First Oil Change - Any Tips?

[robertbick]

Ready to do my first oil change on my `08 Silverado 2500HD 6.0L gasser. I had to get under to see where the filter & oil drain were located. It looks to be easily accessible, filter on drivers side & drain on passenger side. Since the drain is on the vertical side, will the oil shoot out far then when it slows down, drip onto the skid plate? Any suggestions to keep the oil off the garage floor?

[wellinghurst]

Looks very similar to my 2003, but sideways-mine does drip on the skidplate. I've been tempted to notch it out to eliminate the entire problem, but I usually just stick a rag there so it doesn't run all over it. Mine also runs on my exhaust, but it looks like since yours faces sideways that won't be an issue.

[gstephen]

Bob, see this thread. Oil change tips

 

and thanks for the pics. I am sure new members will find them helpful.

[robertbick]

Bob, see this thread. Oil change tips

 

and thanks for the pics. I am sure new members will find them helpful.

 

Thanks!!!

[ATMINF]

I would also say to make sure you get the proper oil filter, follow the year for your truck, the 2007+ is different that the 1999-2006 LS/vortec series motors. Even though the 4.8,5.3,6.0 are basically the same GM changed the oil filter so do not think that the same oil filter will work in the 2007 and later trucks. I am note sure of the difference but I have heard the old ones will not screw onto your motor properly. The one "trick" that I do is to surround the oil plug drain hole and oil catch pan with cardboard to block the wind from blowing the oil all over the place when it is wind out. Good luck!

[jwhjr]

I take the skid plates off. No mess, and it makes the front end easier to grease as well.

[deerhunter]

I just completed my first oil change. Thanks to the posts and pictures in this forum I was able to locate the non-obvious oil drain plug. I used a fairly large plastic cat litter box that I happened to have (unused because the late cat refused to go near it) as the drain pan and managed to catch all of the oil, which does squirt out pretty good.

 

The filter was a mild PITA as my end cap filter wrench fit the replacement but would not grab the OEM filter. I used the old trick of driving a spike though the side of the filter to turn it. It took three penetrations to get it loose enough to remove by hand, but that problem won't happen again.

 

All in all, it wasn't bad. I don't have a skid plate (yet) so there was no mess.

[99silveradoz71]

Did mine on my 1500 last night for the third time. It definitely requires a bit more jumping around under the truck than my 99 did.

[Gray Ghost]

Did mine on my 1500 last night for the third time. It definitely requires a bit more jumping around under the truck than my 99 did.

 

My wife has a '07 Tahoe and I started using K & N Oil filters on it due to the many problems of using several type of oil filter wrenches trying to get it off. I believe My 07 Sierra will have the same set up and have been thinking of going K & N with that too Making it easier taking the oil filter off with a wrench since it has that bolt on the bottem of filter. Anyone have problems with K & N oil filters on their trucks? didnt mean to hi jack you thread.