Revisit - Oil changes and the DIC
01-04-2009, 12:30 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 11-28-2007
Location: Champaign, Illinois
Posts: 145
Revisit - Oil changes and the DIC
So after 14 months my car has a whooping 6932 miles on it. For the second time since I have owned it - I changed the oil in it.
DIC - said oil life was at 31%. Level seemed fine but every time I started it in the cold weather the engine knocked for the first couple seconds.
When they were draining the oil - I could not believe how dirty it looked. Are we sure that changing the oil when the DIC says to is the smartest thing? Just asking.
DIC - said oil life was at 31%. Level seemed fine but every time I started it in the cold weather the engine knocked for the first couple seconds.
When they were draining the oil - I could not believe how dirty it looked. Are we sure that changing the oil when the DIC says to is the smartest thing? Just asking.
01-04-2009, 12:54 AM
#3
Member
Join Date: 10-08-2007
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 30
Oil changes and the DIC
It's 35 bucks at my dealer. Seems a bit pricey. Manual states to follow DIC for oil changes. It seems weird to me? It's been 3.5 mos and about 4000 miles since my last change and DIC still reads 48%. It's gong down but not as fast as you would think. This is a good question.
01-04-2009, 07:38 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 05-30-2007
Location: Western New York
Posts: 132
My $.02
Well, here I go again voicing my humble opinion. I have always changed oil at 3 months or 3,000 miles regardless of what others, or the owner's manual say.
My GM vehicles can speak for themselves. My Tahoe has 440K miles on it. The engine has never been apart and makes no noise and uses no oil between changes. The other vehicles I have owned have gone to 100 to 200K before I sold them and had no noise or other problems. The new owners drove them for years after buying them from me. Why change a program that works?
My GM vehicles can speak for themselves. My Tahoe has 440K miles on it. The engine has never been apart and makes no noise and uses no oil between changes. The other vehicles I have owned have gone to 100 to 200K before I sold them and had no noise or other problems. The new owners drove them for years after buying them from me. Why change a program that works?
01-04-2009, 08:21 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: 09-11-2007
Location: Palm Bay, Florida
Posts: 1,378
I'm at 5000 miles since my last oil change (Mobil 1) and the DIC says 51%. I'm waiting for the dealer to send me another coupon for a reduce cost oil change or some sort of credit. I took the Mobil 1 in to the dealer ($23), they changed the oil, filter and rotated the tires and it cost me $4.75.
01-04-2009, 10:04 AM
#6
Member
Join Date: 10-08-2007
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 30
DIC Oil change Intervals
I found this link on a Corvette forum. It should answer most questions in this area.
http://www.gm.com/corporate/responsi..._qa_040104.jsp
We have been programmed from birth, especially car guys, to change oil religiously at 3 mos/ 3000 miles. We keep forgetting oil and engine technology advancements over the past 20-30 years. This is the first car I've owned that tells me when to change oil. It's actually a nice feature.
http://www.gm.com/corporate/responsi..._qa_040104.jsp
We have been programmed from birth, especially car guys, to change oil religiously at 3 mos/ 3000 miles. We keep forgetting oil and engine technology advancements over the past 20-30 years. This is the first car I've owned that tells me when to change oil. It's actually a nice feature.
01-04-2009, 10:38 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: 05-26-2008
Location: Westerville, Ohio
Posts: 618
I also changed mine for the 2nd time ever yesterday. After reading all the articles and web site blogs about oil life I'm gonna change my ways. I have always been a 3000-4000 guy when it comes to changing the oil. "But not anymore"
My DIC said I 8% left when I changed it. I was gonna wait another week but I need to take the car in to get my Key Fobs to work again this week. Didn't want the dealer asking me to pay there prices to change it.
I changed mine first time at 5000 miles. This time I went 8830 miles. I replaced the filter at the 45% to 50% mark and the oil looked like any other oil I used to change out at 3000 miles or so.
I also have to say I have been changing my own oil for over 30 years and this car is easiest of them all. Not mention least messy. To be able to remove the filter from the top without spilling oil all over is great. Also to be able to replace the filter mid oil change cycle is a great asset for those of us who do it.
I use Mobile1 an AC-Delco filters (only $5.50 ea,)
My DIC said I 8% left when I changed it. I was gonna wait another week but I need to take the car in to get my Key Fobs to work again this week. Didn't want the dealer asking me to pay there prices to change it.
I changed mine first time at 5000 miles. This time I went 8830 miles. I replaced the filter at the 45% to 50% mark and the oil looked like any other oil I used to change out at 3000 miles or so.
I also have to say I have been changing my own oil for over 30 years and this car is easiest of them all. Not mention least messy. To be able to remove the filter from the top without spilling oil all over is great. Also to be able to replace the filter mid oil change cycle is a great asset for those of us who do it.
I use Mobile1 an AC-Delco filters (only $5.50 ea,)
