2008 Chevy 3500 6.0 RT 210 Oil

[wmgeorge]

So this used but new to us 2008 Roadtrek has 109,000 miles and Specs call for 5w-30 oil so with that mileage still 5W-30 instead of 5w-40 or ?

Not knowing the history I am reluctant to use synthetic. What say you?

 

[GroupB]

I have been using 5w-30 synthetic since I bought my 2008 used, 95K miles now, no need to add between changes (5000 miles).

 

[booster]

I don't really think it is a big deal with either 5-30 or 5-40 in most cases. If it is not burning oil between changes and is holding good oil pressure, it highly likely the engine is in pretty good shape.

A lot of the warnings about changing to synthetic being a problem are from a long time ago when a lot of engines were full of sludge and such. With them any high detergent oil could be a problem, and the fact that synthetic will leak more from bad seals compounded it. I have not heard of any problems is switching for many years now.

I changed to synthetic in my 120K mile 5.7L 96 Buick when I got it because the oil stayed clean and wasn't burning any before the change, and no problems at all.

 

[TX-Trek]

That's not tremendously high mileage. I think you can use a full synthetic 5-30 (and a good quality filter) without issue.
Of equal importance is changing oil/filter regularly.
The internet abounds with which oil, what OCI, etc. I prefer more frequent changes.
If you're experiencing oil pressure fluctuation or maybe lower pressure, the two most common LS items are the oil pressure sender and the oil pickup tube o-ring.
If no issues, as mentioned in other posts use 5w30.
I really like the 6.0 in our 2010 RT, solid engine and no AFM.

 

[wmgeorge]

Well many years back I purchased a well used BMW motorcycle and I changed the transmission oil with synthetic and it developed a front seal leak.

I suppose I could try and research the maintenance records on my Roadtrek

 

[jjrbus]

02 RT 3500. My tires and oil will time out long before they need to be changed. I see no reason or advantage to go with more expensive products than what the manufacturers recommend. I am 77 and have never ruined a motor doing it this way!

But you should check recalls and Technical Service Bullitens for your vehicles. One company has changed the recommended oil from 0 W20 to 0 W30 due to engine wear with the lighter oil.

 

[Pilgrim-ClassB]

Use the recommended weight, no need to change. And use synthetic oil.

 

[Jim M-ClassB]

So this used but new to us 2008 Roadtrek has 109,000 miles and Specs call for 5w-30 oil so with that mileage still 5W-30 instead of 5w-40 or ?

Not knowing the history I am reluctant to use synthetic. What say you?

Greetings:

I have 2 vehicles with the 6L engine. One is my 2010 Chev (Roadtrek 210P) and the other is a 2007 Corvette. The engines are only slightly different with the Corvette being the all aluminum high performance version.

General Motors spends millions of dollars on R&D.
I would recommend that you do not try to re-invent the wheel so to speak and stick with their findings.

5/30 is likely what was recommended for your RT. Confirm it with your Owner's Manual and stick with it.

As far as oil goes I buy my oil when it goes on sale and I stick with Mobil One 5/30 Dexos Synthetic. In fact my Corvette engine was built using that very same oil from day one at the factory.

Another one to perhaps consider is the synthetic one from Costco with their branding. It is made by an American Refinery who makes oils for many other companies and has a good reputation. We use that in our Daily Driver. You can do your own research.

As far as oil change intervals go I try to stick with 3-5,000 mile changes on the Road Trek and our Daily Driver. In the Corvette we do them at about 3,000 miles.

Depending on how it was used on the trip with high heat, dirty dusty roads or lots of mountainous climbs I try to do it a little sooner. TIP: Don't let it sit for long periods with used dirty oil, that can be tough on the bearings.

When its on sale it is very affordable and it keeps you bearings/rings etc as clean & properly lubricated as can be. Others including oil manufacturers say you can stretch it out a lot farther mileage wise, its up to you.

