Oil Change for new truck what mileage?

TNTSierra · May 26, 2020

I have 2100 miles on mine now. I will be taking it in at 3k miles. Oil is cheap compared to an engine, and with my father being a mechanic. He has always sworn by this motto. All of his vehicles have been changed around the 3k mark, and he has gotten over 250k miles out of his last 3 vehicles. The 97 Silverado 5.0L had 270K on it, and we still see it running down the highway from time and again.

redwngr · May 27, 2020

On 5/25/2020 at 9:56 AM, hotrodz37 said:

I only have 1600 miles on my truck and the oil life is at 49%. Is there a time/mileage calculation built into the oil life monitor? I know it’s not at 49% because of mileage. I have had my truck since November 19, was built in May of 19. I have such low miles because Covid has me working from home.

Just curious - I plan on changing at 3k anyway but wondering why it’s showing such low percentage already - unless there is the time factor built in as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, time is one of the items the OLM uses in is calc.

For low mileage users, OM recommends changing at least once per year.

I look at OLM occasionally. Vehicle has busy seasons and quiet seasons.

I try to balance getting the OLM below 20% with getting the oil changed when it is convenient.

Sometimes this means 25%, sometimes it gets to 0% (OM suggests trying to change it within the next 1000 miles if it gets to zero).

They seem to have increased the influence of 'calendar time' in recent versions of the OLM.

Nanotech Environmental · May 27, 2020

On 5/26/2020 at 12:03 PM, TNTSilverado said:

I have 2100 miles on mine now. I will be taking it in at 3k miles. Oil is cheap compared to an engine, and with my father being a mechanic. He has always sworn by this motto. All of his vehicles have been changed around the 3k mark, and he has gotten over 250k miles out of his last 3 vehicles. The 97 Silverado 5.0L had 270K on it, and we still see it running down the highway from time and again.

I'd suggest that if you think oil is cheap, perhaps sit down and do the math. Doing hi-frequency oil changes is actually quite expensive insurance, not cheap insurance. If you drive a vehicle to 300k, you're actually paying the equivalent cost of an extra engine, or at least an overhaul (more or less, depending on a few factors) by changing at 3k, rather than 8K, even though the engine didn't need all those extra changes. Modern engines and oils are good & there hasn't been very many (if any) oil related failures in many, many years.

I change at the factory recommended intervals and my vehicles all go past 300k miles on the original engine.

TNTSierra · May 28, 2020

On 5/27/2020 at 1:23 PM, Nanotech Environmental said:

I'd suggest that if you think oil is cheap, perhaps sit down and do the math. Doing hi-frequency oil changes is actually quite expensive insurance, not cheap insurance. If you drive a vehicle to 300k, you're actually paying the equivalent cost of an extra engine, or at least an overhaul (more or less, depending on a few factors) by changing at 3k, rather than 8K, even though the engine didn't need all those extra changes. Modern engines and oils are good & there hasn't been very many (if any) oil related failures in many, many years.

I change at the factory recommended intervals and my vehicles all go past 300k miles on the original engine.

Too my father and I it is. I can change oil in my truck for about $50. So I could change my oil 100 times and still not get to the cost of new engine. (That math comes to $5,000.....just so you know)( a new 6.2L runs around $7k or more depending on whose installing it.) That's a lot of oil changes! I personally don't keep my vehicle past 150k miles. That's my preference. My father on other hand doesn't mind having a truck with that many miles. So in both our cases, yes, it does make sense to have extra security and cleaner oil running in our vehicles.

Grumpy Bear · May 28, 2020

I change oil in Pepper on 5K OCI's so for 300,000 miles that is 60 changes.

Oil 6 quarts at $9.48 a quart

Tax per quart $0.76

Filter $7

$20 a year for AMSOIL membership at 15 years $300

Total per change $68.44 so 60 changes plus membership is $4,400

At 20K miles a year that's 15 years. She has 116,666 mile on her and is 5 years old.

In 10 years I'll be 76 (If I make it that long).

In ten years my $25K truck will be $50K and a motor? Who knows. But well above $4,400. It is now and that's in the crate.

Think I just talked myself into 2,500 mile oil changes and I'd still be ahead.

:crackup:

If I use Kirkland oil and a good filter the cost about a third of that.

zozmanGMC · June 1, 2020

On 5/25/2020 at 8:56 AM, hotrodz37 said:

I only have 1600 miles on my truck and the oil life is at 49%. Is there a time/mileage calculation built into the oil life monitor? I know it’s not at 49% because of mileage. I have had my truck since November 19, was built in May of 19. I have such low miles because Covid has me working from home.

Just curious - I plan on changing at 3k anyway but wondering why it’s showing such low percentage already - unless there is the time factor built in as well.

Here, I have one better for you. 2018 GMC Sierra 6.2L. Oil changed at GM dealership second free one in November 2019 OLM set 100%. A few short trips put on 1200 miles then stored in garage as I used the wife's vehicle. Used the truck then again in May 2020 and the OLM showed 43% life remaining. Now that full synthetic oil ain't going bad just sitting in the garage! I reset it back. Keep the old fashioned oil reminder sticker on the windshield and a vehicle maintenance log because the OLM wants you to oil change early and often.

zoz