Synthetic Oil and Oil Life Montior

gmyeah · June 21, 2012

My wife has a 2011 Equinox and it came with the synthetic oil already in the motor. We change the oil and rotate tires religously every 5000 miles. Now, the oil life monitor states we're at about 50% if it's been harder driving.....60% remaining if the driving has been a bit more easy (highway). I'm sure this topic has folks on both sides of the fence, but since the oil changes are quite a bit more expensive since we're using synthetic, is the OLM really trustworthy enough to let our Equinox potentially go 10,000 miles before changing it? I've read some posts about how the system was developed, but still have some reservations since in the past few years I just got myself to go 5000 mi between oil changes on my 08 sierra (non-synthetic oil). Just conservative I guess, but was hoping someone could share a technical opinion. Thanks!

88m53453 · June 21, 2012

We have an 03 Tahoe and an 05 Sierra, both run synthetic . I did a Blackstone Lab oil analysis at 10,000 mile oil change, The recommendation from the lab "don't change a thing". At that time, both were being used on longer trips exclusively. Both are being used on relatively shorter trips now, 10-15 miles each way. I will probably cut it to 8000 mile OC. FWIW, the Tahoe has over 160k and uses maybe 1/2 qt every 5000 miles ,the Sierra has almost 180k and uses no oil. I do use quality filters as well.

The light does come on around 7-8k, as well

Nitro375 · June 21, 2012

It has been proven over millions of miles in thousands of vehicles that the OLM works. Of course that is assuming you dont have leaking headgaskets or any other major problems with your engine.

brainpause · June 21, 2012

is the OLM really trustworthy enough to let our Equinox potentially go 10,000 miles before changing it?

Yes.

Mikeb52r · June 22, 2012

Trust the OLM. Longer road trips are a lot easier on oil rather than the short stop and go traffic.

I just checked mine today and am around 55% with 3800 miles. I just did a 2000 mile trip from North Dakota. So yea, I am going to streatch my oil change this time and I am running conventional oil.

jdelrizzle · June 22, 2012

^ so you switch between synthetic and conventional?

txab · June 22, 2012

Use the OLM and occasionally have an oil sample tested for peace of mind

Z45 · June 22, 2012

GM factory fills with a synthetic blend

dexos1 Synthetic Blend 5W-30 motor oil—developed by General Motors and sold under the ACDelco brand—is the new global engine oil specification designed specifically to meet the requirements of GM vehicles.

Will Cadillacs still use Mobil 1 as a factory-fill oil?

• No, ACDelco dexos1 5W-30 will be used as factory fill, and meets the standards for Cadillac engines.

Mikeb52r · June 22, 2012

^ so you switch between synthetic and conventional?

I have run conventional ever since I bought the truck new. I always go by the OLM.

jdelrizzle · June 22, 2012

Does your truck have afm, how different is an 08 from a 2011? Granted I don't have a 5.3 ( I have a 4.8), I would like to start running some good old conventional oil, don't see the need for synthetic

Mikeb52r · June 23, 2012

Does your truck have afm, how different is an 08 from a 2011? Granted I don't have a 5.3 ( I have a 4.8), I would like to start running some good old conventional oil, don't see the need for synthetic

I do have the AFM and it is still active. Shouldn't be any differance between the '08 & '11s. I would run the conventional and not give it much thought. I would love to be running the synthetic but I just can't pay the price of it right now. Consistant oil changes using quality oil will keep your engine running as long as you have your truck.

93gmc$$ · June 25, 2012

^ so you switch between synthetic and conventional?

I have run conventional ever since I bought the truck new. I always go by the OLM.

The OLM will not be accurate if you do not use an oil which meets OEM spec. If the vehicle specifies synthetic and you use conventional oil, then the OLM has no meaning.

jdelrizzle · June 25, 2012

That's not true Olm was out before the whole dexos/synthetic thing, prior to 2011 synthetic or syn/blend was not a spec for the oil that had to be used in gm engines and I do believe mikeb52r has a 2008!