Do You Wait For The Oil Change Reminder In Your GM?

[okfoz]

I will agree, I like driving the 2002 Lesabre, 26 mpg average, 30-36 mpg highway... What I do not like is I feel like I am riding on a skateboard, but I put up with that for the better MPG. I drove the Tahoe the other day and I felt like I was in an airplane... If I had to compare the two, Both cars are basically equally equipped, however the Lesabre does not have the moon-roof nor the BOSE radio... Based on those things, I prefer the Tahoe... barely...

 

BUT I really like my creature comforts and the bells and whistles.

[Barry Brandonio]

Every 3-4k

[Jsdirt]

Yep - can't hurt. Nobody ever damaged an engine by changing the oil TOO much.

 

 

 

For that airplane ride, we've kept our '86 Grand Marquis garaged the past 12 winters. Boy do I wish they still built cars like this! This was a step down from the Marquis of the late 60's too - everything had been cheaped out on, on this car ... but compared to today's vehicles, it's a tank.

 

Wife drives it all summer long, 70 miles per day to work and back. I forget to change the oil half the time - I shoot for 4k, but it usually ends up 5-7k. Has 230k on it now, on the ORIGINAL 30 year old fuel pump, starter and power steering pump. The p/s pump had the original lines up until I decided to replace the weepy one, and ended up changing both the pressure and return. Had the OEM injectors too, but I broke one while removing it to replace o-rings ( actually didn't break - just the plastic tip protector broke off ). I did the ball joints 10 years, 120k miles ago - still good! Only on it's second front bearing job, and it didn't need them last I did them - figured I'd do it since I had the rotors turned and installed some new pads. Thing just runs all the time, rides BEAUTIFULLY, and gets 22 mpg. Has ICE COLD R-12 air, power everything, and Bilstein shocks. Isn't a vehicle made today than can match it's comfort. Paid $2k for it in '03 - owes me nothing.

 

[kstruckcountry]

I wait for it, then reset it and run the oil to 10,000, per oil analysis. I do a bit of highway driving, right now it's at 8,000 miles on the current oil at 2% left on the OLM. I had to add 3/8 a quart of oil at 6,000 miles.

[Chris]

I run 10k or once a year. Usually before SEMA. This time at 11k the OLM said 14%

[okfoz]

I am not sure but it does not seem that the oil% is based on miles alone. In my experience it seems that during the winter the % drops faster than the summer. Also if I do a lot of highway it does not seem to drop as fast as around town driving. I assume there is some sort of calculation, at least on the newer cars. Anyone have any insight into how it calculates your oil%

 

John

[dcheeseman]

I change my 2010 GMC Sierra with a 5.3L/325ci around 3,000 miles. I run 10w-30 Mobil 1, AcDelco PF63 and Lucas Pure Synthetic.

[albj93]

I try not to wait for the engine life monitor. Usually around 5000 miles for the engine using Mobil 1 synthetic and Mobil filter. Suspension also greased at the same time with synthetic grease.

Transmissions and differentials are at 20-25000 miles using synthetics.

The blazer gets regular dino oil at 3000 mile intervals with the mobil filter.

2013 Silverado: 28,000 miles

2006 Silverado:175,000 miles

2003 Tahoe: 178,000 miles

2002 Silverado: 162,000 miles

2001 Yukon: 206,000 miles

2000 Sierria: 250,000 miles

2000 Blazer: 138,000 miles

1999 Silverado: 258,000 miles

All done in house..

There is a fair amount of petroleum products consumed around here!

 

Andy

[Silverado62]

I have always changed my oil early on any vehicle I have owned. I usually do it between the 20%-20% mark.

[crankman]

No, I tend to overkill maintenance. it's so easy to change the oil and its the life blood of your engine. Time management plays a factor too....if I'm getting close and have a couple of free days, I do it early.

Totally agree

[Shawn5800]

I enjoyed this read about GM's oil life system and figured you guys might also. It was written it seems in 02' but the process has not changed much. Might change your opinions on relying/not relying on the oil life system.

 

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

[diyer2]

Old school 3K miles, cheap insurance as mentioned.

 

My first vehicle with OLM. Did my first oil change on my used 2012 Sierra, 5.3 now at 43K miles. Oil had 2K miles on it but was black, this tells me previous owner ran oil longer IMO.

I also think the oil pressure sending unit screen sludgeing up causing low oil pressure readings is related to prolonged time between oil changes or poor quality oil.

[Daryl LBZ]

I change mine every 5,000 miles. I run Amsoil in the car, and Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum in the truck.

[Black02Silverado]

I try not to wait for the engine life monitor. Usually around 5000 miles for the engine using Mobil 1 synthetic and Mobil filter. Suspension also greased at the same time with synthetic grease.

Transmissions and differentials are at 20-25000 miles using synthetics.

The blazer gets regular dino oil at 3000 mile intervals with the mobil filter.

2013 Silverado: 28,000 miles

2006 Silverado:175,000 miles

2003 Tahoe: 178,000 miles

2002 Silverado: 162,000 miles

2001 Yukon: 206,000 miles

2000 Sierria: 250,000 miles

2000 Blazer: 138,000 miles

1999 Silverado: 258,000 miles

All done in house..

There is a fair amount of petroleum products consumed around here!

 

Andy

With that many vehicles you put in some serious "seat" time.

[albj93]

With that many vehicles you put in some serious "seat" time.

Hello Nick,

Not too much seat time(~300 miles a week), just a sickness... .

I wish I could afford more...It's nice to drive one for each day plus there is four drivers in the house...Thank you for providing the oil contest.

Andy