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Factory filled oil for 03 Avanlache

T

TAMBENG

Full Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2003
Messages
47
Location
Sammamish, Washington
Hello everyone,

Anybody knows what brand is factory filled oil for 03 Avalanche?

I'm trying to find out so that I can just still stick with the same brand that the Chevy factory used.

Thank you,
Tambeng
 
I am sure that GM accepts bids for providing oil just as they do for most things. The brand of oil will depend on who was the "low bidder" during the latest negotiations. This may change fairly often. Your best bet is to stick with a quality oil of the proper viscosity and not worry about who won the bid to supply oil this month to the factory.
 
general motors uses valvoline thats what the dealers are required to by most dealers buy it bulk.
 
Anyone that bought an Av new, look through your paperwork. You will most likely find warranty documentation from Valvoline.
 
Nightshark said:
Anyone that bought an Av new, look through your paperwork. You will most likely find warranty documentation from Valvoline.
Click to expand...

NOPE
 
Local Dealer just advised me that this years contract for Goodwrench Motor Oil was with Valvoline...he thought last year it was Mobil...he also thought Mobil was packaging oil for Ford this year. Seemed pretty sure of himself.... :cool:
 
I have a friend who works for GM at another dealership and he told me that the oil that is in the vehicle from the factory is just a break in oil. Its not oil that you want to run to a 3000 mile mark. he suggested to change after a decent break in period which is anywhere between 500-1000 miles. However Ive never heard a sales rep tell me this or a service rep tell me to come back soon for the oil change.
True or not Im not sure but hes a pretty knowledgeable guy that I do trust.

Regardless after 400 miles on mine I changed to mobil1 5w/30 just in case. It just made me feel safer.
 
The salesman that sold me my Av told me it was filled with synthetic oil.

My dealership here in SoCal apparently uses Mobil 1... there was a whole pallet of it in the back :)
 
Hello,

Being a relatve of a GM service manager. There is no such thing as break in oil anymore. This has been stopped for several years. Whoever told you this is not very credible for their position. Unless you have an oil cap that states Mobil 1, you have normal organic oil. It's the vettes and camaro SS that come with synthetic. Or you can special order it via build sheet.

I change my oil every 2000 miles and oil filter as well and also make certain to clean the drain plug very good, I use Castrol GTX 5W30. No problems, but I do rec. Mobil 1 after 12kmi are on the truck.
 
Yea, I agree with you. My dealer look at me kind of funny when I came in for my first oil change at 500mi.

Butch
 
My 2003 Z-71 paperwork stated Valvoline. If you are going to change the oil get rid of that factory installed oil and get a quality 5w-30 in there with a name brand, even Valvoline- but the PROPER weight is crucial and change the filter. :D:
 
1FINEZ99

Apparently you will get a different story for every tech/dealer you ask. Mobil1 or Valvoline? It will depend on which one is cheaper for that year model Im guessing.

The truth is that we as the consumer probably wont know what we have no matter what the manual says or the dealership, so its safe to say that a oil change in a new vehicle may or may not be necessary, but its better to be safe when you are talking about your vehicle. Dealerships are in existence to sell you a vehicle. They will tell you that this vehicle doesnt use oil if you will believe them and if you will buy the vehicle. SO I rarely take the word of a dealership salesman or service manager.

Break in oil's have been used as recently as 1999 when I bought my Silverado. The tech who was putting the final touches on my truck advised me to do a oil change no later that 1000 miles because some of the vehicles that year were being sent with a break in oil.

Simply put I feel better just knowing I did the oil change and a good oil was used.
 
This topic intrigued me, so I just got off the phone with a dude working over in powertrain here at the Tech Center.

The contract for oil is Valvoline for 03. There is no difference from what is in the 5.3 as what comes off the shelf at Walmart....except one comes in a barrel, the other in a quart bottle.

"Break in" oil has not been used in quite some time. I cannot remember specifically when it was phased out, but I know that as early as the late 80's it was getting phased out. Normally, non-detergent straight 30W was used as it was the absolute cheapest. The reason for it was that the oil was to be changed rather early (usually recommended at 500 miles). Mostly to accomodate for the various trash that was in the motor when built and to clean up some of the wearable surfaces trash too. If anyone did their own first oil change, they can probably comment to the amazing amount of crap that was stuck to the magnet on the drain plug...which is normal. Exactly why it should be changed so early the first time. I tend to change the second one at 2000 miles, then revert to the normal change cycle.

Now it is simple economics.....it's too expensive to market/refine oils that are only used for short term. The public (rightfully so) are not going to purchase single weight oils as readily, so it is not readily available and not as cheap anymore.

As far as particular brands, there is not really any difference except for marketing. In school I was in a fuels/lubes lab where we compared 5 different organic oils and two synthetic oils. Stressed the living heck out of them with heat, pressure, carbon, etc....all performed equally (organics). Basically, if it is an *SG* rating or better, there will be zero difference from one oil to another of comparable weight.

Synthetic is an entirely different monster. Because it is manufactured, inherently there is little to no difference in molecule size. Everyone remembers the Pennzoil "...ball bearing" advertising. Organic oil, they are all different sizes, synthetic all about the same size. Now picture these little ball bearings inside a .001" journal under load. All your ball bearings the same size, things roll smoother.....all your ball bearings different size, not as smooth.... Less stress on the oil = longer oil life.

I've rambled on incessantly here and off topic.... :2:
 
my understanding is that Valvoline is standard in everything but the Corvette .... Corvette comes standard with Mobil 1 syn. 5w30
 
New gm vehicles come from the plant with Valvoline 5w-30 except for corvette which has mobile 1 synthetic. Dealers do not have to buy Goodwrench oil which is Valvolene. They can sell whetever they like. So if you take your car to a gm dealer for service you may not get Valvolene oil!
 
chow said:
so are to just leave the oil in till 3000 miles? I was going to change it at 1000, then start doing it every 3000 miles. What do you all think?
Click to expand...

there a few different threads on this subject ....I suggest reading through these threads about oil and oil changes....as much info in them about this subject and more.........

I left mine in and did not drive hard for first 3K then changed....thgen I follow the oil moniter...which is explained in either the first or second CAFCNA mag which is linked on the home page I think


HTH
 
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