If you have got yourself a beautiful old Chevy Silverado, you’re probably quite proud of it and should be, especially if you’ve got an older model with many miles on it. That 5.3 liter Vortec engine has some serious power no doubt.
One of the most important things to keep that engine powered and running in top condition is of course the type of engine oil you put into it.
High mileage trucks and their engines need a specific type of engine oil, ideally a full synthetic to protect against wear and tear . This is what we’re here for today, to help you find the best motor oil for high mileage (75,000 mile and above) 5.3 Vortec engines. We’ve reviewed the best motor oil for this engine and have a lot of useful tips to share including active fuel management so lets get to it!
Click here to skip to our recommended pick!
- Reduces engine wear
- Protects seals and gaskets
- Minimizes oil consumption
- Maximum lubrication and wear protection
- Protect against buildups/clogs
- Works well in both very high and low temperatures
- Comes in 2 viscosity ratings
- Perfect for old trucks
- Protects against phosphorus and oxidization
- Complete with seal conditioners
- Keeps engines clean
- Ideal for high mileage engines
- Helps protect against loss of power
- Prevents leaks and buildups
- Ideal for high mileage vehicles
Overall #1 Rated Pick
Royal Purple SAE 5W-30 High-Mileage Synthetic Motor Oil
When it comes down to it, this is one of the most highly recommended oils for high mileage engines such as a 5.3 Vortec, and yes, it meets the 5W-30 oil viscosity requirements of a Silverado. It’s specifically designed to minimize the amount of wear on older engines and to restore performance as well.
This oil is made with proprietary additives from Royal Purple, as well as robust zinc/phosphorus anti-wear compounds to ensure minimal wear. Royal Purple SAE 5W-30 is also made to help engines resist oxidization.
On that same note, this oil is specially formulated to swell old gaskets to prevent leaks, while also revitalizing hardened seals. The reduced friction increases engine performance, and the special formula allows for reduced oil consumption in high mileage vehicles.
Recommended Motor Oil for High Mileage 5.3 Vortec
We’ve interviewed our sources to learn what customers say, what mechanics prefer, and what the automotive manufacturer’s themselves recommend.
In our tests of the top recommended oil for the Chevy Silverado and the Vortec 5.3 liter engine the general consensus is that quality is key vs price, especially for high mileage vehicles. High quality oil protects your engine and its lifespan and most drivers and mechanics prefer well established brands for the Vortec 5.3 of which we go into further detail below
The top recommended oil we researched and tested are Royal Purple SAE 5W-30 High-Mileage Synthetic Motor Oil, Castrol 03102 GTX High Mileage 5W-30 Motor Oil, and Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil, among a couple of others too.
Pro Tip: Some 5.3 Vortec engines have Active Fuel Management (AFM) which is a Chevrolet technology that disables cylinders in an effort to conserve fuel. Although this can be disabled, its important to use an oil compatible with AFM if you have this feature by following manufacturer recommendations.
Recommended Picks
| Brand | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Mobil 1 5W-30 High Mileage |
|
| Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W-30 |
|
| Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage 5W-30 |
|
Best Oil for High Mileage 5.3 Vortec
Let’s now take a look at all of the best oils for high mileage 5.3 Vortec engines, so you can get that Silverado running like brand new.
The top best product [hide]
Royal Purple SAE 5W-30 High-Mileage
Mobil 1 5W-30 High Mileage Motor Oil
Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W-30 Motor Oil – Best Budget Motor Oil
Valvoline High Mileage Oil SAE 5W-30
Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil
Oil for High Mileage 5.3 Vortec – Buyer’s Guide & FAQ
Let’s now go over some helpful tips and advice on various issues related to your truck and its oil, such as how to do a 2005 Silverado oil change.
2010 Chevy Silverado Oil Type & More – Viscosity Ratings
The 2010 Silverado, as well as most other Chevrolet Silverados with a 5.3 liter Vortec engine require synthetic oil with a viscosity rating of 5W-30. Just so you know about viscosity ratings, the first number.
The digit in front of the “W”, stands for how low the temperature can be without the oil thickening too much, and the second number represents the maximum operational temperature which the oil in question is recommended for.
Some Chevrolet Silverados may allow you to use either 5W-20 or 5W-40 as well. However, before you start using motor oils with varying viscosity ratings, it is highly recommended that you consult an expert in regard to the specific make and model of your truck.
Chevy Silverado Oil Weight/Capacity
Something you may be interested to know is how much oil you will actually need to purchase in order to fill up the oil tank on your Silverado. The newer model of the Silverado, which in this case is the 2019, requires 6.02 US quarts of engine oil. However, this number can vary slightly depending on the year. For example, the 2018 and 2015 models takes 8 quarts of oil.
How Often to Change Oil on Chevy Silverado
Something else that may be important for you to know is how often the oil for your Chevy Silverdo needs to be changed. Chevrolet recommends that you change the oil in your Silverado at least once per year or every 7,500 miles, whichever one happens to come first.
Another important factor to note here is that how often the oil in your truck needs to be changed will also depend on the specific oil you are using. Some engine oils are designed to be used for up to 5,000 miles, while some may last up to 10,000 or even 12,000 miles. Once again, it all depends on the specific motor oil you are using.
How to Change Oil on The Chevy Silverado
Something you should know how to do, although it is not very hard, is how to change the oil on your Chevy Silverado. It’s best explained with a video instead of through words, so here we have a couple of tutorials on the matter.
2014 – 2019 Silverado Oil Change
2008 Silverado Oil Change
Oil for High Mileage 5.3 Vortec – FAQ
Now let’s answer some of your most pressing questions about the 5.3 Vortec, your Chevy Silverado, and the oil it requires.
What type of oil does a Chevy Silverado take?
The vast majority of Chevy Silverado trucks require synthetic oil with a viscosity rating of 5W-30.
How much is Chevy Silverado oil?
You can expect to spend anywhere between $20 and $80 for high mileage Silverado motor oil.
How much oil does a Chevy Silverado take?
Depending on the model and make, a Chevy Silverado will require between 6 and 8.5 quarts of oil.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that as long as you get high quality synthetic 5W-30 oil for your Chevy Silverado and its 5.3 liter Vortec engine, your vehicle should easily last for many more miles to come. Just be sure to look for high mileage oil that is specially formulated for trucks over 75,000 miles.
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