Best Oil 4 2000 Grand AM SE

My Grand am just currently reached 80,000 miles and it is time for an oil change. I usually just take my car to the shop to get it changed, and the oil type varies. Now that my car is getting more mileage on it, I want to make sure that it is taken care of properly in every aspect, including the oil type because I know that can make a big difference in the life of my car. Any suggestions on the best oils out for my car's mileage?

Also, are there other things I should keep a careful eye on now that my car is now almost 6 years old and at 80,000? I know I need a tune up, and I plan to get one soon, but unfortunately, I'm not sure what is done when I get a tune up. I'm off on my own in college and I my father used to take of these things. He taught me a bit, but some of it have slipped my mind adn I don't want to be cheated or ripped off (It almost happened before with a place "claiming" they changed my oil, when in actuality they didn't. They didn't know I was paying attention to what they were doing. They just added oil in the car and didn't know I was watching them. They figured since I was a female, I wouldn't know what was up). Please help if you can. Thanks.

Hi Sagnastychic , 80000 miles in six years is a great start to taking care of your car. Oil is the most important thing when looking to preserve your investment(caar). As long as you use a high quallity oil, like a name brand Mobil, Castrol, Valvaleen. You are right about the Quick Lube places. I've heard of them not changing the oil filter too and then charging you for it.
The manual that came with my car says 6000mls and use 5w 30 oil. I change my oil at 4000miles and I use Castrol High Mileage(green container)10w 30. I use high mileage because I have 118000 mls on my 99 GA and I use Castrol GTX because of previous expereance with this oil VS. others.Synthetics are are reallly great too. They are costly and supossedly they do protect the engine in ways standard oils can not. I personally have not used synthetic, because there hasnt been enough research,for me to justify the expess to use them. They're all pretty new on the market.
Something you can do before you get your oil changed, take a sharpie marker and mark an X or something on you oil filter. So you and the Quick Lubes know you know, ya know.. And if the oils black, chances are it wasnt changed. If you run into something you think they didnt do , I would tell the Manager and get it straightened out . Chances are he may have no clue what really goes on in his shop.
A tune up is usually stuff like spark plugs, wires and maybe an air filter(which should be changed with oil change). Older cars might get a distributor Cap and Rotor and clean off the carberator with cleaner. But ask to be certain. Hope this helps :)

You didn't say what size engine you have or even if it is a four or six. When it comes to oil changes use a good quality oil just like xeroinifinity says. Personally any of the major brands will do just fine. As for the tune up there are several items that need attention. First, make sure that who ever does the work replaces all the plugs, spark plug wires (your car doesn't have a distributer cap) PCV valve, change the transmission filter and fluid if you haven't done so but don't let them talk you into a transmission flush. An air filter is easy to change and should be done e.very 10 to 12K miles.

I hope this helps you with your tune up and service, if you ever have questions post them here and folks on the forum will be glad to help you in any way we can.

5W30 is what they use to improve fuel economy ratings, but I feel safer with 10W30. As long as you change the oil every 3000 miles, you can use store brand oil. If you run it up to 6 or 10K between changes, buy the good stuff and check it weekly. If you let a older (over 60,000miles) Grand Am V6 go over 4500 between changes you may notice that you only get about 3 quarts out when you drain it. My 94's oil light would come on at just about 4,500 if I was not checking it and topping off. Three different dealers said this was normal.
Moral of the story, Change it often and use the good stuff if you can afford it. The motor on my 94 outlasted the rest of the car, which was falling apart at 140K while the motor was strong.

PS, in 140K I replaced 3 sp wires and all 6 plugs at 102K.