Truck is a 2014 GMC 1500, 4.3 V6, first year of DI for this engine. My dad bought the truck in ‘21 with 70k on it, did one or two oil changes on it, and when my dad went into a nursing home two years ago my mom sold it to my uncle with 79k on it. My uncle is extremely lacking when it comes to maintenance. It now has 136k on it and may have had 4 oil changes in those miles, done by me and only cause he remembers to tell me. He is fully aware and will take responsibility if anything happens to the engine thankfully. Last oil I drained at 130k miles had 19k on that oil and filter, I dumped in some Supertech 15W40 and called it a day. I checked it today and it has 6k on that oil/filter and it was a quart low. Should I keep using 15W40 or would there be a oil better suited to his neglect?
Oil for neglected truck
- Thread starter mobilnissan1991
- Start date
50k in two years means highway driving. You may be ok with your plan.
can't hurt to try Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30 but at 5k OCI.
why even do 6k OCI? especially knowing it had a possible history of neglect.
Didnt do a 6k oci, just so happened to check the oil today and it has 6k on the 15W40 I put in a few months ago. The OLM is usually blinking at 0% for a few months before he lets me know to change it.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
You can't fix his attitude towards regular maintenance. If he neglects it; his responsibility and his problem.
Since its likely to end up in the sump longer than ideal, I would go with a euro oil - maybe one of the Mobil 1 or Castrol blends 0W-40 with all the euro specs. Those oils are blended for long OCI by design to meet the stringent euro standards - like BMW long life, etc.
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2026
I would guess since neglect is in the picture, maybe the rings are getting stuck. Perhaps some Valvoline Restore and Protect would help.
Cold isn't an issue where you are. Maybe do a few oil changes of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30, though just rolling on with 15W-40 would probably be fine also.
This is very true. Highway miles are surprisingly easy on the oil and engine. I just did 4k miles of highway driving in 5 days. It was just 5 cold starts where the oil temperature was below 150f, and at no point above 210f. Basically just 7 hours of cruise control type of driving. My usual daily return of 25 miles with 5 cold starts and many stops and go probably strains the oil more than 500 miles on highway
Perfect for Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30
I’d keep using the Supertech 15W-40 and maybe add 1/2 to 1 quart during oil changes to help keep the level up. But that’s as far as I’d go.
I also have family members who neglect vehicles and when they tell me their tales of woe I usually just say “that sucks, but what can you do” and change the subject. I don’t spend time or money worrying about something the owner doesn’t even care about. They don’t care, I don’t care.
I also have family members who neglect vehicles and when they tell me their tales of woe I usually just say “that sucks, but what can you do” and change the subject. I don’t spend time or money worrying about something the owner doesn’t even care about. They don’t care, I don’t care.
Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W30 or if you keep the 15w40 and add a bottle of Rislone to it. It will clean up the motor slowly. I used it to help clean the rings on my Element. I also used Gumout Multisystem Tune-Up, 5oz to the oil (1oz/qt), for the full OCI, and also HPL Engine Cleaner 30. You could also give those a try. Good luck
I’m running Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W30 in my sons 01F150 with 117K. I was surprised what the oil looked like at 1100 miles. Currently on the second fill. Will wait till spring to change. It was my father in law’s the passed 9 years ago. Mother in law had been driving it around town during that time. It had 3 oil changes during that time. 2 by me and one by a shop.
yeah my ‘99 F150 5.4 is by far the dirtiest engine I own. also the only one that leaks. Let my son drive it for about 2 years after I bought it off my neighbor but now it’s back under my care.
Just changed the oil last month for the 3rd time with Valvoline Restore and Protect and it was super dark after less than 5k. suspect it’s gonna need a while yet before we start making real headway with it. getting ready to roll over 200k soon.
Just changed the oil last month for the 3rd time with Valvoline Restore and Protect and it was super dark after less than 5k. suspect it’s gonna need a while yet before we start making real headway with it. getting ready to roll over 200k soon.
I don't see a quart of consumption as excessive for 6k miles personally, even on a 40wt oil. When I changed my 04 Silverado 5.3 over to ESP 0w30 from swepco 15w40, I still had 1 quart added in ~7k miles, but it took longer to get there, if that makes sense. Would you be willing to try ESP in this truck? I've got no experience with the 0w40 version but I've been very pleased with the 0w30.
You just remind him every 5-6K that's time for oil change and do it right that same weekend. Don't wait for him to tell you.
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IMO it’s is a perfect candidate for some restore and protect. Or some short intervals of Kirkland to see where it gets you
I thought restore and protect worked better with short OCI especially at the start. Don’t really want that junk in the sump for an extended drain? The issue is the owner runs it too long. The OP doesn’t control the interval?
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