Oil ?

[tekfire07]

Quick question the dealer I purchased my Tahoe from did a oil change before my purchase. I noticed they put 0W-20 oil in. Do I need to replace it with 5W-30 asap or can I wait until the next oil change?

 

[ivin74]

I would let it ride until the next oil change. Most all new vehicles run thinner oil to get more mpgs.

 

[OR VietVet]

What are the temperature ranges in your area? This time of year, you should be fine with no worries. What does the oil fill cap call for and what does your owner's manual say?

 

[B-train]

I do concur with above statements. However, I have seen 1 instance in my career where a sudden change to thin oil not specified for a certain motor caused damage (early 90's grand prix 3.1L).

That being said, if your oil pressure looks good and the engine sounds normal you're probably good to go. Just monitor oil consumption on that year motor, especially with thinner oil.

As far as increased mpg benefit, it's negligible at best. Maybe 0.2 - 0.3 mpg better, and usually just on warm up. If you're the person who jumps in at 20F and hits the road as soon as you have rpm, then you might save a little bit. If you are like any caring, educated driver, then the brief warm up in cold weather pretty much negates what the EPA was trying to accomplish in their 'conservation' efforts. LOL!

There's a reason why any work truck that has a similar architecture motor runs 5w-30 instead of 0w-20. Different C.A.F.E regulations.......and longevity

 

[Foggy]

I personally would NOT be happy with a place that can't read !!!
If you are in a cold climate you'd be fine...
But I'd still want the correct weight and grade in my engine
This is exactly why when buying a 'new to you' vehicle you go thru every
system and fluids and filters.. Then you have a real starting point for all future
maint and repairs.
When I bought my Yukon a few years ago (used) I'm pretty sure it had the
wrong oil in it. So I changed it the day I got home even though they had just
did a service on it (they said)... they used a cheap ass oil filter so I assume they
used whatever was cheapest in bulk oil they had extra of...

 

[OR VietVet]

I personally would NOT be happy with a place that can't read !!!
If you are in a cold climate you'd be fine...
But I'd still want the correct weight and grade in my engine
This is exactly why when buying a 'new to you' vehicle you go thru every
system and fluids and filters.. Then you have a real starting point for all future
maint and repairs.
When I bought my Yukon a few years ago (used) I'm pretty sure it had the
wrong oil in it. So I changed it the day I got home even though they had just
did a service on it (they said)... they used a cheap ass oil filter so I assume they
used whatever was cheapest in bulk oil they had extra of...

I looked under my neighbors F150 the other day for an oil leak. He has only been to Jiffy Lube and the dealer for oil changes since he bought the truck in 2006. The whole under area was dry except for one place. It actually had oil drip on the drain plug and what looked like to be 3M Weatherstrip Sealant squeezing out under the head of the drain plug. I put a wrench on it and tightened as much as I dared, about 1/8" turn and stopped. I believe the oil pan threads are stretched. I am going to do an oil change this weekend and I have already gotten a new drain plug and seal for it. He had every invoice for everything thing that has been done and it only mentions the "oil leak" 2 times on the Jiffy Lube tickets but none on the dealer tickets. He has been seeing the oil for the last 3 years, drops on the ground and adding as needed. Someone saw it and should have brought to his attention but is trying to hide with the "Gorilla Snot" around the drain plug. Two pics. A before and after I wiped dry and tightened and you can still see the oil seep at the lower area and soon to be a drop. I told him the same thing. I don't trust anyone but myself for any fluids when buying and always change them all to get a base to start from.

 

[B-train]

I won't EVER go to a quick lube......I'll change it in the walmart parking lot if I absolutely have to! Anything goes there.....

 

[swathdiver]

I wouldn't leave that stuff in my motor.

 

[donjetman]

Quick question the dealer I purchased my Tahoe from did a oil change before my purchase. I noticed they put 0W-20 oil in. Do I need to replace it with 5W-30 asap or can I wait until the next oil change?

I started running 0w-20 oil this yr and like the results I'm getting. Here's a thread I did: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/latest-uoa-0w-20-07-6-2l-w-180-k-mi.136491/#post-1711683

 

[Just Fishing]

If I were to try a thinner oil, I would for sure cut the oil filter open after running it for a little while to see the contents.
(The oil filter opening/cutting tool can be found on ebay and amazon pretty cheap)

I would also say take a bright flashlight to look for any sparkles from the oil that's draining from that filter.

If it looks good, and you don't notice any extra noise coming from the engine then I would say it's probably fine.