Oil Change Issue

[suckstobeyou]

I have a (an?) 04 Grand Prix.
My dealer sent me a letter a year or so ago stating not to change the oil till the car tells me to. So anyways it's benn 8000 mile and good 5 months (was due on 8/6) since my last oil change.
The last time it went almost 10500 miles, but instead of saying change oil soon, it told me oil level low.
I checked the oil last month and it was nearly full, I haven't checked it so far, but I suppose since it is cold outside, the oil shrunk.
I wanted to know what you guys think about it. Should I wait till it tells me to change it, top it off till (if it is low), or change every 3000?

Also since my engine has over 50 000 is it safe to use synthetic?

My friend claims that the 3800 series engines can't use synthetic if they don't have 50K on them. I personally think that's BS but I might not know anything!

[steverino]

The new rule of thumb is 7,500 miles (oil & filter). All GM cars have an oil monitor that provides the % of oil life remaining, which seems to amazingly indicate changing oil now at around the 7,500 mile mark.

Just make sure the technician resets the monitor (showing 99%) after changing the O & F. Also, when flipping thru the DIC settings don't mistakenly hit the oil reset button or you'll send it back to 99%

[WishIhadatruck]

If you plan to keep the car forever then I'd get the oil tested if you really want to know if going that long is acceptable. Generally the OLM is pretty accurate and can do a better job and determining oil change intervals than going by months or miles. Going just a set time/miles is not that helpful (such as 6 months / 7500 miles) because everyone drives their cars differently and in different conditions. Some people have them go off every 5k miles and others go 12k miles, it just depends on the vehicle and how it was used. If you are uncomfortable going that long then use synthetic instead (yes it is fine) or always change it out at a higher % such as 20% or 40%, don't let it go to 0%. You're probably very safe letting the car tell you when to change it.

[E. Haskell]

Pay $30 and send a sample in to Blackstone lab. I'd wait until it tells you to change it and send Blackstone a sample of that oil. If the results come back good than you'll know you can trust the oil life monitor. From what I've heard they are pretty accurate.

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by E. Haskell

Pay $30 and send a sample in to Blackstone lab. I'd wait until it tells you to change it and send Blackstone a sample of that oil. If the results come back good than you'll know you can trust the oil life monitor. From what I've heard they are pretty accurate.

They are, rbarrios posted about them, and I have used them as well with good results...

If you haven't used synthetic before...save your cash and use a top line name-brand oil like Mobil 5000 or Valvoline...also use a top line oil filter...AC/Delco, Wix, MANN, Hengst, Donaldson or Purolator are the only ones I really trust for my cars...

You should check your oil every gas fill up, or every other at least...

I would change the oil @ 30-35%...mind you I was brought up on every 3 month/3K servicing...which on anything older is the MAX, no matter the oil used...cheap insurance!

Originally Posted by suckstobeyou

My friend claims that the 3800 series engines can't use synthetic if they don't have 50K on them. I personally think that's BS but I might not know anything!

I tried Amsoil @ 35K miles for the 1st time on my former 2004 Bonneville...I developed leaks and I used oil...almost a quart in 3500 miles...

Next service I used our GM bulk oil...I degreased the engine...leaks disappeared!!!

[onstar]

i got a 04 GP myself, and i change the oil every 3K miles and been using mobil fully syntheitc since day one.

if you bought a new car (average 25K bucks) wants an extra 50 bucks a years when it comes to oil change?

[Hitman1970]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

They are, rbarrios posted about them, and I have used them as well with good results...

If you haven't used synthetic before...save your cash and use a top line name-brand oil like Mobil 5000 or Valvoline...also use a top line oil filter...AC/Delco, Wix, MANN, Hengst, Donaldson or Purolator are the only ones I really trust for my cars...

You should check your oil every gas fill up, or every other at least...

I would change the oil @ 30-35%...mind you I was brought up on every 3 month/3K servicing...which on anything older is the MAX, no matter the oil used...cheap insurance!






