Thinking of switching to synthetic before winter..

[MustbetheTG]

I recently spent the long dollar on a new chevy silverado and i am concerned about potential engine startup wear during cold Maine winters. Should this be a major concern when the temperature frequently dips below freezing? I haven't had any major problems that I know of with older vehicles running havoline dino w/ 3000mi OCI. However, given my first opportunity to start fresh with a new vehicle, I want to be sure. I have already done two changes with havoline oil / delco filter and I am at 5500 miles. My plan is to use M1 with the same spec PF46 Delco filter with a 6000mi OCI. What do you guys think?

 

[Nickdfresh]

Sounds like a plan.

 

[Ron AKA]

Can you get it in a 0w30? or 0w20? What does GM recommend for viscosity?

 

[badnews]

I hear you in Ohio we can get to -20 at times

I use a syn 5w-30 as they still flow good at that temp.

 

[Jim 5]

Welcome to BITOG!

Most silverado's have the 5.3L v8 for which GM recommends a 5w-30. Presumably, your silverado has this engine.

German Castrol 0w-30 (Called "GC" on this site) has shown very good UOA's on "Patman's" '98 Corvette. I believe it has the same engine architecture as your 5.3. I did a little research into this myself since I also have a vehicle with a 5.3. I intend to run the GC in the winter, and maybe year round. I think there's value in running the GC (or another good synthetic 0w-30) for very cold winter conditions. GC has been described by people who know WAY more than me as among the best "over-the-counter" oils on the market. There's an entire discussion category in the main index list devoted (largely) to it.

Check the UOA section for OUA's posted by "Patman" for GC uoa's that are spectacular.

If you're wondering how cheap dino will do in this engine, do a search by member for "Bill in Utah" in the UOA section. I believe he has the chev 4.8L v8, which is essentially the same engine as your 5.3. He gets extremely good results on cheap chevron dino 5w-30 or maybe Havoline (or another inexpensive, yet well known brand) if I'm not mistaken.

Congratulations on your new Silverado and welcome to BITOG!

 

[Thatwouldbegreat]

Since you have a warranty to protect, I'd use Mobil 1 5W-30, Mobil 1 5W-30 EP,or Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 5W-30...and I'd use the Oil Life Monitor if your truck has one...and change at 70% to 85%.

It wouldn't hurt to check with the service manager at your selling/ servicing dealer and get his approval.

 

[Jim 5]

Take a look at your owners' manual. I think you'll find that 0w-30's are OK depending upon your climate.

From my Chev Avalanche owners' manual:

"If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the temperature falls below -20F (-29C) it is recommended that you use either an SAE 5w-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0w-30 oil. Both will provide easier cold starting and better protection for your engine at extremely low temperatures."

Incidentally, sythetic oils will also (arguably) provide better protection at extremely high temperatures.

Also, most 0w-30's like GC will provide equal or better protection at all temperatures, and superior protection at extrememly low temps.

My manual says to only use an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M. I'm not sure what this standard means, but I have seen it on some conventional oil bottles. It's not on GC, but I bet if you asked Castrol, you'd find out that GC meets it.

 

[MustbetheTG]

Thanks for your replies so far....

I have the 4.8L engine and would be content using dino(from what I gather so far) if it wasn't for potential damage during cold winter starts. How much damage can occur, any insight? GM specs out 5w-30 oil meeting standard GM6094M. I looked up regular M1 on the Mobil site and its meets this spec so I figured it wouldn't be an issue warranty wise. The truck has an idiot light that supposedly comes on when it is time to change the oil, so i was thinking a 6000mi OCI or by light illumination, whichever comes first. I chose this oil as it seems most are pleased with it aside from turning black quickly. Pricewise at 6000mi OCI synthetic vs. 3000mi OCI dino, it is a wash. Is GC oil in 5w-30 much better? Delco filter still Ok w/ synthetics?

 

[AndyH]

Quote:

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Is GC oil in 5w-30 much better? Delco filter still Ok w/ synthetics?

---

GC (Castrol Syntec 0W-30 which states "Made in Germany" on the rear label) is only available as a 0W-30, and only found in AutoZone stores here in the U.S. Any other grade of Castrol Syntec is not the same "trick" formulation as GC (most are Group III's).

