Affordable synthetic for 08 Chevy Uplander?

[asand1]

Our 08 Uplander has only 64851 Miles on it. Ive used mostly QSGB 5W30, changed according to the OLM. The last oil change was done using Super Tech, due to financial hardship.
Today I checked the oil at 30%OLM to find the level was fine, but the oil was very dark and looked too thin. Even with the QSGB it always came out pretty dark. The OLM never reaches 0% and will generally be 3-5%.

I've decided to make the leap on this vehicle and go with a full syn. If I get leaks I will just have to install gaskets.

I'm considering Super Tech or Napa synthetic and keeping to the OLM OCI. Thoughts?

Also, any good brands at a very good price point. Our current financial situation requires that we be frugal and smart with our purchases.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Check your local Walmart if they have Pennzoil Ultra on clearance for $2.50/qt or $10.50/jug, otherwise check Pep Boys or Autozone or O'Reilly to see if they have oil+filter on sale, also check if a particular brand has any rebate. Currently Pennzoil has $10 rebate for 5 quarts Platinum and Ultra, and they have $25 warranty rebate too.

Look for rebate and sale in the sub-forum "Sale/Rebate/Promotion"

 

[chevys10]

I am certainly not an expert but color does not indicate how well the oil is protecting the engine. The only true way to know is to get an analysis done of the used oil.

Both QSGB and Supertech are good oils that I am sure meet the specs of your engine. The OLM is actually tuned to run dino oil.

THat being said if you wanted to jump to a synthetic a good bang for the buck off the shelf at Walmartis Quaker State Ultimate Durability. Right around $20 for the 5 quart jug and is similar to Penzoil Platinum.

Better yet look at the Promotions and Rebates section of this forum to score some cheap deals on great oil. I currently have 125+ quarts that I got for anywhere between free and $2.00 a quart.........

 

[asand1]

I was just looking at the rebates section and saw the NAPA $19 synthetic and silver filter deal. Might go buy a couple of them.

 

[daves87rs]

QSUD @ WM for 20.87/5qts everyday!

 

[bvance554]

If you're having financial hardship why don't you just keep using dino? I've never bought into the synthetic oil hype as i routinely put 300k on my cars before i decide to part with them and i've never had any oil related engine trouble. Or any trouble at all for that matter.

 

[Kuato]

I've done a UOA with ST Syn, and it came out as good as Amsoil at 5000 miles. There's also a thread on here somewhere (couldn't find it) of someone taking a Plymouth minivan to 200k on ST Syn with no sludging and no internal issues.

If you can't find a sale to get something else for less, ST will probably do well for you.

 

[Jocephus]

I'd keep scoping around on the product rebates, sales and promotions sub-forum and pick up either FAR or cheap with rebates. If you do it right they essentially pay you to change the oil.

If that's not an option I'd pay attention to clearance aisles at WM and sales flyers from AAP, Napa, etc (the Napa Syn + silver filter deal is $19 right now)

You always have Walmart to fall back on if all else fails. 5 qts QSUD for $20, Maxlife blend for $17 or PYB for $15

 

[Zako2]

QSUD is a good synthetic oil sharing a lot with Pennzoil Ultra, and it's cheaper than anything in its class.

 

[walk23]

The Defy would be the next step in progression toward a synthetic with the added benefit of more moly and agents for gasket seals. With 68k, now would be a good time and it's about $18, though the Napa with the silver oilfilter is a better total deal.

 

[bourne]

Napa syn + Gold filter ( you can pay a bit more and upgrade from Silver to Gold ) is one of the best deals out there right now.

 

[JHZR2]

I'd pull any dexos 1 oil and go with it.

 

[toneydoc]

All the above are good options.

 

[eljefino]

You're not going to blow any seals with syn.

I'd also keep an eye on amazon for deals on Mag1 or Peak full synthetic by the case. Maybe even a subscribe n' save. Sometimes these deals pop up in the rebate section here too. There's a $16.xx/6 qts Valvoline nexgen subscription deal now.

 

[Danno]

Stick with conventional. It works on your van, is lowest cost and why worry about gasket leaks when you are on a tight budget.
PYB or QGB with name brand filter will keep your van running for a long time for $20 per oil change.

 

[threeputtpar]

Autozone is blowing out the clear bottle QSUD in 5w30 and 10w30 for $2/quart, no limit. An 08 would also qualify for the $20 rebate on QSUD when you register it for the Quaker State warranty program. Get 5 quarts and SOPUS pays you $10, less sales tax. You can even file the claim online and save the cost of a stamp and help to put the USPS out of business.

 

[asand1]

Another thing I failed to mention is that this van is predominantly a short tripper, driving less than 3 miles at a time. It might make a 50 mile trip every other week.

I do not have AZ or AA near me. I have Schucks/Oriely's, NAPA, WM, KM,Bi Mart, and Fred Meyers.

 

[GMBoy]

Supertech Syn is actually a pretty good oil. My dad runs it and with the UOA's we've run, it looks fantastic. He follows his OLM (which is calibrated for conventional oil like yours) which takes him out to 5-,6500miles.

I would run the ST syn at your OLM and add some miles to that...or you could run Mobil 1 EP at $25 a jug longer to recoup costs. I would only feel safe running ST to 7,000 miles but would run EP up to 10,000miles but not the 15k it promises. Too much risk there in my opinion.

So, buy oil cheaper up front or buy better oil like EP and run longer to save.

 

[threeputtpar]

I think that the NAPA brand synthetic is on sale this month for <$4 a quart. It's essentially Valvoline SynPower with a reduced add pack, or so everyone speculates.

 

[SLM]

Originally Posted By: asand1
Another thing I failed to mention is that this van is predominantly a short tripper, driving less than 3 miles at a time. It might make a 50 mile trip every other week.

I do not have AZ or AA near me. I have Schucks/Oriely's, NAPA, WM, KM,Bi Mart, and Fred Meyers.


try mototech oil at Fred's, it's at the same level as supertech and they often will put the 5 quart jugs on for $11.99 or $12.99. I put my car on it a few years ago and no issues.