New Here

Maverick42 · January 22, 2011

Hey everyone, I`m sort of new to the forum (used to be on here a few years back). Anyway I just purchased a 2011 Silverado, 4WD Ext Cab 5.3 Flex with towing package. I previously owned a 97 Z71 Shortbed and a 99 Z71 Ext Cab which was unfortunately totaled about a month ago.

This is my first brand new one and have been told after 1000 miles or so to change all fluids, oil, trans fluid, both diff`s...What are ya`lls thoughts about this and I`m sure theres a thread on here somewhere but what do you suggest as far as motor oil?

Stevens03 · January 22, 2011

I personally changed the oil to synthetics and rear end fluid after the 1st 1000 miles. I've done this on all new trucks I've ever owned and neither have let me down.

Ryan00TJ · January 22, 2011

I personally changed the oil to synthetics and rear end fluid after the 1st 1000 miles. I've done this on all new trucks I've ever owned and neither have let me down.

Congrats on the new truck! Follow GM's maintenance schedule in the owners manual and you will have no problems. However, if you are on the anal side of maintenance like most here you will do the changes long before they are really needed. I agree with what Steven said above and did the same to mine. The front and rear diff do break in and leach metal wear particles more in the break in period. I changed mine F@R @ 3K miles. Oil @ 1200 to Mobil 1 Syn T@SUV 5W-30. I would not worry about the TC or Trans fluid until the 25K mile mark. That is what I am doing to mine. At 17K now.

Stevens03 · January 22, 2011

I personally changed the oil to synthetics and rear end fluid after the 1st 1000 miles. I've done this on all new trucks I've ever owned and neither have let me down.

Congrats on the new truck! Follow GM's maintenance schedule in the owners manual and you will have no problems. However, if you are on the anal side of maintenance like most here you will do the changes long before they are really needed. I agree with what Steven said above and did the same to mine. The front and rear diff do break in and leach metal wear particles more in the break in period. I changed mine F@R @ 3K miles. Oil @ 1200 to Mobil 1 Syn T@SUV 5W-30. I would not worry about the TC or Trans fluid until the 25K mile mark. That is what I am doing to mine. At 17K now.

As you mentioned, I just felt like I needed to change those two fluids to remove any possible metal flakes from the break-in process. After that, I've always followed the recommend maintenance schedules.

Maverick42 · January 22, 2011

Thanks for the advice guys, I think I'm going to go ahead and do both diffs plus change the motor oil. I see now that 2011 and new the oil must be Dexos approved, I was planning on running mobil 1 full synthetic so I will have to look into whether or not it is approved.

DwayneJ · January 22, 2011

Molbil 1 is not magical, heck in some applications it is nothing more than really expensive and mediocre.

I would not even consider changing the front diff fluid till you actually use it, I think you guys get a little snow periodically, maybe plan the front diff change for the second or third engine oil change to give it a chance to actually break in first.