Hourmeter / oil change + filter questions

Chewbacca · August 31, 2003

Yesterday I picked up a new 2003 extended cab 4WD 2500 HD 6.0L (among other things things this will be used to tow my "toy" '96 Z28 ).

I have two questions.

1) Does anybody know the correct Mobil 1 oil filter to use with the 6.0?

Yes I'm going to run synthetic oil (as I do in all my cars). The M1 filter in the wife's GTP sold me on this filter for the truck (I use a K&N for the Camaro).

2) Now that I have an hourmeter, can anybody give me an idea of when to change the oil based on the hours of engine operation?

Despite using synthetic, I still change the oil at 3000 miles. Necessary? No. Cheap long term insurance? Yes.

I read years ago how oil change intervals are better based on the engine operating time rather than miles driven. I'd like to hear some info on using this method.

Thanks guys.

lrymal · August 31, 2003

I read years ago how oil change intervals are better based on the engine operating time rather than miles driven. I'd like to hear some info on using this method.

Hours, driving style, average ambient temperature, average speed are logged by the on-board computer for the oil-life light. General Motors is recommending using the oil change light rather some mileage figure. Although 3000 miles at change-over might be satisfying psychologically, the discarded synthetic oil still has a lot of life remaining. As far as that goes, even cheaper premium dino oils would still have much life remaining at 3,000 miles.

Just from my opinion, I think you should change at 5k - 7k. We keep vehicles until they go to the pasture and that is waaaay over 150,000 miles. Hoses and belts might break, intake gaskets might go sometimes, but the lubed components are just fine. Also using Mobil 1 here and have been using it since the late 70s when that company used to advertise change intervals at 30,000 miles. That advertisement finally died since too many folks were skeptical at that figure.

As for me, I change when the light comes on and that has been averaging at about 8,000 miles. Admittedly, this truck rarely hauls large trailers, and I don't do any heavy-footed driving. It does live in a pasture a lot meaning 4WD is used when we service animals and equipment. And, alternately, it is on the freeway several times out of the week. But, this is the pattern of my driving for a couple of decades or so and changing oil at 7000 miles has not hurt anything.

Getting back to the subject, here is an official link from General Motors' Tech Link site regarding oil changes. You may want to consider what GM is saying when considering 3000-only miles as your change interval:

http://service.gm.com/gmtechlink/images/is...3/TLMay03e.html

Mike C · August 31, 2003

The only way to be sure is to get a UOA, I personally would not go any longer than 5k and dont think I would trust a Dash Light to tell me how my oil was doing on a 30.000$ truck. Just my two cents.

Chewbacca · August 31, 2003

I agree. I realize there is probably plenty of life left in my synthetic when I drain it. Even pricey synthetic is cheap insurance IMO. I really should start doing an oil analysis on my vehicles (especially the Z). I've been procrastinating on adding another task to my maintenance routine.

I also realize that although manufacturers are out to gain a quality reputation for themselves they are not in the business of producing 300,000 mile trucks. They would really like to see you in their showrooms again when the vehicle is paid off. I'll put a slight crimp in my wallet and err on the side of caution rather than rely on the PCM's opinion.

Understand also that manufacturers must adhere to federal guidelines aimed at keeping mass produced cars from being overly expensive to maintain. Hence the longer change intervals.

Anyway....

Anybody have any input as far as using the hourmeter as an oil change guide?

Also does anybody here use the M1 filter? I can't find an online application guide anywhere.

Thanks again

tmf6902 · August 31, 2003

When I ran dino oil I was getting about 7K before the light came on....I just put synthetic in it about 1500 miles ago, so I don't know how long that goes yet...most of my mile have been highway though, I imagine if you do more stop and go it will be less.

It's hard to believe that I have 30k miles on my truck and I have only changed my oil 4 times....

mjsmith1223 · August 31, 2003

2) Now that I have an hourmeter, can anybody give me an idea of when to change the oil based on the hours of engine operation?

Despite using synthetic, I still change the oil at 3000 miles. Necessary? No. Cheap long term insurance? Yes.

I read years ago how oil change intervals are better based on the engine operating time rather than miles driven. I'd like to hear some info on using this method.

Thanks guys.

Most marine applications talk about changing the oil every 50 hours or so. I'm not sure how that would translate to automotive applications as in a boat the engine is either at idle or WOT. Not much in between.

Mike

Grand Haven, MI