Fluids Question

[dirtfan21]

I own a 2007 NNBS silverado Z71 with around 41000 on it. I have read the manual and done some research on the fluids schedule (tranny, coolant, rear diff) but wanted to know what all your opinions are on the time table to change these fluids.

 

Everyone has their own opinion but I just was wondering what you all do. I dont tow except for my boat over the summer months maybe every other weekend. I do have somewhat of a heavy foot but nothing too crazy. Just wanted some feedback.

 

I use Schauffer all the way around in previous trucks, not sure if many know what this is but my uncle who is a mechanic swears by it. I run it in my 1996 and have no problems. 210000 miles, org motor, org trans so it works.

 

Thanks to all!

[RaddHazzard]

I would replace all your mentioned fluids, 41k is a good time to open things up and check em out. I replaced all diffs and transfer case and trans fluid at about the same mileage. I would use shaeffers if i could find it. I used rp maxgear in rear, m1 in front, and amsoil atf in TC, and gm dexron vi in trans. I just knocked em out on after another in a few weeks.

[Ryan00TJ]

Schaeffer's is great oil! Used it in the past in all my vehicles plus my boat. We recently located a vendor for them at work and I can now get stuff at a discount. I plan on running it in my truck here soon.

 

I have 9500m on mine and replaced the diffs @ 3K with M1 Syn75W-90. With 41K I would go ahead and change the diffs, TC, trans fluid along with the air filter etc... Dexcool should be fine for now as well as plugs, wires etc... Would not hurt to syphon out the power steering fluid and refill also.

[Black02Silverado]

Schaeffer's is a good oil. To bad it isn't more readly available.

 

I would go ahead and do your differentials, transmission and transfer case. Then you should be set for a while on the diff's and then keep the transmission on a 50k interval since you do some towing.

[kuhl_530]

I follow the regular intervals as closely as possible, with the exception of my engine oil. I use mobil 1 and a mobil filter, and run 6k on a single oil change.

 

In my experience brand name really isn't that big of an issue, as long as it meets manufacterer specifications. My last vehicle was a 1991 GMC Jimmy, which had nothing but Penzoil (5w30 in winter, 10w30 in summer after 150k,) with fram filters. I've heard more than enough people say that fram filters are pure junk and that they would rather dump acid in their crank case than penzoil (sarcasm is obviously present... i hope). The oil was changed at 3k not more than 100miles late, and I sold it, still running with ALL original drivetrain and 297k miles.

 

Moral of the story is, brand doesn't matter as long as you follow the recommended interval and use recommended fluids.

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to point out that the amsoil line that boasts 25k oil change intervals with an amsoil filter are NOT API certified. That doesn't mean it's no good, and Amsoil does offer their XL line that is API certified with a more modest change interval. I know I'm going to catch flak for this comment, but facts are facts. Take it at face value.

[dirtfan21]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feedback. I have done pretty much the same routine on my past trucks as you have described. Now that it is getting warmer up here in NW Indiana I wont mind crawling under the truck to take care of maintenance. Been taken her to the dealer for oil and lubes, which by the way kills me because of price and pride, because I'm not gonna bust knuckles laying in 10 degree weather.

 

As for Schaeffers, I am a very happy customer. I'm not shy on running trucks hard and this stuff has never let me down, EVER. Ran it in my 1995, 1999, 2000, and now will put it in my 2007. I started with a synthetic blend to ease the motors into the change, along with their own additive the first change, (much like a lucas oil sytle tree sap haha), then went to full syn. I get a case of twelve from my uncle, who is a small scale distributor, for around $53 with my discount. Cant beat it. As for tranny and others I did 50K intervals with the spec'd oil for the mechanical component.

 

Another question. With the new generation motors, should I use the syn blend then switch to full syn? Or can I just go straight to full syn with the oil additive the first change? It's a 5W30 by the way.

[Ryan00TJ]

You should have no problems going to straight Syn after the first oil change. I switched at 1100miles.