Five Duramax oil for heavy vehicles

Buying powerful beasts like Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, or other such pickup trucks is no less than a hassle as they require a lot of research and testing. It is important to be sure about what you are buying and be very diligent about every single detail. An important item on the list is the ideal engine oil required by the engine for optimal performance.

The powerful Duramax engine of these cars produces a lot of torque and horsepower. But what makes these powerful engines run smoothly?

It is the Duramax oil that makes it happen. Like other car engines out there, the Duramax engine does require the right kind of lubrication to work properly. Therefore, it is important to find the right engine oil if you wish to enjoy smooth drives in your four-wheelers.

Duramax oil – A buyer’s guide

Before you embark on your journey to find the best Duramax oil for your Duramax engine, there are a few important things that you must know.

You need to check the compatibility of your Duramax engine with both motor oils including 5w40 and 15W-40. With that being said, what distinguishes these two oils? Well, if you are looking for a good performance oil that can work in any weather at a reasonable price with full protection, 15W-40 is your ultimate solution.

On the contrary, if you are looking for engine oil that best performs in cold weather, 5W40 is all that you need. The interesting fact is that the number 5 refers to the lowest temperature and this means that this oil will remain functional in cold weather.

6.6 Duramax oil capacity

Believe it, Duramax 6.6-liter is a big engine and needs a great amount of oil to keep on working efficiently. Precisely, this massive engine requires around 10 quarts to be specific.

The oil change guide for Duramax

It is always better to follow official instructions to perform an oil change. As per the official instructions, after covering every 7500 miles the Duramax engine’s oil should be changed. However, in some particular engine models, this limit can go up to about 10,000 miles before you need to change the engine’s oil.

For a detailed guide on how to change the Duramax oil, we have added a video link that will help you understand how you can change the oil on your own.

Duramax Diesel 6.6 oil change to Amsoil

Best Duramax oil – Top reviews

Here are some Duramax oil reviews that we have compiled so that you don’t have to spend time searching for the best one among the pool of brands.

Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 – Full Synthetic Heavy Duty Engine Oil:

Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 is one of the best oils for the Duramax engine as it is also rated as one of the top oils out there. This oil has a low ash formula which is best suited for vehicles that have exhaust after-treatment devices as it prevents blocking. The oil meets the USA standards of fuel emission. The low ash formula prevents oil buildups in engines and keeps the engines clean. If your top priorities are corrosion and wear protection, Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 is the best option for you. It has a long service life and will even help in reducing consumption of fuel.

PROS:

• Meets all USA fuel emission standards
• Reduces fuel consumption
• Works well in every weather
• Keeps the engine clean

CONS:

• Its performance is not outstanding in cold weather

Liqui Moly 2041 Premium 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil – Duramax oil for Winter:

Liqui Moly 2041 Premium synthetic motor oil is the best pick for cold weather conditions. With a great viscosity rating, it performs outstandingly in winters and resists oil thickening in the cold. Not only this, but it also performs well in warm weather. Perhaps the best feature of Liqui Moly 2041 Premium 5w-40 synthetic oil is its ability to provide friction protection for a smooth motor run. Furthermore, it helps prevent buildups of sludge deposits in the engine and prevent the occurrence of corrosion. Finally, with the amazing fuel economy, it offers a complete solution for your smooth long drives.

PROS:

• Excellent performance in the cold
• Good performance in warm weather
• Keep your engine clean
• Prevents corrosion and sludge deposits
• Reduces fuel consumption

CONS:

• Very expensive

AmazonBasics High Mileage 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil – for Duramax Engine I5p

Looking for an all-rounder kind of oil?

Amazonbasics high mileage 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil is what you want. This special motor oil is ideal for both diesel and gas engines – this surely is an added advantage. Moreover, the oil works well for the engines which require a viscosity rating of 5W-40 to work efficiently as this rating indicates that it will perform well in cold weather. It’s a high mileage oil that comes with special formula seal old gaskets that make sure there is no oil leakage. It stops sludge deposits as well as stops any new buildups in the engine. These features improve engine life and fuel consumption.

