Synthetic vs conventional

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

BigSachsy1

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jan 24, 2023
Posts
18
Reaction score
11
05 tahoe, 142k miles on the engine. I got my oil changed today and (as far as I know) it has always been 5w30 conventional. So me and one of the techs started talking about his tahoe. He charged me 71 bucks for it, which is the price for the standard conventional oil change. I got home and looked at the receipt and it says duramax 5w30 synth blend. Thoughts? Stuff to worry about? Wanted to get some more info other than what I've already gleaned online before I go back and talk to them, if I even have to do so. Thanks in advance.
 

Scottydoggs

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2017
Posts
2,652
Reaction score
3,990
Location
NJ
so glad i can still do my own oil changes. 71 bucks seems like a lot to me. thats like double the cost of materials. and you know they pay less for everything vs buying it your self.

i use mobil one full syn 5-30. 25 bucks for a 5 qt jug at wally world. i end up buying 3 jugs to do my camaro, 8 qts, and the hoe, 6 qts. leaves me a qt to top off one if need be.
 

Marky Dissod

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Posts
1,931
Reaction score
2,660
Location
(718)-
05 tahoe, 142k miles on the engine.
I got my oil changed today and (as far as I know) it has always been 5w30 conventional.
So me and one of the techs started talking about his tahoe.
He charged me 71 bucks for it, which is the price for the standard conventional oil change.
I got home and looked at the receipt and it says duramax 5w30 synth blend.
Thoughts? Stuff to worry about?
Wanted to get some more info other than what I've already gleaned online before I go back and talk to them, if I even have to do so.
Unless your Tahoe works or plays unusually hard, so long as you change your oil every 5000 miles or less, it likely does not matter anymore what 'synthetic' motor oil your vehicle is using.

If the motor oil is good enough for a DuraMax (or even a DuraMedium 6-inline, or DuraMini 4-inline),
it's likely good enough for 'non-severe duty' uses in your Tahoe.
 

Fless

Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
11,957
Reaction score
24,375
Location
Elev 5,280
If I was in this position, I'd go back there and ask what specific oil they put in it. Unless it's compatible with gas engines, diesel oil can ruin catalytic converters and cause other issues. It might not matter for one oil change, but knowledge is power. What they put in might be okay, or it might not.

 

Mudsport96

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2020
Posts
1,324
Reaction score
2,124
Location
40.923,-89.488. Illinois
1000013497.jpgSo probably not Duramax diesel oil... but DuraMAX off brand generic oil. No experience with it so I can't Comme t on quality. But, I would do some googling and see what people's experiences are with it.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,457
Posts
1,868,545
Members
97,158
Latest member
MD-Wood
Top