Older low mileage car - what oil?

Pennzoil motor oil
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Hey Guys, I just picked up a 2003 grand am GT with the 3.4L V6 for my wife. It was owned by an older lady who after owning it for 9 years only put 38,000 miles on it. Am I alright going to a full synthetic next oil change? Should I put high mileage synthetic in? I guess I'm just concerned on what oil would be best for this older vehicle since it wasn't driven much.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
 
The new ILSAC GF5 "conventional" are as synthetic as you need. They are NOT conventional anymore, they are techno-synthese. I assume you dont plan to do a 1x per year OC on it. Just run Quaker State Conventional or equivalent at 2x oci (winter summer) if a low mileage car. "Synthetic" does not lubricate better overall than group II+ blends.
 
Anybody try QS DEFY yet? I have a jug under my coffee table in the living room
smile.gif
If it makes you sleep better, try THAT - cant hurt.
 
So just because it's 9 years old and low mileage means it needs some special oil? Just use whatever it calls for in the manual. If it doesn't have a manual then it will probably show on the oil cap.
 
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
same whatever it is spec'd for, but keep an eye on seals etc.


That was mainly why I asked, because of the seals.

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Check the intake manifold gasket...it's almost 100% failure rate on these engines.


Yup, it was an issue with more than just this engine. But none the less, I'm aware. Thanks!
 
How often was the oil and filter changed? What kind of oil was used in the past? If you can't determine this information and the engine, through the fill hole, looks like it needs to be cleaned, if it does not leak oil, I'd suggest a treatment of Kreen.

IMO...If the vehicle had not had frequent oil changes then you may have some sludge or dirt build up that you're not aware of in this engine.

IMO...take a look at the Kreen thread in the oil additives section. Preventive maintenance, on unknown maintenance, might be very sound advice for this vehicle.
 
I would have the car towed and then take off the oil pan to clean out any gunk build up that may clog the oil pump if you ran the car even if you drained the old oil and refilled with new oil...

Along with that, check/change all of the rubber hoses, serpentine belts, and replace/reapply RTV sealant wherever it was used...
 
I'm no expert but I'm not sure we have enough information. Did she rack up those mile driving 20 minutes to church every Sunday to get her 4,222 miles a year. Did she drive it regularly for a number of years and then it's been parked. If she drove it regularly enough and went with the 3k OCI that would be less than a year.

If you can't find out this info then I'd assume the worst, been parked for a time. If it turns out to be the best, regularly driven and maintained I would think any regimen within reason of the specs would be ok.
 
I would choose an oil....depending on YOUR driving habits.

Mostly short trips (under 7-8 miles...and some highway. My choice would be a good syn....such as Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum, or Quaker State Ultimate Durability....in whatever grade the manual recommends. OCI: 7K +/-. Note: Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Platinum have lots of detergents for cleaning purposes.

If the majority of your driving is longer trips and mostly highway....a good conventional such as Pennzoil Conventional or Motorcraft Syn-Blend, would work well. OCI: 5K +/-. Note: Pennzoil Conventional is a good cleaning oil.
 
To answer the question as to whether or not I knew the maintenance schedule, unfortunately I do not. I would assume that it was done as necessary based on the flawless condition the vehicle is in.

Just to give you a little more background on the vehicle, an older couple turned in the grand am with 38k on it, they also turned in a 07 Envoy with 30k on it. both purchased new and both in flawless condition. The husbands hobby was detailing his vehicles. Both vehicles were traded in with new brakes and tires, and they both were all waxed up. I was told they didn't even have to vacuum it or run it though the car wash before putting it on the used car lot. But, it is a 9 year old car with less than 5,000 miles a year put on it.
 
I think I'd take the risk of assuming you could just start fresh with oil to fit your future driving habits and needs from the vehicle. Sounds like they were pretty well looked after. I might lean towards a more cleaning oil (Pennzoil conventional?) for the first go round and run some SL1 or Techron through it.

*Caveat, I ain't one the oil gurus around here - far froms it.
 
Seems like one or two 1k OCI's with Pennzoil conventional would be in order. Also, as mentioned above, a couple tankfuls of fuel treated with Techron, Gumout Regane or Redline S1 should be helpful in at least giving you a starting point to see what if anything is wrong with your newly aquired ride.

Sounds like you got a nice vehicle other than the intake manifold gasket issue.
 
I would do a coolant flush... Then go with a good cleaning oil like Pennzoil Conventional 5w30 or PP, etc for 3K(Pennzoil conventional) or 5K(PP) miles... Should clean it up well. I love Kreen but I do not think with such low miles that you need Kreen.

May also want to try a fuel cleaner like Redline SI-1 for a full tank or two... One bottle for each full tank....

May also want to do a ATF/filter change and use Maxlife ATF...

I would think you can keep an eye on the coolant level over the first OCI, to see if you are loosing coolant. Good luck.
 
Hey guys, thank you for the info. I will do a few "short" oil changes with Pennzoil conventional before changing to PP. I have already ran a can of sea foam through the fuel tank, but I will run one or two more for good measure.

Chris
 
Good choice. You should be able to go at least 2K-3K with your first OCI of Pennzoil conventional... I dont think it will do much in only 1K.
 
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