Overthinking cold weather oil for Tahoe & Yukon?

[Adventurer_96]

I have a 1996 4x4 Tahoe w/the 5.7 Vortec as my beater truck for my short commute to work, 137k miles (or so). My wife is driving the 2001 4x4 Yukon w/the 5.3, just turned 100k miles. I intend to keep the Yukon for many, many years as it's the perfect vehicle for me, and I really like having a 4.11 rear end. But, back to oil...

Currently, I use Mobil 1 SUV in the Tahoe, and Mobil 1 High Mileage in the Tahoe w/NAPA Gold filters - both 5w30 as I recall which is the recommended weight for these trucks.

I haven't really done a lot of thinking as to alternatives. But, on my recent drive down to Arizona in the Tahoe for a work trip I towed a motorcycle trailer. I changed the oil before leaving to Castrol High Mileage and changed it when I got here back to Mobil 1 High Mileage. It was only about 2,400 miles but they were tough miles the first half (with trailer) and I think that it was cheap insurance to change it when I got here. I went with Castrol in part because I knew I'd be changing the oil in a week (how could such a short time matter for dino oil?) and it saved some money. When it comes to Mobil 1, I'm a sucker for advertising, and if I can pay a few extra dollars for Mobil 1 every few months without having to research what to put in the engine I'm happy.

We just moved to Duluth, Minnesota. It's cold up there in the winters for those who aren't familiar, and I've put synthetic fluids in both trucks (oil, transmission and gear oil). Even though the vehicles will be in an enclosed garage, they're going to be in a very cold environment. Plus, with my short commute, the Tahoe is going to take a beating.

Should I drop down to 0w30? If so, what oil would you recommend?

I hate to overthink my oil options, but the other end of the spectrum is to not think enough.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

PS: I'd prefer an oil that's easy to find, i.e. at Wal-Mart, but I'm open to ideas.

 

[c3po]

Engine Block Heater or Oil Pan Heater would be a good option if it gets below 0 in my opinion if you do not have a heated garage. Since you are going to do short trips a block heater will give you instant heat on those cold mornings.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I know what those Duluth/Superior winters can be like. I used Amsoil 5w30 at the time and my car started in negative temps with no problem at all. I would just use a 0w30 or 5w30 synthetic, such as Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum or Amsoil (Since you're in the area where you can pick it up locally).

 

[WishIhadatruck]

If you like Mobil 1 I've seen Mobil 1 0w30 at all the local Walmarts here lately. The Mobil 1 5w30 is fine as well, I wouldn't really worry about it but you can go with a 0w30 if you want.

 

[demarpaint]

I tend to over think things as well. I like the added cold protection in the winter weather a 0W-xx offers, however slight it might be. However, I've mentioned this before, after contacting both Mobil and Pennzoil they cautioned against the use of 0W-xx in anything thats old or has high miles. They were concerned with leaking.

Fellow BITOG'ers seem to think that if the vehicle doesn't leak the 0W-xx won't be a problem. I tend to agree and will be exchanging some 5w30 PP for Mobil 1 0W-30. If I could get PP 0w30 I'd be using it.

JMO,
Frank D

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I tend to over think things as well. I like the added cold protection in the winter weather a 0W-xx offers, however slight it might be. However, I've mentioned this before, after contacting both Mobil and Pennzoil they cautioned against the use of 0W-xx in anything thats old or has high miles. They were concerned with leaking.

Fellow BITOG'ers seem to think that if the vehicle doesn't leak the 0W-xx won't be a problem. I tend to agree and will be exchanging some 5w30 PP for Mobil 1 0W-30. If I could get PP 0w30 I'd be using it.

JMO,
Frank D


I've been over-thinking this exact thing for the past month

Last winter I used ASL 5w30 and never had a problem during the winter months. BUT as I sit now,I'm wondering if I should go ahead and try a 0-weight oil such as the 0w30 Amsoil SSO for the added protection

 

[battyice]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I tend to over think things as well. I like the added cold protection in the winter weather a 0W-xx offers, however slight it might be. However, I've mentioned this before, after contacting both Mobil and Pennzoil they cautioned against the use of 0W-xx in anything thats old or has high miles. They were concerned with leaking.

Fellow BITOG'ers seem to think that if the vehicle doesn't leak the 0W-xx won't be a problem. I tend to agree and will be exchanging some 5w30 PP for Mobil 1 0W-30. If I could get PP 0w30 I'd be using it.

JMO,
Frank D


Those two engines are typically very oil-tight, I wouldn't be concerned with leaks at all. The only trouble spot I have seen with the 5.7 is the oil cooler line o-rings leaking at the oil filter housing, which is an easy fix.

 

[Johnny]

From Arizona to Duluth

If you've never lived in that part of the country, are you in for a shock.

