Loading ...Pete, do not believe what we have been told about the NEED for thin oil, its all bull shit, and finally being in the news. I know this in 1989 when I bought my new Chevy van. The oil recommended was 5W30 and the bottle called it “energy saving oil” I immediately on my first oil change was Straight 30 Weight Oil.
P.S. This morning I heard Trump is giving $10,00 tax exemptions if you buy an American made car. The IRS will make a list. Also during Ronald Reagan ’81 to ’89 he gave a tax write-off, 5 years instead of 10 years, and all the dumb ass machine shops bought Korean and Japanese equipment. The write off should have been for US makers
Parts of link below:
For more than a decade, General Motors has leaned heavily into efficiency-focused engine technologies across its V8 lineup. Starting with the 2014 model year, cylinder deactivation features and ultra-lightweight oils like 0W-20 became standard. On paper, this approach worked well. Power output increased and fuel economy improved. However, at the same time, owners’ and enthusiasts’ confidence was fading in the long term reliability of these engines.
That concern came to a head with the 6.2 liter L87 V8. Nearly 600,000 trucks and SUVs from the 2021 through 2024 model years were recalled after GM identified connecting rod failures linked to lubrication issues. The thinner oil was unable to keep its strength when dealing with high loads and temperatures. The result, according to critics and lawsuits, was metal-to-metal contact that led to catastrophic engine failure.
For years, enthusiasts were told modern engines were designed specifically around low viscosity oil. Now, in the wake of widespread failures, GM itself is mandating thicker oil as a corrective measure. At the same time, some owners are suing GM, claiming the switch to 0W-40 increases fuel consumption and lowers vehicle value. The debate has effectively flipped.
The oil strategy that GM developed was built around pressure from regulations like the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. Models could derive small but meaningful improvements to efficiency by using low viscosity oil, which is why many modern engines use them in the first place. However, recent changes to federal fuel economy rules have reduced that pressure. Without the threat of penalties hanging over them, manufacturers can now afford to prioritize durability, especially with lower fleet targets and rescinded incentives for tech like stop-start.
the oil question has become symbolic. It represents a broader choice between chasing incremental efficiency or restoring confidence in long-term engine durability, and owners have made their preference clear.
Link: GM owners want thicker oil in the next-gen V8: Here’s why