I've read everything I can on BITOG but I finally decided to post my own question anyway, as no prior thread seems to hit on my exact situation.... so here it is.
I have a 1995 GMC Sierra K1500 (4x4) pickup with 218K miles (bought with 45K). As noted, the motor is the good old Chevy 350 TBI (pre-Vortec), with the 4,000 rpm redline. An oldie, but a goodie.
I've been running M1 5w30 and Wix/Napa/Delco filters for most of that time, after starting with Penzoil dino and then a few jugs of Amsoil (ASL) 5w30.
My OCI have been between 6K to 8K with 80% freeway miles (75 miles a day round trip to work).
That was in Atlanta. Now I'm in west Los Angeles, where I don't need low-temp flow so much, and I don't need extreme heat protection, but I do need to pass very strict emissions. Also, my current mileage pattern is down a lot, with a 24 mile daily round trip, mostly stop-and go, however.
My consumption has been around 2.5~3 qts per OCI, but I really don't track it carefully. I think it's been using a little more lately than in years past, but it's no burner. Start ups are smoke free, and my only trouble emissions number is my NOx level, the rest are as-new.
I'm very interested in using a modified-stock (aka "synthetic") HDEO, like the new Rotella T6 5w40 if it's appropriate for my motor, needs, and so forth.
If not, I won't fight it, and will happily run M1 (maybe the SUV & Truck variant; good add package?) or PP in whatever weight is best. GM says 5w30 but in the LA climate I'm thinking my "senior" motor wouldn't mind running with a little more viscosity.
Thanks in advance guys (and gals); I'm having a huge blast learning from this forum!
I have a 1995 GMC Sierra K1500 (4x4) pickup with 218K miles (bought with 45K). As noted, the motor is the good old Chevy 350 TBI (pre-Vortec), with the 4,000 rpm redline. An oldie, but a goodie.
I've been running M1 5w30 and Wix/Napa/Delco filters for most of that time, after starting with Penzoil dino and then a few jugs of Amsoil (ASL) 5w30.
My OCI have been between 6K to 8K with 80% freeway miles (75 miles a day round trip to work).
That was in Atlanta. Now I'm in west Los Angeles, where I don't need low-temp flow so much, and I don't need extreme heat protection, but I do need to pass very strict emissions. Also, my current mileage pattern is down a lot, with a 24 mile daily round trip, mostly stop-and go, however.
My consumption has been around 2.5~3 qts per OCI, but I really don't track it carefully. I think it's been using a little more lately than in years past, but it's no burner. Start ups are smoke free, and my only trouble emissions number is my NOx level, the rest are as-new.
I'm very interested in using a modified-stock (aka "synthetic") HDEO, like the new Rotella T6 5w40 if it's appropriate for my motor, needs, and so forth.
If not, I won't fight it, and will happily run M1 (maybe the SUV & Truck variant; good add package?) or PP in whatever weight is best. GM says 5w30 but in the LA climate I'm thinking my "senior" motor wouldn't mind running with a little more viscosity.
Thanks in advance guys (and gals); I'm having a huge blast learning from this forum!
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