Driving habits have changed - Need new oil change schedule

[DonM]

I retired last year and when I did, the miles I put on the Camaro per year have dropped DRASTICALLY! Where I was putting 30,000 + miles a year on the car, in the past year, I've only put about 700 miles on the car (it was down for mechanical reasons from October '22 until April '23) so between April and now, it has only accumulated about 700 miles (the oil was changed in April - Amsoil XL Series 5W30).

Before I retired, I was driving 46 miles (about an hour) twice a day - to and from work at somewhat legal highway speeds the entire time. Now it's short trips and infrequent use.

Before, I was racking up the miles so fast, that I would change the oil every 10K or a couple of times (3 or 4) a year. The car currently has just shy of 167K miles (LFX V6) and still runs as good (or better) than the day I bought it.

Amsoil XL is rated for 12K miles/1 year, so should I change my oil once a year in the Spring and ignore the mileage? Because I highly doubt it will even come close to 10K miles a year.

Suggestions??

[el ess A]

I believe your OLM will tell you in about a year.

Whenever you change it, reset the OLM and yeah, if you want to do it every spring, you'll be golden.

[0stones0]

Total confidence in Amsoil and whenever the OLM tells you to change it, as el ess A stated.

[bsn]

I have six vehicles and drive a company truck to work, change oil once a year. Years ago when I had to drive my own vehicle to work and only had 3 cars it was one year or 15K miles, had a truck I put 365.000 miles on still ran fine body rusted out. Use good oil and you won't have a problem.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by el ess A

I believe your OLM will tell you in about a year.

Whenever you change it, reset the OLM and yeah, if you want to do it every spring, you'll be golden.

In your situation now that you're retired and don't drive it so much, agreed on the above.. ^^ As long as you're just driving normal and no racing and such you will be good to go..

[Silveradoss573]

So far after 5 years but only 4,000 miles, I've only changed my oil twice. I use mobile one synthetic and both times so far the oil looks like it just came fresh out of the bottles. Mine does sit a lot in a climate controlled environment so that definitely helps I'm sure.��

[AlisoBob]

Amsoil is all about the hype. EVERY UOA shows the same wear metals, in the same concentrations as every other decent motor oil. From Walmart Super Tech on up. Amsoil is no big deal, just big price. I've seen guys double down by paying the huge mark up price for what they think is the best oil in the world.. THEN.... change it every 2500 miles....

The thing about the High Feature V6 is the timing chains. It has 3 of them. Chains are hard to lubricate, as the oil is constantly being flung off. This is the best oil for that motor, and it's not made by Amsoil..... Look for the Dexos Gen 3 label.

[AlisoBob]

Yes.... Walmart Super Tech oil, is Gen 3 approved.
https://www.gmdexos.com/brands/dexos1_3/index.html


For as little as you drive your car, Super Tech oil and the Walmart Fram Endurance Oil Filter.....are a no brainer. Change both every 12 months. Done.

$4 per quart for a outstanding oil... is unbeatable.

[chevy pilot]

Once a year.

[DonM]

WOW! I just GOOGLED "Dexos 3 approved oil," and got a SERIOUS LIST - most of which I've never heard of ... there are also A LOT of "Gas Station" brands on the list as well!

For those interested, here is the list:

DEXOS GEN 3 APPROVED OILS

[el ess A]

Always remember to reset the OLM whenever you do your oil change. We're in the same boat. Wife and I both retired "early" and we're lucky if we put over 2K per year on any vehicle. I got a 2020 GMC Denali truck as a late retirement gift to myself that is straining to turn 7K miles since new.

And we've put about 200 miles combined, maybe, on the ZL1 and SS this year.

The wife's 2020 Caddy CT5-V will be 3 years old next month, with 1 more year of bumper/bumper warranty. Just turned 6,500 miles. I will be going in next Thursday for its annual oil/filter change. Last year's oil change service was 12/05/22.

I have the dealership change the oil under their oil change special deal for 80 bucks. They include rotating the tires, topping off the fluids, and the inspection maintenance gets documented for any warranty concerns later. I couldn't do what they're doing for 80 bucks. They've even found needed system updates and performed those for me. Even at the cheapest price I could get the same oil, that would be more than half that bill just to buy the oil and filter, let alone time to set it all up at home with the race ramps and what not, then deal with oil disposal, etc. I sit inside the showroom gawking at the new GMC trucks and drinking complimentary coffee while they take care of the dirty work. And those guys always treat me and the vehicles well. It's worth the ~$40 to me to have them rotate tires and do the OC, etc.

It's weird, though. I won't let the dealership touch the 5th gens unless absolutely necessary.

[myold88]

In 15 years I've done 20 oil changes. 72,000 miles and never any problems.
The dash oil change indicator usually says I have 40-50% oil life left.
The hell with that.

[ariZona28]

I "stretched" my previous oil change out to 18 months, 1134 miles on my Z/28. Sent a sample into Blackstone with excellent results. Mobil 1 5w30 Dexos 1 and Mobil 1 filter. I do drive the car a bit aggressively once a week with oil temp over 200 F as displayed on the DIC. Nothing wrong with changing it once a year if it fits your schedule but depending on your driving style you can go a little longer if you're using good quality stuff. I highly recommend doing a Blackstone report just for peace of mind.