Another Oil Thread: "Energy Saving" = BAD!!

[HanibalTheCannibal]

Ok, so I am on to the new changes made to oils lately. I am finding that the only way to get good "NON-energy saving" oils with the right zinc properties is to get Mobil1 "High Mileage" or Rotella synthetic.

Question is....My truck uses 5w-30, and the high mileage mobil1 only comes in 10w30 and 10w40 (and I think now 15w50). I dont want these new "tree-hugger" friendly oils in my trucks. I read the article in HotRod magazine where cam shafts are failing left and right (flat-tappets) and I dont even want to chance it.

Can I use 10w30 in my 5.3? I live in New England where it gets cold, so will it matter?

What do you all think of this?

[horse482]

I worried about the same thing and I run Castrol High Milage 10w30. It is suppose to be ok for the flat tappet cams.

[weo38]

If you can't get synthetic off the shelf in 5w-30 than why not try Amsoil? I use it and love it especially for the extended drain intervals . They also warranty the motor if anything happens to it when using their oil.

[HanibalTheCannibal]

Are they considered an energy conserving oil (reduced zinc and wear additives)?

Is it syntheitc?

[daman]

You truck has roller cam and lifters and problably rocker arms so alot of Zinc
is not needed.

only people running the old flat tappet cams need to worrie a little.

[silverado122775]

Originally Posted by HanibalTheCannibal

Can I use 10w30 in my 5.3? I live in New England where it gets cold, so will it matter?

What do you all think of this?

10w30 is ok. I would not go much thicker than that.
in the winter I would use 5w-30 just because it will not be as resistant in the cold as 10w30 would be. Just my opinon.
Summer you can go 10w30 for sure.

I have been using 5w30 Castrol GTX since the truck was new. Truck has 160K miles on it now. It has seen 4 Chicago winters and 2 DC winters and I have not had any problems with it.

[vortecman]

"I have been using 5w30 Castrol GTX since the truck was new. Truck has 160K miles on it now. It has seen 4 Chicago winters and 2 DC winters and I have not had any problems with it."

-does your truck "knock" on cold mornings? if so, for how long?

[j cAT]

I change oil every 8,000mi. mobil 1 . filter every 4,000 mi.. 120,000 mi. engine quiet no oil usage 18-19 mpg on highway. 10-30w summer 5-30w winter. I would replace the transmission fluid with synthetic this will keep engine cooler, faster shifting, and better mileage I got 2+ more miles per gallon when I did change over and with the bosch +2 plugs much more power..2000 siL 5.3L 1500 LT 4 door..

[rrousou]

Trouble is non energy conserving oils will contaminate your cat converters due to their higher phosphorus and zinc content. This happens by these additives being introduced into the combustion chambers and onwards to the cats through the engines pcv system. Because zinc and phosphorus additives were replaced by friction modifiers , this resulted in the wide spread use of roller cams and tappets. The flip side of the coin is that if you use these energy conserving oils in an older engine with flat tappets or a motorcycle , you risk accelerating cam and tappet wear.

[silverado122775]

Originally Posted by vortecman

"I have been using 5w30 Castrol GTX since the truck was new. Truck has 160K miles on it now. It has seen 4 Chicago winters and 2 DC winters and I have not had any problems with it."

-does your truck "knock" on cold mornings? if so, for how long?

Maybe for about 10 secs then goes away.

[vortecman]

mine knocks for about a minute. i guess i should start using castrol 5W30 in the winter, like my manual says..., instead of 10W30

[silverado122775]

10w30 is harder to move around when it is cold. 5w30 is thiner so it get's into the valve springs faster.