2001 Tahoe Oil Type?

[jcricket23]

Hello out there.....Just picked up a 2001 Tahoe 5.3L with 53,000 "original miles"....its seemingly true. Any suggestions on oil choice on this bad boy? North East here, so all four seasons. Not sure if I should go with traditional 5-30, or synthetic at this point and dont know hystorically what the previous owner with putting in her.

 

[kschachn]

I would start with whatever the owners manual recommends.

 

[jcricket23]

I would start with whatever the owners manual recommends.

Thats what I was planning on and these motors are pretty bulletproof, but since they have been around so long I figured some folks had opinions on their findings. I figure with low miles, I would stick to standard oil.

 

[skyactiv]

In reality, most of todays 5W30's sold as "conventional" are largely a group III synthetic oil. It's difficult and additive costly and has been for some time, to meet the latest standards using a group II base for a 5W30 engine oil.

 

[nascarnation]

Costco Kirkland or WM Supertech Dexos 5W30 would be fine.

 

[hawkdriver]

2001 Tahoe Owner's Manual

 

[chemman]

Any 5W30 that is rated SN+ or better, Dexos 1 Gen 2 or better, ILSAC GF-5 or better, etc. will be fine.

 

[Chris142]

My wife's Tahoe used 5w30 at an alarming rate. It didn't use any noticable amount of 10w 30.. it also had a lot more miles that your 5.3 has.

 

[labfan]

If it truly has 53k then it shouldn't burn a drop and I'd use any 5w-30 but for the same price get QS 5w-40 instead. I run 15w-40 in mine.

 

[fortyeightjake]

Always ran Mobil 1 5W-30 in my mom's 06 Yukon. Ran great till 230k miles and someone t-boned her. Wish I could've bought it back to save the engine.

 

[jcricket23]

2001 Tahoe Owner's Manual

View attachment 149978
View attachment 149979

TY

 

[Navi]

SuperTech Advanced

 

[barkingspider]

In my 04 avalanche 5.3L I use 5 and 10w30 like the manual states, almost at 200k miles on it.

 

[Furious]

Man all you people recommending the wrong brands, it absolutely has to be HPL or nothing.

On a real note, I would go with what the owners manual says for your location, most likely 5w30, can't go wrong with some QuakerState, Valvoline or Mobil 1. If you shop at Walmart they often have the best prices on QS.

If it were mine I would go with a full synthetic instead of a blend, but if you prefer a blend the QS All Mileage is a solid choice for 5k intervals and below.

 

[fleetguy1984]

These engines have WELL KNOWN piston slap and lifter issues. Have owned 10 LSX trucks last 20 years !! I would skip the "thin" 5W30 especially with us going into HOT summer months soon !!!!!!!!

I would go with a nice 10W-30 Mobil 1, Valvoline Full Synthetic or Pennzoil platinum oil's. And @ 53K miles I would stay away from the High mileage stuff unless it was sitting for years and already leaking oil ??

I also own a 01 5.3 LM7, but with 200K miles and been using Castrol Magnatec 10W30 with GREAT results !!
Sadly this oil was discontinued last year I will be switching to Valvoline Full Syn once my Magnatec supply runs out



P.S If you ever have low oil pressure/knocking noise replace your oil pump pick up tube O ring ASAP !!

 

[kschachn]

These engines have WELL KNOWN piston slap and lifter issues. Have owned 10 LSX trucks last 20 years !! I would skip the "thin" 5W30 especially with us going into HOT summer months soon !!!!!!!!

I would go with a nice 10W-30 Mobil 1, Valvoline Full Synthetic or Pennzoil platinum oil's. And @ 53K miles I would stay away from the High mileage stuff unless it was sitting for years and already leaking oil ??

I also own a 01 5.3 LM7, but with 200K miles and been using Castrol Magnatec 10W30 with GREAT results !!
Sadly this oil was discontinued last year I will be switching to Valvoline Full Syn once my Magnatec supply runs out



P.S If you ever have low oil pressure/knocking noise replace your oil pump pick up tube O ring ASAP !!

If there is piston slap then the oil isn’t going to make any difference.

 

[Aquamania]

I have a 2004 with 299,109 as of this morning. I have always used a 5w30 synthetic. Different brands always. From Supertech to Valvoline what is in there now. I like the Shell Rotella so I may go back there next oil change. Just make sure it is a 5w-30. That is what is recommended.