Suggestions for Chevy Truck

[remmious]

I purchased a used 03 Chevy truck with the 4.8L that has around 88K miles on it. This truck gets very low usuage and when it does it's short trips or towing a 17.5' boat. I wanted to here some suggestions on oils to use for this type of usuage and if they showed well on UOA. So far since May the truck has only seen 2000 miles, so I would say maybe 5000 miles per year will be close to average. OCI suggestions also!

Thanks fellas!

 

[mikeg5]

if it doesnt get used much and when it does get used its towing something i would look at a robust 10w30 or 5w40 synthetic.. if and when advance auto has BOGO's on Synpwer in 5w30-10w30-20w50 i would get the 10w30 and the 20w50 and blend your own.. just an option.. but you are looking at once a year oil changes and personally i would go 5w40 synthetic. but it is MN so maybe a robust 10w30.. lol i just repeated myself.. as for tranny and diffs, take care of them too..

 

[bretfraz]

My GMC has the 5.3L Vortec and likes 10-30 the best, but I'm in GA so the weather conditions are a bit different. Still, my experience has been these motors like slightly higher viscosity oils to help reduce cold start knock and piston slap. I've got great performance from Pennz Platinum 10-30 and highly recommend it for GM Vortec's. VOA's for PP all seem to look good and its an oil that's widely available at a reasonable price.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

In Minnesota I would run SSO or and change once a year. Get her up to operating temp every time the engine is started.

 

[remmious]

I was considering PP just because some of the UOA's show well with fuel dilution and other issues that will be more prevalent with towing and sitting. I was thinking of going with the 10W-30 in a synthetic but I won't be afraid to do 2 changes a year to offset MN's seasonal changes and put in a good 5W-30 for winter usuage. Since it was brought up, what success stories have you had with lubes for the drive train. It calls for a 80W-90 front differential and a 75W-90 for the rear.

Thanks for the tips! Greatly appreciated.

 

[Jim 5]

Bill_in_Utah of this message board had the same engine in his truck. He had fantastic UOA's with basic Havoline or Chevron 5w-30 if I am not mistaken. With 2 OCI's a year (each at about 2.5k) I think your truck will last forever on a decent conventional oil.

UOA's bear out the proposition that the GM Oil Life Monitor is safe and indeed conservative.

Do some looking in the UOA section using search terms like 5.3 and 4.8. Also search for posts from a year or two ago from "Bill_in_Utah". You could also search my name...my 5.3 has done very well on GM dealership dino 5w-30 based on the OLM in a very challenging northern climate.

 

[importkid1]

Has anyone try Amsoil 10w30 in below 0 degrees weather I also have 5.3L vortec. I have been experiencing some weird klunking noise during a cold start goes away after 10 mins of warming up.

 

[MrCritical]

5W30 or 10w30 only in late model GM trucks. 40 and 50wt will make the rings stick on these gasoline engines according to GM.

 

[Bowser]

Another oil to consider is Castrol GC 0W30. It's SL rated though.

Castrol GC 0W30 has done very well in my '01 Silverado with 5.3L. These UOA's show good results with GC green. My current fill is GC gold with 6oz. of VSOT nearing 5K miles.

Bowser

 

[SargeGTO]

5000 miles a year expected and 88K on the clock now.....I'd do the following....
1. Castrol GTX 5-30 and Auto RX. Run it out 2500-3000 miles.
2. Castrol GTX 5-30 run it out another 3000 miles.
3. Castrol GTX or Pennzoil Platinum 5-30 and go twice a year ( Spring and Fall) OCI's.
4. I'd use a NAPA or AC Delco filter on it.
5. I'd change the rear diff fluid for sure if your going to tow every once in awhile. Fresh Amsoil 75-90 or 75-140 would be good. Use the Amsoil friction modifier.
6. I'd have the trannie flushed and filled with Amsoil ATF.
7. Change the air filter with a good NAPA or WIX filter.
8. Enjoy my "new" old truck

 

[Forest]

purchased a used 03 Chevy truck with the 4.8L that has around 88K miles on it.

04 Chevy 5.3L 5w-30 Havoline or PP Synthetic no problem. Pull heavy horse trailer with it again no problem. Change every 4-5K miles.

 

[importkid1]

Is it true the 5.3L like 10w30 in the summer and 5w30 in the winter?

 

[Forest]

Is it true the 5.3L like 10w30 in the summer and 5w30 in the winter?

I run 5w-30 Synthetic year 'round. Eastern WA it may get up to 100-102 but that's it. West side maybe 85 in the summer. The truck seems quiet no problems with temp or anything. Good power and little consumption after 4,000+ OCI's.

Good motor not even a tick (41K miles) in the engine runs very quiet. I use 5w-30 Havoline Synthetic. PP is good too.

When we lived in Arizona I used 10w-30 Synthetic in our 2000 6.0L Chev truck. I noticed on hot days the dino oil would vapor when I checked the oil coming out of the dipstick tube. I changed to synthetic and didn't notice any vapor after that. I didn't like the look of oil vapor coming out of my truck. Bad feeling.

 

[cfromc]

Look into the Mobil 1 HM 10W-30. Granted, I haven't run a UOA yet, but so far I like it after about 4K in my 2001 5.3L. The specs are fantastic as far as I'm concerned. It is a little thicker than a "normal" xW-30 when hot yet still has an excellent pour point. It meets just about every manufacturer spec and appears very robust. It has quieted down the piston slap in my motor a lot. And, it is under $20 for 5 quarts at Wal-Mart. I am going to run it this winter and see what happens. I've run a lot of 5W-30s and a 0W-30 before and the engine is always noisy on cold starts with them. Also, I'm running Amsoil in the front and rear diffs with good results, without friction modifier in the rear diff. I'd suggest 75W-90 in both, or maybe 75W-90 in the front and 75W-110 in the rear.

 

[pp_rp]

Short trips and towing = Synthetic IMO. I would try Valvoline Full Syn Maxlife or Synpower.

 

[jmb106]

Frist you will get many answers to your ? Have you read any of Dr. AeHass's papers? I have a 00 5.3 W/ 107k on it right now I bought used w/30k on it previous owner used M1 10w30 i switched it to M1 5w30 at first OCI and it now has it's 1st OCI of M1 5w20(will be changing to PP 5w20 after 1 more oci of M1 5w20). I am a carpenter and use it for my buisness it carrys a constant load, generator, compressor, nail guns, cords, hoses, ect. About 750Lbs in S Fla heat & humidity. Heres my exp w/ about 2000 miles on my 1st oci of M1 5w20 engine runs smoother, quiter,revs free'er,and am getting a little better mpg & No piston slap! You will do fine w/ any SM 5w30 & change by OLM! or once a year which ever comes frist. Now if you want to think outside the box & do some reserch and experment you can try 5w20. If i could find an API 0w10 i would give it a try. I am looking for the fastest flow at startup and 10psi per 1000rpm @ operating temp 100c. Just some food for thought! Good luck to you and your new to you truck!
joe

 

[remmious]

I appreciate all the comments/recommendations. Lot's of sound advice.

Funny thing (after reading Joe's reply) is the more I read about this truck the more I find out about the piston noise. After my first oil change, I noticed ticks and sounds that I thought weren't there before. At least I don't remember them being there and normally I pick up on those things, so I assume they are new sounds. So I did another change shortly after with a different brand and it seemed to help some but now it still shows up from time to time. I might have to find out more about what people have done to help with this. I also used a different filter so I may have to retrace my steps. I know the people at the dealership so I will find out what they use for sure. I'll keep you updated with any new findings.

Thanks again!