Oil Recommendations

[WindyCityPilot]

Just wanted to see what people would recommend for my two vehicles:

'04 Ford Taurus w/ 3.4L V6 (Factory Spec is 5w20)
'07 Chevy Silverado w/ 5.4L V8 (Facotry Spec is 5w30)

I've mainly used Motocraft Semi-Synthetic 5w20 so far in the Taurus but have been thinking about possible going to a full synthetic.

The Silverado is just coming up on 5,000 miles so thus far has only had whatever conventional oil the deal put in it.

I still haven't decided on if I want to use a quality conventional oil with a shorter OCI or go with a synthetic and use a longer OCI.

Both cars are driven mostly for short trips....around 10 miles a day.

What are everyones thoughts on what would work well with these 2 engines.

Thanks!!

 

[hominid7]

Are you planning on doing your own oil changes? If so, i'd go with either Motorcraft or Superflo 5w30 in both cars.

If you are going to let someone else do your oil changes i'd stick with Motorcraft 5w20 Ford dealer changes for the taurus and superflo 5w30 dealer changes for the truck.

(Superflo = GM goodwrench oil)

Everything i've read about the taurus seems to suggest you could use anything from 5w20 to 10w40 in it and have zero problems with it.

 

[Blue99]

Some options for your review:

Taurus w/ 3.4L V6 -

Conventionals - Motorcraft 5W-20, Pennzoil 5W-20
Synthetics - Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20, Mobil 1 5W-20, Amsoil 0W-20

Chevy Silverado w/ 5.3L V8 -

Conventionals - Havoline 5w30, Pennzoil 5w30
Synthetics - Pennzoil Platinum 5w30, Amsoil 5w30

My comment - Mobil 1 in the GM 5.3L v8 may have a valvetrain noise issue at startup. Is this a Flex-Fuel engine?

 

[WindyCityPilot]

The 5.3L is not a flex fuel. Yes I do plan on changing my own oil. Finally moved into a house so I have a garage and driveway to work with now!

Thanks to everyone so far for their comments. I was trying to look at the used oil analysis for my engines but wasn't having much luck finding any info on what oils had good wear numbers. Still learning how to get the search tool to give me what I'm looking for.

 

[Blue99]

Try using the search function this way:

Enter 5.3L in the keyword search box.

For the date range, blank out the "1" and in the drop down box, replace "week" with the blank or a empty space.

This should pull up a good selection. The Blackstone averages are good milestones to shoot for, as they have accumulated a fair number of 5.3L used oil analysis that represent a good sample population.

Good Luck!

 

[AEHaas]

Since you run mostly short trips your oil will rarely get up to operating temperature. Water heats up in a few minutes but motor oil takes up to 30 minutes to reach normal operating temperature. The 5W-20 Motorcraft is one of the best oils out there and consistently turns out good results on oil analysis. I would use this oil in both vehicles.

aehaas

 

[ThirdeYe]

Congrats on the new house, btw

 

[WindyCityPilot]

Thanks everyone for the comments so far! I'm thinking I'm going to stick with the Motocraft 5w20 for the Taurus...seems like the best oil out there at it's got a great price on it to boot.

Can't decide what I want to do on the truck. I go back and forth between using dino and changing it more often or using Mobil 1 5w30 and changing twice a year.

OH and thanks on the new house! Great to have a garage to play in finally!

 

[vronline]

Motorcraft would be fine in the Taurus in 5w-20 or 5w30. I would stick with a 5w30 in the Chevy.

 

[double vanos]

With the short trip scenario you have, go with a SM rated dino and Super Tech filters on 3K OCI's and you will do well!!!! Cheap too!!!

 

[Steve S]

Both engines really don't need a syn oil . Seems the oil limit moniter in the G.M.s are pretty dialed in You have one in the Chev.? Probably you could use the Chev as a guide to change the Fords oil since/if they get the same use.

 

[N2OIL]

I have a 5.3L and the PP 5/20 is also a candidate also meeting the GM6094 spec.

 

[WindyCityPilot]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm set on what I'll use now.

Taurus: Motocraft 5w20
Chevy: Pennzoil Conventional 5w30

I'll send in a sample around 3,000 to see how things are going then extend to 5,000 if everything looks good.

What would everyone recommend for filters?

 

[sxg6]

Good choices on oil

I'd go with a purolator pureone filter.

The purolator premium plus, supertech, or wix/napa gold would be good choices a well.

 

[WindyCityPilot]

OK looks like on the Chevy Silverado I'm going with Pennzoil Platinum 5w30. Just picked up a case at AA buy one get one free sale. Can't beat the synthetic for the price of dino!