Oil Recommendation - 2000 Impala

Pennzoil motor oil
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I just picked up a 2000 Chevy Impala with the 3800 II V6. It's got 125k miles.

The previous owner said it would maybe leave a drip in the drive way every so often, but I don't see any evidence of a leak or seepage. He was running conventional oil.

Manual recommends 10w30 or 5w30.

The car will be driven 5 miles one way to work each day and I tend to drive medium/hard - I think this would fall under extreme conditions.

I'm leaning towards Maxlife, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm not necessarily looking for extended drain intervals. I like in Michigan, I don't think running a 5w30 year round will hurt, thoughts?

Thanks.
 
From what I hear the 3800 seem to like conventional, Pennzoil conventional, Valvoline MaxLife conventional, or Mobil 5000 are all good choices.
 
5w30, definitely in Michigan. I've had very good luck with Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 in a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am that was beaten like a rented mule (female teenage driver).

The engine was still running great at over 160,000 miles when the transmission gave up.

I'd still be using Maxlife in it... if it were still around.
 
Off topic... but since it is a 2000 - 3800... do you know if the intake gaskets have been done in it yet?

If not... just wait...
 
I don't think they've been replaced. I'll have to touch base with the guy I got it from tho. hmmm...
 
In the 03 Monte Carlo we recently sold I used Mobil Super 5,000, it worked well for me. It had the 3.8. I would definitely watch the coolant like mrsilv04 started to suggest.
 
I have found my 3800 Series II Supercharged at 120k has not been particular about the oil used whether conventional or synthetic.

I changed my one year OCI recently to Pennzoil Platinum 10W30 however the vehicle is not driven much in the winter and is garaged.

Good engine.
 
I am currently maintaing a '99 Grand Prix with a Series II 3800. 170k on the clock and it seems to like it's diet of QS Defy 10w30 and Purolator L10111.

Definitely check and see if this engine has the revised intake manifold. The 3800's can probably go forever once this issue has been resolved.

Even better than a revised Series II intake manifold would be an aluminum one from a Series III. But I believe it requires some custom fabrication for the throttle body. But it has and can be done.

http://www.bonnevillepro.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=5020
 
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I think the OP is clearly in synthetic territory.

This is a car that will be driven hard for the first 5 miles in a very cold climate. A high mileage oil is exactly what we don't want; we should be looking at something with excellent cold flow properties.

My advice is Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy.
 
I've got a 2000 LeSabre with the 3800 V6 and I've been running Valvoline MaxLife 10w30 in it.

I have no reason to switch. The Maxlife works fine.
 
Originally Posted By: gregk24
MAXLIFE conventional



Maxlife does not come in conventional flavour, its available as a syn blend or full synthetic.

@OP : We service a lot of GM vehicles at our store and they all seem to run real well with Maxlife. Smooth and quiet. Never did a used oil analysis though, so couldnt tell ya how it wears, but it being an Ashland product, Im going with low wear.
 
Originally Posted By: Gabe
I think the OP is clearly in synthetic territory.

This is a car that will be driven hard for the first 5 miles in a very cold climate. A high mileage oil is exactly what we don't want; we should be looking at something with excellent cold flow properties.

My advice is Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy.



Pffffft. I worked in Michigan (detroit)for 6 years and no way would I call that winter. The U.P. gets alot of snow but even it isn't what I'd call cold.
However in my old age here it might put a chill into me.
In the summer Detroit does have the most humid heat I've ever experienced

To answer the op. just find a 5w30 that you like and change it every 5000 miles
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Clevy
Originally Posted By: Gabe
I think the OP is clearly in synthetic territory.

This is a car that will be driven hard for the first 5 miles in a very cold climate. A high mileage oil is exactly what we don't want; we should be looking at something with excellent cold flow properties.

My advice is Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy.



Pffffft. I worked in Michigan (detroit)for 6 years and no way would I call that winter. The U.P. gets alot of snow but even it isn't what I'd call cold.
However in my old age here it might put a chill into me.
In the summer Detroit does have the most humid heat I've ever experienced

To answer the op. just find a 5w30 that you like and change it every 5000 miles


It isn't just the outside temperature that concerns me - it is the hard driving before the oil gets to operating temperature and viscosity.

A synthetic oil will help to minimize that damage.
 
MaxLife red bottle will work well in a 5w30. If the OP wants to flog his 13 year old car when cold in the dead of winter, no oil will help. The fact that he's seeking advice on this forum leads me to believe that he's smart enough to know how to make it last.
 
Just remember 5w30. You can run any API SL,SM,SN in these engines. I have been having some noise issues with my K&N filter, so i might try a Wix next to see if i can get rid of my startup noise.
 
Thanks for the input. I think I'll go with a 5w30 in a synthetic for easier flow during the cold starts. It's good to know that I can pretty much run anything in these 3800's.

Now can anyone tell me the "best" synthetic? Just joking.
wink.gif
 
The link I posted from PQIA shows cold crank specs that show regular Mobil 1 5w30 or Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 have the most favorable specs for cold weather. Also PP has a fairly high viscosity index, which are some of the reasons I'm using it in my LG8 3.1 V6, which is similar to your engine.
 
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