Oil Change Interval
We agree with every three thousand miles.
3500 miles!woooeeeeee
New Member
Joined: 04-06-2007
Posts: 21
From: Clarence, NY
Just have to comment on this. My GM vehicles with the oil life monitors give me 5000-7500 mi/change depending on winter, summer, etc.
I have a friend who worked at GM Powertrain testing engines in the lab. Their own research shows that immediately following an oil change, the greatest wear occurs during the period that oil is in the engine barring going way too many miles. The oil life is limited by additive degredation, not lubricity of the oil.
If you try your local University engineering library and search SAE or triboligy journals you can confirm all this. I used to have copies of many research articles on this stuff but lost them in a move.
And check out the newest Mobil 1. They guarantee 15,000 miles per change or one year.
My advice as a mechanical PE with only peripheral knowledge of the topic is to stick with the DIC! When in doubt, do what the manufacturer recommends.
Best regards all.
I have a friend who worked at GM Powertrain testing engines in the lab. Their own research shows that immediately following an oil change, the greatest wear occurs during the period that oil is in the engine barring going way too many miles. The oil life is limited by additive degredation, not lubricity of the oil.
If you try your local University engineering library and search SAE or triboligy journals you can confirm all this. I used to have copies of many research articles on this stuff but lost them in a move.
And check out the newest Mobil 1. They guarantee 15,000 miles per change or one year.
My advice as a mechanical PE with only peripheral knowledge of the topic is to stick with the DIC! When in doubt, do what the manufacturer recommends.
Best regards all.
Member
Joined: 04-02-2007
Posts: 90
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Thanks for a very knowledgeable post
Thanks. I found that very interesting. I was always taught the 3000 mile thing. Time to rethink. I realize oil doesn't breakdown in 3000 miles it was just the getting dirty part. I'll be glad to wait longer between oil changes. If I use synthetic oil I will probably go even longer.
Just have to comment on this. My GM vehicles with the oil life monitors give me 5000-7500 mi/change depending on winter, summer, etc.
I have a friend who worked at GM Powertrain testing engines in the lab. Their own research shows that immediately following an oil change, the greatest wear occurs during the period that oil is in the engine barring going way too many miles. The oil life is limited by additive degredation, not lubricity of the oil.
If you try your local University engineering library and search SAE or triboligy journals you can confirm all this. I used to have copies of many research articles on this stuff but lost them in a move.
And check out the newest Mobil 1. They guarantee 15,000 miles per change or one year.
My advice as a mechanical PE with only peripheral knowledge of the topic is to stick with the DIC! When in doubt, do what the manufacturer recommends.
Best regards all.
I have a friend who worked at GM Powertrain testing engines in the lab. Their own research shows that immediately following an oil change, the greatest wear occurs during the period that oil is in the engine barring going way too many miles. The oil life is limited by additive degredation, not lubricity of the oil.
If you try your local University engineering library and search SAE or triboligy journals you can confirm all this. I used to have copies of many research articles on this stuff but lost them in a move.
And check out the newest Mobil 1. They guarantee 15,000 miles per change or one year.
My advice as a mechanical PE with only peripheral knowledge of the topic is to stick with the DIC! When in doubt, do what the manufacturer recommends.
Best regards all.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-12-2007
Posts: 155
From: NY
I just turned 900 miles on my HHR. Dic is at 90% oil life. At this rate, if i go by the DIC, i wont need an oil change until 9000 miles? Sorry folks, but i just will not feel comfortable with that. I also don;t go by the 3000/3 month rule either. 4500 miles seems reasonable to me, but i also check the stick to see how dirty the oil is. I will do my first change at 2000 though. want to keep it fresh while breaking her in.
Member
Joined: 04-02-2007
Posts: 90
From: St. Louis, Mo.
I just turned 900 miles on my HHR. Dic is at 90% oil life. At this rate, if i go by the DIC, i wont need an oil change until 9000 miles? Sorry folks, but i just will not feel comfortable with that. I also don;t go by the 3000/3 month rule either. 4500 miles seems reasonable to me, but i also check the stick to see how dirty the oil is. I will do my first change at 2000 though. want to keep it fresh while breaking her in.
Senior Member
Joined: 02-03-2006
Posts: 1,785
From: So Cal
Member
Joined: 03-12-2007
Posts: 32
From: Bradenton, Flordia
I just went to my chevy dealership I purchased my HHR from to have the oil changed. It has 3050 miles on it and the service tech told us that our first oil change was not due till 5000 miles. I questioned wiether this would void any warranty by waiting until 5000 miles and he showed us on the computer were it would not. He told us that we should trust the oil life indicator and wait till its around 10%. wierd huh?