2023 GMC 3500HD-6.6L GAS/6Spd Trans - Motor Oil/Filter Choices?

[SoCalAngler]

Hello all--

RE: My new 2023 GMC 3500HD 6.6L Gas and 6 Speed Auto...

Manual states, "perform the first oil change before heavy towing." In addition, "Do not drive over 50mph and do not make starts at full throttle during the first 500 miles of trailer towing."

I am going to reach 500 miles in the next several days.

What is considered "heavy towing, as manual does indicate a weight amount?

I need to trailer my boat (2500# GVWR) about 150 miles round trip, soon after I reach 500 miles. I wanted to know if I need to change the oil/filter prior to this tow?

If so, I am considering which oil/filter I should start and stick with for this new truck. I'd like to start and stick with the best quality possible since it is new and I plan on keeping her for many years.

I am considering OEM GM/AC Delco products...(which is what dealer will use at the first complimentary service provided by GM at approx. 7500 miles)....

Per Manual: DEXOS 1-GEN3 5W-30 (GM oil) and the AC Delco PF63 filter.

Is this oil / filter sufficient quality protection for regular use and heavy towing (8000# GVWR travel trailer and other times 2500# fishing boat)?

I tow trailer 4-5 times per year, several hundred miles one way, primarily in the Southwest, with ambient temps (90F-110F) in Summer and (45F-75F) in Winter.

Thanks!

 

[PimTac]

What does the owners manual recommend?

 

[userfriendly]

Towing or not, 500 miles is a good time to drain the factory fill and all the metallic glitter that goes with it.
Filter UPF63R and any 5W30 Dexos 1 Gen 3 will do.
Don’t reset the oil life feature this time.
You should get two free oil changes with the new truck purchase.

www.gmdexos.com

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Change the oil at 500 and tow the small boat trailer. Just take it easy and don't hammer the gas pedal on this trip.

Congrats on the new truck. I am thinking hard about removing our almost five year-old Hyundai from our driveway. It only has 33k on the odometer and I want my 2nd Choice from 4-1/2 years ago..... Toyota RAV4 with the DOHC engine. No more Korean GDIs for me.

 

[AZjeff]

Same truck 2021 GMC, I’m running a PF63 and Quaker State Full Syn 5w-30. 5k OCIs. 20k on truck, 15k towing. I thought ‘23 was to have the new trans?

BTW you can install the OEM trans dipstick these came with until this gen.

 

[SoCalAngler]

Same truck 2021 GMC, I’m running a PF63 and Quaker State Full Syn 5w-30. 5k OCIs. 20k on truck, 15k towing. I thought ‘23 was to have the new trans?

BTW you can install the OEM trans dipstick these came with until this gen.

Does that adding a dipstick include 2023 models with 6L90 6 speed trans?
Haver you performed this install? What can you share about install?
Parts, how is access hold opened up, verified accuracy etc?
Thanks

 

[SoCalAngler]

What does the owners manual recommend?

5W-30 Dexos 1-GEN 3

 

[SoCalAngler]

Towing or not, 500 miles is a good time to drain the factory fill and all the metallic glitter that goes with it.
Filter UPF63R and any 5W30 Dexos 1 Gen 3 will do.
Don’t reset the oil life feature this time.
You should get two free oil changes with the new truck purchase.

www.gmdexos.com

Only one service is what they come with

 

[AZjeff]

What can you share about install? Parts, how is access hold opened up, verified accuracy etc?
Thanks

They just removed the dipstick tube and put in a rubber plug that you're supposed to measure the level while hot running. Maybe on a lift but not in your garage. The stud that the tube mounts to is even in place. Verified accuracy using the dipstick and the procedure specified when these 6L90 trans came with one. Trans hot, truck level shift through gears then in park. You have to assume it has correct fill from the factory. Mine reads exactly full.

This link has the part numbers and install.

Installing a transmission dipstick for the 6L90 (L8T gas trucks) using factory fit GM parts.

A direct fit transmission dipstick is available for 2020-2023 HDs using part numbers from a 2019 model. You will need the following: Dipstick tube: 24265546 Dipstick (indicator): 24271875 Seal/grommet for dipstick tube: 15796802 (1) Flange Nut or lock/flat washer & nut: M8-1.25 Start by crawl...

www.gm-trucks.com

 

[cptbarkey]

No, that’s not heavy towing. You will be fine with the FF.

 

[Rob_Roy]

The recommendation to avoid heavy towing for the first 500 miles is to protect the differential. Considering you have already put about 500 miles on and the boat is only 2500 lbs I would just hook up and go.

How long is it been since you checked the wheel bearings on the boat trailer?

 

[PontiacHO]

Delco filter and the oil that the owners manual has listed. I don’t know anyone that has suffered issues operating as per the owners manual.

 

[MikeB@Texas]

That is definitely not heavy towing what you are going to do. I would run the factory oil for 3 to 5000 miles and change it. I have a 2024 Chevrolet 2500 HD 6.6 gas with a 10 speed transmission. I will be using Valvoline advanced synthetic 5W-30 and an AC Delco filter. I tow a 14,000 pound fifth wheel and I’m planning on changing my oil for the first time at 3000 miles.
I will use the PF 63 AC Delco filter. I used a UPF63R once on an older 6.6 gas and it developed a leak on the seam where the cap is rolled onto the can. I’ve been changing my own oil for 40 years now, and have never had a filter leak except that UPF63R.

 

[I<3oil]

That is definitely not heavy towing what you are going to do. I would run the factory oil for 3 to 5000 miles and change it. I have a 2024 Chevrolet 2500 HD 6.6 gas with a 10 speed transmission. I will be using Valvoline advanced synthetic 5W-30 and an AC Delco filter. I tow a 14,000 pound fifth wheel and I’m planning on changing my oil for the first time at 3000 miles.

You’re towing a 14k 5th and only went with gas?

 

[MikeB@Texas]

[QUOTE="I You’re towing a 14k 5th and only went with gas?
[/QUOTE]
Yes, most definitely, it does a great job, especially with the 10 speed transmission. The mpg does suffer a bit.

 

[MikeB@Texas]

I

What does the owners manual recommend?

he did mention what the owners manual says

 

[MikeB@Texas]

Same truck 2021 GMC, I’m running a PF63 and Quaker State Full Syn 5w-30. 5k OCIs. 20k on truck, 15k towing. I thought ‘23 was to have the new trans?

BTW you can install the OEM trans dipstick these came with until this gen.

2024 is the first year for the 10 speed behind the gas.

 

[MikeB@Texas]

Only one service is what they come with

Mine did not come with a full blown owners manual, just a quick start manual. Go figure.

 

[I<3oil]

Yes, most definitely, it does a great job, especially with the 10 speed transmission. The mpg does suffer a bit.

Interesting

 

[AZjeff]

Yes, most definitely, it does a great job, especially with the 10 speed transmission. The mpg does suffer a bit.

I'll bet it does. I tow a 6k travel trailer and on a 6700 mile trip AZ>FLA>PA>AZ earlier this year averaged exactly 10mpg.