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Old 04-21-2011, 04:36 PM   #1
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Silverado oil change advice

I'd like to get some opinions from some of you Silverado guys about oil change advice. I have a 2010 with 11,000 miles on it. It has had the initial oil change at a little over 5,000 miles, well before the oil monitoring system said it was due. We just didn't dare wait longer on the first change. Now at 11,000 miles, the system says there is still 43 percent of the oil life left. Some folks say that with these new engines and sophisticated monitoring systems, it's safe to wait until the oil life percentage nearly runs out. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.
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Old 04-21-2011, 04:45 PM   #2
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What does the owners manual say?
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Old 04-21-2011, 04:51 PM   #3
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I change my diesel's oil when the oil indicator says 33%.
My dealer does all service on my truck and said that was OK and would not affect my extended service warranty.
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Old 04-21-2011, 05:28 PM   #4
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I did the first one early as you did but from then on its been when the monitor reads 15-20% life left. Get a quality filter as well...heard some rambling about cheaper filters so didnt want to chance it. Im looking at doing the DIffs, Transfer case and Tranny oils now at 140,000kms before i get the new trailer.
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Old 04-21-2011, 05:29 PM   #5
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We just bought a new car (2011 Buick Regal). It also has the computer monitoring of the oil. My best friend is the service manager at the dealership and he advised to bring it in when the computer says 30%. He also advised that GM is using a special oil, I think he said a blend of synthetic and conventional oils, and that using just one or the other could damage the engine. The computer detects your driving conditions and adjusts accordingly for those conditions. I am sure that if you compared milage to % used, you would find that in hot towing conditions the % per milage would decrease faster. I haven't changed my own oil in years and have always gone on the 3,000 miles per oil change schedule on all of my personal vehicles, so I am going to have to change.

BTW on a side note- my service manager buddy had to get a smart phone, per GM, and if one of their customers car's computer advises the driver of an issue, ie.. low tire, oil change, check engine, he receives an email on his smart phone and has a time limit to send that customer an email or call and set up an appointment to resolve the matter. Go figure, you don't even have to pay attention to maintence matters anymore, it's someone's else's problem!
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Old 04-21-2011, 06:08 PM   #6
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If you believe that in this situation, the problem is somebody elses, think again!!
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Old 04-21-2011, 06:30 PM   #7
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as a rule for myself, I have a Diesel and will not go over 5k between oil changes, Towing and all the dang Mountains around here I would rather be safe then sorry, My monitor says it still has 60% plus But, The strain and heat I would Rather spend the money, then Pay differance in repair costs , also I do my Tranny filter every 15 K ( Love the Allason Tranny) and replace my Fuel filter every 30K..
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Old 04-21-2011, 06:32 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peaches View Post
If you believe that in this situation, the problem is somebody elses, think again!!
I was definitely using sarcasm! I know it's hard to hear it in my typing! LOL
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Old 04-21-2011, 07:14 PM   #9
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OP the link below has some good information on the system
GM Oil life Monitoring System accuracy? - Bob Is The Oil Guy
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Old 04-22-2011, 06:45 AM   #10
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People (especially guys) have strong opinions on things
like oil and tires.
Personally I disagree with the opinion that these engines
should use GM special oil which is supposedly blended
dino and synthetic.

I use Mobile 1.
GM also uses Mobile 1 full synthetic in Corvettes.
I'm betting that either full synthetic or blended are fine.
I change mine every 12 months due to my low mileage.
Truck is 04 and has less than 40K miles on it.
Last few years we had under 7K miles per year.
Some years it's under 5K so I change it annually
(whether it needs it or not....)

