Yet another recommendation thread..

[Deamos]

So I've been reading here in the forum for a little while now and am looking for a recommendation.. Have been using Quaker State conventional oil. Recently during a discussion with the mechanic I use it was suggested I move over to synthetic, for the longer change intervals and well he seemed to think it would be better protection. I'm not opposed to it but I'm just about drowning in information at this point.

1. What kind of vehicle you have

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP -- Supercharged 3.8L V6

2. What your owner's manual says -- not just viscosity, but certifications (look for acronyms like API SM, ILSAC GF-4, etc.) and change intervals as well

Simply states 10W30 API

3. Where you live

New Jersey

4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?)

Varies. But as this is new jersey fast in many cases, and occasionally hard acceleration. Besides, its fun to watch the boost gauge for the supercharger.

5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?)

60 Miles round trip, at least 40-50 of those miles are highway speeds.. typically 65Mph+

6. Whether your car has any known problems

Other than having approximately 130k miles, none that I'm aware of. Bought the car used a few years ago, spent a lot of money nursing it back to being completely healthy again. Want to make sure the motor stays that way.

Just got back from a 2.5k mile road trip so my next oil change isn't too far off.

Thanks for your time.

 

[mechtech2]

You seem to have gathered the one basic idea about 'dino' vs. full synthetic engine oils.
And it is that full synth is primarily for longer oil change intervals.
Better protection by full synth? There would not be umpteen jillion posts on this forum if that were written in stone.

For extreme temperatures like cold Arctic conditions or turbocharger heat, a full synth is often best. Some full synths can clean and keep your engine cleaner somewhat better than dino.

I would use a 5-30 instead of a 10-30. You suffer no loss of high temp protection, but gain a lot of flow when it is cold out.

 

[Deamos]

Hmm. Yeah, I should have thought to remove that, I've seen plenty of discussion about the protection properties of both in the fairly short time I've been lurking already.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Your daily drive of 30 miles each way is very easy on oil, I would use any brand name conventional 5W30 with normal OCI or to 10% of OLM (Oil Life Monitor) if your car has it. If you like to switch to synthetic, you can extend OCI to at least 50% more than conventional oil.

 

[ATS-V]

Deamos, I have the same motor as you and my car see about the same service as you.

I currently run PP 5w30 it has provided me with good oil analysis'. My car has had a steady diet of synthetics since 30k, now 192k.

 

[daman]

I've had two SC 3800 and they can run hot under boost i would stick with a synthetic, PP or M1 with a pf52 style filter will get the job done nicely and clean,run premium fuel also,nice cars.

i always ran a 180 deg thermo in mine but it never seen winter.

 

[Stu_Rock]

Ever since API SL/ILSAC GF-3, GM says 5W-30 is appropriate in these engines.

I have been running synthetic 5W-30 in 1yr/5K changes in my L67, but I think conventional would be OK. I don't use it because I have a yearly trip into some extreme heat.