I have a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado Z71, with the 5.3L engine, that gets driven about 5,000-6,000 miles a year. Would it be alright to run synthetic oil, such as Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum, and change it approximately once a year (6,000 miles), or should I just stick with conventional motor oil and change every 3,000 miles??? I would also like to change out the front and rear differentials. What company offers me the best fluids for my engine and differentials?
Synthetic or Not???
- Thread starter jsjonz01
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you will get various opinions on what people think you should or should not do.
If you enjoy changing your oil, do the 3K/3 month routine. If you hate changing your oil go the once a year routine.
Amsoil, M1 offer pretty good lubes for different applications.
If you enjoy changing your oil, do the 3K/3 month routine. If you hate changing your oil go the once a year routine.
Amsoil, M1 offer pretty good lubes for different applications.
I would go with a good synthetic. If you want to stick with one brand and dont mind mail order I would say go with Amsoil. I use all kinds,PP,RL,M1 and have recently added Amsoil to my list. They make great lubes and customer service is top notch. Get in contact with Pablo.
I would also stick with a good syn.,try M1's 0w30 and filter
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
Originally Posted By: daman
I would also stick with a good syn.,try M1's 0w30 and filter
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
How's the 0W-30 performing in your vehicle? Have you experienced better fuel efficiency?
I would also stick with a good syn.,try M1's 0w30 and filter
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
How's the 0W-30 performing in your vehicle? Have you experienced better fuel efficiency?
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
Originally Posted By: daman
I would also stick with a good syn.,try M1's 0w30 and filter
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
How's the 0W-30 performing in your vehicle? Have you experienced better fuel efficiency?
Hard to say,one fill up it seems better then the next it
doesn't,i would say a slight increase yes,i plan on running it
into the summer months and see how it does,i usually run
10w30 HM for the summer but i may just try the 0w30,
so far i love this oil works great in my GM cars
Originally Posted By: daman
I would also stick with a good syn.,try M1's 0w30 and filter
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
How's the 0W-30 performing in your vehicle? Have you experienced better fuel efficiency?
Hard to say,one fill up it seems better then the next it
doesn't,i would say a slight increase yes,i plan on running it
into the summer months and see how it does,i usually run
10w30 HM for the summer but i may just try the 0w30,
so far i love this oil works great in my GM cars
Originally Posted By: daman
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
Originally Posted By: daman
I would also stick with a good syn.,try M1's 0w30 and filter
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
How's the 0W-30 performing in your vehicle? Have you experienced better fuel efficiency?
Hard to say,one fill up it seems better then the next it
doesn't,i would say a slight increase yes,i plan on running it
into the summer months and see how it does,i usually run
10w30 HM for the summer but i may just try the 0w30,
so far i love this oil works great in my GM cars
Since the fuel savings doesn't seem to be significant, would using the 5w30 or Truck and SUV 5w30 be just as good?
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
Originally Posted By: daman
I would also stick with a good syn.,try M1's 0w30 and filter
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
How's the 0W-30 performing in your vehicle? Have you experienced better fuel efficiency?
Hard to say,one fill up it seems better then the next it
doesn't,i would say a slight increase yes,i plan on running it
into the summer months and see how it does,i usually run
10w30 HM for the summer but i may just try the 0w30,
so far i love this oil works great in my GM cars
Since the fuel savings doesn't seem to be significant, would using the 5w30 or Truck and SUV 5w30 be just as good?
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
Originally Posted By: daman
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
Originally Posted By: daman
I would also stick with a good syn.,try M1's 0w30 and filter
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
How's the 0W-30 performing in your vehicle? Have you experienced better fuel efficiency?
Hard to say,one fill up it seems better then the next it
doesn't,i would say a slight increase yes,i plan on running it
into the summer months and see how it does,i usually run
10w30 HM for the summer but i may just try the 0w30,
so far i love this oil works great in my GM cars
Since the fuel savings doesn't seem to be significant, would using the 5w30 or Truck and SUV 5w30 be just as good?
In your truck you just may see an impovment vs a car
that already gets good mileage,all you can do is try and see,
i would use the SUV over the 5w30,has a litle better spec to
it,little better for long OCI IMO..
Originally Posted By: daman
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
Originally Posted By: daman
I would also stick with a good syn.,try M1's 0w30 and filter
for your year around OCI,i think you'd be pleased with it
i'm sure your truck specs for 5w30 so the 0w30 will work
just fine...
plus it's readily available at Wal-Mart for a great price.
How's the 0W-30 performing in your vehicle? Have you experienced better fuel efficiency?
Hard to say,one fill up it seems better then the next it
doesn't,i would say a slight increase yes,i plan on running it
into the summer months and see how it does,i usually run
10w30 HM for the summer but i may just try the 0w30,
so far i love this oil works great in my GM cars
Since the fuel savings doesn't seem to be significant, would using the 5w30 or Truck and SUV 5w30 be just as good?
In your truck you just may see an impovment vs a car
that already gets good mileage,all you can do is try and see,
i would use the SUV over the 5w30,has a litle better spec to
it,little better for long OCI IMO..
Originally Posted By: badtlc
Are you an environmentalist at all or an anti-middle east view taker? If you can't decide, maybe the fact that using less oil per year with synthetic can be a tiebreaker for you.
Nice thought, but no I am not an environmentalist. I actually enjoy doing maintenance on vehicles!!!
Are you an environmentalist at all or an anti-middle east view taker? If you can't decide, maybe the fact that using less oil per year with synthetic can be a tiebreaker for you.
Nice thought, but no I am not an environmentalist. I actually enjoy doing maintenance on vehicles!!!
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
Originally Posted By: badtlc
Are you an environmentalist at all or an anti-middle east view taker? If you can't decide, maybe the fact that using less oil per year with synthetic can be a tiebreaker for you.
