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Chevrolet Equinox Oil Changes

101 messages,  Last post on Apr 24, 2013 at 9:27 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Equinox Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Equinox, Oil, SUV

Messages Page 7 of 11

#58 of 101 Re: Oil Change [wallyuwl] by colt_hero

Jan 17, 2011 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: wallyuwl (Jan 16, 2011 2:18 pm)
Well, I haven't read through the owner's manual yet. In fact, the car hasn't moved since I brought it home a week ago. But I wasn't planning on using synthetic oil. I've used standard oil with my other three cars and they've got 250,000 ('89 Colt), 193,000 ('97 Taurus), and 143,000 ('02 Impala) miles on them. I'd really rather have all the cars using the same oil - just easier to manage that way. And I'm guessing the car comes from the factory with standard oil in it, but I could be wrong.
 
We'll see what the owner's manual says. If the car can take standard oil, that's probably what it'll get. I've always serviced my cars myself and I've never had any oil-related problems (I've rarely had ANY problems). And I like changing the oil between 3000 and 4000 miles - especially when the mileage starts piling up (and oil starts disappearing between changes). I'm afraid if I get too complacent with synthetic changing the oil every 7000 to 8000 miles, at some point after 150,000 miles I'm going to get into trouble with low oil levels (unless I check the dipstick religiously ... something I've never done in the past because I change the oil religiously).

#59 of 101 Re: Oil Change [colt_hero] by wallyuwl

Jan 17, 2011 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: colt_hero (Jan 17, 2011 1:32 pm)
Do you have a 2010 or 2011? I haven't checked, but with 2010 models of the 2.4 the manual probably specs SM and/or GF4 as the minimum specifications. For 2011, GM requires all their vehicles use oil that meets (even if not "officially" certified) dexos 1 (for gas vehicles) or dexos 2 (for diesel). Even though the engines cross over between model years, these are their requirements now for warranty purposes. In other words, if you have a 2011 and aren't using a dexos spec oil and have an engine problem, you might have trouble getting it covered under warranty. I don't know what, if any, conventional ("dino") oils do/will meet the dexos 1 spec.
 
Besides the main benefit of longer oil change intervals, synthetics have several other advantages, especially in extremely cold or hot climates. But for direct injection engines, they have a lower NOACK, which will help reduce the deposits on the valves that tend to build up in DI engines because of gas not flowing over them like they do in regular fuel injected engines. Synthetics also tend to handle fuel dilution in the oil better, and DI engines have more fuel dilution.

#60 of 101 Re: Oil Change [wallyuwl] by colt_hero

Jan 18, 2011 (11:17 am)

Replying to: wallyuwl (Jan 17, 2011 5:23 pm)
Well, I'll have to look at that. I certainly don't want to give them an excuse to void my warranty (which they'll gladly do). Really bothers me, though, when manufacturers force you to move to something new which is more costly (without any good proof that it's actually necessary). Software people play this game all the time: "Sorry, but that program doesn't run under that Operating System; you'll have to buy another version from us...". And all they're really "changing" is a few links to the Operating System (and a few buttons, boxes, and colors to make it "look" different). The rest of the logic remains the same.
 
It's a great way to keep the money flowing. You just keep changing things and forcing people to buy the new thing. And if there's any chance they could still use the older thing, you threaten them with voided warranties (or tell them how "risky" it is to continue using the older thing).
 
There's no end to capitalistic rackets in this country.

#61 of 101 New Equinox Owners by copelandamuffy

Feb 06, 2011 (9:04 am)

Sunday 2/6/2011. Purchased new Equinox 2/5/2011
Taking time to read Owner's manual
Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or Oil changes every 20,000 miles??
 
Change oil every 3,000 miles on the 2001 Impala
 
What is the cost of an oil change at standard Chevrolet Dealer?
$32.00??
What is the harm in doing oil changes every 3,000 miles at the dealer, or all I am doing
is making General Motors more wealthy??
 
Thanks

#62 of 101 Re: New Equinox Owners [copelandamuffy] by wallyuwl

Feb 06, 2011 (11:47 am)

Replying to: copelandamuffy (Feb 06, 2011 9:04 am)
Follow the oil life monitor and use a quality synthetic (which with 2011 you need to use a dexos oil, and I don't think any conventional dino oils meet that spec). I still change mine when it gets to 8k even if the OLM is not all the way down yet.

#63 of 101 Re: New Equinox Owners [copelandamuffy] by roho1

Feb 06, 2011 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: copelandamuffy (Feb 06, 2011 9:04 am)

 
Good article on new oil

#64 of 101 First oil change by vwalburn

Feb 09, 2011 (3:39 pm)

Getting ready for my first oil change on our 2011 Equinox with the 4 cyl. Going with Amsoil XL 5W-30 and a Mobil1 oil filter. Seems like the best combo.

#65 of 101 Re: Burning Synthetic [rocketent] by stephcp

May 09, 2011 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: rocketent (Jun 30, 2010 7:04 pm)
I was wondering if you guys had found out about this oil burning issue?
 
I have a 2010, purchased in Aug 09. We did not have any problems until February of this year. In less than 3000K miles ours burnt enough oil that none showed on the bottom of the dip stick. Long story short...they have NO clue what is causing this and are dealing with the engineers trying anything and everything to figure out why it is burning. After the first jaunt in the shop, changing out seals among other things, it still burnt 3/4 of a quart in 1100 miles.
 
I just dropped it back off to the dealership last Tuesday. They have no idea what is going on with it, apparently neither do the engineers as it is still sitting in the exact same spot I parked it when I dropped it off a week ago.

#66 of 101 Re: Burning Synthetic [stephcp] by gmcustsvc

May 10, 2011 (8:55 am)

Replying to: stephcp (May 09, 2011 1:15 pm)
stephcp,
 
I would like to set up a case with GM Customer Assistance. In order to set up the case I will need your complete contact information (including full name, mailing address and phone number), VIN, current mileage and involved dealership sent to me in an email. Also, please include a brief description of the problems you are experiencing.
 
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

#67 of 101 Re: Burning Synthetic [gmcustsvc] by runox

May 15, 2011 (4:49 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (May 10, 2011 8:55 am)
For what it is worth I've been burning synthetic since I first switched over to Mobil 1 synthetic at 6,000 mi. I've asked two dealers about it and both said it's normal. I've driven new Chevy Blazers for over 30 years and have never had one burning oil even after 125,000. Tell me it's the synthetic versus fossil and switch right back. FWIW when I did the first OC at 6,000 not an ounce of the factory oil was short. I'm at 26,000 now and any "seal" consumption should be over by now. No leaks no evidence of oil, in the anti-freeze.

Messages Page 7 of 11

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