I only ever use the blue filters that the Gm dealer sells me. I run Amsoil 5/30, and change the filter at 3mo, and top off the oil, and I change the actual oil out once a year... Works fine for me, and its still clean after the 4 oil change intervals. I do the same on my new Rado too.

4 Gm filters - $35
6L Amsoil - $60

vs

4 jobber filters - $25
20L whatever oil - $80-100

I save money and use a superior product.

 

Whatever works for you.

I long ago decided to avoid that particular pissing contest. If others want to do as you do, that's fine with me.
but.. btw...

Why do you have to go to a dealer to get a decent ACDelco filter?

 

Unless a person has a used oil analysis done there is absolutely no way of knowing if any particular oil is doing a good job of protecting his engine or not. There is no visible, smell, or touch test that will tell you anything regarding engine protection until it's too late and you see oil, metal, etc. There are several labs to choose from but value/money I use Blackstone Labs.

 

Interesting conversation. Here's some relevant "food for thought".

5W20 vs 10w30
Have you ever heard the sound that an engine makes when it spins a bearing? That nasty screeching sound? That's the bearing coming in direct contact with the journal, just grinding away. Rod bearings, main bearings and camshaft bearings are not supposed to come in direct contact with the journal.

When overhauling an engine, you measure the clearance between the bearing and the journal to determine what size bearing to use. Each engine has a specific clearance that needs to be there. That clearance provides space for a "cushion" of oil between the bearing and the journal.

When you hear a bearing, the bearing is being starved for oil. So, throw some thicker oil in it, oil pressure goes up and it quiets down, fixed, right? WRONG, pressure did increase, but volume decreased and now you're working on starving another bearing. The problem with using thicker oil in an engine with good bearings, is that it doesn't "fit" in the space and you lose the oil cushion.

The oil pump supplies the crankshaft with oil first. At each main and rod bearing journal, oil is pumped in. If it can't "fit", it continues on to the camshaft bearings. Same thing happens there, if it can't "fit", it moves on to the lifters, push rods, and rocker arms. All this time, the important bearings are being slowly starved for oil, eventually a bearing wears enough and it spins.

Bottom line, if the manufacturer calls for 5W20 oil, there really is a reason. Think about this next time you want to use thicker oil