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2002 GM oil change interval. - READ ONLY

19 messages,  Last post on Mar 15, 2002 at 5:38 PM

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What is this discussion about? Buick Century, Oil

Messages Page 2 of 2

#10 of 19 Faith in the light by fleetwoodsimca

Mar 10, 2002 (8:44 am)

I feel fortunate that I do not yet own a vehicle that is prepared electronically to tell me when to change oil! I know my time is coming for that, and it appears unavoidable. I suspect that I will elect to not "get with the program" and will change oil and filter far more often than is really necessary, just as I do now. Many thou miles down the road, the "light believers" will try to wave me down to help them, as I sail by at speed in my over maintained rig, and they broil on the shoulder of the road. (:oÞ

#11 of 19 Fleetwoodsimca: AMEN by dweezil

Mar 10, 2002 (9:31 am)

Given that the electrical system is STILL the most troublesome part of vehicles [per 20 years of data compiled by Consumer Reports and personal experience]and the extended maintenance claims for trans fluid and coolant are I feel only so much advertising hype and given that for years car enthusiasts have decried vehhicles that monitor critical functions such as oil and temperature with an "idiot light", are you allreally ready to take seriously an oil monitor light to tell you when your oil should be changed??? Now I know BMW does it and airplanes use a form of it [or is that an "hours run" monitor to indicate when rebuilding is necessary?], but knowing how the public needs no excuse to defray, postpone or ignore vehicle maintenance [not on Edmund's of course :-}],is this really a sign of progress? Are the manufacturers going to be willing to repair/replace when the engine fails because of a faulty electrical connection and the engine never had the oil changed in 40,000 miles? I'm skeptical.Sorry -just read the latest batch of posts on the "Sludge" topic and it's not pretty.
It just seems like false economy to maintain a 15,000 to 75,000 dollar purchase by the flashing of an idiot light.Pardon my lack of trust in these things,and I guess if you lease or trade often they're fine, but I would not trust them. Fun gimmick, though! :-}

#12 of 19 THE "LIGHT" by adc100

Mar 10, 2002 (10:58 am)

They have covered their bets by indicating that oil change should be no more than 1 year. I suspect under the most favorable of conditions. Very few starts (highway miles) they still will be conservative.
 
cmack4 Probably is not much difference changine conventional at 3K and syn at 5K. Neither of those under most conditions is IMHO warranted-just to short. In addition to the cold weather starts-you have the added insurance of synthetics at elevated temperatures and cooling component failures. So in your case its really just an insurance policy (using syn). Now if you would chose to go the full 7.5K or whatever with syn, it starts to make more sense. To me the once a year syn change with a filter in between is the best of all worlds.

#13 of 19 Re: adc100 by cmack4

Mar 10, 2002 (11:22 am)

What's your thought about blending conventional and synthetic? I was thinking of going 5 quarts conventional to 2 quarts synthetic, probably all Mobil. I'll probably still do the 3k changes just because I'm anal and have access to a hydraulic lift.

#14 of 19 cmack4 by adc100

Mar 10, 2002 (1:49 pm)

My opinions are quite slanted because I just can't stand the thought of using any conventional oil-period. Your plan though is the next best option to my way of thinking. Some extra benefits of the synthetic and not wasting extra money on blends. I used to do as you are doing now, but the sheer number of vehicles (extended family) I have taken responsiblilty for (my choice) just doesn't allow that option.
 
See 'ya.

#15 of 19 my original question #1 by artwis

Mar 10, 2002 (4:19 pm)

was put up because this is the first vehicle (2002 century) we have owned with a oil monitor system. My vehicle is a 1997 Z71 Siverado CK1500 4WD. The severe service interval is listed in the manual as 3000 miles. I looked at the mobil 1 site and they say to change oil at the interval listed by the vehicle manufacturer. Going by Mobils own info I will just keep using dino oil in my truck as it's going good after 55K. GM mentions nothing in the manual about dino or synthetic so I assume they recommend using dino oil and changing it within using 2 tanks of gas of when the light comes on. I will also talk it over with the service guy as I have all my work done by the dealersip shop. As far as the post aways above about breakin oil, I have purchased new vehicles in 95, 97, 99, and 2002 and have always been told to just do the first change at 3000.
Art

#17 of 19 Idiot Light by lukjack

Mar 10, 2002 (9:24 pm)

I have great confidence in the new electronic engines that monitor and give best prediction of oil change interval.
 
Miles driven means absolutely nothing to the engine;, the load factor, rpms, run time, and amount of fuel burned are more inportant and better indicators of when the oil needs changed. 3000 miles is the most conservative figure, under severe driving conditions, which 90+% do not operate under. However, I do not blame anyone for changine at 3000 on dino or 5000 on syn. it is cheap insurance, but I just feel an overkill when your engine can tell you when ideal is...

#18 of 19 as fate would have it by hoyahenry

Mar 11, 2002 (6:34 am)

The light came on when I started the Grand AM 2002 to drive onto the ramps to change the oil on my schedule - talk about coincidence. Got just shy of 4K and six months on the factory oil, 40/60 city/highway. The ECOTECH engine uses a paper oil filter placed in a plastic canister housing which was pretty clean. Expect that will be about the cycle for this car, about every 6 months instead of the 1 year interval. I have the luxury of just following the light since the car is leased; can post results, albeit pretty infrequently.

#19 of 19 break-in with synthetic oil by aguywhowrites

Mar 15, 2002 (5:38 pm)

Re: Break-in with synthetic.
 
I switched to synthetic when I bought my car in 1984 after the first 3,000 miles. No problem. However, after 30,000 miles, I noticed a fairly abrupt improvement in mileage and to a lesser extent smoothness. It took me a while to realize that the car had finally broken in.
 
When the oil and car manufacturers say that there is no "break-in" required, they mean that the strict limitations on speed, use and driving habits that prevailed in the old days are no longer required. I don't think that they mean that your car won't drive better after a few thousand miles.
 
I changed the oil every 6,000 miles. My car finally wrecked at 270,000 miles but didn't burn oil, and ran very smoothly.
 
My suspicion is that 6,000 miles is quite conservative. The people who change the filter and not the oil are probably optimizing the benefit of synthetic oil, although my feeling is that if you have to jack with the filter (which you do, whether or not you use synthetic) you might as well change the oil too.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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