Posted on 05/05/2025 7:15:01 PM PDT by MtnClimber
724,753 views May 3, 2025 #motoroil #chevy #viscosity GM recently issued a recall that impacts Chevy, GMC and Cadillac trucks and SUV’s that feature the 6.2 L87 V8, and even if you don’t have one of these vehicles, it reveals important information. Let’s break down the recall and how it actually busts the internet motor oil myth that you can’t use an oil thicker than what the OEM recommended.
Here is the proper framework for making decisions regarding oil.
Step 1 - Utilize the OEM recommended oil and do two early oil changes during the break-in process (500 to 1,000 miles and again between 3,000 and 4,000 miles). If the engine is already broken-in, skip to step 3.
Step 2 - Take used oil samples at each oil change to establish the trend analysis.
Step 3 - Go 5,000 miles on the third oil change and take a used oil sample. If the wear rate per 1,000 miles is below 5 ppm, you are good. If the wear rate is between 5 ppm and 10 ppm per 1,000 miles, go another 5,000 miles on the OEM recommended oil and resample. If the wear rate is still greater than 5 ppm per 1,000 miles, then move to step 4.
Step 4 - Review the used oil analysis data to see if the OEM recommended oil is falling short in any aspect (low viscosity, additive depletion, higher wear rate). If it is falling short, try a different oil of the same viscosity that meets the OEM spec. Go 3,000 to 4,000 miles on that oil and then refill with that same oil and go another 5,000 miles before taking another sample. See if the change in brand drops the wear rate per 1,000 miles below 5 ppm. If it does, you are good. If it does not, then move to Step 5.
Step 5 - Since the change in brand did not get the wear rate per 1,000 miles below 5 ppm, use next higher viscosity grade of whichever oil had the lowest wear rate per 1,000 miles. If it was the non-OEM brand, resample at 5,000 miles to check the wear rate per 1,000 miles. If it was the OEM brand, you will need to use it for 3,000 to 4,000 miles to flush the non-OEM oil out of the system before going 5,000 miles on the higher viscosity OEM oil to take another sample. If either higher viscosity oil brings the wear rate down, then stay with that viscosity grade. If the wear rate per 1,000 miles is still above 5 ppm, go back to Step 4 and repeat. If the wear rate per 1,000 miles is below 5 ppm, you are good. You can then use the oil analysis results to fine tune the oil change interval.
For more about Oil Analysis, check out: https://www.speediagnostix.com
Here are links to information related to the recall: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025...
https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/u...
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/11/...
Here are the links to the other videos mentioned in this video.
For more on motor oil Viscosity, check out this video: • The "W" DOESN'T Stand For WEIGHT! A C...
For more on the 3 stages of lubrication, check out this video: • Water Skiing Explains LUBRICATION - T...
For more on motor oil wear protection, check out this video: • FAKE Oil Claims: The “Lubricity” Test...
For a deeper dive into the science of lubrication, check out my good friend Rafe Britton's channel @LubricationExplained
To learn more about my dad, check out his interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr: • How Lake Speed's Journey Went From Ka...
Who is the @themotoroilgeek? I'm a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Certified Lubrication Specialist and Oil Monitoring Analyst (I've maintained both of those for over a decade). I also worked for Joe Gibbs Racing for 12 years as their lubricant specialist. During that time, we worked with Wix Filters (one of our sponsors) to test and develop filters for our race engines. We also worked with Lubrizol and Chevron-Phillips Chemical to test and develop oils for our race cars. Following that, I was the head of R&D for Driven Racing Oil. During that time, I formulated and tested over 50 products. We also worked with Cummins, Comp Cams, Oak Ridge National Labs and General Motors on various R&D products. Those efforts are recorded in peer reviewed white papers published by SAE International and ACS Sustainable Chemistry journals. Today, I provide Tribology consulting and used oil analysis via SPEEDiagnostix.
Pretty much.
Or skip GM, Ford, Chrysler and buy a Toyota, or Mazda that doesn’t wear out instead
This won’t work. By the time you get all those miles on the 6.2 engine then there is a good chance it is already blown up.
