Recommend some oil!
1. 2004 Buick Rainier AWD V8. This is the GenIII gasoline 5.3L V8 that does NOT have cylinder deactivation. It has an aluminum block and heads, designation LM4. Purchased with 50k on the odometer, currently has 82k miles.
2. US Owner's Manual calls for 6 quarts of 5W-30 SL to be changed when the oil life monitor says to. Based on past experience with my vehicle, OLM usually hits 5% around 5,000 miles, give or take 500 miles.
3. Vehicle resides in Central Nebraska. We see temps down to -10*F in the winter and 100*F in the summer.
4. Vehicle is generally driven pretty calmly as there are kids in tow and we're in a suburban setting. Highway use will see WOT passing.
5. Vehicle is a daily driver that generally sees multiple short trips each day and is driven "in town", about 4 miles round trip per day. On weekends it will see highway use. Annual mileage is 9,000. No towing. Hauls kids and groceries.
6. Vehicle consumes oil, approximately 1 qt every 2,000 miles or so. It does not smoke.
I have used Valvoline MaxLife Semi-Synthetic 5W-30 and PureOne filters since I've owned it for the past 32,000 miles. Top-offs have been with various oils: VR-1 Racing Synth, Royal Purple, NAPA Synthetic, MaxLife, etc.
Given the number of frequent cold starts in the winter, I'd like to move to a 0W. For the noise and oil consumption, I'm thinking an xW-40 is the way to go, but I'd certainly consider an xW-30 that has a reputation for reducing oil consumption and offers good protection.
I'm not concerned with fuel economy or extended OCIs. I'd like to keep the cost around $5/qt or less. Bonus points if I can source it from Amazon or Wal-Mart.
I'm also open to a winter oil (0W?) and a summer oil (5W or 10W) since I generally end up changing the oil in the spring and the fall.
1. 2004 Buick Rainier AWD V8. This is the GenIII gasoline 5.3L V8 that does NOT have cylinder deactivation. It has an aluminum block and heads, designation LM4. Purchased with 50k on the odometer, currently has 82k miles.
2. US Owner's Manual calls for 6 quarts of 5W-30 SL to be changed when the oil life monitor says to. Based on past experience with my vehicle, OLM usually hits 5% around 5,000 miles, give or take 500 miles.
3. Vehicle resides in Central Nebraska. We see temps down to -10*F in the winter and 100*F in the summer.
4. Vehicle is generally driven pretty calmly as there are kids in tow and we're in a suburban setting. Highway use will see WOT passing.
5. Vehicle is a daily driver that generally sees multiple short trips each day and is driven "in town", about 4 miles round trip per day. On weekends it will see highway use. Annual mileage is 9,000. No towing. Hauls kids and groceries.
6. Vehicle consumes oil, approximately 1 qt every 2,000 miles or so. It does not smoke.
I have used Valvoline MaxLife Semi-Synthetic 5W-30 and PureOne filters since I've owned it for the past 32,000 miles. Top-offs have been with various oils: VR-1 Racing Synth, Royal Purple, NAPA Synthetic, MaxLife, etc.
Given the number of frequent cold starts in the winter, I'd like to move to a 0W. For the noise and oil consumption, I'm thinking an xW-40 is the way to go, but I'd certainly consider an xW-30 that has a reputation for reducing oil consumption and offers good protection.
I'm not concerned with fuel economy or extended OCIs. I'd like to keep the cost around $5/qt or less. Bonus points if I can source it from Amazon or Wal-Mart.
I'm also open to a winter oil (0W?) and a summer oil (5W or 10W) since I generally end up changing the oil in the spring and the fall.