The 5w30 synthetics mentioned will work just fine for your new Duluth winter. If you want to try Amsoil, they are just across the bridge in Superior.

Welcome to the NORTH.

There are more important things than oil. Like teaching your wife how to use a snow shovel.

 

[D189379]

I think you'd have to go pretty far north to experience the kind of cold that would give 0W30 synthetic any sort of signinficant advantage over a 5W30 synthetic. I live in Canada and I don't even bother with the 0 weight oils anymore.

 

[1999nick]

Referring to your original post, you stated that you thought both of the Mobil oils you were using were 5W30's. Last I checked, the Mobil 1 High Mileage oil only came in 10W30 and 10W40. In Minnesota, the difference between a 10W30 and a 0W30 might be enough to make a difference in cold starting. I am thinking of draining the M1 HM I presently have in my lawnmower and changing to a 0W30 for the winter, when I use the mower for cleaning up leaves and other yard debris all winter long.

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: D189379
I think you'd have to go pretty far north to experience the kind of cold that would give 0W30 synthetic any sort of signinficant advantage over a 5W30 synthetic. I live in Canada and I don't even bother with the 0 weight oils anymore.


This is pretty true. I live in Ottawa, and I've used nothing but 5w30 dino's in ALL my vehicles for 14 years, and have yet to have a real starting issue.

That being said, if you like M1 products, you might as well go for the 0w30 grade for winter, if you can get it as easily as any other grade....

 

[ClarkB]

"Overthinking cold weather oil for Tahoe & Yukon?"

Based on living most of my life pretty close to Duluth I would have to say "Yes". But I understand your questions if you've never lived in that sort of climate. Truth be told I once ran straight 30 weight oil in my Dodge Dakota one winter. She turned over real slow when it hit -10 and probably didn't do it any good but no serious damage.

Clark

 

[Audi Junkie]

5w30 vs 0w30 is not worth worrying about. If it really mattered, a synth 0w-20 would be in order, especially for short trips.

 

[eljefino]

You can't overthink oil. I blew a starter in my mazda 323 back in college; it had dino 10w30 or 10w40 and it was only -7'F. That more than anything got me thinking about oil. Was back in 1997 and yes dino oil has come a bit since then.

If you're new to town it's worth checking on your HOUSE for winterization... drafty windows, bad insulation in the floor around the pipes etc.

I actually don't mind the cold down to about -25'F but its affects on machinery and my house keep me busy.

 

[ARB1977]

Man some of you fellas are really over thinking this...keep using what you use in the past. It seems to work.

 

[Adventurer_96]

Thanks for the words. I've spent the last few years in Utah, but we just moved to Duluth as I got a new job out there. We love it, but a requirement for the job meant coming to Phoenix for two and a half months for requalification training.

I'm very happy with both of these engines, in particular the 5.7 on the Tahoe. I don't think the previous owners were really big on preventative maintenance, so when I started using 5w30 synthetics when I got last December I expected leaks. But, it's been very solid (engine-wise, at least) and I don't think a switch to 0w30 would bring on any leaks as I'm not seeing any right now.

You may be right, I may have used the 10w30 High Mileage Mobil 1 in a previous oil change prior to driving the truck to Duluth. But, this most recent change a month ago was to 5w30, although I can't recall if it's SUV or straight Mobil 1.

0w20 - now that's a thought. But, I don't think it's available in Mobil 1. I see Pennzoil Platinum is available in 0w20. Can it be bought in bulk at Wal-mart/etc. rather than in quarts?

The house is 25 years old and is going to need additional insulation in the attic, plus I'm planning on insulating the garage that's attached to the house and the one out back. I also need to figure out how to heat my 1965 Sunbeam Tiger's engine block without modifying the engine. Dipstick heater maybe?

Good discussion points, thanks guys.

 

[demarpaint]

Around here Mobil 1 in 0W-20 is in just about every store, no one has the PP 0w-20. If your engine was back spec'd for a 20 grade oil, I'd say give the 0W-20 a try, especially if you have no leaks. Otherwise the 0w30 should be no problem.

I don't know anything about dipstick heaters, I am thinking of parking my garaged Jeep over a 250W Halogen light. I have to see how hot the light gets.

Frank D

 

[StinkyD]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint


I don't know anything about dipstick heaters, I am thinking of parking my garaged Jeep over a 250W Halogen light. I have to see how hot the light gets.

Frank D


Careful, they get REALLY hot.

 

[Steve S]

Duluth Min., you should be using local oil ...Amsoil

 

[Adventurer_96]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Duluth Min., you should be using local oil ...Amsoil


I know nothing about it except for the way it's sold, and I'm not a fan of the Amway-type marketing I've seen so far.

That being said, I'll have to ask a coworker when I get back who has an Amsoil sticker on his truck.