New 2011 Silverado 1500 Z71 5.3 Crew Cab Owner

[krazymatt]

Hello fellow GM truck owners! This is my first post. I just got a brand new 2011 Silverado Z71 on Friday. I was raised on Chevys although I had a 03 Z71 Tahoe and a 04 Silverado about 6 years ago and I ended up getting rid of them because of some annoying issues namely the fuel pumps in those years were horrible. I've decided to give GM another chance. I know for a fact the 5.3 is a reliable engine. We'll see how the truck does...

 

I was reading the manual and the requirement for Dexos certified oil caught my attention. It looks like a handful of fully synthetics are approved. What do you all use and how often does the engine oil life computer tell you to change it?

[MaverickZ71]

Welcome to the forum! A listing of Dexos-approved oil is 'pinned' at the top of the Full-Size truck forum in the announcements section. It has been suggested on the 'net that GM has adopted the Dexos requirement in an effort to cut down on the warranty claims with their AFM (cylinder cutoff) lifter problems, but who knows, as not all of their models use AFM. More likely it may help with the variable valve timing or help with the fuel mileage a little. Seems like most of the members here that are Dexos-compliant are using Pennzoil Platinum or Mobil 1 with either AC Delco, Purolator Pure One, Wix, or Mobil1/K&N oil filters. You'll want to buy an end-cap type of filter wrench if you change your own oil, as the clearance between the oil filter and oil pan is pretty tight. The oil life monitor calculates the remaining oil life based on temperature, engine revolutions, etc., but does not have a sensor for regular dino vs. synthetic oil. Mine says to change about every 5000 miles in the winter (remote starts and lots of idling) and about every 6000 miles in the summer. Enjoy your new truck, and post some pictures of it for us!

[ujtruck]

Welcome Matt

 

I use NAPA Gold 7060 Filter and Castrol edge or Mobil-1 - run till oil monitor says - you are at 25%

[Austin83]

Go with Mobil 1, it's what the Vettes use I use Mobil 1 Synthetic oil and a Mobil 1 Extended Performance Filter. The oil life monitor uses many calculations to form a very accurate percentage regarding the life of your oil. I like to change my oil around 6,000 miles regardless of what the oil life monitor shows, and this last time at 6,300 miles I was at 35%. I see the oil life monitor as an accurate guide/tool. Many will say I am wasting money by not waiting until it reaches 0%, but I like to know that my oil is always in great shape so I change it early. Wix, Napa Gold (same as Wix), and Mobil 1 make great filters. I just stick with Mobil 1 because it is the oil I use, and the extra 6 bucks for it doesn't bother me.

[krazymatt]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I'll likely stick with mobile 1 then. Anyone running Amsoil? Problem with it is that with amsoil you wont be able to follow the computer being that it's an extended use oil. Are there any problems these trucks are notorious for that I should look out for? I'll get some pics up later today. It is granite blue.

[foghorn23]

I realize motor oil brand loyalty is almost as strong as truck brand loyalty. With that said in my past GM trucks I've used Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Platinum. Both are excellent oils, and either would do an excellent job. Now for what I would have never expected myself to do a few years ago...I decided to run Quaker State Ultimate Durability on my last change.

 

I grew up in the 70's when Quaker State was given the reputation for sludge....I still have that image. But Shell now owns Quaker State as well as Pennzoil. The old days of Pennsylvania crude are gone. As I started comparing specs on dexos oils that are easily found on the shelf the three mentioned topped the list... Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum, and Quaker State Ultimate Durability. Looking at Quaker State's specs it seemed to have better numbers than the Pennzoil Platinum and just as good as Mobil 1.

 

Finally the Quaker State Ultimate Durability had been turning in some great used oil analysis reports in the UOA section of Bobistheoilguy.com

 

The topper was that the Quaker State could be had at Wally World for less $$$. As I said not trying to change anyone's mind here, but this stuff seems to be really top notch oil at a good price. To meet the dexos spec (which I understand is higher than the previous Corvette 4718M spec), the oil has to be pretty darn good stuff.

