PennGrade Euro Elite 5w30 in Chevrolet?

[DanL13]

I was recently at one of these warehouse overstock type stores where they buy pallets of crap and resell it. While there I stumbled into a case of PennGrade Euro Elite Full Synthetic 5w30. Case of 12 quarts for $30. Price seems cheap enough, I can’t see any reason this Euro oil can’t be used in American engines, specifically a couple of Chevrolets, am I missing something?? I’ve never been one to get hung up on brand names and my vehicles tend to get whatever decent quality synthetic oil is available at a great price.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Welcome to BITOG

What Chevrolets are you using it in?

 

[DanL13]

Thanks! Ive lurked for years. My wife has a 2014 equinox, I’ve got a 2013 1/2 ton and a 1991 half ton farm truck that all call for 5w30

 

[SR5]

Thanks! Ive lurked for years.

Welcome mate

My wife has a 2014 equinox, I’ve got a 2013 1/2 ton and a 1991 half ton farm truck that all call for 5w30

I don't know what engine is in the Equinox or your 1/2 ton, but that oil should be fine for anything that isn't TDI (turbo direct injection). For TDI you need API SP or Dexos1-Gen3 to make sure you don't get LSPI (low speed pre ignition) issues.

This oil is API SM, but a full synthetic, on the thicker side KV100 = 12.2 cSt with HTHS = 3.5 cP.
The TBN (7) and the SAPS (0.8% SA) are fine values, typical of most oils nowadays. I would assume a traditional calcium only detergent package.

I would happily use it in my cars, which are all a bit older (like yours) and port injected.

Here is a link to the PennGrade PDS
https://www.dalube.com/products/passenger-car-engine-oils/penngrade-euro-elite-motor-oil-sae-5w-30/

 

[JavierH19]

I use thicker euro oils in my still under warranty 6.2 that calls for 0w-20. They'll be fine.

 

[kschachn]

I was recently at one of these warehouse overstock type stores where they buy pallets of crap and resell it. While there I stumbled into a case of PennGrade Euro Elite Full Synthetic 5w30. Case of 12 quarts for $30. Price seems cheap enough, I can’t see any reason this Euro oil can’t be used in American engines, specifically a couple of Chevrolets, am I missing something?? I’ve never been one to get hung up on brand names and my vehicles tend to get whatever decent quality synthetic oil is available at a great price.

Which store was this?

 

[BigCahuna]

Don't worry if the oil doesn't say "dexos"on the bottle. That only means GM says they approve using it. Oil mfgrs have to pay gm to put the word "dexos" on the bottle. There is no oil ingredient named, or called dexos. If that weight is whats called for ,use it. I use 10w40 wt in my wifes equinox, only because it drink's 5w30 like water. If your car is oil thirsty, rebuilding it is Gm's solution for cutting consumption. Mine is using heavier wt oil. Alot cheaper.,,

 

[Rand]

2014 equinox should be 2.4 or the 3.6.
in any of those vehicles it should be ok to use that oil.

 

[DanL13]

Which store was this?

A little locally owned place run by an Amish/Menonite fella

 

[DanL13]

Don't worry if the oil doesn't say "dexos"on the bottle. That only means GM says they approve using it. Oil mfgrs have to pay gm to put the word "dexos" on the bottle. There is no oil ingredient named, or called dexos. If that weight is whats called for ,use it. I use 10w40 wt in my wifes equinox, only because it drink's 5w30 like water. If your car is oil thirsty, rebuilding it is Gm's solution for cutting consumption. Mine is using heavier wt oil. Alot cheaper.,,

I’ve never really paid attention to the Dexos labeling. If it’s a decent trusted brand synthetic I’ll use it. I just don’t know a single thing about euro oil so I figured I’d double check

 

[SR5]

I just don’t know a single thing about euro oil so I figured I’d double check

It depends on what Euro oil we are talking about. But for you a C3 oil will be thicker than an ILSAC fuel economy oil with a higher HTHS (3.5 cP or above for the C3, about 0.4 to 0.5 above an ILSAC 30 grade). The C3 oil will also have to pass a stay-in-grade shear stability test, and be required to have a lower Noack Volatility (13% vs 15%). All good things.

Well that is what a modern C3 requires, they quote an older ACEA C3 standard in the link above. Still it should be a fine oil, if slightly dated in the standards referenced.