oil recommendations

[1978elcamino]

My son just got his drivers license (16yrs old) a couple months ago and my father gave him his truck.
For some background it is a 2018 Chevy Colorado with the 2.5 4 cylinder 4x4 and the 6 speed automatic extended cab.
Father bought it new and has changed the oil by the OLM with super tech synthetic 5w30.
Besides a set of tires,oil changes and air filter it has never had any problems, codes or any other repairs.
My father has kept towels on the seats since new and drives very easy. Overall it is in perfect shape and a very, very nice 1st vehicle.

The truck had 99,750 miles when he got it a couple months ago but about 20k miles were from it being towed behind my partents RV when they would travel.
We wanted to "freshen it up" before he started driving it so below is a list of things we did before he got the keys...

KYB font struts and springs with mounts
KYB rear shocks
Rebuit the rear leaf packs by the local spring shop
Front and rear brakes and rotors
Sway bar bushings and links
Belt and tensioner
Spark plugs
Cooling system flush
Brake fluid flush
Oil and filter, air filter and cabin filter
Cooper Discoverer AT tires and alignment
Topped off spare tire and showed how to change it
Steering componets were all tight.

Still to do...
Front and rear diff oil, transfer case and trans filter and fluid pan drain and fill.

This has given him a good sense of learning the truck and also what goes into keeping a vehicle in excellent running condition.

Driving style will be to school two miles away and work 5 miles away with the occasional trip to grand parents house 40 miles away.
Hauling his dirt bike to riding spots and towing a single seadoo to the boat ramps on occasion.
The oil change we did was Valvoline Daily Protection 5w30 with a ST filter my father had because that is what we had in the garage. We live in Florida.

Any suggestions for oil from the BITOG crowd? Any proven oils with this specific engine that provide better than average results? Thanks!

 

[BrendanC]

my recommendation would be a 4 runs of Valvoline Restore and protect 5w-30 followed by Mobil 1 euro 0w-40 for long term. I’m a large fan of premium guard built filters so any of the microgard selects, carquest premiums, napa golds etc.

 

[1978elcamino]

Restore and Protect for a handfull of OCI's were my thoughts too. The move on to a good 5w40 full synthetic or someting similar.
I'd like him to see another 100k out of it.

 

[Hermann]

Restore and Protect for a handfull of OCI's were my thoughts too. The move on to a good 5w40 full synthetic or someting similar.
I'd like him to see another 100k out of it.

So, you feel that Valvoline R&P is not a good forever oil.?

 

[TacoFergie]

5w30 VRP and Microgard Select or Carquest Premium filters would work great! Chances are, it was driven quite gently based off your description. That can lead to carbon buildup over time even with proper maintenance, especially if it was primarily driven short distances where it didn't get up to operating temp for extended periods. Using VRP would slowly get rid of any of that build up.

 

[1978elcamino]

So, you feel that Valvoline R&P is not a good forever oil.?

I do, I feel it would be a great forever oil. Just looking for possible options if anyone else out there has a GM ecotec 2.5 that has some input.

 

[1978elcamino]

5w30 VRP and Microgard Select or Carquest Premium filters would work great! Chances are, it was driven quite gently based off your description. That can lead to carbon buildup over time even with proper maintenance, especially if it was primarily driven short distances where it didn't get up to operating temp for extended periods. Using VRP would slowly get rid of any of that build up.

Gently driven is why I was thinking Restore and Protect like a few others have.

 

[1978elcamino]

As I was ordering parts from Rock Auto I put a Hengst oil filter in the cart. It was very inexpensive, like 2.99 and I have heard they make a great filter. Next OCI will have the Hengst filter.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

New driver - good to get him in tune with his vehicle. Excellent job dad. I also like the Restore and Protect with Carquest Premium filters. Don't forget to change the PCV valve also if it has one.

Search on here for streetsurvival.org, highly recommended for new drivers. It's not your normal drivers education class. @shortyb said the same thing.

If you search on me for streetsurvival I have google links for my pictures/videos from my kids.

 

[CANADADIY]

Gently driven is why I was thinking Restore and Protect like a few others have.

Especially if he followed the OLM. Engine should be in great shape for a long time, though.

 

[edyvw]

That is turbo? Mobil1 ESP 0W30.
Once KYB fails, switch to Bilstein.

 

[1978elcamino]

New driver - good to get him in tune with his vehicle. Excellent job dad. I also like the Restore and Protect with Carquest Premium filters. Don't forget to change the PCV valve also if it has one.

Search on here for streetsurvival.org, highly recommended for new drivers. It's not your normal drivers education class. @shortyb said the same thing.

If you search on me for streetsurvival I have google links for my pictures/videos from my kids.

Not 100% sure since I am more of a Ford guy but I think the Ectec 2.5 PCV system is integraed in the valve cover.
There will be more maintence to come so I will definetly check if there is a replaceable PCV.

 

[1978elcamino]

That is turbo? Mobil1 ESP 0W30.
Once KYB fails, switch to Bilstein.

no, it is a NA 2.5. Yeah, the Billstein would be preferable but they are quite expensive compared to KYB. He wouldent notice a difference anyway. I have 5100's on my truck and love them.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I would run what Grandpaw ran in it, why not as its EZ to find at Walmart and its priced at a 16 year old budget.
I would take this time to teach as long as you use the proper rated fluid, its more important to actually change it and change it often then stress about brand.

 

[edyvw]

no, it is a NA 2.5. Yeah, the Billstein would be preferable but they are quite expensive compared to KYB. He wouldent notice a difference anyway. I have 5100's on my truck and love them.

NA VRP will do fine. Not sure how it carries the weight? Euro oils will create some more resistance.