Synthetic or dino oil from the factory?

bowtie_pasta · January 25, 2006

I just bought a '06 Tahoe and was wondering what type of oil Chevy puts in from the factory?

I asked at the dealership and received mixed replies.

Also, if it's not already synthetic when is it safe to switch?

Thanks,

Roland

Buggle_96 · January 25, 2006

Switch it to synthetic at 500 miles! Thats what I did.

GM and other companies release vehicles with syn oil, i think the myth is kinda faded out about not running syn oil on a new engine. My 2 cents.

bowtie_pasta · January 25, 2006

Thanks. I'll probably just wait until my first oil change to make the switch. When the Engine Oil Life system tells me, or 1 year, whichever comes first.

I read a good FAQ on the Amsoil site, but I had trouble linking it...sorry.

Buggle_96 · January 25, 2006

I would strongly urge changing your oil within the first 1000 miles, preferably 500 miles. You will have quite a few metal shavings in the oil by the time the OLM comes on.

bowtie_pasta · January 25, 2006

Couldn't I rely on the filter to take care of that metal?

bowtie_pasta · January 25, 2006

Perhaps the full break-in process is not completed at 1000 miles and switching to synthetic at that time would just contaminate the synthetic.

I sure wish the owner's manual covered 'break-in', if there even is such a thing on these new engines.

bowtie_pasta · January 28, 2006

I did happen to find the Break In section in the owner's manual after all. It doesn't mention anything about oil types or even when to perform the first change.

It did however specify no speeds over 55mph for the first 500 miles. Oops! I was doing 70-75 on the freeway the other day. Glad I found the guidelines so I can baby it around even more.