Castrol Edge full synthetic claims to have even better
friction reduction than Mobile 1 but if you read the
fine print after the * they say that claim is for "normal"
circumstances. Towing is not included so I figure most
full synthetics are similar enough that any of the name
brands will do a fine job in my high revving little V8.
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Old 04-22-2011, 07:43 AM   #11
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One thing I found was that the dealer does not always reset the Oil Life Monitor, at least the two times I had the dealer change the oil they did not reset it.
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Old 04-22-2011, 08:13 AM   #12
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With my diesel, by the time I've got 5K on an oil change the oil is pretty black. I just can't stand to run it any longer than that. Besides, I only put around 7K or 8K a year on it. It sits in the garage unless it is towing, so most of it's duty is severe. However, my wife had a Honda Pilot that she only changed the oil when the service light came on. That was usually somewhere around 10K on the oil. She put 150K on it before she traded it for a Honda Accord and we never had a minute's trouble with it.
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Old 04-22-2011, 08:34 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Filthy Beast View Post
One thing I found was that the dealer does not always reset the Oil Life Monitor, at least the two times I had the dealer change the oil they did not reset it.
One time I can forgive; twice I would be looking for a new service department.
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Old 04-22-2011, 09:00 AM   #14
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One thing I found was that the dealer does not always reset the Oil Life Monitor, at least the two times I had the dealer change the oil they did not reset it.
This is why you should not rely on the monitor. If it was actually monitoring the condition of the oil, it would not need to be manually reset. It is monitoring your driving habits and mileage. It is not measuring the conditions of the oil itself. You should follow the appropriate maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.
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Old 04-22-2011, 09:21 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brianjames View Post
This is why you should not rely on the monitor. If it was actually monitoring the condition of the oil, it would not need to be manually reset. It is monitoring your driving habits and mileage. It is not measuring the conditions of the oil itself. You should follow the appropriate maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.
Hmm, that seems to make sense to me. Confused now...
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Old 04-22-2011, 10:10 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brianjames View Post
This is why you should not rely on the monitor. If it was actually monitoring the condition of the oil, it would not need to be manually reset. It is monitoring your driving habits and mileage. It is not measuring the conditions of the oil itself. You should follow the appropriate maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.
Brianjames, the monitor does not actually monitor the oil it uses an algorithm that uses a number of factors to determine the break down of the spec oil that is used - which is why the monitor needs to be reset at oil change.

It is somewhat explained here: ZDP depletion and GM oil life monitor - Bob Is The Oil Guy
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Old 04-22-2011, 10:32 AM   #17
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I just passed 1500 miles on my 2011 Silverado 2500HD.
It’s only used for towing the 5er or when I have to go to Home Depot, instead of driving the VUE.

My question is I read that diesels that spend most of the time sitting get some kind of algea build up in the fuel tank/system.
Anyone with any experience with this issue?

Also my owner’s manual states not to use any fuel that is not labeled as Ultra Low Sulfur or the warrenty is void.
I’ve only filled up a few times but I can’t find any pumps labeled as such.

Sorry not intending to hijack this oil thread.
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Old 04-22-2011, 10:39 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3 Happy Campers View Post
I just passed 1500 miles on my 2011 Silverado 2500HD.
It’s only used for towing the 5er or when I have to go to Home Depot, instead of driving the VUE.

My question is I read that diesels that spend most of the time sitting get some kind of algea build up in the fuel tank/system.
Anyone with any experience with this issue?

Also my owner’s manual states not to use any fuel that is not labeled as Ultra Low Sulfur or the warrenty is void.
I’ve only filled up a few times but I can’t find any pumps labeled as such.

Sorry not intending to hijack this oil thread.
Every diesel pump in PA meant for "on road" use is ULS - Green sticker on pump. Yellow sticker - Low Sulfur is the old stuff and is now hard to find and is most likely labeled "Off Road Use Only"

If you live in "Farm Country" be careful. A tank will not destroy your engine (was trapped out west and filled up at the wrong pumps before I carried 2 - 5 gallon cans at all times), BUT continued use will cause multiple failures to engine and exhaust components; early emission maintenance; and horrible mileage.
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Old 04-22-2011, 11:06 AM   #19
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To the hijack - algae happens -http://www.ehow.com/how_5668792_remove-algae-diesel-fuel-tanks.html. - I use Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economyPower Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boos

NOTE - in Canada ULSD has been the norm since 2006 BUT may listed on the pumps as LSD or with no label -- Talk:Ultra-low-sulfur diesel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Old 04-23-2011, 08:45 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by brianjames View Post
This is why you should not rely on the monitor. If it was actually monitoring the condition of the oil, it would not need to be manually reset. It is monitoring your driving habits and mileage. It is not measuring the conditions of the oil itself. You should follow the appropriate maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.
X2. What HE said!!!
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