• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

Oil Change And Filter Related Question?

rreidAV03

SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2002
Messages
5,419
Location
Western, TN
Sorry if this has already been asked, but I searched and couldn't find anything :-[

I just had my oil/lube and filter change on my 03 AV at 1011 miles by my Chevy dealer and when I picked it up it had an extra half quart of Mobil 1, so I asked the service Mgr. what was up?
He told me that the 1500 AV takes 6.5 quarts with a filter/oil change...this was puzzling to me as I remember reading in the manual that it took 6 quarts, and not to fill past the cross hatch marks on the dipstick ??? Sure enough we checked the dipstick and it was overfilled..he told me not to worry..... I'm a real basic back yard mechanic so I'm asking do I need to have them drain out some of the oil or are they correct?

TIA for your responses
Bob

 
The 5.3 holds 6qts. of oil, if customers demand it I will go to 6.10 qts. just to make it to the "full" dot, but your Av is over filled at 6.5qts. ?I should know, I change the oil on at least 10 Av/Tahoe/Subs 5.3's every day. Get the 1/2 qt out. Personally, I'd make them re-do the service.
 
Funny this should come up today, I just got back from a friends garage. I brought 6 qts. of Mobil One and filter with me and just had him change it for me, it's been to cold here to do in the driveway.
When he was done and checked it he said I could use another half quart, well he did not have any Mobil One so I told him I would add it when I got home. Now I know better, is this site great or what!
 
Edward K said:
The 5.3 holds 6qts. of oil, if customers demand it I will go to 6.10 qts. just to make it to the "full" dot, but your Av is over filled at 6.5qts. ?I should know, I change the oil on at least 10 Av/Tahoe/Subs 5.3's every day. Get the 1/2 qt out. ?Personally, I'd make them re-do the service.
i agree with colek. it says 6 qts. then that is all that should be in there. normally what i do is fill the oil filter with oil first. the AV's oil filter goes on in a straight up/down application, so this will be possible without any spillage.
pour oil in filter, and let soak. the oil will be absorbed in the filter requirng more oil to be poured in. once no more oil can be poured in install it. then add remaining oil in engine oil fill. when done you will have an accurate measurement of oil in oil pan since the filter has been filled. if done the other way around, install filter empty, the oil must be checked several times. the oil must soak into filter when filling it. then the reading you initially took is now lower. meaning you really do not have enough oil in the system.
this method is kinda hard if you have a side mount oil filter. you would just have to be patient, and let it fill the normal way. :B:
 
02-Z66 said:
normally what i do is fill the oil filter with oil first. ?the AV's oil filter goes on in a straight up/down application, so this will be possible without any spillage. ?
? :

Good point, adding oil to the filter before installing is common practice; it prevents unnecessary strain on the system from an empty filter.

I've changed my oil 4 times on my AV and never added more than 6 quarts. ?I would just drain out the extra 1/2 quart.
 
This may be a dumb question, but why the oil change at 1011 miles? Is it because it's a brand new engine? I have 500 miles on my '03 Av and I'm wondering if I need to take it in at 1000 or wait to 3000 for the first oil change.

Thanks for any input.
 
Hey rreidAV03,

I agree with most and with the manual. ?I change my oil and filter religiously. ?My AV takes 6 qts and that puts it a hair over the top fill indicator hole on the dipstick. ?This gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, knowing that it is as full as it can get and make the oil change easier (just dump 6 quarts to fill). ?:love:

This half qt over has the potential to be dangerous. ?I would keep a good eye on your temp gauge. ?I heard in extreme cases that overfilling will cause the engine to overheat and in one really bad case catch fire - not sure exactly why, but oil is part of the primary cooling system.

The dealer either doesn't know everything or he is willing to take the risk. ?I would have him redo the service also - or at least try. ?

Mobil 1 is expensive - maybe they are overfilling on purpose to charge more and to get a free 1/2 qt. ?Hey I've ?heard of crazier stuff before.

Don't forget keep an eye on the temp gauge. ?Good luck!

Cheers!
 
TNAV03 said:
Sorry if this has already been asked, but I searched and couldn't find anything ?:-[

I just had my oil/lube and filter change on my 03 AV at 1011 miles by my Chevy dealer and when I picked it up it had an extra half quart of Mobil 1, so I asked the service Mgr. what was up?
He told me that the 1500 AV takes 6.5 quarts with a filter/oil change...this was puzzling to me as I remember reading in the manual that it took 6 quarts, and not to fill past the cross hatch marks on the dipstick ???? Sure enough we checked the dipstick and it was overfilled..he told me not to worry..... I'm a real basic back yard mechanic so I'm asking do I need to have them drain out some of the oil or are they correct?

TIA for your responses
Bob

This the main reason why, I change my own oil and do all the maintenance to my AV.

 
6-quarts exactly in mine. I'm with avz66 - do it yourself - find an independent mechanic if you really don't want to - AVOID dealers (IMO of course ;D)

When to first change the oil on a new engine is personal preference. Did mine at 2000 miles. The idea is to get all the metal junk from the early break in out as soon as possible.
 
THEOFILOS2002 said:
Hey rreidAV03,

I agree with most and with the manual. ?I change my oil and filter religiously. ?My AV takes 6 qts and that puts it a hair over the top fill indicator hole on the dipstick. ?This gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, knowing that it is as full as it can get and make the oil change easier (just dump 6 quarts to fill). ?:love:

This half qt over has the potential to be dangerous. ?I would keep a good eye on your temp gauge. ?I heard in extreme cases that overfilling will cause the engine to overheat and in one really bad case catch fire - not sure exactly why, but oil is part of the primary cooling system.

The dealer either doesn't know everything or he is willing to take the risk. ?I would have him redo the service also - or at least try. ?

Mobil 1 is expensive - maybe they are overfilling on purpose to charge more and to get a free 1/2 qt. ?Hey I've ?heard of crazier stuff before.

Don't forget keep an eye on the temp gauge. ?Good luck!

Cheers!

as far as the fire goes... i think that if you overfill you can blow a seal , thus causing oil to leak. this condition could result in a fire. IMO. :B:
 
Thanks everyone appreciate the feedback......I am going to have the dealer drain out the half a quart, and if that can't be done redo the service as mentioned above.

I changed the oil at 1011 miles to remove any potential metal particles thats all no other reason.

Bob
 
In the old days it was recommended (1980 Car & Drivers Guide ?How to keep your new car like new for 200,000 miles?) to change the oil on a new car at 500 miles to replace the break in oil and to remove and metal from the engine from production and break in. Now day?s new engines don?t use break in oil and manufacturing is better so it?s said that it?s not necessary to do the first change so soon.

With that said I have still done the first change on every new car I?ve owned before 1,000 and checked the drain pan for metal. My first change on the AV was fine, no metal in the pan. But on my wife?s Maxima first chance there was metal in the bottom of the pan and I was glad I was over cautious and old fashion.
 
I'm with you Johnny_D. By doing it that way my last GM truck went well over the 200K mile mark and still didn't need to be rebuilt. Not to mention gas mileage was 20 mpg hwy, 18 city. I hope I can get the same results out of the AV. :B:

Vetman
 
Vetman said:
I'm with you Johnny_D. By doing it that way my last GM truck went well over the 200K mile mark and still didn't need to be rebuilt. Not to mention gas mileage was 20 mpg hwy, 18 city. I hope I can get the same results out of the AV. ?:B:

Vetman

200k that's outstanding, which engine was it?
 
It was a 1990 GMC Sierra with the 350 cid engine.
Actual mileage was 215,789. Almost hated to pass with it but the Av just kept tugging at my heart. :B:
 
Back
Top