What is the engine oil specification for the LaCrosse?
3 Answers
The Buick LaCrosse uses 5W30 engine oil. This type of oil offers a balanced performance in lubrication, cleaning, and cooling, making it one of the most commonly used engine oils in the automotive market. For older models, 0W-40 oil can also be used. This oil has higher viscosity, which helps the engine operate more efficiently. Additional information: 1. Engine oil, or engine lubricant, serves multiple functions including lubrication and wear reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing to prevent leaks, rust and corrosion protection, as well as shock absorption. 2. Engine oil consists of two main components: base oil and additives. The base oil is the primary constituent of the lubricant, determining its fundamental properties, while additives are used to compensate for and enhance the base oil's performance shortcomings, providing additional beneficial characteristics, making them a crucial part of the lubricant.
Just finished maintenance on my 2009 Buick LaCrosse. The mechanic used 5W-30 full synthetic oil. He said this viscosity grade is suitable for all seasons, especially for smoother cold starts in northern winters. I previously tried 10W-40 once - the engine noise was noticeably louder and it consumed more fuel. After switching to 5W-30, the engine runs much smoother. The oil cap actually has SAE 5W-30 engraved on it - you can see it clearly with a flashlight. For older cars, remember to choose oils with ACEA A3/B4 or A5/B5 certification to protect hydraulic valve lifters. Don't cheap out - last time I used a no-name brand oil that turned dark brown after just 3,000 km.
Last month during the maintenance of my 2020 LaCrosse at the 4S dealership, the technician used the original Shell-manufactured 0W-20 full synthetic oil. Chapter 7 of the manual clearly states that China VI emission standard models must use low-ash engine oil with Dexos1 Gen2 certification to protect the three-way catalytic converter. The technician reminded me that modern engines with higher precision benefit from 20 viscosity oil, which is more fuel-efficient than the older 30 viscosity and provides better cold-start protection. However, it's important to avoid counterfeit products; genuine ones have a double-layer anti-counterfeit code at the bottom of the container. For someone like me who frequently drives on highways, it's advisable to stick to changing the oil every 7,500 kilometers or when the oil life indicator shows 20% remaining.
