time between oil changes

[Sully2]

I have a 2005 Z71 Silverado I bought 3 months ago. I put about 450 miles a week on my truck, so I'm changing the oil about every 6-7 weeks. According to my oil life system, when i do change it it is usually at about 55-65% life still left. That's @ 3k miles. I've considered changing to a synthetic oil and changing it @ 5k miles instead of 3k. I currently use Castrol 10w30 and was thinking of trying their synthetic. Anyone have any advice? Should I just stick w/ 3k mile changes with either synthetic or regular? By the way, 80% of my driving is highway. I live 45 miles from work. Thanks for the help.

For 37 years I drove back and forth to work at just a little over 400 miles a week...with additional milage on weekends. In the beginning I used 10W30 Valvolene...and in later years 10W-30 Castrol. I changed oil; filter and greased it every 5000 miles..and NEVER had any problem even remotely associated with oil; lubrication..etc.

You can easily go 5000 miles with your present setup!

 

[dqdave1]

Ihave read all the posts for oil changes. I keep seeing the following; " I have always done this or that. Remember that things change; today GM is telling you to use the OLM system to change your oil. It is there to save YOU money and help the enviroment. If the system was going to create oil related problems, I do not think GM would keep the OLM system. They (GM) have enough problems. I read that GM will be puting the OLM system on 90% of their vehicles shortly. What you did in the past does not apply to what you need to do in the future.

 

[DieselPower]

Ihave read all the posts for oil changes. I keep seeing the following; " I have always done this or that. Remember that things change; today GM is telling you to use the OLM system to change your oil. It is there to save YOU money and help the enviroment. If the system was going to create oil related problems, I do not think GM would keep the OLM system. They (GM) have enough problems. I read that GM will be puting the OLM system on 90% of their vehicles shortly. What you did in the past does not apply to what you need to do in the future.

Well said.

 

[Dargo]

If the system was going to create oil related problems, I do not think GM would keep the OLM system. They (GM) have enough problems. I read that GM will be puting the OLM system on 90% of their vehicles shortly. What you did in the past does not apply to what you need to do in the future.

It's not going to cause you oil related problems, but it most certainly is a fancy gimmick that only serves as a reminder to change your oil at whatever pre-programmed time it is set to do so. There is positively nothing in the system that checks your oil viability. It is simply a fancier way of reminding you to change oil as compared to the cling on sticker in the window; nothing more. As I said, I have two vehicles with them. I'm in the auto business. These "reminders" run off of the odometer. There is no sensor in your oil pan testing the viability of your oil. There is nothing about it that is a technical advance. It simply saves the dealership from having to put the little cling on stickers on your windshield. And, most importantly, manufacturer studies have shown that if the vehicle tells you to have your oil serviced, you are more likely to bring it into the dealership to have it done and have them reset the odometer driven reminder. So, it is a marketing ploy to try to drive you into the service department as well.

 

[DieselPower]

It's not going to cause you oil related problems, but it most certainly is a fancy gimmick that only serves as a reminder to change your oil at whatever pre-programmed time it is set to do so. There is positively nothing in the system that checks your oil viability. It is simply a fancier way of reminding you to change oil as compared to the cling on sticker in the window; nothing more. As I said, I have two vehicles with them. I'm in the auto business. These "reminders" run off of the odometer. There is no sensor in your oil pan testing the viability of your oil. There is nothing about it that is a technical advance. It simply saves the dealership from having to put the little cling on stickers on your windshield. And, most importantly, manufacturer studies have shown that if the vehicle tells you to have your oil serviced, you are more likely to bring it into the dealership to have it done and have them reset the odometer driven reminder. So, it is a marketing ploy to try to drive you into the service department as well.

Somehow I get the feeling you don't fully understand how advanced these are. It is not some arbitrary set time. It is actually a rather complicated computer algorithm. It takes into account quantity of fuel burned, mileage, time, temp, air volume, load conditions, cycle conditions and more. Using all this data it can come up with a more accurate and realistic oil change interval than the standard old 3K change. No it doesn not test the oil, I don't think anyone said it did. It also does not know what type of oil you are using. The system is based on using a spec grade oil. If you are using a oil that is better than spec then yes, you could run longer intervals. The OLM's are a huge technological advancement compared to the stone age window stickers. Bottom line is, for the average Joe who knows nothing about how to service their vehicle or even where the dip stick is this system is one of the best thing's since sliced bread for the normal vehicle owner. They get a more realistic change interval which saves them time and money safely.

I also disagree that it is a marketing ploy as you say. If anything this system decreases the amount of service a shop will do. Longer more realistic drain intervals mean less visit's to the shop to get serviced. From a dealership or independant shops standpoint I think you might find they actually hate these thing's. They are afterall making less money and that is what they are in the business of doing.

I'll repost this link that I posted earlier. It gives a very good description of what the system is and how it works. GM's Oil-Life System Improves Timing of Oil Change It's worth reading.

 

[DmansPadge]

Why do I ever read these threads??? I hate even posting but I have to make a few points. People in general put FAR to much emphasis on oil changes. It's like some people think the world is going to end if thier oil isn't changed at the exact right time with the perfect products. There are also a lot of folks who know what they are talking about... and a lot who like to think they know what they are talking about. Everyone has opinions on this subject.... some will be more or less correct than others. When all else fails follow the manufacturers recommendations.

 

[DieselPower]

And the manufacturers recommendations on vehicles that have a OLM is to use it. That's the whole reason they put them there in the first place.

 

[DmansPadge]

And the manufacturers recommendations on vehicles that have a OLM is to use it. That's the whole reason they put them there in the first place.

Yes. Thank you.

Opps.. before somebody reminds me that it doesn't do an actual analysis of your oil and it doesn't know what brand you are using, like DP said, this is assuming the use of a spec oil.

 

[MikePA]

Ihave read all the posts for oil changes. I keep seeing the following; " I have always done this or that. Remember that things change; today GM is telling you to use the OLM system to change your oil. It is there to save YOU money and help the enviroment. If the system was going to create oil related problems, I do not think GM would keep the OLM system. They (GM) have enough problems. I read that GM will be puting the OLM system on 90% of their vehicles shortly. What you did in the past does not apply to what you need to do in the future.

Click Here for a description of the patent GM received for the OLM on diesel engines. It takes more than mileage into account.

 

[TCBoomer]

In Europe the average oil change interval is 10K miles, yet in the US it's below 5K.

Back in the day when oil an gas were cheap, who cared if you only got 5 mpg and burned a tank of fuel with a day of joy riding. You could even change your engine oil as often as you washed the vehicle, and not think twice about it.

Today it's really all about conserving our limited resouces, controlling waste and is a step in the right direction...without jeopardizing the major investment you make in a new vehicle.