Hey guys this is my first time on here and im in need of some advise?I just recently got a used silverado 2500hd(6.0)with 154,000 to add to my business fleet(will pull 4000lbs daily).i have no knowledge of its history so when i changed out all the fluids i got some pennzoil ultra just because it was on sale.With gas prices being as high as they are and overall business cost climbing, im looking into the idea of running conventional oil to help lower cost.I can get havoline ds for 2.89 a quart at a local farm supply store.Question is...will it protect as good in normal operating temps as the synthetic??I want to keep this truck a long time and want to make sure it gets the engine protection it needs.if synthetic is the only way i can extend the life of the engine i will continue to use,if its not necessary then havoline here i come!
switching from synthetic to conventional??
- Thread starter stumpguy
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Winter use synthetic
Summer use dino
Summer use dino
gathermewool
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That answer is always, "it depends." Your expected oil change interval, type of service, other than that you'll be towing, as well as annual mileage all help to determine an appropriate oil change interval.
The only real way to know for sure is to send out a sample for analysis.
The only real way to know for sure is to send out a sample for analysis.
You do not need to run "syn" to extend the life of the engine per se. The whole thing you need to weigh is, what is really more expensive. Usually you can run a quality syn out longer than a conventional. Do you have a certain oil change schedule? DO you change your oil every 4k, 5k, 8k miles etc.? If you have a short run like 3-4k it may be more cost effective to use conventional and call it a day. Using a higher end oil Could take you 6-8k. You don't sound like you want to do used oil analysis but they may help you in the long run find a sweet spot and also check for potential problems with the engine ie coolant leaks, filtration probs.
You are going to be running the truck hard, I would be using a quality syn oil that is on sale, so if I can't always change or I am going to go a little over my mileage point I have the peace of mind of having a quality lube in the engine. Syn for me.
You are going to be running the truck hard, I would be using a quality syn oil that is on sale, so if I can't always change or I am going to go a little over my mileage point I have the peace of mind of having a quality lube in the engine. Syn for me.
Consider the cost per mile difference between Ultra and a decent conventional.
Over a typical OCI, it's nothing, maybe equal to 2-3 gallons of gas, and you could run the Ultra longer than you likely could any conventional, negating the cost savings on the conventional oil.
I'd run the Ultra maybe 6K, UOA it and go from there.
If this truck is used hard every day, longer OCIs would benefit you in both reduced cost and reduced downtime.
Over a typical OCI, it's nothing, maybe equal to 2-3 gallons of gas, and you could run the Ultra longer than you likely could any conventional, negating the cost savings on the conventional oil.
I'd run the Ultra maybe 6K, UOA it and go from there.
If this truck is used hard every day, longer OCIs would benefit you in both reduced cost and reduced downtime.
will synthetics typically come back with better test results over dyno driven in the exact same conditions say with 4000 on dyno and 6000 on syn?if thats the case sounds like syn is the way to go being how i want this truck to last.In the tree business guys i know run dyno because of cost and some of these trucks have over 250k on them.I do belive in the end the only way to find out is to send in a sample of both.Whats your take on this??
If you go to the used oil analysis forum, you'll find some very impressive used oil analysis using conventional oil.
WRT engine life, I doubt you'll see any great difference between the two, since very few people really run engines until they wear out.
The vehicle the engine is installed in typically wears out first.
Still, if you look at longer drains and severe operting conditions, you'll see where syntetic oils shine.
Use either, but remember that the savings in using a conventional are nothing over the course of an OCI.
How often are these guys using dyno changing it?
WRT engine life, I doubt you'll see any great difference between the two, since very few people really run engines until they wear out.
The vehicle the engine is installed in typically wears out first.
Still, if you look at longer drains and severe operting conditions, you'll see where syntetic oils shine.
Use either, but remember that the savings in using a conventional are nothing over the course of an OCI.
How often are these guys using dyno changing it?
From what I have seen of used oil analysis here, Rotella T5 (10W-30 syn blend) is pretty good stuff, and could probably go longer than 3-4K in almost any application.
A 15w40 might be good for a really worn engine, since it might provide for a better oil wedge for worn main bearings and it might reduce consumption.
