Synthetic Oil Change

[neonbee]

Hello Gang,

Just purchased my "first" pickup truck in my life.

A 1997 GMC 1500/Sierra SLE 2WD Ext. Cab.

Thanks for all the help you guys have givin' me prior to my decision.

Now the questions are REALLY going to start coming!!!

This truck currently has 5W40 synthetic oil in it.

I have read somewhere that you wait longer between oil changes when using this type of oil.

Can anyone here point me in the right direction as to the time/mileage between changes??

 

Much Appreciated,

 

~Neon~

[Roostman]

Your no doubt gonna be way happy owning a truck. As for the oil change intervals, youll get a ton of different opinions on this. Heres mine, change it just as you would regular oil, about 3-3500 miles. Heres my opinion of why: oil breaks down and get contaminated by all of the moving metal parts, doesnt matter what its made from, still gonna get contaminated. The benefit of a true synthetic such as Mobil 1, is just in lubrication. Its superior ability to bond to the metal for more protection is the benefit, not that it lasts longer. My $.02.

 

Enjoy your new truck and try not to get stuck moving, picking up, dropping off everything for all of your old and "new" buddies.

[Ape0r]

Your no doubt gonna be way happy owning a truck. As for the oil change intervals, youll get a ton of different opinions on this. Heres mine, change it just as you would regular oil, about 3-3500 miles. Heres my opinion of why: oil breaks down and get contaminated by all of the moving metal parts, doesnt matter what its made from, still gonna get contaminated. The benefit of a true synthetic such as Mobil 1, is just in lubrication. Its superior ability to bond to the metal for more protection is the benefit, not that it lasts longer. My $.02.

 

Enjoy your new truck and try not to get stuck moving, picking up, dropping off everything for all of your old and "new" buddies.  

 

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Synthetic oil does not break down as easily, that's the whole point! However, I do agree about the contaminants. I change about every 5k.

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

Any less than 5K and you're wasting time and money. If your truck runs well and doesn't have any engine problems,you could probably go all the way to 7500 and have no problems whatsoever. Some guys will say its cheap insurance to run synthetics to 3K miles but that just doesn't make sense.

 

If you insist on changing your oil at 3K miles,you might as well waste less money and run conventional. Synthetics won't do anything in 3K miles than conventional won't.

 

Your best bet is to run it to 5K-6K miles and have a UOA (used oil analysis) done. A UOA will cost about $20. They can tell you how much life is left in the oil. They can also pinpoint some issues you may not know about. Your truck is prone to intake gasket failure,a UOA can detect coolant in your oil.

 

Check out Bobistheoilguy.com. There is a wealth of oil related info at that site.

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

Your no doubt gonna be way happy owning a truck. As for the oil change intervals, youll get a ton of different opinions on this. Heres mine, change it just as you would regular oil, about 3-3500 miles. Heres my opinion of why: oil breaks down and get contaminated by all of the moving metal parts, doesnt matter what its made from, still gonna get contaminated. The benefit of a true synthetic such as Mobil 1, is just in lubrication. Its superior ability to bond to the metal for more protection is the benefit, not that it lasts longer. My $.02.

 

Enjoy your new truck and try not to get stuck moving, picking up, dropping off everything for all of your old and "new" buddies.  

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

True synthetics like Mobil 1 do resist acids and oxidation better than conventional oil. If it resists acids and oxidation,it WILL last longer than conventional.

[Roostman]

I dont really mind the extra $15 to change my oil and like the piece of mind knowing I have the best protection. Fresh oil is ALWAYS welcome in a motor. Sure you can run it longer but I choose not too. Call me what you will but I got fresh oil and you dont!

[2000 GMC]

I run Mobile 1 5W30 and change every 4500-5000 miles.

[tryn2lrn]

Mobil 1 @ 5k, I am just too d**n old to crawl under the vehicles the way I used to.

 

Oh yeah UPF44 filter

[budhayes3]

5k with synth is not a problem. I do mine much sooner, but I'm real anal about that, plus, I only put about 7 to 8k on my truck a year so it takes me a few months to see 3k. I usually change it every 4 months and I'm still below 3k since my last LOF.

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

5k with synth is not a problem. I do mine much sooner, but I'm real anal about that, plus, I only put about 7 to 8k on my truck a year so it takes me a few months to see 3k. I usually change it every 4 months and I'm still below 3k since my last LOF.

 

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In your case I'd change it once a year.

[mcreyaufmiller]

I run 5-30 Mobile 1 in my truck. Change the oil every 6-10k. Mostly closer to 6k.

[GOOSE]

Synthetic oil will last longer, but one thing I haven't seen mentioned is filtration. If you are using a superior oil you need a superior filter to remove the contaminates and particulates. The filters can be changed more often than the oil. Changing the filter helps the oil last longer.

[MMM]

I know everyone will probably disagree with me since I am on the extreme mileage end, but I never change mine before 7,500 miles, but never exceed 10,000. I always use Mobile 1 5w-30 synthetic oil and a Mobil 1 synthetic filter. In my "OPINION" every 3,000 miles is a racket set buy oil change stations to make more money. My manuel states on a 2000 model, that I can go 7500 miles on conventional oil, so I feel confortable going at least 7500 on Mobil 1 oil and filter. Besides, for the money it cost me to do an oil change, I cannot justify using synthetics if I only go 3000 miles. I think it's a matter of what interval you are comfortable with. I am probably on the high extreme, but I have close to 100,000 miles on my truck, which I use like a truck for towing, offroad, whatever, and have not had any problems whatsoever. MMM

[GOOSE]

I agree totally. I use the Amsoil 5w30. I do once a year changes and change the filter every 6 months.

[Jansen]

My two cents- friend of mine has a dodge caravan he uses mobil 1 15w50 runs 5000 miles then pulls the filter and adds a fresh quart then goes another 5k before changing the whole unit. Me. I run 5w30 and change at 5K.

 

Jansen