repair.

As for oil. I have the 6 liter version and take care of a ladies 5.3 as well of the same vintage. I have used them all with good results (Mobil 1, Mobil 1 Extended Performance, Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w-30, NAPA Syn, Valvoline Synpower, Pennzoil Ultra and Platinum). These engines aren't really picky with oil although in "my experience" some oils get a bit noisy after 3,000 to 4,000 miles of use. This is why I am currently doing an experiment with Castrol Euro 0w30 with an HTHS of 3.5ish instead of the slightly thinner API 5w/0w-30 oils. My engine doesn't consume oil so I am not worried about the cats getting poisoned with the more robust additive package of Euro oils. So far Euro Castrol is quiet as a sleeping baby and I can't tell any difference in miles per gallon.

Filters. I was using Fram Ultra but for some reason I was getting start up clatter after sitting overnight with them so I don't use them anymore. I am now using the WIX/NAPA Gold and the OEM ACDelco filters 100% of the time now and am not looking back.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: BobsArmory

Filters. I was using Fram Ultra but for some reason I was getting start up clatter after sitting overnight with them so I don't use them anymore. I am now using the WIX/NAPA Gold and the OEM ACDelco filters 100% of the time now and am not looking back.

Interesting because this latest oil change I've been getting some clatter at startup. I'm suspecting the FU as well because this started right after changing oil. Been using the FU since I bought it, no issues prior. Think its time for an autopsy if I can get it open

 

[tig1]

0-30AFE would be a great choice.

 

[BobsArmory]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: BobsArmory

Filters. I was using Fram Ultra but for some reason I was getting start up clatter after sitting overnight with them so I don't use them anymore. I am now using the WIX/NAPA Gold and the OEM ACDelco filters 100% of the time now and am not looking back.

Interesting because this latest oil change I've been getting some clatter at startup. I'm suspecting the FU as well because this started right after changing oil. Been using the FU since I bought it, no issues prior. Think its time for an autopsy if I can get it open


Let me know what you find when you tear your Ultra apart. I tore 3 separate Ultras apart that were causing start up clatter and couldn't find anything obvious.

 

[BobsArmory]

OP, I see your location is shown as El Oeste. If that means the southwest, you could run 10w30 syns as well all year with no issues. Just a thought.

 

[HawkeyeScott]

Thanks, everyone. I'm in the high desert of the Mountain West, so 10w sounds like a good summer option, especially since that's towing season.