2011 GMC HD oil help

[Chelanace]

I have a 2011 GMC 2500 HD pickup with a gas engine and it is getting time to get my first oil change. Wanted some help in picking either synthetic oil or a multi grade oil, or whatever you guys suggest.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Chelanace]

Kerry

 

[dave1251]

You have a HD pick up how do you tow? There is plenty of people just using their OLM and a conventional 5w30 and changing their oil with about 5-15% oil life left. Your 6.0 is a very good engine.

 

[bullwinkle]

For warranty purposes make sure it says "dexos" on the bottle somewhere-use that as a search term, you'll see a few synthetic offerings (Mobil 1 & Pennzoil Platinum come to mind). And,

 

[Chelanace]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
You have a HD pick up how do you tow? There is plenty of people just using their OLM and a conventional 5w30 and changing their oil with about 5-15% oil life left. Your 6.0 is a very good engine.



Don't tow anything. Will maybe haul some oil drums for my business, but won't be towing a boat or anything.

 

[genynnc]

Kerry, my folks just bought a 2011 Chevrolet 2500HD w/ 6.0.

I'm about to do the same and change the oil.

The brand that caught my eye, according to specs was Kendall GT-1 5/30.

3.2 HTHS- pretty good for a 5w30
It is a synthetic/ dino blend
(And it has liquid titanium for an additive, if marketing floats your boat)

If you are in SW Washington, it's $1.99 a quart at Cost Less Auto Parts.

But when it comes down to it, any and all API SN 5w30's are great oils. So if you have a bias for a brand, go with it.

Welcome to BITOG!

 

[dnewton3]

Welcome to BITOG.

Presuming you're going to follow the OLM, then any quality oil meeting the OEM specs will do quite well. And the OLM is a fairly accurate way to track your oil change interval (OCI).

The 6.0L gasser is a great engine, and will do well with any brand of properly-spec'd oil. I would suggest that you don't overthink this, or you'll drive yourself nutty.

There is no "best" oil for all things or situations; but there are plenty of better choices that you can take comfort in using.

 

[genynnc]

Oh, something I forgot. Being the usuall member of BITOG, I poured through the owner's manual of the Chevy HD, nothing was mentioned of Dexos? I was really surprised? Are HD vehicles with elevated gross weight excluded from GM's Dexos requirement? I could have missed it (the owners manual was about 600 pages) Just wondering... sorry to hijack!

 

[bullwinkle]

That would be good (cheaper)-then you could use any oil that meets the specs in your manual.

 

[3311]

Follow the olm until it tells you to "Change Oil", use a oil quality oil, and the engine will outlast the chassis.

We have had excellent service in our 6.0 trucks. Knock on wood, they have almost maintenance free except for a water pump and normal maintenance. I bet I still have 40-50% brakes left at 248 k miles on my daily work truck. My shop neighbor has the same truck and had same good service/luck as well.

Service the transmission, assuming you have a 4l80e, as well around 5k, then every 50k(filter every 100k) and it will provide very long service as well. I always used Mobil 1 ATF but have switched to Maxlife Dex/Merc because of the Dex vi requirement.

I have also always run an over sized oil filter, though many feel not necessary, either a M1 206 or Purolator Pure One PL25288. The Purolators are about half as much.

Ive also run a K&N air filter since about 100 miles. Not for performance but I like the idea of a serviceable filter to cut maintenance costs.

 

[hisilver]

Big thumbs up for the 6.0. 145k hard miles on a 99 and still rollin along. I really drool over the '11s.

 

[Chelanace]

Thank you everyone for your help.

I appreciate it.

 

[UNC007]

Originally Posted By: Chelanace
I have a 2011 GMC 2500 HD pickup with a gas engine and it is getting time to get my first oil change. Wanted some help in picking either synthetic oil or a multi grade oil, or whatever you guys suggest.

Thank you in advance.



I was looking at the GMC site helping a buddy look for a new truck - GM has like 6 different gas engine offerings now!

I would look at Mobil 1 Avanced Fuel Economy oils, running them in all our gassers with great success on MPG.

I run Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck engine oil and the Mobil 1 oil filter in my 2007.5 GMC 2500HD with the Duramax diesel engine.

Enjoy your 2011, lots of improvements under that truck that are not under mine!