# 2020 Tahoe 5.3 Oil is ridiculously thin **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [October 10, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2020-tahoe-5-3-oil-is-ridiculously-thin/204231 "2025-10-10T14:48:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2020-tahoe-5-3-oil-is-ridiculously-thin/204231/1 "2025-10-10T14:48:05Z")
So I finally had to buy something different and settled on a 2020 Tahoe. Unfortunately it has DFM which shuts cylinders off to save fuel. It specifically calls for 0W20 oil. I believe thos is way to thin running water thin oil and no wonder these engines chew up cams and lifters. I feel more comfortable running 5w30. Any suggestions? Unfortunately its getting hard to get a early 2000s vehicle in good shape around here so I was forced to buy one of these newer stickers that are known to have problems. I still have my caprice but I will not drive it on salted roads because it needs to be preserved. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2020-tahoe-5-3-oil-is-ridiculously-thin/204231/2 "2025-10-10T14:57:09Z")
> [@Old-Days-Rick](#): > > I feel more comfortable running 5w30. Any suggestions? In addition to Direct Injection and Active Fuel Management, your engine also has Variable Valve Timing. The VVT system’s functioning depends to a great extent on using the same viscosity oil for which it was designed. My suggestion is that you follow the oil viscosity advice from the people who designed and built that engine. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2020-tahoe-5-3-oil-is-ridiculously-thin/204231/3 "2025-10-10T14:57:24Z")
> [@Old-Days-Rick](#): > > It specifically calls for 0W20 oil. I believe thos is way to thin running water thin oil and no wonder these engines chew up cams and lifters. These engines chew up cams and lifters because owners don’t change their oil often enough. The lifter is a roller lifter so it less sensitive to oil weight. The AFM operation with oil deposits can cause the lifter to turn in its plastic holder and wipe the cam. It isn’t the thin oil that causes the problem. That said, 5w30 would not be a bad choice. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2020-tahoe-5-3-oil-is-ridiculously-thin/204231/4 "2025-10-10T14:59:48Z")
> [@Old-Days-Rick](#): > > So I finally had to buy something different > > You don’t drop a bomb like that without any details, Rick > > WHY did you buy something else? What happened to the 1989 Caprice . . . ?! > [@Old-Days-Rick](#): > > It specifically calls for 0W20 oil My nephew’s 2024 Subaru Crosstrek uses 0w16 My 2025 Camry uses 0w8 YOU would have a heart attack, stroke . . . or both . . . if you bought one of those modern cars ---
**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2020-tahoe-5-3-oil-is-ridiculously-thin/204231/5 "2025-10-10T16:17:08Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > These engines chew up cams and lifters because owners don’t change their oil often enough. The lifter is a roller lifter so it less sensitive to oil weight. > > The AFM operation with oil deposits can cause the lifter to turn in its plastic holder and wipe the cam. It isn’t the thin oil that causes the problem. That said, 5w30 would not be a bad choice. Ok this information makes me feel better about using the recommended oil weight. ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2020-tahoe-5-3-oil-is-ridiculously-thin/204231/6 "2025-10-10T19:48:06Z")
Honestly…if you’re concerned about the longevity of your engine…I suspect it’s far more likely you’ll be involved in some kind of accident or collision that junks the whole Tahoe, than the engine having any fatal issues due to the weight of the oil. Agree with others on using what GM recommends, since they designed the engine. Drive on and worry about something else. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2020-tahoe-5-3-oil-is-ridiculously-thin/204231/7 "2025-10-10T20:54:21Z")
I’d use the oil recommended by Chevrolet. If you want further discussion, try anTahoe forum. Here’s one. There are several others. My guess is that more research may lead to more confusion on any oil subject. You can also get more information on your cylinder deactivation system. > **[Chevy Tahoe Forum | GMC Yukon Forum | Tahoe Z71 | Cadillac Escalade - Tahoe...](https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/)** > > Tahoe Forum, tahoe, yukon, gmc, chevy ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2020-tahoe-5-3-oil-is-ridiculously-thin/204231/8 "2025-10-10T20:59:38Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > My guess is that more research may lead to more confusion on any oil subject. Yep, I’d go with what the manual says, I might check out what ‘bobistheoilguy’ says (but not the forums). I won’t be changing the type of oil I used based on a commenter’s opinions, no matter how strong those opinions are. Provide me the opinion of a documented expert, I’m listening.