What is an "upcharge" on an oil change?

Soundguy · May 25, 2012

JimRB said:
Does this affect severe duty?

severe duty can be dusty conditions, extended idling, city miles or short drive intervals where the machine does not come up to temp.

these allow fuels to get into the oil, and prevent it from flashing off moisture.. etc..

there are other factors too. hard / extended towing, extreme heat temps.. etc..e tc..

soundguy

mfreund · May 28, 2012

buickanddeere said:
Doesn't matter as much with fuel injected vehicles burning unleaded. The computer on our vehicles calculates when the oil needs changed. Considering temperature, type of driving etc. 16,000 miles on the Terrain and it still has 32% left on it's first oil change. I put 296,000 miles on a souped TI Buick changing the oil every 10,000 miles.

I just got a notice on my 2009 Chevy Traverse. They are going to reprogram the computer to make the oil change light come on sooner. Seems the "recommended" interval was causing GM to pay for too many timing chains. I will stick to the 3 month, 3000 miles. We keep our vehicles to over 150,000 and oil is cheap. IMHO.

LD1 · May 28, 2012

mfreund said:
I just got a notice on my 2009 Chevy Traverse. They are going to reprogram the computer to make the oil change light come on sooner. Seems the "recommended" interval was causing GM to pay for too many timing chains. I will stick to the 3 month, 3000 miles. We keep our vehicles to over 150,000 and oil is cheap. IMHO.

How often did the light come on on yours? Or changing every 3000 did you ever see the light?

I had one of them computer oil change percentage things 03 1500. It was about 5000miles between 100% and 0%. I did a fair bit of towing and hauling the tractor and hauling firewood. I changed it @ 5000miles or so whenever the light came on. That was a 5.3L motor.

My saturn also has one. 2001 SL Its just a light though. It sees ALL highway driving and long trips. It also comes on around 5k miles. But I do 10k changes on it with a good filter (fram XG) and full syn. Usually mobil 1 0w30 or Valv. 5w30. The oil usually stays fresh though. It likes about a quart ever 2k and currently has 150k on the clock:thumbsup:

Z71 · May 28, 2012

Thats the problem, to many are using "CHEAP" oil, oil that is only made to go 3,000-5,000 miles.

Btw - GM has a problem with poor quality timing chains from its suppliers in some 3.6L engines as well as a few other small engines.

buickanddeere · May 28, 2012

Z71 said:
Thats the problem, to many are using "CHEAP" oil, oil that is only made to go 3,000-5,000 miles.

Btw - GM has a problem with poor quality timing chains from its suppliers in some 3.6L engines as well as a few other small engines.

Not only cheap oil but they also purchase the filters from Bubba's Bargain Parts Store. Inferior filters even with the same Size exterior can. They will have less/shorter filter media and either a larger micro pore size. And or the bypass will open due to high restriction and allow dirty oil to return to the bearings. A brand name appearing box is no guarantee either. Counterfeit lube, filters, antifreeze, batteries and fasteners is a serious problem. Using the filter manufacture's data. It's often possible to fit a larger filter in Place of the weenie factory sized filter. And keep the same threads, diameter, drain back valve if equipped and bypass pressure if equipped.Oil filter and oil brand loyalty is often fiercely defended. Independent test usually show Wix among the best and Fram among the worst.

Cpjlube · May 29, 2012

From what I have heard and also seen personally GM has reprogrammed the oil life monitors on alot of their vehicles. The V6 Cadillacs and the Chevy Traverse / Acadia / Enclaves come to mind. My experience is that when a vehicle comes in with the oil life monitor below 10%, the majority of those vehicles are low on oil. Off the dipstick, in fact. The timing chain wear is likely due to low oil levels My only recommendation is to check the oil level. Even a "new" vehicle might use a bit of oil in an 8000 mile interval.

Chuck

Soundguy · May 29, 2012

too funny... stock answer is cheap oil and fake oem filters.

gotta love it.. need peanuts or popcorn here..

buickanddeere · May 29, 2012

Soundguy said:
too funny... stock answer is cheap oil and fake oem filters.

gotta love it.. need peanuts or popcorn here..

Saying it's a non issue is a sign of either ignorance, denial or slighted pride.

Redbug · May 29, 2012

I used to be suspicious of the GM oil life monitor on my truck. After doing some reading up on it, I think they are pretty accurate. Even so, I use regular dino oil and change it around 4500 or 5000 miles.