Oil life remaining indicator

[Gadwall]

I just picked up a 2011 Sierra SLE recently with the Z60 package and 5.3L V8. I changed the oil immediately with mineral based oil. My question is in regard to the onboard indicator that tells you your remaining useful oil life. The manual is vague on what the normal oil change interval should be; and makes no mention about syn/min oil. So is the truck smart enough to know if the oil is syn or mineral based when it suggests "oil life remaining"? I drive pretty conservatively and the manual seems to sugget that you follow the indicator rather than change fluids on any set basis. Also any advice on trans service interval and rear dif fluid change interval would be greatly appreciated, as the manual again is vague and basically suggests those services be done at 100K if driven in "normal" conditions.

 

Thanks guys.

[Chris]

Well I don't know if it's smart, but I run synthetic and my intervals using the OLM is around 10,000 miles

[scz71864]

I would like to know the answer to this too. I have run syn in mine since the first oil change and it seems like my oil life meter goes down quite fast.

[txab]

http://assets.cobaltnitra.com/teams/repository/export/975/c7820afba1004895010145efa6b30/975c7820afba1004895010145efa6b30.pdf

 

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=1&Number=130036&Searchpage=1&Main=9644&Words=%26quot%3BDoctor+Shirley+Schwartz%26quot%3B+&topic=0&Search=true#Post130036

 

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/98337-oil-life-monitor/?p=874346

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=oil+life+monitor+site:www.gm-trucks.com&hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all&ei=z3BSUd7sDrD22QWpjoD4DA&start=10&sa=N&biw=1680&bih=848

[99silveradoz71]

Most would tell you to do the diff's early depending on what your usage is (towing, etc), perhaps around 30k. As for the oil, I run mobil 1 and the truck isn't my daily driver, so I seem to end up around 5k intervals with no issues.

[Gadwall]

Thanks for the initial advice. I figured this topic had probably been cover before. Forgive me, as I just got the truck recently; so I am trying to figure everything out. What I am taking from this is that there are plenty opinions on the oil life indicator. I think the system is probably based on the owner using mineral based oil and that the system will let you know if your oil has been abused or got hot, etc... I think the days of arbitrairly changing the oil at 3000 miles is out the door and that following the systems suggested "remaining oil life" is a pretty safe process. I believe I will proceed following the suggested interval and do the oil change when it reaches 20% to be on the safe side.

 

Thanks guys.

 

Still in grey area on the trans service and rear diff.

[maxco]

My Dealership told me not to trust the oil monitor, just change oil every 5,000 km. and you won't have any problems.

 

Can't really help you on the trans/diff interval though sorry.

[txab]

Diffs and trans by at least 40k

 

 

I believe I will proceed following the suggested interval and do the oil change when it reaches 20% to be on the safe side.

For peace of mind you can have your oil tested to find out if your chosen mileage point is ok. Many are running at least 5k miles with either synthetic or dyno oil.

 

 

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

[txab]

My Dealership told me not to trust the oil monitor, just change oil every 5,000 km. and you won't have any problems.

 

Can't really help you on the trans/diff interval though sorry.

Overkill, imo. Dealers still suggest the 5000km or 3000 miles primarily because they make a few bucks off owners coming in for oil changes. plus they get to upsell you other services at the same time

[Gadwall]

Whats really scary to me is that the manual is so vague on this and many other mainenance related topics. I suppose they are covering their arse by staying very "neutral" on just about everything!

 

I feel like just picking 5K miles for oil changes using min oil; is probably a safe bet for my usage.. Although, the system will prolly let me extend it out to 7K+. I do believe that 3K is premature; unless I have put the truck under some undue duress!

[maxco]

I do my own oil changes 90% of the time so doing it every 5,000 km doesn't really bother me.

[Chris]

So I must not drive hard if the OLM is having me go 8-10k miles

[Z45]

My Dealership told me not to trust the oil monitor, just change oil every 5,000 km. and you won't have any problems.

 

Can't really help you on the trans/diff interval though sorry.

When you go to the quick lube place or the dealer for an oil change, the installer often gives you whatever they can buy in bulk for the cheapest price. They have a vested interest in having you come back again and again and again. Think about it, how many want you to keep driving your car? You are the only one; the dealers want to sell you a new car or truck. All you are to the dealer is money in the bank.

[newdude]

2011 and newer GM vehicles use Dexos1 5w30 motor oil which is a synthetic blend. I would suggest a synthetic blend or full synthetic oil and use your preference as to how often to change it. If you are comfortable with 3,000 miles, go ahead. If not, the OLM will be fine as well. Set yourself a minimum percentage if you wish at which to change it at.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

^^^^^^^^

Incorrect............Dexos 1 is NOT synthetic blend oil or even a brand of oil at all. It is a rating, don't confuse yourself. There are several oils that meet the dexos1 specs.

 

 

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