Safe to use 15w40 n 2007 Chevy Malibu???

daves66nova · Mar 25, 2016

Just got a 2007 Malibu, 162,xxx miles about a week ago. Being that 15w40 has all these benefits of cleaning out the insides good, I was wondering if it would be alright for this car? I've ran this oil in other cars under '00 and under. I'm new to these "newer technology" cars, so i don't know if it'll be 100% safe or not. Better to first ask,than to have to change oil to get rid of 15w40. It's the 3500 V6 VVT engine.

53' Stude · Mar 25, 2016

You could, but I honestly would try Rotella Dino 10w30

WobblyElvis · Mar 25, 2016

I would just stay with what is spec'd by the manufacturer. To much cleaning can lead to leaks. Regular oil changes will clean it well enough.

53' Stude · Mar 25, 2016

Yeah, PYB or QSGB 5w30 would fit the bill too

Nate1979 · Mar 25, 2016

Safe? Of course it is safe to use.

MinamiKotaro · Mar 25, 2016

Wouldn't hurt, but Delo or Rotella 10w30 would be my choice. I don't see a need for 15w40 in that engine.

mjoekingz28 · Mar 25, 2016

"I said, 'Dave.......' I ain't as good as I once was, I got a few years on me now"
Toby Keith

!disclaimer, this may not be word for word!

Chris142 · Mar 25, 2016

Little thick. A 5w40 would have better cold start properties if your set on a diesel oil

Dyusik · Mar 25, 2016

Sent a guy home in an impala with 15w40 delo (wa to az trip). Worked great.

Kuato · Mar 25, 2016

Originally Posted By: WobblyElvis
Too much cleaning can lead to leaks. Regular oil changes will clean it well enough.

Not in a healthy engine in good repair!

daves66nova: LA, in summer? 15w40... Should be no problem at all.

Oregoonian · Mar 25, 2016

Originally Posted By: car51
Yeah, PYB or QSGB 5w30 would fit the bill too

+1......agree. .....The above two oils would be a perfect fit for your new (used) vehicle.

crazyoildude · Mar 25, 2016

5w30 PYB in the winter and 5w30 PHM in the summer that is what i would use..Don't use 15w40 in that engine.

oldmaninsc · Mar 25, 2016

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Don't use 15w40 in that engine.

Why?

Shannow · Mar 25, 2016

Personally, I wouldn't for the fuel economy hit that you'll likely incur.

But if you want the detergents, for it...or a 10W30 HDEO.

Our fleet manager uses Delo400 in everything at work, Prii (when we had them), diesel utes, Japanese and Aussie cars.

(One of the Manager's turbo 6 ford actually specs 15W40)

Oro_O · Mar 25, 2016

I service my mom's 2007 Chevy with a 3400 V6. It runs great on Mobil 1 10w-30 High Mileage. Good for your climate, will clean the engine. Hefty rebates often available ($12 off right now). I have run HDEOs in my SUV and they make it feel a bit sluggish and the mpg hit is noticeable. I think a good 10w-30 is better as others have mentioned.

If you want to jump-start the cleaning, run it a few hundred miles before your oil change with a pint of Marvel Mystery Oil in the crank.

Don't forget to service the AT (and PS if that one is not electric like hers). A simple drain/fill can do wonders for the shifting if it has not been maintained. A few of them will do wonders for the longevity if you plan to keep it a long time.

crazyoildude · Mar 25, 2016

Because they go 300,000+ on 5w30
Because 5w30 flows faster than 15w40
Because 5w30 has less drag than 15w40
Because you lose a little power and Gas mileage from 15w40
Because the bearing run cooler with the 5w30
Because the engine was designed.built and tested with 5w30
Because 5w30 will keep the oiling system out of bypass a little longer.
Because todays computer controlled engines sometimes depend on the correct oil weigh for more reasons than i care to list.
Will the 15w40 destroy that engine? Probably not so fast in the summer months but 5w30 or 10w30 in the summer would be a better choice... GM says to use 5w30 and they may know something about engines.

Shannow · Mar 26, 2016

crazyoildude,
could you elaborate on "faster flow", how it's faster, and what this "fastness" does for an engine.

could you also tell us why "keeping the oil system out of bypass" is beneficial, I guess it's to do with "flow".

could you please give only a couple of the major reasons that today's computer controlled engines depend on the correct weight ? Just a couple...and explain why they can run on couple hundred Cst cold 5W30, and not 14cst 40 grade.

oldmaninsc · Mar 26, 2016

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Because they go 300,000+ on 5w30
Because 5w30 flows faster than 15w40
Because 5w30 has less drag than 15w40
Because you lose a little power and Gas mileage from 15w40
Because the bearing run cooler with the 5w30
Because the engine was designed.built and tested with 5w30
Because 5w30 will keep the oiling system out of bypass a little longer.
Because todays computer controlled engines sometimes depend on the correct oil weigh for more reasons than i care to list.
Will the 15w40 destroy that engine? Probably not so fast in the summer months but 5w30 or 10w30 in the summer would be a better choice... GM says to use 5w30 and they may know something about engines.

Lots of opinion there, I don't see much fact. I could easily dispute almost all of them with my own anecdotal "evidence" but I don't feel like doing that much typing. Just to touch on a couple of obvious ones -

I've ran engines with 20W-50 to 300,000 miles and beyond too. So what does that prove?

IF you do loose a little power and gas mileage with 15W-40, most people are not going to notice. In other words it will be so small it's hardly worth mentioning.

I would agree GM "may know something about engines" but we are talking about an almost 10 year vehicle with a lot of miles on it. Also many people here say the thin oils are all for "C.A.F.E" - couldn't the 5W-30 back in 2007 been for C.A.F.E purposes also?

"Will the 15w40 destroy that engine? Probably not so fast in the summer months . . . " Now that's funny.

Edit: And Shannow touched on the ones I didn't, but I'd also love to know the answers to his questions as well.

SR5 · Mar 26, 2016

Originally Posted By: car51
You could, but I honestly would try Rotella Dino 10w30

Exactly, you could run a 15W-40 HDEO and it will work fine, but a 10W-30 HDEO is a better fit, and will still clean well. Consider a short oil change too, like 2500 miles.

Unless you have some 15W-40 you want to use up, is that the reason you ask ?

TiredTrucker · Mar 26, 2016

I have been partial to a HDEO 10w30 syn blend in most everything I own from my lawn mower to my semi truck. From that perspective, I would agree with others... get a HDEO 10w30. I would only consider a 15w40 if the motor had a high oil consumption rate as maybe a way to mitigate it a little.

Safe to use 15w40 n 2007 Chevy Malibu???

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