PROS:

• Best for high mileage cars
• Reduces sludge deposits and buildups
• Works well for both diesel and gas engines
• Good performance in cold weather
• Better fuel efficiency

CONS:

• Not recommended for new vehicles
• Average wear protection

Valvoline Premium Blue 8600 ES SAE 15W-40 Duramax lml Engine Oil:

This is the only oil that Cummins has endorsed, and it is best suited for the Duramax engines as well. The noticeable feature of this oil is that it works for both gas and diesel engines because of its 15W-40 oil viscosity rating. At this viscosity level, every oil works well in moderate to high temperatures. As such, it is not as good as other engine oils for winter driving. The Valvoline Premium Blue 8600 engine oil undoubtedly performs well for both old and new vehicles. It offers commendable prevention from friction, wear, and corrosion. It keeps the engine clean for a good span of time and improves the engine quality over time. Not only it offers improved fuel economy but also prevents deposit which is far better than the standards of the industry. The product comes with triple dispersant chemistry that does not thicken the soot.

PROS:

• It offers excellent shear stability
• Good for both old and new vehicles
• Keeps the engine clean
• Performs well in normal temperatures
• Ideal for diesel and gasoline engines
• Offers fuel efficiency.

CONS:

• Not ideal for old cars
• Average performance in cold weather

Mobil 1 112786 15W-40 Delvac 1300 Super Motor Duramax lly Oil:

This oil is specially formulated for heavy vehicle engines like semi-trucks, pickup trucks, and transports. If you have a vehicle that accepts the 15W-40 motor oil, then this oil type will surely work for you. This is because of its viscosity which works in almost all-weather conditions except for the extremely cold weather. The product is specially designed for heavy-duty engines that had to experience a lot of pressure and stress. It provides friction and wear protection for vehicles. Further, it adds lubrication to the engine components to prevent damage. It does not only excel in low fuel consumption but also improves fuel economy to a great degree. The Mobil 1 112786 15W-40 Delvac 1300 Super Motor oil is undeniably a good pick for heavy diesel engines. Just go for it without giving a second thought.

PROS:

• Commendable wear and friction protection.
• Works in every weather except extreme cold.
• For heavy engines
• Keeps the engine clean.
• Low fuel consumption.
• Offers better fuel economy with the passage of time.

CONS:

• Quite expensive.
• Average performance in cold-weather.

Recommendations for Duramax oil

For heavy engines like Duramax, it is important to find the right kind of oil to keep them going. It is officially recommended that in normal weather conditions, motor oil with a 15W-40 viscosity rating should be used.

In contrast, the motor oil with a 5W-40 viscosity rating is recommended for extreme cold weathers as the oil has the ability to resist thickening in extreme cold. From the above-mentioned Duramax oils, you can choose the best one as per your vehicle requirements. The brand name does not matter if you are getting the quality and viscosity of your choice.

Duramax oil cooler

Extreme heat is the enemy of heavy engines like Duramax. Such engines require oil coolers to maintain the oil temperature. The Duramax oil cooler is not a component that gets damaged usually. Though it must be replaced after any catastrophic engine failure. If you keep going with a defective engine oil cooler, it will eventually cause oil cross-contamination.

The GM’s 2020 Duramax oil cooler L5P rejects 22% heat. It is rated better at 450 horsepower as compared to the earlier cooler units of 2017 and 2019. It has more cooling plates for better heat reduction. It comes pre-installed and has a 1- 8-inch sensor port for temperature.

For smooth running, good engine oil is essential that also maintains the engine life. Very few people pay attention to motor oils because of the common mindset that all engine oils are the same. But they are not actually; each one is different from the rest and is used for specific applications. Now you don’t have to research a lot because we have already listed the top 5 Duramax oil for you that will give you long-lasting performance with complete engine protection.