Oil change intervals

[Chevor]

I'm sticking with 5k mile intervals. These engines use oil for many critical systems - VVT, AFM, cooling pistons, etc. If you want to go longer between oil changes I highly recommend getting a UOA (Used Oil Analysis) from a lab like Blackstone. Also, check out http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

http://www.blackstone-labs.com

 

I buy mine from Petro Service centers. Ana labs. Cost is under $18 a sample.

 

OLM is bogus I have seen it range from less than 4k miles to over 10k miles. I go by lab.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

The 5.3 in my '14 holds 8 quarts where the 5.7 350 in my 98 only held 5 so that right there means the oil circulates less which means it takes longer to break down. So even at 5,000 with conventional, 7,500 with syn blend and 10,000 with full syn when using only the minimum amount the engine needs then the oil can go a little further.

[Chevor]

Oil doesn't break down, it gets contaminated.

[HondaHawkGT]

The 5.3 in my '14 holds 8 quarts where the 5.7 350 in my 98 only held 5 so that right there means the oil circulates less which means it takes longer to break down. So even at 5,000 with conventional, 7,500 with syn blend and 10,000 with full syn when using only the minimum amount the engine needs then the oil can go a little further.

 

There's more oil but it's serving more purposes like changing the timing of your cam. The cleaner your keep the cam phaser the better off you are. The cleaner you keep the AFM lifters the better off you are. Check out the problems a bad or dirty cam phaser or AFM lifter can cause. Early oil changes are cheaper than tearing down the top end due to a failed lifter.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

 

There's more oil but it's serving more purposes like changing the timing of your cam. The cleaner your keep the cam phaser the better off you are. The cleaner you keep the AFM lifters the better off you are. Check out the problems a bad or dirty cam phaser or AFM lifter can cause. Early oil changes are cheaper than tearing down the top end due to a failed lifter.

 

I understand that, but in that case then maybe I should change the oil every month. More oil with more work pretty much equals out. As long as you change it like you're supposed to then the engine will stay clean. Modern oil can last longer than oil used to decades ago when the rule was 3 months or 3,000 miles.

[Spurshot]

One of the most significant contributors to longer recommended oil change intervals was EFI.

[bass mechanic]

this is one of the reasons i lease, some of you guys are so anal about oil changes you obsess over it.

fact is if you left your oil in for 10k miles using the factory recommended dexos i guarantee your engine will still easily make the 100k mark.

unless you tear that engine down your never going to see anything wear wise to be concerned about.

and how much do you think your truck will be worth by then anyway?

when the rest of the truck has fallen apart, the frame showing signs of rust who really cares how well you maintained it?

odds are the vehicle may have even been in a significant accident by then and further reducing its resale value.

i keep vehicles about 2-3 years on average. i think i may keep this one the full 39 month lease and i may even buy it out afterwords.

i plan to do some towing while in my possession.

i plan to change my oil just per the manufacturers recommendation with the recommended oil.

as long as the engine keeps running and as long as my warranty is still in tact, i could care less what condition the engine is in and how much wear it has when i pass it on to the next person.

and FYI all the oil change records in the world that you document and show to the next buyer won't add any value to the next guy anyway.

when you buy a used vehicle you get it as is with no implied warranty. i bet 95% of you guys who obsess over oil changes never keep a vehicle more then 8 years, by then it has over 100k miles on it and if you trade it in the dealer is not going to give a rip how often or how many oil changes you did.

so why waste your money changing it every 5k?

 

years ago a friend of mine went 17,000 miles on his toyota 4 runner that he leased on the original break in oil! i had to reprimand him for that and let him know the oil is probably about the consistency of axel grease by then, and he eventually did a change. i am by no means that bad. but oil changes are not something i loose sleep over.

 

i love the threads where guys talk about breaking in the motor and all these metal shavings being circulated about.

 

before that get's going let me point out that is what the oil filters job is for. anything too big to get through that stays in the filter.

 

i do recommend you install a magnetic drain plug a simple solution to keep those pesky metal shavings from circulating about the engine! lol but at least you know where those particles are ending up.

[Rawyzf]

I don't think I'm anal or obsess over it....I just change it at 5K for peace of mind. It's what I've always done, and I have never had an engine failure. I do plan to keep this truck for a long time, so I don't mind "extra" maintenance.

 

Maintenance records add value on trade in at some dealerships. It may not add value to the next buyer, but adds value to your trade and next vehicle.

 

Trucks hold value, regardless of mileage. I see a crap ton of the last generation gm trucks with 100K on them priced at 20K or more.

 

Now, if you don't plan to keep this truck, then I can see going until the oil life meter reads 0%, but again not something I would do.

