Oil Change

[rjgvt]

I'm on my third truck from the same dealer and have got the oil changes done at the dealer. I used to do them myself but got to a point that I didn't want to lay on my back under the truck. I called the service department Nov 4th to get an oil change sometime this week before Friday. I'm in between travelling for hunting for a few days. Service department was booked until sometime in December. I was at my camp when I called and drove to the dealer after I got home. They gave me some crap about being low on staff. I didn't make an appointment.

 

Talked to my sales guy while there and he called the manager of the new Subaru dealer next door. I've seen a couple of the Subaru guys in at the GMC dealer in the past. He asked him if they could do an oil change on an HD truck. They could and I went over there and made an appointment for today. 

 

Service girl took my info and I saw her driving the truck out of the service area where I parked it inside. I could tell that she's used to driving smaller vehicles. Paid when they got done. Girl told me that it was a nice truck. Thanked her and went home. 

 

Looked at the receipt. Part number for the filter was for a Carquest which I think is from Advanced Auto when I looked it up. Thought they would have gotten a GM one next door, no biggie. Oil was Subaru branded synthetic 5W30. No problem. Very nice dealership. Subaru's are the unofficial car of Vermont. If I ever wanted a car, I'd consider one.

 

I get 6 free oil changes at my dealer and have 4 left. I could have done the oil change myself but only have one vehicle. Murphy ya know!! I maintain my push mower, riding lawn mower and bigger tractor w/snowblower for winter but take my truck to the GMC dealer. Hopefully they can squeeze me in next time in 5000 miles!!

[64BAwagon]

The oil change workers are the bottom rung at the dealers and around here the turnover is pretty fast. 

[rjgvt]

It’s sad that the dealer that I spend money on vehicles couldn’t squeeze me in but a non-GM dealer had no problem. I could have went to a local automotive shop where I buy tires but a lot of people wait until the last minute to get snow tires swapped over. The day that I was in the Subaru dealer to make an appointment, they had appointments for 42 sets of snow tires.

 

To bad the oil changers have a high turnover. If they mess up, truck goes back on a flat back and cost the dealer $$$$!

[lineman1234]

Im surprised no one is yet screaming that voided the warranty, with a non GM filter and subaru dont use the same oil gen 1 dextros 3. 

[gemarsh]

4 minutes ago, lineman1234 said:

Im surprised no one is yet screaming that voided the warranty, with a non GM filter and subaru dont use the same oil gen 1 dextros 3. 

If the oil meets gm specs it won't be an issue. 

 

No issues using a non gm filter.

[lineman1234]

2 hours ago, gemarsh said:

If the oil meets gm specs it won't be an issue. 

 

No issues using a non gm filter.

I have done multiple oil changes for someone with a 2023 subaru. From my search the oil specs are still the same for a 2024. And say nothing about gen 1 dex 3 for being the spec of oil. So why would a subaru dealer carry that oil?

   Otherwise of course it would be fine if meeting specs. . 

 

The OP said nothing about the GM dealer supplying the oil, but did mention a non GM filter. 

    

I dont care, but usually lots of people do. 

    

[KARNUT]

I don’t use the dealer as much as I used to. I found a valvoline quick lube and inspection by me. Only when my GM dealer wouldn’t inspect my truck because there was condensation inside the headlight lens. They did. While there I was impressed by how they did oil changes. They use TQ wrenches. And I’m usually done in ten minutes. 

[rjgvt]

The oil they used is a Subaru part number for synthetic 5w30. Don’t know if it is Dexos approved or not. Either way, it will be back at the GMC dealer in 5k miles. 

[lineman1234]

30 minutes ago, rjgvt said:

The oil they used is a Subaru part number for synthetic 5w30. Don’t know if it is Dexos approved or not. Either way, it will be back at the GMC dealer in 5k miles. 

Im sure the oil is fine. There are a lot of well running subarus. I havent even looked  into what the heck gen 1 dextros 3 means. ha ha. 

   

My only point was it gets ugly on some oil threads and or filter threads, so thats why i mentioned it. I dont really care as long as its good oil and a good filter. For my needs. Heck, i use a reusable oil filter and have since first change. 

