Influencer Recommends Switching Oil, Removing Thermostat, Claims Chevy Silverado’s Factory Oil Too Thin

TikTok creator Steve Moore has advised owners of 2014–2019 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado trucks to replace the factory-recommended 0W-20 motor oil with a thicker 5W-30, arguing that the OEM-specified oil is “too thin” and was chosen solely to meet government fuel economy standards. He also recommends removing the transmission thermostat (by installing a bypass valve) to lower transmission fluid temperatures and disabling Active Fuel Management (AFM) four-cylinder mode, claiming it negatively affects driving experience. While some online users support his views, others report no issues using 0W-20. General Motors has not yet responded to these claims. Experts caution that modifying factory settings without authorization could void warranties or impact vehicle performance.