First Oil Change

[pipermaru9]

I know that there have been thousands of posts on this site concerning oil changes. But I am going to ask this simple question. I have a 2002 Chevrolet Z71 5.3L. It has 2911 miles on it. I am going to change the oil on Saturday. I plan to use a PF59 AC filter. I am planning to go with 10W-30, here in Alabama it doesn't get that cold. What brand of oil should I use? Or does it matter? I want this truck to last so I want to get started out right.

 

I noticed the most people on here use Mobil but I have always used Castrol. But this is the first V8 I have ever owned.  :ehh:

[MountaineerTom]

I think if you use any well known oil, you would be ok.  Some prefer synthetic and some don't.  I actually prefer regular oil and have used regular Valvoline oil for years, with know problems.  I've always heard Quaker State is not a good oil, but have no first hand experience with it.  I would say Mobil 1 would be the way to go, if you use synthetic.

 

good luck.

[chevy4x4trucks]

I've been running mobil one synthetic in mine since the 3rd oil change.  Couldn't say much about helping the longevity since the trucks just coming up on 20,000 but heck, it's a chevy it'll last forever.

 

Tom doesn't care which oil he runs just so long as it's red and blindinly brilliantly sparkly

[carguru]

I agree with Tom that any good brand name oils would be good.  I use Mobil 1 5W30 and the PF59 filter.  The 10W30 is a little bit thicker and in theory will decrease gas mileage.

[Shaners]

I've always used Pennzoil in my vehicles and I run the manufacturers suggested weight.  I also swear by Delco filters on my GM products.  I think Castrol is a fine oil and should give you no problems if you want to use it.  Any oil that has the "certified" star on its' label should be fine too.

 

In my motorcycle I run a synthetic blend oil made for motorcycles.  I run this oil because of the extreme RPM's my bike see's and the severe punishment I put it through.  But just like my cars I change it every 3000 miles...

[GreenRado]

Piper:

 

I agree the brand names are all pretty much OK.  Lots of discussion about the merits of synthetic vs dino oil in general.  

 

One thing seems pretty much agreed upon, however, is to use dino for the first 8,000 to 10,000 miles for the engine break-in, then switch to synthetic, if you decide to go the synthetic route.  I use Mobil1, and mainly because I like the fact that it cleans real well, seems to stand up to temps that "crack" dino oil (if you believe the advertising), and flows quickly to the top of my engine even when it's below zero outside in Winter.  

 

I do not believe in extended oil change intervals using synthetic, however, but I do feel OK, at least, if it runs a grand over my usual 4K change interval.  Anyway that's my 2 cents! ;)

[phire]

I do not believe in extended oil change intervals using synthetic, however, but I do feel OK, at least, if it runs a grand over my usual 4K change interval.  Anyway that's my 2 cents! ;)

 

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Well, ya should! At least if you're using Mobil 1, the oil is still practically new at 5,000 miles. 7,500 is usually a good change interval for Mobil 1 as it's starting to age by then and if you reaaally want to push it, you could do 10,000 depending on your driving habbits. Mobil 1, out of the other top-rated synthetics held up the best and stayed within grade where the other oils didn't. And NO I'm not getting this from any Exxon Mobil site or study.

 

Think about it though, dino is an impure product by design and must be REFINED to be good enough to protect your engine. It's -very- costly to create a nearly pure dino oil so the result with dino juice is a 'pretty good' product at a fair price. The only thing in synthetic oil is what the engineer wanted in the oil. No impurities. Use this logic and common sense with all the independant studies done on it and you have yourself an oil that COULD protect your engine to at least 10,000 miles (if you HAD to push it that far) but, for those of us that like to play it safe... A change anywhere from 5,000-7,500 is probably optimal depending on where you live, the weather and how you drive with Mobil 1. Oh, and use a good filter like an AC Delco. They really are one of the best ones out there. Filter the best and have the largest capacity so they really do last longer.

[bowtie_pasta]

I plan on doing my first oil change when the OLM tells me or when 1 year arrives (whichever comes first). I'm basing this off what the Amsoil site recommends for best value. After that I will most likely go Mobil 1 with a Delco filter.

[Black02Silverado]

Wow, a post brought back from 2002, good to see that old posts are brought back instead of starting new ones on the same subject. It can bring a lot to light and answer questions some might have but not had a chance to search for them.

 

It will be interesting to see where oil change intervals go in the future now that oil costs are up and major manufacture's are starting to recommend longer drain intervals.

[gmcjoe]

 

LOL

I run Mobil 1 oil and fiilter, I run about 8K between changes.

[diverlloyd]

 

LOL

I run Mobil 1 oil and fiilter, I run about 8K between changes.

 

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Holy s**t!!! Don't bend over when Joe's around

I also use Mobil 1 and Mobil 1 filters. Since I am going 7500 between changes I like the idea of a synthetic filter.