The least expensive 10w-30 or 40 I can find that meets GM specs. Change at 3-5,000 and oil filters (inexpensive too) at every other oil change.

My '92 bonne SSEi had 270,000 when I sold her. The inside of the valve covers and the bottom end were pristine when I let her go. The bottom of the bores were perfect with no noticeable wear. I checked that out the last time I replaced the oil pan seal. She used no oil between changes.

My '95 Vette gets Mobil 1 10w-30 and an AC filter each season. Typically I run about 5,000 miles per season; mostly interstate cruising to various events.

Ted

compyelc4, WOW, -see there, it just goes to prove to us all that it probabaly doesn't make ANY DARN DIFFERENCE at all what the heck oil, or filters we use, just so long as we keep them changed faithfully.

Okay now, since the question is "what oil do I use?" Here is my honest answer:
ALWAYS 100% synthetic 10-30. always, always always, no exceptions. -in every internal combustion engine I own. (yes, I've used Lucas additive too, -not too sure why, -just have. -probably because some of their other products have done some TOTALLY AMAZING things for me. )

BUT, that is a totally different story, not for this thread.

I doubt that I'll ever truly NEED the extra protection of the synthetic fluids, but what can it hurt using them anyway,,, OH YES, and I don't really care what brand either, just as long as it is 100% synthetic. (-have been using Mobil 1 now for a long time, mostly because it is readily available at my local WalMart store.) (-and after doing a little personal study of every brand of oil filter I could get my hands on, I have been extremely comfortable with WIX. (-also, at present, & for many years now, the NAPA "GOLD" line is in fact the premium WIX filter.)

So, just as with a lot of other products out there, it really just doesn't matter. SO LONG the products you use meets or exceeds mfgr specs.

Besides that, SO MANY guys I know find that by using their own personal favorite brands, their lights shine much brighter, their stereos play much better, the tires last longer, and they can out-corner C-6 Corvettes. How much better can it get !!

Full synthetic has more detergents in it, and keeps the motor clean.

+5 with the occasional K&N filter when im a spendy mood .

why 10W-xx over 5W-xx?

In the SSEi, my STE, my Lumina, and dads Turbo GP we use 10W-30 Valvoline Dura Blend. (synthetic/regular blend) We put regular Valvoline 10W-30 in my sisters '93 Olds 88, and my other sisters '93 GP LE. The GTP gets Royal Purple. All of them get an AC Delco PF-52 filter.

Shawn

-steve- just have to comment on your question of ".. why 10w instead of 5w.."

Here are my thoughts: As I'm sure you know, the number to the left of the "W" is the "cold viscosity." (-at least in theory, and I think it'* pretty much true in fact) So, in my mind, here is the deal: How light of a fluid do you need on a "cold start" in the climate where you live ? That is where I would base my decision. I just LOVE the picture of "toastedoats" car almost buried in the snow drift. -AND, by the way, "been there, done that", as I lived in Minot North Dakota for some 5 years, (a long time ago). So, don't you suppose that people in the frozen north lands should use 5W. -and those living in the more sensible climates further South will do just fine with 10W.

And, the owner'* manual really does pretty good job of suggesting the viscosity of oil to use, based on climate.

I use 10W here in Wyoming year-'round, because overall it suits my needs. (and my car spends it'* nights in a nice heated garage.) If I lived in Florida, I'd really have to consider a 20W. -and in MA, assuming my didn't live in a heated garage, I'd be using 5W, at least in the winter.

+6

INTENSE recommends switching to 5W30 (newer GM car spec) with their oil pressure kit. I see that Rogue hasn't done that.
Probably only adviseable if temps drop to sub freezing. It never gets that cold where we live.

I use 10W30 MAG1 oil with casite filters. No complaints, smooth as a whistle. '87 LG3, never been rebuilt, never been touched except the timing chain of course, 205k miles running strong. Doesn't leak, smoke, or drink a drop of oil EVER. And i drive my car hard. So there ya go.

+7 --- +2 for the K&N Filter