For Oil Filters; I would recommend you use the Factory GM/AC Delco brand or if you can not find that then use WIX.

A few years ago WIX were rated as the highest most reliable brand other than the OEM brands, I suspect it may still be the same. I use them all the time. Here in Canada the NAPA Gold Filters are made by WIX. You can check your local NAPA store to see if thats true in your region as well.

If you want to learn more;
Check out the web for "Bob the Oil Guy."
A more current, knowledgable and well done one is on a You Tube series called "The Oil Geek." He will help you understand the science and how to make an engine last longer etc.

All the best & safe travels!

 

[booster]

Greetings:

I have 2 vehicles with the 6L engine. One is my 2010 Chev (Roadtrek 210P) and the other is a 2007 Corvette. The engines are only slightly different with the Corvette being the all aluminum high performance version.

General Motors spends millions of dollars on R&D.
I would recommend that you do not try to re-invent the wheel so to speak and stick with their findings.

5/30 is likely what was recommended for your RT. Confirm it with your Owner's Manual and stick with it.

As far as oil goes I buy my oil when it goes on sale and I stick with Mobil One 5/30 Dexos Synthetic. In fact my Corvette engine was built using that very same oil from day one at the factory.

Another one to perhaps consider is the synthetic one from Costco with their branding. It is made by an American Refinery who makes oils for many other companies and has a good reputation. We use that in our Daily Driver. You can do your own research.

As far as oil change intervals go I try to stick with 3-5,000 mile changes on the Road Trek and our Daily Driver. In the Corvette we do them at about 3,000 miles.

Depending on how it was used on the trip with high heat, dirty dusty roads or lots of mountainous climbs I try to do it a little sooner. TIP: Don't let it sit for long periods with used dirty oil, that can be tough on the bearings.

When its on sale it is very affordable and it keeps you bearings/rings etc as clean & properly lubricated as can be. Others including oil manufacturers say you can stretch it out a lot farther mileage wise, its up to you.

For Oil Filters; I would recommend you use the Factory GM/AC Delco brand or if you can not find that then use WIX.

A few years ago WIX were rated as the highest most reliable brand other than the OEM brands, I suspect it may still be the same. I use them all the time. Here in Canada the NAPA Gold Filters are made by WIX. You can check your local NAPA store to see if thats true in your region as well.

If you want to learn more;
Check out the web for "Bob the Oil Guy."
A more current, knowledgable and well done one is on a You Tube series called "The Oil Geek." He will help you understand the science and how to make an engine last longer etc.

All the best & safe travels!

I pretty much agree with all of this, except I would take the Wix filters before the GM ones as they are kind of variable in quality over time, IMO.

I think one thing I think should be brought out is the 5-20 vs 5-30 recommendations. Many/most manufacturers went to 5-20 quite a while ago and ever since they have slowly changed to 5-30 recommendations. I think they realized that they were getting engine damage in hot temps at 5-20 oil. No proof, just anecdotal. I stayed with 5-30 through it al and had no issues at all.

I would also suggest that any oil you might want to try should be looked at to find out if it is pure synthetic or not. The rating rules have changed so there is much more variation out there these days. I can't speak to the Costco oil mentioned as I have not checked it out. It is probably a major brand with a private label, though.

We run Mobile 1 advanced most of the time, with the exception being if a trip is going to be longer and in higher temps or mountains. I then switch to 5-30 Redline oil that has the full old school additive package including zinc and is a POA5 oil that handles much higher temps without degrading. Overkill, maybe, but it makes me feel better.

Oil discussions always have huge variations of information, so all should check it all out for themselves.

 

[jjrbus]

Interesting

 

[wmgeorge]

I have always used Wix filters, my primary question as this is a truck, not a car, and given the miles on it would I be better off with a heavier oil. The light oil thing started because of one thing….. better gas mileage, nothing to do with engine life. In the past it was 10W-30 or 40 and I don’t recall over 70 years or so any damaged engines?