A Couple Of Questions

[Bigtime]

My new truck has right at 100 miles on it and when they delivered it, she was spotless. In less than 2 days my front wheels are black with brake dust. Is it because everything is new or will I need to wash it every other day . What do you recommend for a wheel cleaner?

 

Also, I know the owner's manual will give me the type of oil to use but what brand do most of you use? I've always used Castrol GTX. I've seen Mobile mentioned on here a time or two. Synthetic blend?

 

Any special precautions or "break-in" period rules? Sorry for the silly questions guys.

 

Thanks

[VMax2007]

I wouldn't worry about the brakes. The pads and rotors are just wearing in to each other. The excessive brake dust will stop after a few hundred miles.

 

Asking about oil is like asking what kind of beer people prefer and is a debate that will never result in a common conclusion.

 

Personally, I have always used and will continue to use 5W30 Valvoline conventional oil with 3000 mile oil change intervals. AC Delco filter with every oil change.

 

As for break in, just read your manual.

 

[2000DV4.8]

Yeah the oil question usually gets people's panties up in a bunch. Everyone does it different, and all of our trucks seem to last, so obviously there's no right or wrong way (within reason, of course).

 

Personally, I use Mobil 1 synthetic and change it when the truck tells me to, or at 5,000 miles, whichever one happens first.

[VMax2007]

Yeah the oil question usually gets people's panties up in a bunch. Everyone does it different, and all of our trucks seem to last, so obviously there's no right or wrong way (within reason, of course).

 

Personally, I use Mobil 1 synthetic and change it when the truck tells me to, or at 5,000 miles, whichever one happens first.

 

 

You dumbass!!! Synthetic oil SUCKS!!! 5000 miles??!!! Your truck is going to blow up any minute!!!

 

 

[2000DV4.8]

Yeah the oil question usually gets people's panties up in a bunch. Everyone does it different, and all of our trucks seem to last, so obviously there's no right or wrong way (within reason, of course).

 

Personally, I use Mobil 1 synthetic and change it when the truck tells me to, or at 5,000 miles, whichever one happens first.

 

 

You dumbass!!! Synthetic oil SUCKS!!! 5000 miles??!!! Your truck is going to blow up any minute!!!

 

 

 

 

 

You're the idiot! Haven't you seen that commercial where the Dodge Chargers are in an alley and the one with conventional oil blows up?

 

[fbachman]

I wouldn't worry about the brakes. The pads and rotors are just wearing in to each other. The excessive brake dust will stop after a few hundred miles.

 

Asking about oil is like asking what kind of beer people prefer and is a debate that will never result in a common conclusion.

 

Personally, I have always used and will continue to use 5W30 Valvoline conventional oil with 3000 mile oil change intervals. AC Delco filter with every oil change.

 

As for break in, just read your manual.

 

 

Brakes: That was my observation. First couple of months: brake dust city. It has now settled down is is barely noticable. I have the 20" GMC aluminum wheels.

 

Oil: Heck, I let my dealer do it. COuldn't even tell you what they use. Isn't that pathetic? Rarely let it go more than 3500 miles. My local GMC dealer gets me in and out with oil and filter for $32.00. Can't beat that...Not even sure I could change it myself for that when factoring in the time. They have a special thing if you bought your truck there and do the oil there. Give you a good price. I am blessed with a great delaer. They are tops. I have heard the horror stories from some, but mine is truly an exception. I'll drive a little to let them service my vehicle --- even little shtuff like oil and filter.

 

Break-In: I followed the instructions in the manual. If I remember, it said keep speeds below 60mph (or something like that), and don't hold a particular RPM for tool long for whatever mileage range the manual recommended.

 

Now up to 12,000 problem free, enjoyable miles.

[jnabq]

What Aeroguy said. Oil, try extra vigin olive oil, gettin over 40 mpg and smells like pasta!! Buy in bulk at costcos

[Zembonez]

The brake dust is toxic and is gonna destroy your wheels in 30 days. They will crumble and roll your truck into a fiery ball if you are moving very fast when it happens.

 

Oil is overrated and should never be changed. Besides, they'll put new oil in the new engine when yours blows up so why bother?