Like the Escalade that only made it 4 miles from the dealer.
These new engines have to be ditched. And return to the old and proven engines.
From what I am seeing it is not just limited to GM. Even Toyota engines are blowing up. Haundi, Kia too.
First of all, 5w20 oil, the first number means the base oil is a 5 (weight) viscosity. The second number is the viscosity when heated to 180 degrees. I pulled a tanker for 40 years and many loads of base oil into plants that canned it. They had 1000 tanks they blended additives into the oil. One additive they used was a really fine rubber powder. When the rubber heats up ,it expands and makes the viscosity go up. They also added other chemicals that aided the oil to adhere to hot metal. We had a couple of drivers that collect 4 or 5 gallons of the base oil and put it into their cars, within 500 miles their engines seized up. No high temp additives caused “dry” bearings.
The "myth" is not due to the company's wishes; it's due to government fuel economy requirements. Higher viscosity oil is generally allways better for wear resistance than the lighter oils. It slightly worsens fuel economy, though.
The 0 base number is supposed to be for starting at -30 degrees. If you don’t have temps like that then a 5 or a 10 or maybe a 29 base number should work fine.
Mebe GM should wake up and realize Active Fuel Management/Cylinder Deactivation crushes the engine.
The video covers much that is not in the text. The video was quite good.
The EPA has caused more engine problems for new vehiles. The whole (A) stop start engine when stopped is insane and saves nothing and causes engine issues. Even my 2011 Harley would shut one cylinder down was part of the EPA CAFE crap and for Harley that started in 2007. I immediately bypassed that BS.
The wife’s 2024 Volvo has that crap but you can’t shut it off. Asinine. Shutting down any cylinder while driving is just dumb and ethanol has done more harm than good to many engines.
Electronic technology and infotainment systems has destroyed driving.
I will never own a vehicle with that stop start crap ...
how long have you been an ams oil affiliate? Does it pay well when people buy through your links?
so switching from 5w20 to 10w40 won’t cause any problems?
My Ram calls for 5W20, but as everyone else has mentioned it was only for CAFE standards. I use 5W30 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum with a moly additive, but would prefer Redline 5w30. Only problem with the Redline is the cost. Great oil, but expensive.
Also, get yourself an oil catch can to stop all that bypass gunk going back into your engine through the PCV line. Empty every 2-3K miles and your engine will thank you.
Toyota is grenading engines too
The main problem is poorly made crankshafts that are eating the bearings.
That software “product hack” function for de-Washington-mandating car and truck engines sounds wonderful!
(Meaning the Obama-Biden-Harris FBI counterterrorism/counterintelligence agenciescwould immediately use it to track and infiltrate Red State car mechanics!
Change oil every 5-7.5k miles and don't buy a brand that build crap engines. I remember the VW oil sludge issues 20 years ago, it was a problem engine that VW should have been forced to recall every damn one of them. They didn't, but if you could show oil change records they gave you a new engine, I know. BUT, it was a CRAP engine and they knew it but didn't get much publicity.
People also ask
What engine oils contain zinc?
Valvoline. VR1 Racing SAE 20W-50 Motor Oil 5 QT. ...
Lucas Oil. 10679 Hot Rod & Classic Car SAE 10W-30 Motor Oil - 5 Quart. ...
Castrol. GTX Classic 20W-50 Conventional Motor Oil, 5 Quarts. ...
Lucas Oil. 10683 Hot Rod & Classic Car SAE 10W-40 Motor Oil - 5 Quart. ...
Lucas Oil. ...
Lucas Oil. ...
Shell Rotella. ...
Rislone.
High Zinc Motor Oil
Should you add zinc to engine oil?
Why Zinc Additives Are Important for Engine Protection. Zinc plays a vital role in protecting your engine, particularly in areas where high pressure and temperature lead to metal-on-metal contact. It acts like tiny ball bearings, allowing metal parts to slip over each other.
That’s what I do. It might be a bit harder to start when the temperatures are near -40, but I don’t live in Northern Minnesota anymore.
Same with my 2008 Nissan Frontier. It’s low mileage though, only 146k. Nothing but maintenance so far.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.