As far as the Delco oil filter with synthetic oil...sure, not a problem at all. You can use any oil filter you want, makes no difference if you're using it with conventional or synthetic oil. Now if you were talking about really extending your OCI out to say 15,000 miles, there might be a better oil filter more suited to the longer interval (Mobil 1's oil filter, Amsoil's new oil filter, etc.).

BTW,

to BITOG!

 

[Ron AKA]

I suspect you will not find the GM approval on the Castrol Syntec GC 0w30. I don't even think it is qualified to SM GF-4 which I believe GM requires as well. The M1 should meet this spec. Your other option if your location in Maine is close to Canada is to sneak across and get the real good stuff which is the Petro Canada synthetic. The TECH 2000 at Walmart in Canada may be the same oil. Specs here. I've seen no better for cold weather oil. Actually M1 may be equal or better but they don't publish the CCV or MRV viscosities.

http://www.petro-canada.ca/eng/prodserv/lubesgreases/pdf/im7978e0410.pdf

 

[12glocks]

I would consider Penzoil Platinum 5W30 as well. It is turning in really good UOA's from what I can tell and I am trying it in my truck. I think I saved $7 on the oil change by using this instead of Mobil 1 (which I used to use a lot before Bitog).

 

[AndyH]

More info on GM's 6094M spec here:
http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article000098055.cfm

 

[Roy Gutfinski]

I would go with Mobil 1 5W-30 Extended Performance and a Mobil 1 filter. You will start without problems at 25 below and get almost immediate oil pumping to critical areas. With an engine this new I doubt if you have any sludge buildup and the Mobil 1 will keep it clean. Although Mobil says the EP is good for 15,000 miles, I would look to a 10,000 OCI and be conservative. I have a 1994 Volvo Turbo with 199,000 and it purrs like a kitten. Taking off the turbocharger, I found it spins freely like the day it was new. All this with Mobil 1 and 10,000 to 12,000 OCI.

 

[dave1251]

Go with a syn 5W-30 that meets GM's requirments. BTW WELCOME. Follow the OLM it's a lot more than an idiot light. The OLM was designed to run on conventional on your vehical so runing on syn you will be well protected.

 

[toneloc12345]

I have the same truck and live in Ohio. It rarely goes below zero here, but I'm concerned about what oil I should use. I have a little over 4k now. How much better is GC going to flow over trop artic or havoline 5w30 at 0 deg?

 

[Jim 5]

FYI,

My '98 Chev silverado was parked outside for 8 years, and ran on 5w-30 dino at 3k OCI's. At 180k miles when I sold it two weeks ago the engine was still really strong. the spark plugs looked excellent after the last 40k miles and I could still spin the 285-75R16's (33") tires all the way through first gear when it was wet outside (not that I did that very often).

I think we have colder weather here and more of it than you have in maine. -30 C is really common here and there's no shortage of those days in the winter.

The point is, you'll do really well with any name brand 5w-30 changed when the OLM tells you to. GM's OLM is one of the most sophisticated ones out there. I suspect if you are diligent about the oil changes, the engine will last longer than you will be interested in the truck.

Maybe take some of that desire to take care of your new baby and apply it to your transmission fluid. This is an area that many 3k mile oil changers totally neglect. The transmission can cost you as much as an engine, but is routinely neglected by what I guess is the majority of vehicle owners.

 

[MustbetheTG]

So Jim, you don't feel that much damage occurs during cold start up? Do others also feel this way? Is it just a scare tactic to have people but synthetics? Also, what do you feel is a good OCI for the tranny?

 

[AndyH]

Do a search for "cold start-up wear" and you'll turn up some lively discussions on this topic.

 

[MustbetheTG]

So, correct me if I am wrong.....the installation of a block heater would be far more advantageous than switching to synthetic oil?

 

[eljefino]

Block heaters are great; I have a magnetic one that simply attaches to the bottom of the oil pan on really cold days. It's not permanent but something I do when it goes below 10 below.

It complements synthetic oil nicely though, rather a "belt and suspenders" approach. What if you park at the airport for a weekend, come home, and it's a cold snap? :shrug:

If you get a dipstick block heater, synth is nice, as you can get a "hot spot" around the stick that might roast dino oil. For this reason stick heaters aren't the best.