 

Breakin requires your foot on the floor at all times. Always stomp the accelerator after putting it in park for at least 30 seconds. Drive the living sheeit out of it and brake hard at every stop (just be careful of the brake dust)

 

Of course I am only kidding... Congrats on the new truck.

 

I'm using Mobil1 5W30 at 5000 mile intervals and an AC PF48 filter. The brake dust will settle after a couple of thousand miles.

[Bostonsfavson]

Ray, what kind of finish do the wheels have (chrome, painted, etc.)? In any case, what you're going to want to do is find a good sealant, not a wax, and put it on your wheels. I use Menzerna FMJ, which you can find online. Another good choice is Four Star UPP. A good sealant will last for several months, and all you'll have to do is take a cloth (preferably microfiber) and wipe the wheels down whenever the brake dust is enough to bother you; the sealant makes cleaning the wheels a breeze. The problem with waxing wheels is that carnauba wax doesn't withstand heat very well, and therefore breaks down rather quickly when applied to wheels. If you don't feel like finding a good sealant, another option (albeit a less effective one) is to use a synthetic wax like Mequiars NXT. It's not as good as a sealant, but it's better than regular carnauba wax.

 

Ah, the oil question...so contentious. For what it's worth, I used to use Mobil 1 full synthetic, but after a while went back to conventional oil (Pennzoil). I just didn't think that synthetic was all that great, and I've always been happy with Pennzoil.

 

Break in? What break in? I just followed whatever the manual said. I can't remember anything else except not towing for the first 500 miles or so, which I didn't. Enjoy the truck!

[unit731]

Brakes: That was my observation. First couple of months: brake dust city. It has now settled down is is barely noticable. I have the 20" GMC aluminum wheels.

 

Oil: Heck, I let my dealer do it. COuldn't even tell you what they use. Isn't that pathetic? Rarely let it go more than 3500 miles. My local GMC dealer gets me in and out with oil and filter for $32.00. Can't beat that...Not even sure I could change it myself for that when factoring in the time. They have a special thing if you bought your truck there and do the oil there. Give you a good price. I am blessed with a great delaer. They are tops. I have heard the horror stories from some, but mine is truly an exception. I'll drive a little to let them service my vehicle --- even little shtuff like oil and filter.

 

Break-In: I followed the instructions in the manual. If I remember, it said keep speeds below 60mph (or something like that), and don't hold a particular RPM for tool long for whatever mileage range the manual recommended.

 

Now up to 12,000 problem free, enjoyable miles.

 

 

Same here with oil. The dealer does it. Good dealer. Free wash. I personally ask to see the car wash guy/gal before the wash. I tip $10.00 up front. They always do a very good wash and dry. They all know my truck now.

 

I never had any brake dust issues. But then again, I regularly wash the rims/tires. I probably don't drive as many miles as most. My rims are standard steel rims. And from last November with a brutal saltly snowy winter - they still look new.

 

Oil. That is a vibrant discussion on that subject here and elsewhere. I'm beginning to lean toward synthetic but have not made the final jump yet. There was/is a very good program on the History Channel about oils and synthetic oils.

[MountaineerTom]

Personally, I have always used and will continue to use 5W30 Valvoline conventional oil with 3000 mile oil change intervals. AC Delco filter with every oil change.

 

Same here, except I've used Purolator and Havoline (which is the same as the Purolator) oil filter as well as the AC Delco's.

[pennzoil29]

Yep, the brake dust will settle, and I use Valvoline Max Life, with a Purolator Pure One oil filter.

[D&SYukonDenali]

Currently using Mobile 1 synthetic every 5K. Next oil change I'm going the Castrol 0w30 European formula, continuing every 5K.

[slimjim2525]

This last oil change I used Shel Rotella-T 5w40 synthetic. I only used it because I had it laying around.

[MS3DALE]

Yeah the oil question usually gets people's panties up in a bunch. Everyone does it different, and all of our trucks seem to last, so obviously there's no right or wrong way (within reason, of course).

 

Personally, I use Mobil 1 synthetic and change it when the truck tells me to, or at 5,000 miles, whichever one happens first.

 

You dumbass!!! Synthetic oil SUCKS!!! 5000 miles??!!! Your truck is going to blow up any minute!!!

 

 

 

You're the idiot! Haven't you seen that commercial where the Dodge Chargers are in an alley and the one with conventional oil blows up?