2012 Tahoe 5.7, tow package: Towing to Florida?

[TerryKing]

Hi Everyone,

I did do some searching here. I have always run Castrol full synthetic 5W30 as recommended. Now 130K and I wonder about using 10W30 or other as I will be towing in MUCH warmer weather than here in vermont.

What are your experiences / opinions with using a heavier weight oil on older 5.7s in hot weather towing? I have basically normal oil pressure (12PSI idle, 35 PSI at 70).

I have read the oil filter discussions.

Thanks!

 

[kbuskill]

2012 should be a 5.3L unless someone swapped it out, which is unlikely.

There would be zero difference between 5w30 and 10w30 at operating temperature, only at start up the 10w30 will be slightly thicker. They are both 30 weight oils at operating temps.

You would want to go up to a 40 or 50 weight oil if that is what you want to do. Like 10w40 or 20w50 etc.

 

[PG01]

As ken said, leave it.

 

[intheburbs]

I towed a 6000-lb trailer from Michigan to Florida four times, all in the summer. Never deviated from 5W30. Engine is up to 240k miles, still purrs like a kitten.

 

[kbuskill]

I have actually been contemplating going the other direction and I live in FL.

Maybe a 0w20 or something... I am trying to loose a little oil pressure and the thinner oil "should" improve MPG, although probably not enough to notice.

 

[TerryKing]

OP: OK, I'm leaning on just staying with the 5W30 synthetic... Thanks for all your opinions!