3 Trail Boss Owners: 0W-20 or 5W-30?

[mrcolieman]

I started running Oreilly 5w-30 full synthetic Dexos certified when the warranty ran out on my 2019 5.3AFM. 51k miles and no complaints. 8 qts and an AC Delco PF63 filter (from Amazon) is just under $60. I end up with about 3,500 miles between oil changes at 6 month intervals. With big heavy tires, a heavy winch/bumper and a level it's hard to say if the oil had any effect on my fuel economy. It's still 18ish on the highway and 15ish around town... But when we're driving our trucks it's all about the smiles per gallon right!?!

Correction to this ... (I left off the "E"). My early custom has an L83 5.3 with AFM that takes a PF63E filter, an updated version of the PF63 with a bypass that opens at 22PSI. The PF63 bypass opens at 12PSI. This pressure is the differential between oil in and oil out from the filter so when open, unfiltered oil is returning to the engine. At some point GM made a change to the oil pump and the updated filter is matched to those changes.... Just a reminder to pay attention to the nuances of part numbers. Just because it fits doesn't mean its exactly the right one!

 

[Stormin08]

Been on 0W40 ever since my 6.2 "passed the picoscope" test, no issues at all ... luckily the engine now has a 150K mile warranty

i have been cutting open my old filters, 50K now on the truck...last 5K with 0-40 since being "CHECKED". the previous 3 filters, all with 0-20 show ZERO indications of bearing wear.

 

[TBCooper]

I also installed the Range RA007 dfm disabler months ago which 1) is extremely nice to have all 8 cyl all the time 2) keeps a continuous flow of the 0W-40 to every single component 100% of the time 3) bonus---- it eliminates the auto start/stop bs. No nore pushing that button on the dash every time i start the truck.

 

[texanlife4]

I just did my first personal oil change after the dealer did the first one covered after the purchase. Went with 5w-30 and been good so far.

 

[BigBlackie_'25TB]

***Latest Used Oil Analysis***
The latest test results are from my UOA from 7/11/26. FYI...this is an ester-based oil so that is why the oxidation value is so high. You will notice the same high oxidation value from 4/26/26 UOA as well and the same reason...ester-based oil.

 

[Murph76]

***Latest Used Oil Analysis***
The latest test results are from my UOA from 7/11/26. FYI...this is an ester-based oil so that is why the oxidation value is so high. You will notice the same high oxidation value from 4/26/26 UOA as well and the same reason...ester-based oil.View attachment 25584

5w40 next?

 

[BigBlackie_'25TB]

5w40 next?

Maybe!! Lol!

 

[Sauerkraut]

I've been using 5W-30 for a while now and haven't had any problems. I'd like to switch to 0W-30 for the cold start protection, but we don't have any 0W-30 Dexos 1 Gen 3 oil available here which is GM certified. I guess you should pay attention to that, based on what I've read about it.
But I don't think I'll ever use 0W-20 again, I've read too many bad things about it.

 

[Murph76]

Ive been using that penzoil euro l 5w30 seems to be working good no pressure problems and/or mpg loss or gain