beginner needs help

[Robertslowpoke]

Hi! new to this forum. I appreciate all the knowledge you all have. I have a 2008 Cadillac DTS, which has the Northstar v8.

i would like this car to last forever. I drive 7 miles to work, so the car likely never really warms up. i change the oil probably 4 times a year with whatever synthetic oil Gulf uses.

1. how often should I change my oil? I would rather too often than not often enough. i have 26,000 miles on my car. I am going to switch to Mobil one and a Mobil one filter.

2. what else should I do to have my car last forever?

best

bob

 

[demarpaint]

Here's a good place to start.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/what-oil-should-i-use-what-is-the-best-oil.119027/

Changing oil twice a year with a good synthetic should do well in your application, and is probably overkill. Some will say once a year with a UOA to be sure everything is good. I'd go twice a year and save the UOA money. Spend some time reading, the question has been asked hundreds of times in one form or another.

I would get that beast on the highway for a good 30 minute run from time to time, it helps!

Welcome to Bitog!

 

[Eddie]

I think demarpaint has it correct on the oil but, I think you could use any good std filter like PureOne, WIX etc.

 

[Hermann]

+1 on what Demarpaint said, about taking it on a 30 minute drive at least once every 2 weeks. Not only will it burn moisture off the oil, it will allow the ECU to run in the closed loop mode for a while. Your o2 sensors will function better, your plugs will burn clean, and heck you just might enjoy a leisurely drive once in a while.

 

[CourierDriver]

Originally Posted By: Robertslowpoke
Hi! new to this forum. I appreciate all the knowledge you all have. I have a 2008 Cadillac DTS, which has the Northstar v8.

i would like this car to last forever. I drive 7 miles to work, so the car likely never really warms up. i change the oil probably 4 times a year with whatever synthetic oil Gulf uses.

1. how often should I change my oil? I would rather too often than not often enough. i have 26,000 miles on my car. I am going to switch to Mobil one and a Mobil one filter.

2. what else should I do to have my car last forever?

best

bob

Nice ride, it should last 20 years, at the rate ur driving, at least the engine,,its all that other stuff, muffler, water pumps, electrics that get crazy, but all in all, great ride, read all u can in here and use the search section frequently for what ur looking for,,its a nice way to get others opinions before u ask a question live in here and keeps u from being blasted by those who seem to know it all,,,I hve learned the hard way there too and I'm still learning. Researching stuff is a private way to get answers and safe too IMHO

 

[jorton]

Be sure the level on dipstick is always ok. Check for leaks after an oil change. Use GM's severe service OCI. Routinely service coolant, and be sure the level is always ok.

Care for the transmission same as the engine and oil.

 

[Kestas]

Right away I sensed some overkill in your oil change regimen. My napkin calculation shows me you put only 4K a year going to work. I don't know how much errand and recreational driving you do, but that may mean only 6K to 10K per year on your car. Changing 4X per year with synthetic is a bit much.

But you do want to change it often enough because your usage pattern can prematurely contaminate the oil. You may want to use regular oil and change it every 3K.

Next step would be transmission fluid maintenance. There's plenty written about it on our site. I have a step-by-step written several times on "transmission fluid exchange" if you search using my name.

Otherwise, I truly believe the engine will outlive the rest of your car on Massachusets. The body will give out long before the engine does, about the time you lose interest in the car.

 

[chubbs1]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Right away I sensed some overkill in your oil change regimen. My napkin calculation shows me you put only 4K a year going to work. I don't know how much errand and recreational driving you do, but that may mean only 6K to 10K per year on your car. Changing 4X per year with synthetic is a bit much.

But you do want to change it often enough because your usage pattern can prematurely contaminate the oil. You may want to use regular oil and change it every 3K.

Next step would be transmission fluid maintenance. There's plenty written about it on our site. I have a step-by-step written several times on "transmission fluid exchange" if you search using my name.

Otherwise, I truly believe the engine will outlive the rest of your car on Massachusets. The body will give out long before the engine does, about the time you lose interest in the car.


Some good info, I like the Idea of two changes with Mobil one or Pennzoil Platinum 2x a year with a P1, WIX, M1 oil filter. And some spirited highway drives when you can. Search Ketsas' Transmission posts and read them. Is your car under warranty? Make sure you follow the mileage recommendations under the severe service category in your manual.

 

[TomYoung]

I want to chime in on the second part of your question. (for the record, you will never have oil-related issues if you keep synthetic oil, at mfr spec grade/weight, in the care and change twice a year.)

Your car is very new, but I would start with a regular inspection routine, and when you sense something is wearing, replace it. I'd replace the air filters every year and the other filters every two years.

At five years, you should replace all fluids: Brake, coolant, transmission, power steering with high quality products.

I would seek out a mechanic, preferably not a dealer, who you can trust with whatever you cannot do yourself.

That car is perfectly suited for long drives, which you should plan.

Good luck.

 

[Scienceman]

I'd go twice a year and save the UOA money. Spend some time reading, the question has been asked hundreds of times in one form or another.

I would get that beast on the highway for a good 30 minute run from time to time, it helps!

Welcome to Bitog!

 

[Robertslowpoke]

Thanks for not making fun of me,guys! I am trying to learn. I sent away my first ever oil sample for testing blackstone labs.I really like the SPECIFIC suggestions you had as, highway 30 min every 2 weeks. i manage my daughter's 1999 Camry, wife's 2002 Lexus es300 with 76,000 miles, and will manage my son's car when he gets it. (used subaru probably) I will read up on all your ideas. I will try to be brief.
1. my original 2008 antifreeze has 26000 miles on it. should I change it? Caddy manual says dex cool is good for a long time.
2. my transmission also has the 26,000 miles on the fluid. should I change that? i will read kestas writing on transmissions right now. thanks!!
i wash my car once a week or 2 weeks, and my friend and I detail it 2-3 times a year.
thank you guys!!

best
Bob.
LOTS of snow here, and tons of salt on the roads. Massachusetts.

 

[Kestas]

Just don't go on the highway only for the sake of warming up the oil. The fuel cost would greatly exceed your oil bill. You'd be better off just changing the oil more often.

1. The antifreeze is a judgement call. At this rate it should be good for at least three more years.

2. At 26K it's about time to change the transmission fluid. It's broken in, and the first change is the most important to flush out the break-in debris. Give it the full round robin... clean the pan, magnet, change the filter, and completely exchange the fluid.

 

[Robertslowpoke]

THANK you Kestas!! i am not a mechanic. i may take the car to Cadillac dealer for transmission fluid. thank you for the SPECIFIC advice, just what I need!!

A friend here, who used to be a good mechanic, suggested the transmission fluid at 30,000 miles, just like you said!! GREAT!! I want this car to last forever!!

a side note! got my first ever oil report, blackstone labs. 2002 lexus es300. 76,000 miles. everything OK, lead was 4 ppm instead of 2ppm, everything ok. change oil probably 4 times a year with whatever synthetic gulf station uses.
best

bob

 

[Kestas]

Make sure the dealer and mechanic understands that you want the full round robin for the transmission fluid service. Most of them just exchange the fluid and send you on your merry way. It should be roughly $100 extra to drop the pan as I described above.

Depending on your comfort level working with cars, this is not that difficult for the DIYer. It will warm up this weekend.