The right oil for your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 can mean the difference between a long-lasting, great-performing truck and one that has mechanical troubles down the road. The best way to determine what your truck needs is to talk to the experts. Our service professionals at Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena know your Silverado inside and out, and they can help make sure you always use the correct oil for your engine.
Key Considerations When Selecting Motor Oil
There are several things to consider when choosing which oil to put in your vehicle. Oil plays a key role in your Silverado’s performance by keeping engine parts lubricated and reducing wear and tear. Before buying any oil, make sure to look at some important factors.
Manufacturer Recommendations
The best place to start when looking for motor oil is the manufacturer’s recommendations. You can usually find these in the owner’s manual. It’ll specify the recommended brand, viscosity grade, and type of oil you should use. You can also look for this information on the oil filler cap, or you can call your local Chevrolet dealership and speak with a customer service rep. They’ll know exactly what your Silverado 1500 needs.
Climate and Driving Conditions
You’ll also need to take your local climate into consideration when choosing motor oil. If you drive in an area where it gets hot or a place where the temperatures drop, it’s important to understand how these temperature fluctuations can affect your oil’s viscosity.
Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil. High-viscosity oil is thicker, which means it flows more slowly. Low-viscosity oil is thinner, so it’ll flow faster. When it’s cold, oil becomes thicker, which means it doesn’t flow through the engine components as readily, which makes the engine have to work harder. If your oil is too thick, it takes longer for your vehicle to warm up, making it less efficient. In comparison, when temperatures rise, oil becomes thinner and flows too quickly. If it goes through the engine components too fast, it won’t lubricate them enough.
Mileage and Age of the Vehicle
As your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gets older and the miles start to creep up, the engine has to work harder. High-mileage oil is made to help older vehicles perform better. It includes additives and seal enhancers to help reduce the chance of leaks by causing O-rings, seals, and gaskets to swell. Most high-mileage oils are designed for vehicles with over 75,000 miles on the odometer.
Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil: Which Is Better for Your Silverado?
There are generally two different types of motor oil: synthetic and conventional. It’s important to know the difference between the two in order to determine which is right for your Chevrolet Silverado.
Conventional Oil
Conventional oil, also known as mineral oil, is made from petroleum products and has been the standard oil in the auto industry for years. Since it’s made from crude oil, it may contain impurities that can affect viscosity over time.
Synthetic Oil
Synthetic oil is made from man-made chemicals and goes through a refining process to remove many of the contaminants. The refining process makes synthetic oil more consistent in terms of structure and size, so it’s less likely to form sludge than conventional oil.
Both conventional and synthetic oil have their benefits and drawbacks. Conventional oil is cheaper than synthetic, but it doesn’t last as long. Meanwhile, synthetic oil offers better fuel efficiency, and overall repair costs may be lower. You can use conventional oil in your Silverado, but GM highly recommends synthetic oil to improve performance and overall wear and tear on the engine.
Top-Rated Motor Oils for the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
GM recommends ACDelco Dexos1 full synthetic oil for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. But the best oil for your Silverado depends on what engine you have under the hood and the age of your truck and engine. The following list of engines is a good place to start if you drive a late-model Silverado 1500:
- 2.7-liter turbo engine: SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
- 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel: SAE 0W-20 DexosD diesel engine oil
- 4.3-liter V-6 engine: SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
- 5.3-liter V-8 engine: SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade
- 6.2-liter V-8 engine: SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade
- 6.6-liter V-8 engine: SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
The smaller 2.7-liter turbo engine requires a different grade of oil because its engine components operate under higher pressure. The diesel engine takes oil specifically designed for diesel engines.
Importance of Regular Oil and Filter Replacements
Regular oil changes and filter replacements are some of the most important things you can do for your Silverado. Keeping the oil clean ensures that it will lubricate the engine components and effectively prevent friction, which helps keep the engine from overheating.
While synthetic oil is recommended for your Silverado, you can use conventional oil. The frequency of oil changes depends on the type of oil you have. If you choose conventional oil for your truck, you’ll have to get the oil and filter changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you choose synthetic oil, get the oil changed every 7,500 miles. If you frequently tow heavy loads or drive over rough terrain, you’ll want to change the oil more frequently.
Schedule Chevy Service at Monument Chevrolet
Now that you know more about engine oil and what your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 needs, it’s time to schedule your next oil change at Monument Chevrolet. You can give us a call at 832-369-8298 or schedule your appointment using our online scheduling tool. Our service team is available to answer any questions you have about what oil your Silverado needs and help you decide what is best for your driving needs.
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