Benefit to changing factory fill early?

[Corvette Owner]

I recently bought a 2013 Buick Enclave and I was planning to change the factory fill out early, at 50% OLM. I now hit that at 4,000 miles and I am wondering if it is that big of a deal.

DEXOS is almost synthetic (I will change to Pennzoil Platinum) and with engines not needing much (if any) break in these days, and since factory doesn't require it, is it really a benefit?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Here we go...

 

[BISCUT]

I buy new and keep til they are driven in the ground. I change out factory fill early....I sleep better feeling that if there were to be any left over machining fragments or shavings in my fluid its gone.

That's just me

 

[antiqueshell]

I would wait until at least 6500-7500, why waste a quality synthetic oil that may possibly have some extra additives in it from GM?

As for metal particles, no worry, that is why the oil filter is there.

 

[Texican]

IMO I don't think there is much of a benefit from dumping the FF early, just do it if it makes you feel better. I just bought a new Kia Forte, I'm going to dump the FF after 3K since my first OC is comped by the dealership.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
I recently bought a 2013 Buick Enclave and I was planning to change the factory fill out early, at 50% OLM. I now hit that at 4,000 miles and I am wondering if it is that big of a deal.

DEXOS is almost synthetic (I will change to Pennzoil Platinum) and with engines not needing much (if any) break in these days, and since factory doesn't require it, is it really a benefit?


Just sold a 3500 Savana with 500k miles on it, the engine was the quietest in my fleet! Always changed by OLM, never early or late. GM makes a good OLM unit!

 

[BISCUT]

Originally Posted By: Texican
IMO I don't think there is much of a benefit from dumping the FF early, just do it if it makes you feel better. I just bought a new Kia Forte, I'm going to dump the FF after 3K since my first OC is comped by the dealership.


So I assume you as me "feel" better dumping early.....

 

[Texican]

So I assume you as me "feel" better dumping early..... [/quote]
You assume correctly.

 

[RamFan]

I changed the FF in the CX-5 at 1k miles. Manual doesn't advise against an early dump so I dumped it. I'm sure it's overkill but I'd rather get those initial wear metals out of there unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer.

 

[1999nick]

Originally Posted By: Texican


So I assume you as me "feel" better dumping early.....

You assume correctly. [/quote]

This is what I think. Changing early does nothing for the engine if it has an oil filter, but it makes you feel better. Strange reason for dumping good oil.

 

[SteveSRT8]

See, that's the issue here. The mfgr publishes an incredibly complete maintenance schedule in the manual. Following it correctly generally gives most folks the best bang for their buck especially in the long haul.

 

[SatinSilver]

Isn't the first oil change due at 600 miles on these? At least a few years ago I believe this was the case. I just tried searching and looking at the online manual but nothing came up.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
See, that's the issue here. The mfgr publishes an incredibly complete maintenance schedule in the manual. Following it correctly generally gives most folks the best bang for their buck especially in the long haul.

I wonder if we will eventually accept the fill for life transmission fluid recommendations also listed in many of today's manuals?

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Here we go...

Yep!

 

[Errtt]

I know many who have done it early, including myself. I don't know about the 50% though. I've ran 3/4 time of FF (down to 25% if I had OLM), then would do the 1st change on a short OC, then extend longer on next OC. No particular reason, just what I've done and no issues to speak of oil wise. Do the same on motorcycles & OPE.

 

[Lyman]

I wouldn't think of ever driving past 1,000 miles on a FF. But that's just me. I have built a few engines in my life and have gone to the extent of dumping it at 200, 500 and again at 1,000 miles. I have drained said oil into a clean pan and witnessed the metal particles in the pan.
And to the person that posted "Changing early does nothing for the engine if it has an oil filter" I guess you have never heard of a bypass valve?

 

[crazyoildude]

those gm v8's run a long time

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
I wouldn't think of ever driving past 1,000 miles on a FF. But that's just me. I have built a few engines in my life and have gone to the extent of dumping it at 200, 500 and again at 1,000 miles. I have drained said oil into a clean pan and witnessed the metal particles in the pan.
And to the person that posted "Changing early does nothing for the engine if it has an oil filter" I guess you have never heard of a bypass valve?



That filter is NEVER going to go into bypass mode unless it is left on there for 30k miles.

Like the other poster mentioned the owner's manual is highly detailed and if followed will give the owner a car that's engine lasts for over 250k miles without a problem.

 

[Lyman]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
I wouldn't think of ever driving past 1,000 miles on a FF. But that's just me. I have built a few engines in my life and have gone to the extent of dumping it at 200, 500 and again at 1,000 miles. I have drained said oil into a clean pan and witnessed the metal particles in the pan.
And to the person that posted "Changing early does nothing for the engine if it has an oil filter" I guess you have never heard of a bypass valve?



That filter is NEVER going to go into bypass mode unless it is left on there for 30k miles.

Like the other poster mentioned the owner's manual is highly detailed and if followed will give the owner a car that's engine lasts for over 250k miles without a problem.
By god I think you got me there. Im used to building big V-8s with high volume/pressure oil pumps. Oil filter bumps the bypass on start up. As a matter of fact I have blown up a few oil filters in the past.

 

[CaspianM]

It is not just metal particles, new engine is hard on oil and fuel in gas and oil shearing. If you have been changing your own oil you probably have witnessed the watery metallic looking oil out of crankcase. Empty the pan and you will see the metallic mess in there.

While I don't see any car manufacturer say early change (cause people hate to change oil early) directly, practically all motorcycle requires/recommend that. Early change is not 50% or 3000 miles, it is 600~1200 miles and increasing it slowly.
I have always done early (using dino) a few times then normal routine and it works.