Nice thought, but no I am not an environmentalist. I actually enjoy doing maintenance on vehicles!!!
I'm not really, either. But, I am to the point where I try to buy my oil from American companies.
Originally Posted By: badtlc
Are you an environmentalist at all or an anti-middle east view taker? If you can't decide, maybe the fact that using less oil per year with synthetic can be a tiebreaker for you.
Nice thought, but no I am not an environmentalist. I actually enjoy doing maintenance on vehicles!!!
I'm not really, either. But, I am to the point where I try to buy my oil from American companies.
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
I have a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado Z71, with the 5.3L engine, that gets driven about 5,000-6,000 miles a year. Would it be alright to run synthetic oil, such as Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum, and change it approximately once a year (6,000 miles), or should I just stick with conventional motor oil and change every 3,000 miles??? I would also like to change out the front and rear differentials. What company offers me the best fluids for my engine and differentials?
I would use PP5w30 with a yearly OCI and for the F&R diff I'd use Redline Gear oil.
I have a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado Z71, with the 5.3L engine, that gets driven about 5,000-6,000 miles a year. Would it be alright to run synthetic oil, such as Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum, and change it approximately once a year (6,000 miles), or should I just stick with conventional motor oil and change every 3,000 miles??? I would also like to change out the front and rear differentials. What company offers me the best fluids for my engine and differentials?
I would use PP5w30 with a yearly OCI and for the F&R diff I'd use Redline Gear oil.
Originally Posted By: deven
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
I have a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado Z71, with the 5.3L engine, that gets driven about 5,000-6,000 miles a year. Would it be alright to run synthetic oil, such as Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum, and change it approximately once a year (6,000 miles), or should I just stick with conventional motor oil and change every 3,000 miles??? I would also like to change out the front and rear differentials. What company offers me the best fluids for my engine and differentials?
I would use PP5w30 with a yearly OCI and for the F&R diff I'd use Redline Gear oil.
Is Redline considered a high quality synthetic? I have never used it, nor do I no where to purchase it???
Originally Posted By: jsjonz01
I have a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado Z71, with the 5.3L engine, that gets driven about 5,000-6,000 miles a year. Would it be alright to run synthetic oil, such as Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum, and change it approximately once a year (6,000 miles), or should I just stick with conventional motor oil and change every 3,000 miles??? I would also like to change out the front and rear differentials. What company offers me the best fluids for my engine and differentials?
I would use PP5w30 with a yearly OCI and for the F&R diff I'd use Redline Gear oil.
Is Redline considered a high quality synthetic? I have never used it, nor do I no where to purchase it???
Yes, Red Line is a very high quality Group V synthetic. I use it in my 1,000rwhp Camaro SS(custom pro turbo kit). I have also used it in the past in a few 4x4 applications with great results. I have it shipped from an autoparts store in Washington state that gives me 15-20% off (racer discount) but it is also sold online at many high performance/race shops.
Under normal conditions I'd think you could do an annual OCI with any quality synthetic. (PP seems to be very good cost alternative synthetic.) If you're doing more towing or hauling with your truck, I may consider a bi-annual OCIs with conventional oil. (Once again, cost motivated with the suggesting of conventional in the bi-annual circumstance.)
Since you're in a colder winter climate, I'd want to start any annual OCI just before winter. I'd rather have that nice clean oil in there during our Illinois winters.
Differentials and transmissions however, I use Amsoil.
Since you're in a colder winter climate, I'd want to start any annual OCI just before winter. I'd rather have that nice clean oil in there during our Illinois winters.
Differentials and transmissions however, I use Amsoil.
I used a Syn for 4k or 8-9 months and had the WORST UOA ever.
So that would be the same usage as your Truck.
My best UOA was with conventional in my Silverado (and I ran syn in it) and for you, I'd use conventional and change it every 6 months MAX.
I would NOT ever go with 1 year changes period.
Just me.
Most people who recommend yearly changes have never done a UOA or don't do it with their cars.
At the minimum since your truck is still in warranty, I'd follow the OLM with a conventional or 6 months.
The B S about fuel savings is just that. I've never seen any improvement syn over conventional in the same engine same grades. (this is my personal testing in MANY engines (I4, H4, I6, V6, V8) and many makes)
Syn only makes sense if your going to do long OCIs (ONLY if your follow with a UOA like I did) or if your engine REQUIRES it (yours does not).
Differentials and transmissions however, I do and recommend Syn.
I've had poor results with Mobil 1 gear oil both in my Truck and car. I do like Amsoil for gear oils.
Take care,bill
So that would be the same usage as your Truck.
My best UOA was with conventional in my Silverado (and I ran syn in it) and for you, I'd use conventional and change it every 6 months MAX.
I would NOT ever go with 1 year changes period.
Just me.
Most people who recommend yearly changes have never done a UOA or don't do it with their cars.
At the minimum since your truck is still in warranty, I'd follow the OLM with a conventional or 6 months.
The B S about fuel savings is just that. I've never seen any improvement syn over conventional in the same engine same grades. (this is my personal testing in MANY engines (I4, H4, I6, V6, V8) and many makes)
Syn only makes sense if your going to do long OCIs (ONLY if your follow with a UOA like I did) or if your engine REQUIRES it (yours does not).
Differentials and transmissions however, I do and recommend Syn.
I've had poor results with Mobil 1 gear oil both in my Truck and car. I do like Amsoil for gear oils.
Take care,bill
Great post once again Bill. I like how what you say is actually backed up by an oil analysis. Hard to argue with the data.
I think you are a benefit to this forum.
Best wishes,
Jon
I think you are a benefit to this forum.
Best wishes,
Jon
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