What is the Best Type of Oil for My Chevy Truck?

Motor oil is quite possibly the most essential fluid in your engine. Sure, gasoline plays a huge role in the overall function of your vehicle, but motor oil is crucial for long-term functionality. It can mean the difference between an irreparable engine and one that is still pumping strong at 200,000 miles. That said, there are a wide variety of motor oil types to consider when having your oil changed, with each type having its specific purpose. And for drivers of late-model Chevy pickup trucks, picking out the right motor oil for your engine is essential. At McCluskey Chevy when customers ask us “what type of oil should I use for my truck?”, we often return with several questions that delve into the details. We ask what kind of truck they drive, and what kind of engine they have tucked beneath the hood.

The Purpose of Motor Oil

Motor oil is a lubricant essential for the function of your engine. You see, your engine is made up of a combination of moving parts. All of these parts grind together, and if it weren’t for motor oil, these parts would wear out rapidly, resulting in some pretty serious, and sometimes expensive repairs. In the long run, an engine without motor oil can risk shutting down completely, which can be difficult if not impossible to repair.

Motor oil may be a miracle fluid type, but unfortunately, it won’t last forever. After some time, motor oil can become clogged with grime and debris. As a result, it can spoil your motor oil’s overall effectiveness. In the end, friction and heat increase, causing some severe mechanical issues that we just mentioned. Fortunately, you can avoid this issue by changing out your motor oil around every 3,00 – 5,000 miles, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

For this reason, using the right kind of motor oil for your Chevy truck is incredibly essential. If you end up using the wrong type of motor oil, you can end up running into these same issues, and find yourself strapped with expensive repairs. That said, there are four general types of motor oil, each type with its own intended purpose.

The Different Types of Motor Oil

Motor oil falls into four different categories, full synthetic, synthetic blend, standard motor oil, and high mileage motor oil. Each motor oil type is designed for a specific kind of engine and a certain level of performance in most cases. Speaking of performance, fully synthetic motor oil is designed to garner the best performance from your engine. While typically more expensive than the other types of motor oil, fully synthetic motor oil is highly lubricating, ensuring the best performance from your engine. Alternatively, synthetic blend motor oil is a form of synthetic motor oil that isn’t quite as lubricating as the fully synthetic option. However, it is much cheaper.

Standard motor oil is a basic kind of motor oil used in a wide range of vehicles as a standard lubricant. While cheaper, it is far less effective as the higher tier alternatives. And unfortunately, conventional motor oil shouldn’t be used forever, as there comes the point where you have to switch to high-mileage motor oil. High mileage motor oil is used in vehicles with an odometer reading of 75,000 miles or above, and ensures long-term efficiency, while at the same time reducing the amount of smog emitted by the engine.

Another thing to consider when purchasing a grade of motor oil is the viscosity of the motor oil. Viscosity applies to the thickness or thinness of your motor oil. It relates to the temperature of your engine and the surrounding environment. Thin motor oil, for instance, tends to work incredibly well in cold temperature by it flowing easier, as it requires a much lower temperature to remain a liquid. However, motor oil with a thick viscosity is an excellent choice for high temperatures as they can maintain strength under intense pressure.

You can determine the viscosity of motor oil based on the number on the bottle. For instance, 5W-30 motor oil is going to be a thinner kind of motor oil specifically designed for winter driving. Alternatively, the 10W-30 motor oil variant is an excellent fit for driving in warmer temperatures or driving a car that is expected to output plenty of horsepower. Just remember that it also depends on your vehicle and what the manufacturer suggests.

So what type of motor oil should you use for a late model Chevy pickup truck? While engines may vary between models, there is a certain type of motor oil you ought to use for a Chevy truck that has a high-mileage reading on the odometer. Ask your local Chevy dealer.

What Type of Motor Oil Should You Use for a Late Model Chevy Pickup Truck?

The Chevy pickup truck is a classic. With roots dating back to the early 1900s, its quite easy to get your hands on a late model Chevy pickup from a variety of decades. Yet, many of the owners of these older vehicles often ask our automotive experts, ‘what type of oil they should use?’ While the engines have certainly changed and varied over the years, for older vehicles, we’d suggest you start with high-mileage motor oil. This high-mileage motor oil will ensure that your engine continues to run smoothly regardless of the odometer reading. You must maintain the state of your engine’s complex array of components.

Vehicles like the 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500, tend to sport beefier six-cylinder or even eight-cylinder engines. These beefier engines require a beefier kind of motor oil, and as a result, you’ll want to opt for motor oil with a thicker viscosity. If you drive any late-model Chevy pickup truck with more than a four-cylinder engine, we’d suggest a 10W-30 grade motor oil. One that is fully equipped to handle a high demand for power and performance.

No matter what type of motor oil you choose, staying on top of your motor oil changes is incredibly important. Even if you use the best grade of motor oil for your engine, not properly maintaining it can spell the same kind of disaster caused by using the wrong type. To ensure that your Chevy pickup is still getting the best quality of motor oil possible, we suggest that you seek regular motor oil changes from a group of well-trained auto repair professionals.

Receiving Motor Oil Changes at McCluskey Chevy

At McCluskey Chevy, our service and parts departments are operated by a team of auto technicians who are incredibly knowledgeable in the realm of motor oil and oil changes. We understand the value of using the right grade and type. We will provide you with the resources and services that you need to improve the long-term performance of your engine. We believe that you should never have to settle for second rate services. As a result, will go above and beyond expectation to leave you 100% satisfied with all that we’ve provided. As a leading dealership in the Cincinnati area, we strive every day to craft for you the best dealership experience possible. From oil changes to helping you purchase a high-quality used late model Chevy truck, our team at McCluskey Chevy are here for you to answer any, and all auto-related questions you may have.