I tried Amsoil @ 35K miles for the 1st time on my former 2004 Bonneville...I developed leaks and I used oil...almost a quart in 3500 miles...

Next service I used our GM bulk oil...I degreased the engine...leaks disappeared!!!

I have been changing my 2006 LaCrosse CXS at about 33%, which is around 7000-7500 miles of driving for me. Glad to see somebody else with the same line of thought on this.

[likearock00]

I use Mobile1 extended performance oil and filter. I run it until the DIC says 0%, which is about 7-8k.

If I were you and were having issues, I'd just change it every 3k. Better safe than sorry.

[gmhashope]

I'd go with changing it 3 months/3,000 miles. A little money spent now could save you big down the road.

But save your money, synthetic is a bunch of bull. Everyone has a different opinion on which oil is the best and whether the cheap no name brands are the same as Quaker State, Mobil, etc. I personally believe it's the same basic oil but the big names add different/more additives to the oil which are better for the engine. But from everything I've read and every mechanic I've talked to synthetic isn't better than say a regular Mobil oil.

[jknudson98]

It doesn't cost that much to change it. It certainly won't hurt the car and may likely save you from a much larger problem later on. I have an 04 Grand Prix GTP and I change mine at around 4,000.

As far as synthetic goes, you can use it anytime. It's interchangeable with conventional oil. That said, I think you'd be better off spending the money on more frequent conventional oil changes than switching to synthetic. If you want to go for longer periods between oil changes (i.e. >5,000 miles) than I would definitely get an extended life filter.

Synthetic can stand up to more abuse, but the question is do you really need that extra protection. Will it help your car that much more? I haven't seen anything that says that it makes a big enough difference for the increase in price.

Firestone shops use a synthetic blend that's supposed to be pretty good. They're oil change price is reasonable as well. I usually pay about $20 in the Washington D.C. area. Go to their website and keep an eye on their promotions. You can sign up for promotional e-mails too. http://www.firestonecompleteautocare...fers/index.jsp

For the low down on oil and generally good advice check out www.bobistheoilguy.com. There are people over there that obsess about this kind of stuff.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by gmhashope

I'd go with changing it 3 months/3,000 miles. A little money spent now could save you big down the road.

But save your money, synthetic is a bunch of bull. Everyone has a different opinion on which oil is the best and whether the cheap no name brands are the same as Quaker State, Mobil, etc. I personally believe it's the same basic oil but the big names add different/more additives to the oil which are better for the engine. But from everything I've read and every mechanic I've talked to synthetic isn't better than say a regular Mobil oil.

Changing oil less than 4000 miles on a modern car is THROWING money away.

Synthetic works fine, and if you don't want to change your oil for 10k-15k go with it. I changed mine at 10k in the Saab.

[Gidz.08]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

Changing oil less than 4000 miles on a modern car is THROWING money away.

Synthetic works fine, and if you don't want to change your oil for 10k-15k go with it. I changed mine at 10k in the Saab.

I don't why then everybody says change it at 5k and no more than that. Is it only Saab or are people trying to get our money?

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by Gidz.08

I don't why then everybody says change it at 5k and no more than that. Is it only Saab or are people trying to get our money?

Saab (dealer) says change at 5000, Saab (GM) says change every 10k.

Yes they want your money. My mom changes the Synth on the BMW every 15k.

[E. Haskell]

The 3k mile oil change is a myth that places like Jiffylube would like to keep alive.

In general, I wouldn't assume synthetic oil is fine for 10k+ oil changes. If you're going over 6k intervals, it's best to have the oil checked by a lab. BMW recommended something like 13k mile intervals with their synthetic oil, but a lot of the owners found that the oil was shot with less than 10k miles. If you go by the oil life monitor it doesn't matter what kind of oil you use - I don't believe it recognizes what kind of oil is in the car (synthetic or conventional).

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by E. Haskell

If you go by the oil life monitor it doesn't matter what kind of oil you use - I don't believe it recognizes what kind of oil is in the car (synthetic or conventional).

Correct...