First Oil Change

[rjansen]

What mileage do you plan on doing your first oil change?

[Happy_Dan]

1500 right after Break in then every 3000 miles after that. I know it's overkill and you can trust the oil monitor system but it makes me feel better.

[72MachOne99GT]

See, I'm not sure I totally agree with you. (I totally agree that it's your choice, and it very likely does make you feel better)

But aside from the initial oil change, there simply isn't an advantage. When I bought my first 'toy' car I was every 3,000 on the dot. But 50 dollar oil changes add up slowly, (35ish I suppose once I started doing it myself) and when the manufacturer tells you to go longer, I just can't justify that 'false positive' feeling any longer.

PLEASE, someone send my wife an email stating the oil in her malibu is not garbage after 3500 miles, especially when the oil life monitor says 49%....UGH

[mitchw]

Depends if you use synthetic or not. If not synthetic then 6 months or 3000 miles whichever comes first. If synthetic you could go the earlier of 1 year or 7500 miles. First oil change is always better to do early. Also if the car has been sitting unused for months, non synthetic should be changed when you start using the car again to remove condensation.

[CAM....ZL1]

Dexos is a synthetic and it is a 5000 mi. Oil....but I don't think I'll go that long, I'll check with the dealer....the first change I will do oil and differential at 1500

[Mr. Wyndham]

I had mine changed at 550...then again at 2300. Diff fluid is being changed this weekend, or the next.

From now on - I'll change it once a year (or after a good race day, like the Fest), because I won't put enough miles on the car in a year to trip the Oil Life Monitor.

The theory is....get all the gunk out of there from the initial break-in, and cylinder wall/ring seating...then again after the break-in period is over to remove any "leftovers" of the same stuff I did the first oil change for.

[RADAR]

I am planning on 1500 miles. Mobil 1 Synthetic..!

[SlingShot]

I do my first one at 1000 then again at 5000 then every 5000 after that. I got the maintenance package that does the oil changes every 5k for five years. I prefer the dealer to just deal with it so I have a history on the car, plus I'm just getting too old to climb under cars any more.

[mmarx82]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I had mine changed at 550...then again at 2300. Diff fluid is being changed this weekend, or the next.

From now on - I'll change it once a year (or after a good race day, like the Fest), because I won't put enough miles on the car in a year to trip the Oil Life Monitor.

The theory is....get all the gunk out of there from the initial break-in, and cylinder wall/ring seating...then again after the break-in period is over to remove any "leftovers" of the same stuff I did the first oil change for.

Almost the same as what I would do, Me around 200 Miles, again at 1,000 then 2,000 then regular changes like normal. If I didn't drive it much I would also do once a year changes.

[RoketRdr]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

PLEASE, someone send my wife an email stating the oil in her malibu is not garbage after 3500 miles, especially when the oil life monitor says 49%....UGH

Get an oil analysis done every 3K to show her. The report will show you the break down of the oil, contaminants and TBN. It will also give you an idea of how much longer the oil will last with the existing contamination and wear package. I get 22K between changes in my Duramax and do an oil analysis every 7K to make sure nothing crazy has contaminated my oil and its not breaking down faster than normal. Have done this with 2 trucks now and the last one had over 100K on it and was making over 600hp. That's using Amsoil 100% synthetic and their extended life nano-fiber filters. I know people who are getting over 60K between changes running the by-pass filtration system and their oil will still look new after 20K. Cost for an analysis is $25 through Oil Analyzers Inc and will give you peace of mind and save the pocket book from spending money on oil when you don't need to.

[rextremeak]

I pick up my ZL1 from Tulsa, OK on the 5th June and am driving it back to Seattle over the following 3 days. I plan to change the oil, oil filter and rear diff fluid at 500 miles and then the oil and oil filter again when I get to Seattle. About 2000 miles.

Do you think this is excessive?

I figure if there's going to be bits and pieces floating around in there it should all be worn off by then.

[RoketRdr]

I wouldn't change any of the fluids until you get back to Seattle and get through the 1500 mile break-in. Its your choice and certainly wont hurt anything but why on earth would you think you need to change your air filter at 500 miles???? GM recommends changing it every 20K so changing it at 500 is a bit of unnecessary overkill and a waste of money.

[rextremeak]

Not the air filter. Just oil, oil filter and dif fluid at 500 miles. I remember reading it somewhere that it's a good idea and wanted some other opinions from people who are mechanically savvy. Unlike myself.

[RoketRdr]

Originally Posted by rextremeak

Not the air filter. Just oil, oil filter and dif fluid at 500 miles. I remember reading it somewhere that it's a good idea and wanted some other opinions from people who are mechanically savvy. Unlike myself.

Sorry...didn't have my glasses on at the time and thought I read 'air' filter in there. I still wouldn't change anything until after the 1500 miles. That's the break-in that GM states is required so most likely there will still be metal shavings and the such building up after 500 miles and parts still lapping in. If it were me I would drive it back to Seattle and then change all the lubes. Then drive it like you stole it!