What engine oil do you use?

[FINN444]

Hello,
So it is getting close to the first oil change I have to do on my car. I know that it says to use 5w-30 synthetic oil, but yesterday I was talking to my uncle who was a Ford mechanic and he said he would use semi-synthetic... I am wondering what you would use if you were in this situation? And what brand would you recommend to use?

Thanks,
John

[flatlander745]

The series II L67 takes 10w30 oil. I recently installed a 62,000 mile engine in my 2000 SSEi. The engine was like brand new inside and I installed new gaskets and went straight to Castrol GTX Synblend 10w30. I change the oil every 3,000 miles and it comes out almost as clean as it went in.

[redzmonte]

I run 10W30 Valvoline Maxlifen (high mile). I like synth blend every 5K miles.

S

[00Beast]

The difference is your desired service intervals, and your driving habits and length. I see you live in Anoka, so you likely do mostly highway driving? If so, you could run 4-5k on Conventional, 6k ish on Synthetic Blend, or 7500+ on Full Synthetic. I run Amsoil Full Synthetic with their EaO filter in the G8 and run the "severe service" interval of 15k miles, but could likely push to 20-25k if I want to, do almost all highway driving from New Ulm area to Bloomington. It's way cheaper per mile than running anything else at a shorter interval.

[MrT]

2002 sle
104k

I also use Valvoline MaxLife Syn Blend oil 10-30. I used to use conventional Valvoline 10-30 but after I tried the MaxLife Syn Blend, the engine ran smoother and with less noise. Also this oil stopped the small oil bleeds on the engine/ oil pan gasket. I would run this for 5k to 7k between changes.

[nos4blood70]

I run Rotella T6 5W-40. Change it every 6-7k miles.

[CMNTMXR57]

Good grief, not another oil thread.

There is NO requirement for you to run synthetic on a 3800. 3800's are simple engines, they aren't precision racing engines, with very tight tolerances, have high load valvetrains, or have high volume/high oil pressure systems that require a high performance full synthetic. You could run wesson oil if necessary (ok, don't, I'm being sarcastic).

There are two specifications that GM has set forth for oils for your car. 1) GM4718M for synthetic 2) GM6094M for non-synthetic.

No one here will never, ever, ever, ever push even the most base conventional motor oil past it's design tolerances, much less any semi-synthetic or synthetic. Neither YOU or YOUR engine will be able to tell the difference between a conventional or synthetic. There is also no scientific data that suggests using a synthetic over a conventional will make the engine last any longer. At the end of the day, having internet wars over which oil is better is dumb.

So with that said, buy whatever oil YOU want, that meets GM specs listed above for either type (conventional, semi-synthetic, or synthetic), that YOU choose which fits YOUR budget and lets YOU sleep better at night. Be it conventional all the way to synthetic. Doesn't matter.

I use Valvoline for the daily's, and M1 in the GTO and Caddy.

[CMNTMXR57]

For example, the Valvoline MaxLife mentioned above has GM approval for 6094M (meaning it has been certified by GM), for 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30.

It also has been certified by GM for Dexos standards for 5W-20 and 5W-30.

Regular Valvoline conventional is GM6094M certified for 5W-30 and 10W-30.

Point being, either will work fine in your engine. These along with any other brand of oil that is on the market, and is certified, will work. Again, buy whatever fits YOUR budget and lets YOU sleep at night.

[bobgto65]

The guy who did my G8 GT engine work recommends Rotella T6 5W 40 but I drove my 2002 SSEi with regular oil, whatever name brand was on sale, changed it and the filter every 5000 miles, and never had an engine issue in over 200,000 miles.

[burger]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'v heard to stay away from the high mileage oil unless you have really high mileage because it has additives to soften and expand gaskets and stuff to help stop leaking (I believe ATF does the same thing) but is worse off in the long run.

[CMNTMXR57]

When it hardens, it contracts, which is what leads to the leaks.

Higher mileage oil also usually has higher zinc content in it, which helps against wear on bearing surfaces and hard contact points in the valvetrain (cam lobes, pushrods, rocker on valve stem, etc...), as well.

[Hans]

I'd recommend going with full synthetic. I'd also recommend changing the oil filter every 4k but the oil itself should last 8k miles or more.

[2blackbonns]

On my 99 SE I use Rotella T3 10-30. I tried a couple of different full synthetics and it seems happier with the T3. I use the good Wix filters and change at about 4,500. It has 205,000 miles and no ticks, knocks, leaks, or smoke.

[Jrs3800]

3800's are not and never were hard on oil..Its really a nice engine when it comes to oil... The only thing I will say is 88-02 3800's are generally 10-30 and 03+ are generally 5-30..

I have run Havoline, Valvoline, Castrol, Penzoil and semi synthetic as well a full synthetic.. Never had any problems with any of them..

I buy what I can get a really good price on... When I get Valvoline coupons then thats what I buy.. Hard to say no to 2 5 quarts containers of MaxLife with a coupon for $6 off and I get a 10% discount.. Makes it pretty cheap...

Again, never had any issues with any of them..

[1oldman]

3800's are not and never were hard on oil..Its really a nice engine when it comes to oil... The only thing I will say is 88-02 3800's are generally 10-30 and 03+ are generally 5-30..

I have run Havoline, Valvoline, Castrol, Penzoil and semi synthetic as well a full synthetic.. Never had any problems with any of them..

I buy what I can get a really good price on... When I get Valvoline coupons then thats what I buy.. Hard to say no to 2 5 quarts containers of MaxLife with a coupon for $6 off and I get a 10% discount.. Makes it pretty cheap...

Again, never had any issues with any of them..

I agree with Jrs3800 with the exception of Walmart Super Tech full synthetic. It does leave varnish in the engine. I suspect the other Super Tech oils do something too. - BC

[Grimm]

I've done six month (8K mile) oil changes in mine for at least the last six years of the 8 that I've owned it. I buy whatever 5w30 dino oil change special is on sale of the major brands. Still runs almost as good as the day I bought it (173K miles).