[ChevyTech77]

Honestly? It is a way for GM to get more money from the oil companies. Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum and Quaker State Ultimate are all Dexos compatible, last I checked, because Shell oil is a factory GM use oil and needed to buy into the Dexos rights to continue to be as such. Valvoline has refused and currently has GM is court over it. I have a feeling that before long, you'll be able to use whatever oil you'd like but until then, I used Mobil 1 and a AC-Delco oil filter during my first oil change on my '11. I won't have my engine warranty denied just because I didn't run their approved oil and filter during the warranty period.

[krazymatt]

Yeah, I think oil brand isn't as important as changing the oil when you're supposed to; and of course using what the factory specifies. I imagine I can probably get the Mobile 1 at Sams for a fair price. I tryed using Royal Purple in my 04 Silverado and it would knock a little when I'd start it cold after using RP. Not sure if it was the oil or the truck. I'm not sure about all the hype surrounding those extended drain oils. I just don't feel right changing the oil at 15k or 25k because a company tells you it's okay. I plan on sticking with Mobile 1 and changing the oil when the truck tells me to.

[krazymatt]

Funny thing is my salesman gave me a certificate for a free first oil change but it says "not valid for diesel engines or synthetic oil." It's not worth the paper it's printed on. LOL. Here's a couple of pics. It's since been tinted. I'm loving it so far. What MPG's are yall getting in a 4x4 with 3.42 gears with the 6spd auto?

[ChevyTech77]

Yeah, I think oil brand isn't as important as changing the oil when you're supposed to; and of course using what the factory specifies. I imagine I can probably get the Mobile 1 at Sams for a fair price. I tryed using Royal Purple in my 04 Silverado and it would knock a little when I'd start it cold after using RP. Not sure if it was the oil or the truck. I'm not sure about all the hype surrounding those extended drain oils. I just don't feel right changing the oil at 15k or 25k because a company tells you it's okay. I plan on sticking with Mobile 1 and changing the oil when the truck tells me to.

 

YES, go to Sam's Club. It is $35 a six pack there where as I paid $39 for just a 5 quart jug of it at Auto Zone (was in a pinch with no Sam's Club nearby).

[MaverickZ71]

Funny thing is my salesman gave me a certificate for a free first oil change but it says "not valid for diesel engines or synthetic oil." It's not worth the paper it's printed on. LOL. Here's a couple of pics. It's since been tinted. I'm loving it so far. What MPG's are yall getting in a 4x4 with 3.42 gears with the 6spd auto?

 

I have a '09 CC Z71 4x4, 5.3L LC9 and 6-speed auto trans with 3.42 gears. Running gas (no E85) I get 12-14 city and 16-18 hwy. (Not quite the 14 city and 20 hwy that the window sticker said.) The gallons used and average fuel economy shown in the DIC in my truck are consistently around 20% overoptimistic as compared to the actual calculations done by hand.

[krazymatt]

Yeah I think the only way to calculate MPG's is by hand. Most cars are off by at least 1-3 mpg's. The only way you will get 20mpgs is on flat land, low elevation, 55mph and zero wind. Highly unlikely driving style in today's world. I will be happy if I can achieve 17mpg on the highway.

[ChevyTech77]

I can pull down 17-18 mpg with my '11 6.2 Ext. Cab 4WD on the highway. 75 mph with the a/c on. If I crack it up to 80, I will drop 1-2 mpg easily.

[MaverickZ71]

I can pull down 17-18 mpg with my '11 6.2 Ext. Cab 4WD on the highway. 75 mph with the a/c on. If I crack it up to 80, I will drop 1-2 mpg easily.

 

Oh sure . . . like you've got 403 hp and 17 mpg . . . oh waitaminute, you do. Rub it in, whydoncha?!!

[ChevyTech77]

Oh sure . . . like you've got 403 hp and 17 mpg . . . oh waitaminute, you do. Rub it in, whydoncha?!!

I lean harder, and WAY more often, on the 403 hp number than I do the 17 mpg number though. Over this first 3,000 miles on the truck, I'll be willing to bet that I only have two tanks at the 17-18 mpg mark and that's not to say that I wasn't shaking like a whore in church just wanting to smash the throttle to the floor that whole damn time, either, mind you.