oil, oil changes, etc

Mattt · March 29, 2005

Ive been running synthetic oil in my truck for the last few years. On average, I let it go around 6-7000 miles between changes, depending on oil clarity, and what Ive done with the truck. My oil is still translucent, no problem, its not black. Its a shade darker than the honey color it was when I put it in. There are so many different opinions out there on oil and changes. Some say swap the filter and leave the oil, some say 10k miles on synthetic, some say every 3000 miles regardless.

On my most recent oil change I tried Wal Mart brand FULL synthetic 5W-30, Super Tech I think is the name. Its in a grey container with a blue lid, just like Mobil 1. Obviously Wal Mart doesnt bottle oil. Anyone know if this is Mobil 1 repackaged, or what other brand it is?

Prior to this, I ran the Mobil 1 5W-30 that came in the 5 qt. jug from Wal Mart. They were out of the Mobil 1 so I tried the house brand. Last change, I put a Mobil 1 oil filter on there too. Is it worth the $10?

Now that my oil is getting up there, seems like Im having a bit more cold start knock in the morning. Im thinking its time to change.

What is the general consensus on the Super Tech oil, if there is one?

Will a 10W-40 help prevent the cold start knock better? Ive been running the 5W-30 to help my fuel mileage. Will 10W-40 be heavier enough to affect mileage?

For those that run synthetic oil.....how often are you changing it out?

dewfpo · March 29, 2005

ALL your questions will be answered at :

www.bobistheoilguy.com

DEWFPO

Mattt · March 29, 2005

ALL your questions will be answered at :

www.bobistheoilguy.com

DEWFPO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, I will check that out. Im also looking for some personal experience as well, bring it on.

TIA

93Stocker · March 30, 2005

The link below is to a recent post in the Full Size Light Duty Forum. Once it is opened, go to the link posted by "mdub" for lincolnsonline. Mobil 1, Wal-Mart oil and filters are discussed. The author seems to know his stuff. You might also do a Search on this site for Mobil 1, discussed fairly often here.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=39832

Mattt · March 31, 2005

ALL your questions will be answered at :

www.bobistheoilguy.com

DEWFPO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That site is overwhelming. WAAAAY too much info there. I spent a good hour on it. I also read the info on lincolnsonline, more good info. Anyone else care to add some personal experience?

With synthetic, are you changing at 3000, 5000, 7000, 10000? Swap the filter earlier, before full changeout or not?

As for what oil Super Tech is, the answer was a bit ambiguous. I saw multiple posts saying different things. Maybe even different oil depending on where you are in the country.

Looks from the site like the M1 oil filter is not worth the $10, instead a good(read not Fram) filter is just as nice. AC Delco, Purolator, Napa, Super Tech all were high on the list.

Any particular oil weight seem to knock out the cold start knock better than others?

Thanks

tvandevelde · March 31, 2005

I liked the article on the Walmart oil enough to go buy some today (10W 30 full synthetic). I use the AC filter and will change the oil once a year. I'll be shocked if I put more than 2,000 miles a year on the truck. I got it just to tow the boat once in a while.

tvandevelde · April 1, 2005

Changed the oil, filter, air filter and cabin filters last night. The cabin filters were the nastiest things I've ever seen.

2002HeavyChevy · April 1, 2005

Hey guys, I dont mean to hi-jack the post at all just wondering if someone could give me a quick answer on what the cabin filter would be. Newb here and have never heard of them before but wouldnt mind checking on them to make sure they in fact do need a changing. Thanks.

Chris

Thanks again, sorry Mattt for butting in, just want to be knowledgable.

tvandevelde · April 1, 2005

Here's a link on how to change it.

http://gm-trucks.com/home/content/view/142/25/

I got mine at Advance Auto. It was $16.88. There are two of them in the box (as well as the truck).

It took about 15-20 minutes to change. My truck has 122k on it and I don't think it had ever been changed. What a mess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also wanted to mention the best invention I've ever seen! I got an orange wrench that slides on to the oil filter. You then use a socket wrench to take it off. There is no room to use a traditional filter wrench onj the 8.1. I actually changed my oil and didn't spill any on my or the garage floor!

dewfpo · April 1, 2005

I also wanted to mention the best invention I've ever seen! I got an orange wrench that slides on to the oil filter. You then use a socket wrench to take it off. There is no room to use a traditional filter wrench onj the 8.1. I actually changed my oil and didn't spill any on my or the garage floor!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What's an 'orange' wrench?

Is your 8.1L 4x4? Can't imagine you having room below the filter to get a wrench on to remove it if you have a 4x4 rig.

No dripping from the filter?

How'd you deal with the flow out of the pan into the exhaust pipe?

Just curious, since you say you didn't spill any. I'm getting ready to change the oil for the first time on my new truck.

DEWFPO

mcreyaufmiller · April 1, 2005

So back to the orignal question, I use the 5w30 in my truck and change the oil every 6-10k. I do a complete oil and filter change. If your oil is coming out clean, you either have a good clean engine and run only super unleaded or you use the best filters in the world.

Mattt · April 2, 2005

I hear what others are saying about the cabin filters.....I changed mine about a month ago and I was blown away at how dirty they were.

Thanks to all that have posted about oil, oil changes, etc.

tvandevelde · April 2, 2005

Is your 8.1L 4x4? Can't imagine you having room below the filter to get a wrench on to remove it if you have a 4x4 rig.

No dripping from the filter?

How'd you deal with the flow out of the pan into the exhaust pipe?

Just curious, since you say you didn't spill any. I'm getting ready to change the oil for the first time on my new truck.

DEWFPO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was the orange wrench.

It's 2WD. The filter did drip just a little, but right into th pan. The oil also hit the exhaust and ran straight down to the pan as well. Don't heat your oil too much in case the oil from the filter hits you.