Type of Engine Oil - Chevy TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer SS and GMC Envoy Forum

rwyatt80 · #1 09-09-2009, 03:33 PM

Hello,

I have an 04 Trailblazer 4.2l with 127,000 miles and its time for an oil change. I wonder if there is a particular brand (castrol, valvoline etc) that is preferred over others. Because it has so many miles, do I need to be looking at the high mileage engine oil?? What weight would be good for the vehicle? I dont haul anything, I live in SC and take long trips every once in a while. Any help is appreciated.

Urbanarkansas · #2 09-09-2009, 03:47 PM

any noticeable oil leaks?

If it were me, I would put a premium (mobile1, Valvoline, RotellaT) high mileage oil in. Always go with what the manufacturer reccomends (5w-30).

I myself put Valvoline Max Life semisynthetic 5w-30 in at each oil change.
Make sure you get a good filter too. Wix is my favorite...

wardak33 · #3 09-09-2009, 05:07 PM

I switched to full synthetic at 135k miles with mobil1 5w-30 and i couldn't be happier with the way the engine performs. I took the chance doing the switch at a high amount of miles though. Some may get lucky, some don't. Just stay away from Pennzoil platinum and quaker state.

Also, the poster above makes a good point. A good oil filter will only be beneficial. I personally use mobil1 but anything like wix or puralator is good as well.

5w-30 is recommended in these engines but if you're in a warmer climate you can do 10w-30

rwyatt80 · #4 09-09-2009, 05:31 PM

I will try mobil 1 or valvoline high mileage with a purolator filter. I will go with 5w-30. Thanks for such a quick response!!! I will keep you posted.

Super 88 · #5 09-10-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wardak33

Just stay away from Pennzoil platinum and quaker state.

Why do you say that? You aren't going to bring up the old wives tales - are you ?

FWIW, I've used Pennzoil Platinum in many of my vehicles and it is a very good oil. Over at BITOG it is also very high regarded!

rwyatt80 · #6 09-12-2009, 03:24 PM

I use penzoil 10w40 high mileage. I keep hearing that it isnt good for my car, why is that?? What is wrong with penzoil? I dont have a problem switching to 5w30, just like to hear different opninons..

BLAZEN03 · #7 09-12-2009, 03:38 PM

Personally I like Mobil 1 fully syn with Mobil filters, but on this truck I've stuck with castrol 10w30 they only had 5 of the 7 qts I needed, I know the owners manual says 5w30, but right below that it reads, you can use 10w30 if 5w30 is not available. However I did use Fram's high milage oil filter, recommended over 75,000..(I have 95,000..I don't know if it's that much better, but I didn't want the cheapest filter.

Super 88 · #8 09-12-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLAZEN03

I know the owners manual says 5w30, but right below that it reads, you can use 10w30 if 5w30 is not available. However I did use Fram's high milage oil filter, recommended over 75,000..(I have 95,000..I don't know if it's that much better, but I didn't want the cheapest filter.

I'm not disputing what you are saying, but I find it interesting that in later manuals (my 05 in particular) they deleted that and said something to the effect of "Do NOT use SAE 20W-50 or any other viscosity . . . "

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwyatt80

I use penzoil 10w40 high mileage. I keep hearing that it isnt good for my car, why is that?? What is wrong with penzoil? I dont have a problem switching to 5w30, just like to hear different opninons..

Many years ago - decades even, Pennzoil somehow got a bad rap for causing sludge. I've seen a lot of people go many 100's of thousands of miles using Pennzoil. EVEN IF it was true in the 60's or 70's I do not believe it is still the case.

On the other hand, I've used Mobil 1 in many of my vehicles and let's just say I was NOT impressed. Especially in the TB, the engine was noiser, the power was less and I believe the MPG dropped a little - not a lot but a little.
I think Pennzoil Plat. works better and it is a lot less money! 5 quart jugs at Wallymart are 20.00 and recently they had a 15.00 rebate!

As with many things, it is mostly a subjective thing. What works for one person may not work well for another.

Personally I like the A/C Delco oil filters. Unlike others I will not say "Fram is bad" because again I've used them for many decades over many hundreds of thousands of miles with NO problems ever!
However I do believe there are better filters out there for the same or less money. Purolator and Wix are two that come to mind.

rwyatt80 · #9 09-12-2009, 06:58 PM

I haven't had any leaks or anything since I've switched to penzoil hm years ago. I use fram filters, but will look into purolator as I have used it in the past. Thanks for the quick response. Will let u know the outcome after I change my oil monday.

wardak33 · #10 09-12-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super 88

Why do you say that? You aren't going to bring up the old wives tales - are you ?

FWIW, I've used Pennzoil Platinum in many of my vehicles and it is a very good oil. Over at BITOG it is also very high regarded!

Really? I've read threads on BITOG and they mentioned that it does some crazy things to your valves..