If your truck is still showing minimal consumption, I doubt that it needs a 15w40.
Also, a 15w40 would not be an ideal winter oil in your part of the country.
A 5w30 synthetic would be.
A 15w40 might be good for a really worn engine, since it might provide for a better oil wedge for worn main bearings and it might reduce consumption.
If your truck is still showing minimal consumption, I doubt that it needs a 15w40.
Also, a 15w40 would not be an ideal winter oil in your part of the country.
A 5w30 synthetic would be.
It's ok to switch back and forth between conventional and synthetic every now and then. Just don't do it every other oil change. Regardless of what oil you have, always change it at the specified mileage in the owner's manual. Conventional works just fine. Synthetic is a waste of money unless your car requires it.
Originally Posted By: stumpguy
Hey guys this is my first time on here and im in need of some advise?I just recently got a used silverado 2500hd(6.0)with 154,000 to add to my business fleet(will pull 4000lbs daily).i have no knowledge of its history so when i changed out all the fluids i got some pennzoil ultra just because it was on sale.With gas prices being as high as they are and overall business cost climbing, im looking into the idea of running conventional oil to help lower cost.I can get havoline ds for 2.89 a quart at a local farm supply store.Question is...will it protect as good in normal operating temps as the synthetic??I want to keep this truck a long time and want to make sure it gets the engine protection it needs.if synthetic is the only way i can extend the life of the engine i will continue to use,if its not necessary then havoline here i come!
Originally Posted By: stumpguy
Hey guys this is my first time on here and im in need of some advise?I just recently got a used silverado 2500hd(6.0)with 154,000 to add to my business fleet(will pull 4000lbs daily).i have no knowledge of its history so when i changed out all the fluids i got some pennzoil ultra just because it was on sale.With gas prices being as high as they are and overall business cost climbing, im looking into the idea of running conventional oil to help lower cost.I can get havoline ds for 2.89 a quart at a local farm supply store.Question is...will it protect as good in normal operating temps as the synthetic??I want to keep this truck a long time and want to make sure it gets the engine protection it needs.if synthetic is the only way i can extend the life of the engine i will continue to use,if its not necessary then havoline here i come!
Originally Posted By: tig1
How so? I've seen many do this(10K OCIs) and much longer OCIs with Ford and Chevy work trucks. He'll be fine.
I have to agree with tig1 on this one. I'm assuming this thing has a MM and I doubt it would be kicking in before 5,000 miles on conventional. I believe I was getting around 6,000 miles on one of my GM work trucks with the same engine, using GTX, with plenty of pulling well above 4,000 lbs.
How so? I've seen many do this(10K OCIs) and much longer OCIs with Ford and Chevy work trucks. He'll be fine.
I have to agree with tig1 on this one. I'm assuming this thing has a MM and I doubt it would be kicking in before 5,000 miles on conventional. I believe I was getting around 6,000 miles on one of my GM work trucks with the same engine, using GTX, with plenty of pulling well above 4,000 lbs.
mobil super 5000 is what we run in our company trucks. we change it every 5-7k and they pull loads often. its $13 for 5qts at walmart. in my personal (nice) truck i run Amsoil OE synthetic, because i want to, not because i dont think the mobil super will work well for it.
Choose your oil by the interval. Synthetic makes no sense if you don't USE it.
That Mobil 5000 is just fine if changed early enough.
That Mobil 5000 is just fine if changed early enough.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Not quite that simple in an engine with more than four cylinders that sees hard use.
You are right it is not that simple.
Other factors to be considered in longer drain size of sump, extreme driving conditions as defined in the owners manual etc.
Not quite that simple in an engine with more than four cylinders that sees hard use.
You are right it is not that simple.
Other factors to be considered in longer drain size of sump, extreme driving conditions as defined in the owners manual etc.
I just spoke to one of my customers today who has a 04 silverado with the 6.0, he has been taking it to Lubestop for his service and upon inspection from his mechanic due to overheating he concluded his engine is sludged up!he pulls a heavy landscape trailer everyday and sometimes extends his oci past 3k.He says they Use Coastal products and now is running the maxlife to see if the engine will clean up.Whats up with Coastal oil?
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