First Oil Change & Filter Recco?

[teksavy]

Hi All:

I've got 1000 miles on my new rig and my brain tells me to change the oil.

The question is- should I?

It seems to me that changing the oil this early in the game makes sense to ensure the longevity of the engine. However, the oil looks like new and the manual doesn't make any special reccommendations. What does the group think?

Also, should I stick with GM-only filters (especially during the warranty period) or is FRAM okay?

I plan on using conventional 5W-30 until 5000 miles and then switch to Mobil 1.

Your informed responses are appreciated!

-Ed

 

[02-Z66]

? change the oil around 2500 miles. ?good idea using the Mobil1. ?what weight would you use? ?stay away from Fram filters. ?use the Mobil1 oil and filter. ?it cost more, but i feel it is more reliable. ?besides, i have read up on the recent oil filter studies. ?research shows Mobil1 out does Fram by a long shot.
? i use Mobil1 15/50, Mobil1 filter, and Lucas Oil Stabilizer. ?everyone has their own opinion about each of the products i have listed. ?i try to go with unbiased studies. ?ultimately the choice is yours.

 

[steelheadchaser]

You can't go wrong changing the oil at 1000 miles, IMO. You will get rid of any junk lurking in the engine after assembly and any initial wearing-in debris that way. It's cheap insurance.

I have seen the oil filter tests that 02-Z66 mentioned. I am going to start using the Mobile-1 filters also. I switched to Mobile-1 5w-30 at 6000 miles.

 

[pktwatch]

I did my first oil change at 500 miles because the dealer was paying for it and I want to keep it as clean as I could. You never know what might be floating in that first fill up of oil! A oil change it cheap so why not? I put a new motor in my garden tractor about 4 years ago, a 20HP Kolher and it said to change the oil after 10 hours the first time. I change it after an hour and again at 5 hours. Both times I got some gray goop drips as the last of the oil drained out and yes it has a filter on this motor! It was aluminun powder and I am glad I change it often! It finely got to looking normal after about 4 oil changes. I know that the 5.3 is a lot differant than the 20HP Kolher but it is still CHEAP ~ DO IT!

Butch

 

[colek]

I do my first oil change between 600-1,200 miles and use only factory filters. After that every 3,000 miles.

The question is- should I?

You should do what ever you think is right, some people change oil every 2,500 miles while others change their oil at 7,500 or more miles. I see nothing wrong with it and recommend it.

 

[UPSGuy]

I use Castrol in my cars. I have a small 4 cylinder car with 250,000 miles on it and it doesn't use or burn any oil. Change your oil every 3000 miles and your engine should last a long time.

 

[RichUF]

I've been thinking about this since I first drove my new Av off the lot last month. Now I have about 2,000 miles and 73 hours on my truck, and I'm debating what to do. I know an oil change is cheap (even did them myself on my S-10), but when to change has been a mystery to me my entire driving life (admitedly a relatively short 14 years).

I have an engineering/mechanical type mind. I had a manual on my previous truck (aforementioned S-10) that said change oil at intervals based on driving conditions anywhere from 3,000 to 7,500 miles, the former being for perpetual, extreme driving conditions only; I "chose" to do mine every 5k. You have oil companies and lube shops that say your engine will fall apart if you don't change every 3,000 miles. I have a dad who won't go past 3,000 and taught me the same from a young age.

And now, I have a truck with a fancy computer that tells me when to change the oil, all very clearly described in the manual, which, btw as I'm sure you are all aware, makes no mention of some abbreviated changing frequency for the first X number of miles.

Am I supposed to believe that this is an omission in the manual, the engineers that created this machine may be incorrect in their recommendations, and just go ahead and change the oil at 1,000 miles and then every 3,000 miles because that's what dad told me?

I guess I don't really expect an answer At the very least it is something to debate, which is fun, but when it all boils down to it, I kind of would like to do what the manufacturer recommends so as to minimize any questioning of my maintenance procedures in the event of a problem.

That said, I guess I'm still planning on waiting for that darn light to come on for now.

 

[ygmn]

RICHUF.......





























HUH

 

[Reidan]

I am mechanically/engineered minded as well. Here is my .02 on the subject.

The oil change shops want you to change every 3K Miles or 3 Months cause it means more money for them. Oil sat in the ground for millions of years waiting for someone to pump it out of the ground. If I have not hit 3K miles in 3 Months, what kind of logic makes someone think that the oil is going to suddenly spoil inside my engine? Do not completely trust the opinion of a company who's lively hood depends upon your purchasing their product!!! Granted, their employees fully believe what they have been told by their employeers, why would the company lie to them? Trust me, I worked for one of those places about 20 years ago! ;-)

Chemical compounds in oil and engine designs and tolerances have improved over the years. It is my opinion that the way "Dad" changed his oil 30 - 40 years ago may not be the best methode for you to use today.