[TxTruckMan]

I stick to the OLM with my 2003 Yukon and am approaching 200,000 miles with no issues. It's burning a little oil, so I sometimes add a half quart between changes. Even the 2003 OLM takes me past 5000 miles per change.

[tnchevy]

Our fleet of work trucks get the oil changed every 10k miles or longer mainly because we don't have time to get maintenance done when we should. Trucks get traded in at 150k to 200k miles beat all too hell but we never have engine problems. I have also never seen a dealership that gave a damn about maintenance records when you go to trade.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Our fleet of work trucks get the oil changed every 10k miles or longer mainly because we don't have time to get maintenance done when we should. Trucks get traded in at 150k to 200k miles beat all too hell but we never have engine problems. I have also never seen a dealership that gave a damn about maintenance records when you go to trade.

 

 

Yup, when I was at a dealer we scanned the VIN, looked at miles and overall condition. You can't do a big check when you first trade it in, just look at things you can see at ground level. Of course once something was traded in they did a good check. That was only if it had low enough miles to put it on the lot, the higher mileage and not so good condition vehicle went straight to auction. Not once did we ask for any kind of maintenance records. If you do a private sale then there won't be many people asking for records. Maybe if it's an expensive classic car (especially if it's Barrett-Jackson on Friday and Saturday material), but an everyday vehicle there's really no need to keep records unless it's something you've always done. I wouldn't do it just in case the next person ask for them.

[DeePa]

Keep your lease schedule. I buy my trucks to last 8 to 10 yrs and that means 200 to 250k.

 

Oil changes are a big deal to me. Sorry I'm not rich enough and drive too many miles to lease every 3 yrs.

 

What's your payment for the 38 months? What's it like not to own it after spending all that green?

 

Thanks for rubbing your $ in my face

[tnchevy]

I keep my trucks for 10 years or more (last one for 12 years) and oil changes are not that big of a deal to me. I change it when the light comes on or once a year and I put in what ever wally world or the nearest auto store has on sale. The same goes for my other two vehicles and my motorcycles and never a problem with an engine failure. Do what makes you feel good inside when it comes to oil changes and don't worry about how much money others have and you will live a happy life!

[Ventilator]

this is one of the reasons i lease, some of you guys are so anal about oil changes you obsess over it.

fact is if you left your oil in for 10k miles using the factory recommended dexos i guarantee your engine will still easily make the 100k mark.

unless you tear that engine down your never going to see anything wear wise to be concerned about.

and how much do you think your truck will be worth by then anyway?

when the rest of the truck has fallen apart, the frame showing signs of rust who really cares how well you maintained it?

odds are the vehicle may have even been in a significant accident by then and further reducing its resale value.

i keep vehicles about 2-3 years on average. i think i may keep this one the full 39 month lease and i may even buy it out afterwords.

i plan to do some towing while in my possession.

i plan to change my oil just per the manufacturers recommendation with the recommended oil.

as long as the engine keeps running and as long as my warranty is still in tact, i could care less what condition the engine is in and how much wear it has when i pass it on to the next person.

and FYI all the oil change records in the world that you document and show to the next buyer won't add any value to the next guy anyway.

when you buy a used vehicle you get it as is with no implied warranty. i bet 95% of you guys who obsess over oil changes never keep a vehicle more then 8 years, by then it has over 100k miles on it and if you trade it in the dealer is not going to give a rip how often or how many oil changes you did.

so why waste your money changing it every 5k?

 

years ago a friend of mine went 17,000 miles on his toyota 4 runner that he leased on the original break in oil! i had to reprimand him for that and let him know the oil is probably about the consistency of axel grease by then, and he eventually did a change. i am by no means that bad. but oil changes are not something i loose sleep over.

 

i love the threads where guys talk about breaking in the motor and all these metal shavings being circulated about.

 

before that get's going let me point out that is what the oil filters job is for. anything too big to get through that stays in the filter.

 

i do recommend you install a magnetic drain plug a simple solution to keep those pesky metal shavings from circulating about the engine! lol but at least you know where those particles are ending up.

I'm betting you're wrong, on several of your points you are trying to convince yourself of. I sure hope you don't practice what you preach!

 

I've ran several vehicles between 250,000 and 300,000, and they don't get there by not changing the oil. I've seen what happens to guys vehicles that use your train of thought. They are lucky to get 100,000 before it's a oil burning pos.

[bass mechanic]

I'm betting you're wrong, on several of your points you are trying to convince yourself of. I sure hope you don't practice what you preach!

 

I've ran several vehicles between 250,000 and 300,000, and they don't get there by not changing the oil. I've seen what happens to guys vehicles that use your train of thought. They are lucky to get 100,000 before it's a oil burning pos.

did you even read my post?

any car with 100k miles on it is a POS i don't keep them that long! those cars are someone else problem..