One Oil Weight?

[kayster]

I have a 2003 Avalanche 1500 with 45,000 miles. The last few years I have been averaging about 5000 miles a year.

Weekly drive 50 miles to work.
I also Tow a Travel Trailer in the summer.
2000 miles in the summer 3000 in the winter.
I do once a year oil changes in the spring, last year 5w30 PP, This year 5w30 Super Tech Full syn. OLM has never kicked in.

I also have a 2008 Mazda Mx-5 that I am doing 6 month 5000 mile OCI's using MC 5w20.

My question is can I just get buy buying MC 5w20 for both vehicles and feel safe?

Thanks!

 

[Panzerman]

I would buy 5w30 for both vehicles before I would go with 5w20 for both vehicles. 5w30 will meet the cold temparature ratings, 5w30 exceeds 5w20 ratings, not the other way around. 5w20 is geared more toward fuel milelage, so if you tow, 5w30 or even 10w30, is the one size fits all oil.

 

[daman]

Your GM is not spec'd for a 20w i would not use it,i agree go with a 5w30 synthetic all around.

 

[beast3300]

+1 on 5w30 for both versus 5w20 for both.

 

[kayster]

Thanks! I think 5w30 is best way to go to stock one oil. Should I feel dyno would be the best way to go on the Avalanche?

 

[daman]

Why not use a synthetic and go off your OLM less oil changes for you.

will aid in your towing also,PP is $20 at WM your cars are worth that no?

 

[Oregoonian]

[quote=kayster)

My question is can I just get buy buying MC 5w20 for both vehicles and feel safe?

IMO, MC 5w20 (or 5w30) will work fine for both...but suggest a 3500 OCI for the the Avalanche because of severe service (towing). A MC or Purolator Plus filter... would also work fine for both vehicles.
________________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L Duratec) / 84 K
Valvoline MaxLife Syn 5w30 / OCI 7000 +/-
Purolator PureOne PA 10241

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian

IMO, MC 5w20 (or 5w30) will work fine for both...

Originally Posted By: daman
Your GM is not spec'd for a 20w

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: kayster
Thanks! I think 5w30 is best way to go to stock one oil. Should I feel dyno would be the best way to go on the Avalanche?


In my opinion, yes. Sam's Club sells cases of Havoline with Deposit Shield for 30 bucks every day. Works out to about $2.40/quart. With the short-ish OCIs you run, a good but inexpensive conventional out is what I'd use.

 

[kayster]

Originally Posted By: daman
Why not use a synthetic and go off your OLM less oil changes for you.

will aid in your towing also,PP is $20 at WM your cars are worth that no?


Thats my dilemma if I was out of warranty on the MX-5 I think I would just do 5w30 PP once a year on both vehicles.

I am just trying to get down to one oil if I can, I hate changing out syn at 5000 miles or 6 month and having 2 different oils in the stash.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: kayster
Originally Posted By: daman
Why not use a synthetic and go off your OLM less oil changes for you.

will aid in your towing also,PP is $20 at WM your cars are worth that no?


Thats my dilemma if I was out of warranty on the MX-5 I think I would just do 5w30 PP once a year on both vehicles.

I am just trying to get down to one oil if I can, I hate changing out syn at 5000 miles or 6 month and having 2 different oils in the stash.

Your warranty is ending soon or?

 

[kayster]

Originally Posted By: daman
Originally Posted By: kayster
Originally Posted By: daman
Why not use a synthetic and go off your OLM less oil changes for you.

will aid in your towing also,PP is $20 at WM your cars are worth that no?


Thats my dilemma if I was out of warranty on the MX-5 I think I would just do 5w30 PP once a year on both vehicles.

I am just trying to get down to one oil if I can, I hate changing out syn at 5000 miles or 6 month and having 2 different oils in the stash.

Your warranty is ending soon or?


I have a year and half warranty left on the mx-5.

I am thinking the best thing to do, is to do a 6 month oci on both vehicles using a good quality 5w30 dyno.

The best thing I have learned is to go 5w30 on both vehicles instead of 5w20.

Thanks everyone.

 

[willix]

5w30 in both & good with SuperTech. The Mazda will be better on fuel on 5w20 but not much.