 

Laying under isnt fun, i will do it as long as i can. First oil change got a fumoto drain plug, its slower, but easy and very clean for me. The filter on the 6.6 gasser seems easy compared to other motors to get to on and off. Its very close to the drain plug. 

 

Has anyone greased the 9 zirks/urks/fittings on the front end yet? 

   I know mine didnt seem to have been greased by the dealer when i got it. The 3 on each side arent bad, its the 3 upper ones that are a bit to get to and grease. 

 

 

[Grumpy Bear]

2 hours ago, lineman1234 said:

                                           I don't really care as long as its good oil... 

 

Collins Dictionary defines GOOD as: [cut and paste]

 

2. adjective A1

Good means of a high quality, standard, or level.

 

 

As earning the API starburst only assures that an oil meets the minimum required standard set out by the American Petroleum Institute; the question is begged....

 

To what standard does one judge an oil as good? What is your measuring stick? Your standard?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[64BAwagon]

I usually pull the splash pan when I grease the front end. It for sure makes the drag link and pittman arm easier to get to.  Greasing the truck is not part of the PDI. There has been a lot of discussion about the HD front ends not having grease in them. The reality is that the parts have grease on them when assembled. The fact that the boots arent swollen out doesnt mean they didnt have grease on them when built. No one at the assembly plant or the dealer is adding any grease. Just like the differentials come filled from whichever supplier built them. Having said all that I typically put 3 pumps in any fitting on a new vehicle. It gives me a chance to inspect everything. I dont put a lot of miles on my 24 so a yearly oil change is all thats needed and it get a couple pumps of grease at that time. 

 

[rjgvt]

Ran some errands today and stopped at the Subaru dealer. Talked to the service manager and he assured me that my truck has the proper Dexos oil in it. He told me that they put the proper oil in the vehicles that they service regardless of make. Not sure if he was telling the truth or not. Going to run what's in it until Dec 19. 

 

I will be traveling for the next 4 weeks or so in Vermont hunting and a trip to PA. I have 4 free oil changes left at the GMC dealer where I bought the truck so I made an appointment today on myGMC app for an oil change on Dec 19, first available day. Mostly for peace of mind. I carry 2 quarts of oil in my truck for just in case. At a little under 12k miles, it hasn't used any oil between break-in oil change at 1161 miles. Next one was at 6699 miles and this last one at 11823 miles. Verified oil was full this morning. Trying to stick with 5k miles or so oil changes.

 

[lineman1234]

It hit me later, that the oil used in the subaru was 0-20, as called for. 

 

 

[lineman1234]

10 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 

Collins Dictionary defines GOOD as: [cut and paste]

 

2. adjective A1

Good means of a high quality, standard, or level.

 

 

As earning the API starburst only assures that an oil meets the minimum required standard set out by the American Petroleum Institute; the question is begged....

 

To what standard does one judge an oil as good? What is your measuring stick? Your standard?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I knew you would show up. Your attracted to oil and filter threads like a moth to a flame..

 

It is very good, of you to show up as well. 

Edited November 13, 2024 by lineman1234

[Pryme]

16 hours ago, lineman1234 said:

Im sure the oil is fine. There are a lot of well running subarus. I havent even looked  into what the heck gen 1 dextros 3 means. ha ha. 

   

My only point was it gets ugly on some oil threads and or filter threads, so thats why i mentioned it. I dont really care as long as its good oil and a good filter. For my needs. Heck, i use a reusable oil filter and have since first change. 

 

Laying under isnt fun, i will do it as long as i can. First oil change got a fumoto drain plug, its slower, but easy and very clean for me. The filter on the 6.6 gasser seems easy compared to other motors to get to on and off. Its very close to the drain plug. 

 

Has anyone greased the 9 zirks/urks/fittings on the front end yet? 

   I know mine didnt seem to have been greased by the dealer when i got it. The 3 on each side arent bad, its the 3 upper ones that are a bit to get to and grease. 

 

 

The location of this drain plug and filter is fantastic and very easy to do. Takes longer to fill the truck back up with oil, then drain it all. I put a few pumps of grease in all 9 zerks at each oil change. As mentioned, I also remove the shield for easier access and I’ve been able to get them all with standard grease gun with a 18” flexible hose attachment. 
 

wear long sleeves because I didn’t once and had black wax smudges on my arms.