I do believe that driving conditions can effect the time periode that you change the oil. Those that do heavy city driving, dusty roads, etc, should have their oil changed more frequently.

I generally look at my dipstick to check oil condition. I do not want to wait until the oil is black cause that means there is lots of carbon in the oil from burning or poor filtration because the filter is failing. I generally look for a mid-ground. No longer clear and golden, but somewhere in the middle. Once I have done this a few times I find my "time table" and follow that for my oil change. Adjusting it for changes in driving habit or conditions. My old 93 Silverado generally lasted about 6K miles before the oil would get darker. Never had an oil related problem. Transmission though, thats another story!

I constantly check oil level to make sure there are no surprises. It is also good time to look over the rest of the engine compartment for frayed belts, soft hoses, brake and washer fluid levels, etc. Been many years since I have been stranded by one of those failing. Easy and quick to do while waiting for the extra large 31 gallon tank on the AV to fill-up!

Reidan

 

[rmoffett]

Does the oil change monitor know somehow if you're using synthetic oil? Does it give you a longer period before you have to change? Corvettes come from the factory with Mobil 1 installed. Is their oil monitor different than ours? Do Corvettes still have to change as often as we do?

 

[BBlueAV]

I change every 5k with Mobil One 5w30. With the new technology, 3k seems overkill, but I can't get myself to go past 5k. Like RichUF, I had a father that ingrained changing oil religiously and to "never go over 3,000 miles!" GM, however, can't be just blowing smoke with the oil life guage, so that 3k sounds too early in todays world.

My .02

 

[RichUF]

ygmn,

'03 Av. 2k miles. No change oil light. Manual says wait. 'Old timers' say "son, change that oil." I aint changin' it yet.

that better?



Thanks Reidan.

 

[gthomas]

I have never been one to do anything but drive the maximum miles before the recommended oil change. Been doing that since I bought my 66 GTO in 77. Did that with my 78 Challenger, 79 Omni 024, 80 Challenger, 89 Grand Prix, and now plan on doing that with my AV. Have over 5000 miles on it, and haven't changed the oil yet. Had 0 oil-related problems with any of the vehicles, and got about 140,000 miles on the 80 Challenger, have 203,000 miles on the Grand Prix which my teenage daughter will be driving next year. As far as an early oil change for brand-new cars, a non-mechanical friend bought a brand-new Toyota Corolla in the early 80s. After 15,000 miles, he asks when he should change the oil the first time. I told him immediately, which he did. He ended up getting over 200,000 miles out of the engine.

 

[joelis]

Its never a bad idea to do the first oil change early. Especially with the aluminum additions in today's engines, those shavings are sitting in the bottom of your oil pan from the factory.

 

[ygmn]

ygmn,

'03 Av. ?2k miles. ?No change oil light. ?Manual says wait. ?'Old timers' say "son, change that oil." ?I aint changin' it yet.

that better?

?

Thanks Reidan.

YEAH!!!

And I agree...thje moniter if you read how it works should be pretty dayum good for when to change...cause you can save some money & environment

 

[Big_Don]

With the extemely close tolerances in modern engines, if there was any "crud" left in the engine after machining they would self-destruct almost immediately. So I am not sure that there is any real justification in doing your first oil change early. I tend to do one fairly early as it gives me a chance to get familiar with the vehicle, check the underside for anything that doesn't look quite right, and generally to "bond" with my new purchase. If it makes you feel better to do it, go ahead. It is not possible to change the oil "too often". These same close tolerances make it imperative that you use the proper viscosity of oil as recommended in your manual. The old adage of "thicker oil is better" is simply no longer true. Back a few years ago, GM had a tremendous problem with camshaft failures. They found that the bearings were not getting proper lubrication. This is when the change was made from recommending 10W40 oil to 5W30 and camshaft failures became very rare. Do not second guess the designers of your engine. As to oil change intervals, there are a thousand different opinons on the proper timing. Remember that the most "severe" driving conditions are stop and go city and suburban drivers. The rule of thumb that I have heard is that unless your average drive is 30 minutes or more with an AVERAGE speed of 45 miles per hour, follow the "severe service" recommendation, which for the AV is 3 months or 3000 miles. The problem is that in this severe driving condition the oil does not heat up sufficiently to evaporate the water that naturally collects in the oil due to the combustion process and condensation. This contamination takes place regardless of the type of oil that you use (synthetic or conventional) which is the reason that most suppliers recommend that you follow the same oil change interval regardless of the type of oil that you use. As for the debate about using synthetic or conventional oil, you will find many posts on that. As long as I can buy synthetic oil for less than $4 per guart and change it myself, I will be doing oil changes about every 4K miles (my commute does NOT fit in the severe driving category) and using synthetic (Mobil 1) oil. When this expense is balanced against the 40K price of a new AV, it seems a cheap price to pay. Like I say, there are as many opinions as to the "right" way to do it as there are members on this board. Do your research and decide what makes the most sense to you.