View Full Version : 14500 Mile Oil Changes
bbrase
08-20-2007, 05:52 PM
I have to agree with the science behind the GM recommended oil change interval. Here's results of my oil analysis from Blackstone: '04 TB 4.2 with 85K miles, 14.5K on oil, changed at 5% remaining. This is my company truck and I put a lot of highway miles on it, running regular 5W-30 Oil. I initially changed it every 5K miles, but lately change it at 5-10%, there is obviously no need to change it more often.
I think the silicone (Molybdenum), which is the only item out of line, is from the oil on the K&N filter. We'd save a lot of money if we quit changing our oil evey 3K miles, 'cause that's the way we used to do it. Refined oil and engines have gotten much better over the years. GM has done a lot of research and has the right idea here, change your oil when the computer says to do so. The military and fleet vehicles have been using the oil analysis method to determine oil change intervals for a long time. Follow the manufactures recommendations, and syntetic oil isn't needed. The oil companies and Arabs won't be happy, but save yourself some money.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc177/bbrase/Blackstone0807.jpg
juventus1983
08-20-2007, 05:55 PM
good to know.
KNBlazer
08-20-2007, 06:12 PM
yep my most recent oil change had about 15-17K miles in between changes ..usually I don't wait that long but for some reason I forgot about changing the oil...usually every 7-9K miles is when I do the oil change.. I use Mobil 1 Extended (I think that's what it's called) along with a K&N Oil Filter...
RayVoy
08-20-2007, 08:30 PM
I have to agree with the science behind the GM recommended oil change interval.
:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: :iagree: completely. Only thing I can add, is that you should change once a year even if light has not come on. Reason: if ur not running enough to bring on the light, in a 12 month period, the oil may have contaminants floating in suspension.
Super 88
08-20-2007, 08:34 PM
:iagree: :iagree::thumbsup:
Pulse Red GTO
08-20-2007, 08:38 PM
I'm not very bright with reading them things, but it seems to be saying that everything was fine? I just did my first oil change on mine, just hit 3,100 miles & changed it & what a pain!!!!! I don't think I will be doing it every 3000 either!! So if I use the oil life monitor it shouldn't be a big deal?
Thanks!
Super 88
08-20-2007, 08:44 PM
I'm not very bright with reading them things, but it seems to be saying that everything was fine? I just did my first oil change on mine, just hit 3,100 miles & changed it & what a pain!!!!! I don't think I will be doing it every 3000 either!! So if I use the oil life monitor it shouldn't be a big deal?
Thanks!
It gets easier to do the oil changes after you do a couple. But yes if you use the oil life monitor you will be fine. If the light doesn't come on in one year change the oil and reset the light.
:thumbsup:
mike2498
08-20-2007, 09:08 PM
As a mechanic I see first hand all the sludge that builds up with the extended oil changes!! Will change mine every 3000 to 5000 miles:):)
RayVoy
08-20-2007, 09:29 PM
As mechanic i see first hand all the sludge that builds up with the extended oil changes i will change mine every 3000 to 5000 miles:):)That's one of the reasons I use synthetic
rbarrios
08-21-2007, 02:27 PM
ill chime in- that is GREAT mileage. work truck- so u travel alone? all highway? I like that 14,000 + mileage.
the results below were a long 3000 mile trip to Guadalajara mexico with 3 adults, large german shepherd, all our luggage, and roof bag.... and then came back and drove about 7000 miles thru Southern california traffic... and got 10,000 + miles on the oil..... with excellent results as can be seen.....
http://home.earthlink.net/~rbarrios2/oilanalysis.JPG
bobzilla
08-21-2007, 04:37 PM
That's one of the reasons I use synthetic
:iagree:
longspur
08-22-2007, 12:39 AM
Synthetic oil in GM engines is not required. Only engine that gets synthetic Mobile 1 oil at the plants are the corvette engines.
As for the oil life monitor, I believe it but will stick to my every 3,000 mile oil change.
Years ago I was told by a GM engineer that oil would last for many thousands of miles in a car before change was needed. Back then he was driving a Pontiac J2000 and only changed it once every 20,000 miles. That was back in 1987 and he had over 200,000 without any issues. I never agreed that it was right but he drove that car till his wife got sick of seeing it in the driveway.
eddiegaz25
08-22-2007, 06:17 AM
So maybe GM does not require Mobil 1, in all but a few of what they consider high output engines such as the Corvette and Cobalt SS 2.0, but it is recomended by many mechanics that see the used oils when they are changed. I use Mobil 1 TRUCK AND SUV on 06' TB, I do my oil changes any where around the 5k-7k mark. I have never really gone below the 65% oil life. But thats just ME and thats what I am comfortable with. :m2:
bobzilla
08-22-2007, 10:10 AM
I use synthetic for fear of excess buildup. Whether or not I need to, at least I can have some peace of mind
So maybe GM does not require Mobil 1, in all but a few of what they consider high output engines such as the Corvette and Cobalt SS 2.0, but it is recomended by many mechanics that see the used oils when they are changed. I use Mobil 1 TRUCK AND SUV on 06' TB, I do my oil changes any where around the 5k-7k mark. I have never really gone below the 65% oil life. But thats just ME and thats what I am comfortable with. :m2:
I'm also a Corvette guy, GM went to Mobil 1 in the 92 model year after putting in the next gen LT1 engine... From memory, the switch was made as a cost savings so that GM wouldn't have to put an oil cooler on the new engine...
Synthetic oil doesn't sludge like conventional oil does at our now normal hotter temps...