Automotive
For greater than a decade, GM truck owners have watched oil viscosity get thinner and thinner, mostly within the name of compressing out small fuel economy gains. Now the mood is shifting hard in the opposite direction. A recent GM Authority reader poll centered on the upcoming next-generation Small Block V8 shows most enthusiasts want GM to maneuver back to thicker oil, with 5W-30 leading the votes and 0W-40 right behind it. Only a small slice of respondents desired to keep the present 0W-20 spec, which says quite a bit about where owner confidence is at at once.
It is straightforward to grasp why this debate has grow to be so personal for truck people. GM moved its full-size truck V8s to 0W-20 across the 2020s era to assist meet CAFE targets, and the official reasoning has at all times been that modern engines are designed around tighter clearances and advanced oil formulas. On paper, that checks out. But truck life shouldn’t be a lab test. Towing, heat, long highway pulls, and heavy throttle under load are precisely the conditions where owners worry a thinner oil film has less margin for error, especially once miles stack up and wear tolerances inevitably open a bit.
The flashpoint was the L87 6.2L V8 recall that hit an enormous variety of GM’s hottest trucks and SUVs, including Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade models. Reporting across the recall points to internal engine failures tied to rotating assembly problems, and the treatment for vehicles that pass inspection has drawn essentially the most attention: GM’s guidance includes switching to a higher-viscosity 0W-40 oil together with related service parts. That move has fueled the precise argument enthusiasts have been making for years, that a thicker oil can provide extra protection when temperatures climb and loads stay high. At the identical time, it has created a weird split where some owners are told 0W-40 is the safer play, while others are warned their warranty is dependent upon sticking with 0W-20.
Looking ahead, GM’s Gen 6 Small Block V8 decision is about greater than just an oil cap label. It’s about whether GM prioritizes the last fraction of a mpg on a test cycle or builds within the sort of durability confidence truck buyers expect after they are hauling and towing for years. The timing is interesting, too, because proposed federal changes could ease a few of the pressure that pushed automakers toward ultra-thin oils in the primary place. And GM already proves it understands thicker oil in demanding applications, with factory specs on modern Corvettes that decision for heavier viscosities under the dexosR performance umbrella. If GM wants the following truck V8 to feel like a long-term keeper, listening to the individuals who actually work these engines could be the best win of all.
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Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a automotive enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that transcend the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design together with his skilled precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the location each sharp and forward-thinking.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
