synthetic vs. traditional

[ezdaar]

I beat the snot out of my Denali and change the oil when the oil tells me its time, aka Black and smelly.

 

[ktmhans]

Isnt the heading synthetic vs traditional.

I dont know. Im sure the synthetic is more slippery. You can tell when it rolls down the funnel. But how much better is it really then petrolium based. Way more $$$$ . I changed all my fluids in my truck over. I have noticed zero difference.

I would agree not to go over 5k miles on a filter if your going to keep your truck. Especially if you have a used truck that say has a little bit of dirty motor. And now all of a sudden you think synthetic you can double your oil change interval. All that shit is still in there and now loosening up, thus diriting up the oil more then say a bmw that has had mobil 1 or what ever they run from they day it was broken in.

 

[tx tahoe z71]

You don't have to use the stock sized filter, use a high capacity one. I use a Wix 51522.

I am by no means an oil/oil filter expert, but I am **** about taking care of my truck (especially since it now makes twice the horsepower it was originally engineered for) and did lots and lots of reading and research before deciding on oil change interval, oil and oil filter. A great oil forum with helpful and knowledgeable people is http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/.

 

[domin8]

Wix 51522 is the common large filter for the Tahoe, however the filter changed on the Tahoe within the last 10 model years. I haven't really searched when this happened. I can tell you that the deep filter for the NNBS trucks is Wix 57502.

Now as for this nonsense about changing the oil filter more often than changing the oil. Has anybody bothered to consider that this simply isn't possible. Unless the filter is a cartridge style, i.e, Wix 57082 for GMs Ecotec I-4 engines, the oil is going to pour out, thus requiring the addition of oil. That's practically an oil change, minus the ~1 quart you left sitting in the pan. Additionally, there is no need to change the filter prior to the oil life indicator indicating an oil change is necessary, according to Wix. Think about that. Why would an oil filter manufacturer tell you it's not necessary when what some people are saying is more profitable for them? Simply put, filter technology, oil quality, and engine construction has greatly improved since the last time oil change specifications were issued for 3k/3 months.

As for the original question, conventional v synthetic. The engines in the GM trucks are made for conventional oil. You can use synthetic. Yes, it is a little more money, but that's because it's better in many ways. My personally favorite benefit is the higher boiling temp of synthetic. Additionally, you can go back to conventional after trying synthetic, and you can mix them too. To the nay-sayers about my last statement. If you can't mix them then why does Valvoline with their MaxLife line of lubricants? To support my claim about synthetic oil being better I will go no further than to GM. GM only uses Mobil1 for the Corvette (and Cobalt SSs with turbochargers and superchargers), yet conventional for everything else. The LS3, and older V8s are of similar construction to the truck motors. Ironically, the NNBS trucks are having an oil consumption problem whereas the Corvette is not included in that Technical Service Bulletin. Ironically, the Camaro SS, which is running the LS3 is included in the oil consumption TSB and doesn't have a Mobil1 oil cap from the factory.

Just some things to think about.

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[OmarR]

Wix 51522 is the common large filter for the Tahoe, however the filter changed on the Tahoe within the last 10 model years. I haven't really searched when this happened. I can tell you that the deep filter for the NNBS trucks is Wix 57502.

2002 was the last year for the bigger size. I still go with the bigger one on my 2003.

 

[Kman]

I've written a lot about this subject on here, do a search.

Synthetic vs. Conventional comes down to driving style. Do a lot of short trip driving where the motor doesn't get up to operating tempature or is only at operating tempature for a short distance? Use conventional. Regardless of what oil you use, if you do short trips a lot you will need to change the oil every 2500 to 3000 miles. Spending more on synthetic and changing the oil every 3000 miles is a huge waste of money.

Synthetic is good if you get up to operating tempature and limit short trip driving. Synthetic typically can go 6000 to 10,000 miles depending on driving style.

What people over look but is way more important is oil filters. Running a filter with a crappy filter medium and with a poor anti-drain back valve will cause more wear on the motor overtime. The worst are the orange Fram oil filters. The only decent Fram filter is the Xtended Guard filters. Other good filters are K&N, PureONE, Mobil1, Napa Gold, and WIX.

---------- Post added at 03:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:49 PM ----------

A long post I made a while back:
http://tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=360745&postcount=76

 

[ktmhans]

Wix 51522 is the common large filter for the Tahoe, however the filter changed on the Tahoe within the last 10 model years. I haven't really searched when this happened. I can tell you that the deep filter for the NNBS trucks is Wix 57502.

Now as for this nonsense about changing the oil filter more often than changing the oil. Has anybody bothered to consider that this simply isn't possible. Unless the filter is a cartridge style, i.e, Wix 57082 for GMs Ecotec I-4 engines, the oil is going to pour out, thus requiring the addition of oil. That's practically an oil change, minus the ~1 quart you left sitting in the pan. Additionally, there is no need to change the filter prior to the oil life indicator indicating an oil change is necessary, according to Wix. Think about that. Why would an oil filter manufacturer tell you it's not necessary when what some people are saying is more profitable for them? Simply put, filter technology, oil quality, and engine construction has greatly improved since the last time oil change specifications were issued for 3k/3 months.

As for the original question, conventional v synthetic. The engines in the GM trucks are made for conventional oil. You can use synthetic. Yes, it is a little more money, but that's because it's better in many ways. My personally favorite benefit is the higher boiling temp of synthetic. Additionally, you can go back to conventional after trying synthetic, and you can mix them too. To the nay-sayers about my last statement. If you can't mix them then why does Valvoline with their MaxLife line of lubricants? To support my claim about synthetic oil being better I will go no further than to GM. GM only uses Mobil1 for the Corvette (and Cobalt SSs with turbochargers and superchargers), yet conventional for everything else. The LS3, and older V8s are of similar construction to the truck motors. Ironically, the NNBS trucks are having an oil consumption problem whereas the Corvette is not included in that Technical Service Bulletin. Ironically, the Camaro SS, which is running the LS3 is included in the oil consumption TSB and doesn't have a Mobil1 oil cap from the factory.

Just some things to think about.

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IS the filter on your 07 Down level with your pan?

Mine is up high and inverted. I do love the idea of a taller filter and look into it. I usually run the purolator gold one. Anybody know the # or different truck it goes too?

 

[daven]

So which WIX is the best one for a 06 with a 5.3 flex? I am currently running a Purolater PurOne.

 

[tx tahoe z71]

So which WIX is the best one for a 06 with a 5.3 flex? I am currently running a Purolater PurOne.

Wix 51522, higher capacity than the stock filter and better filter element inside (15 micron compared to 19 micron IIRC for the shorter Wix filter the auto parts store will give you when you ask for an 06 Tahoe filter).

I always use Wix filters due to cost and availability, but there are a number of good brands like Mobil 1, Royal Purple, and Napa Gold (from Bob is the Oil Guy). Like said above, avoid Fram. Look at the pictures of one cut open compared to a Wix or one of the others and you will see why.

 

[Kman]

So which WIX is the best one for a 06 with a 5.3 flex? I am currently running a Purolater PurOne.

PureONE filters are great. I run them in all my cars.