GM 3.6 DI OCI Schedule

[BISCUT]

Friends GMC Acadia Denali I've written about before. All is well and she is at 1500 miles. I'm looking to change the oil next week just because I'd like to get the CU and FE outa there (new engine/FF). Not looking to debate that one it's my plan; makes me sleep well.

She uses company car most days...hence the 1500 miles in like 3 months! Problem is it's DI and she is a short tripper. Home to swap cars from company car to GMC. Few miles to babysitter to get kids and home or to whatever karate, dance,etc...but all local and then home. Doubtful the oil gets to 180F very often.

Recommendations on oil and duration? I'd like to go M1 or PP and 5k to be safe. What say you? I'm not planning on a UOA so wanna be on the safe end.

 

[Danh]

Any Dexos oil should be fine, one of major brand Dexos-certified synthetics (PP, M1, etc.) would be even better.

In terms of OCI interval, why not just go by the oil life monitor? If this bothers you or you think the logic may be pushing the OCI too far, choose an oil life remaining percentage (30%, 40%, 50%?) and change it then. Even with consistent driving habits, outside temperature, traffic, etc. can have an impact of oil life. Take advantage of GM's work and let the OLM help determine how severe service has been.

 

[tommygunn]

For duration, follow the OLM, unless it doesn't come on after a year (which it might not).

Any dexos oil should be up to the job.

M1 and PP are great choices, and so is Pennzoil's Dexos Synthetic Blend.

 

[SrDriver]

Wife and I use Quaker State Ultimate Durability Synthetic. It is Dexos certified.

We buy the 5 quart jug at Wal-Mart.

 

[wymi516]

Originally Posted By: SrDriver
Wife and I use Quaker State Ultimate Durability Synthetic. It is Dexos certified.

We buy the 5 quart jug at Wal-Mart.


Same here, OLM & QSUD.

 

[BISCUT]

I was reading up on the GM OLM. I't's been about 18 years since I had a GM. From what I've read sounds like it's the cat's meow of OLM's.

I'm guessing this is a 5-30 recommended engine?? 5qt capacity? I don't have the owners manual with me.

Thanks for the advice to all. She is a very bright one who when it comes to cars has the "turn the key it works, what more is there" attitude.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: BISCUT
I was reading up on the GM OLM. I't's been about 18 years since I had a GM. From what I've read sounds like it's the cat's meow of OLM's.

I'm guessing this is a 5-30 recommended engine?? 5qt capacity? I don't have the owners manual with me.

Thanks for the advice to all. She is a very bright one who when it comes to cars has the "turn the key it works, what more is there" attitude.


The cats meow?? I dont think so.

 

[BISCUT]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Originally Posted By: BISCUT
I was reading up on the GM OLM. I't's been about 18 years since I had a GM. From what I've read sounds like it's the cat's meow of OLM's.

I'm guessing this is a 5-30 recommended engine?? 5qt capacity? I don't have the owners manual with me.

Thanks for the advice to all. She is a very bright one who when it comes to cars has the "turn the key it works, what more is there" attitude.


The cats meow?? I dont think so.


Ok, please elaborate as to why.

 

[ABerns]

My personal opinion agrees that GM's OLM is pretty nice -- the times a UOA has appeared here on the board, it has been pretty solid with regards to oil life vs. OLM values.

The one thing that might concern me with the short trips on the 3.6 would be the fuel in the oil. Perhaps someone can chime in here, but I think fuel dilution is much more common on these DIs than on "standard" FI vehicles.

That being said, the OLM does take this into account, and I think their OLM for these motors is fairly conservative now (original models had some timing chain troubles related to long OCIs and low oil levels, so now it goes off earlier).

I would get a UOA at 50% of the OLM and see. QSUD is dexos certified and relatively cheap, but it still would be a shame to waste good oil.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: BISCUT
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Originally Posted By: BISCUT
I was reading up on the GM OLM. I't's been about 18 years since I had a GM. From what I've read sounds like it's the cat's meow of OLM's.

I'm guessing this is a 5-30 recommended engine?? 5qt capacity? I don't have the owners manual with me.

Thanks for the advice to all. She is a very bright one who when it comes to cars has the "turn the key it works, what more is there" attitude.


The cats meow?? I dont think so.


Ok, please elaborate as to why.


Well Ill just name a few circumstances. Our Uplander is a short tripper, really all of our cars are because we live less than 1 mile from our jobs. After 3000 miles of 1 mile trips in the Uplander the OLM was down to 89%...Hmmmmm. There was also a guy on here who had an Equinox who followed the OLM and ended up having to get a new engine because of fuel dilution (he is now doing shorter OCI's) and then there is the VCM (i know thats Hondas term but same difference) on the chevy trucks that need shorter OCI than the OLM suggests.

 

[ChrisD46]

This would be my ritual with any DI engine IF you plan on keeping it past the car payments : : Top Tier gas only , DEXOS 1 approved synthetic (QSUD), change oil at 20% OLM and save up $350 for a complete upper intake cleaning service for every 30K miles driven .

 

[BISCUT]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Originally Posted By: BISCUT
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Originally Posted By: BISCUT
I was reading up on the GM OLM. I't's been about 18 years since I had a GM. From what I've read sounds like it's the cat's meow of OLM's.

I'm guessing this is a 5-30 recommended engine?? 5qt capacity? I don't have the owners manual with me.

Thanks for the advice to all. She is a very bright one who when it comes to cars has the "turn the key it works, what more is there" attitude.


The cats meow?? I dont think so.


Ok, please elaborate as to why.


Well Ill just name a few circumstances. Our Uplander is a short tripper, really all of our cars are because we live less than 1 mile from our jobs. After 3000 miles of 1 mile trips in the Uplander the OLM was down to 89%...Hmmmmm. There was also a guy on here who had an Equinox who followed the OLM and ended up having to get a new engine because of fuel dilution (he is now doing shorter OCI's) and then there is the VCM (i know thats Hondas term but same difference) on the chevy trucks that need shorter OCI than the OLM suggests.


So the OLM's aren't very consistent?

 

[threeputtpar]

Originally Posted By: BISCUT
I was reading up on the GM OLM. I't's been about 18 years since I had a GM. From what I've read sounds like it's the cat's meow of OLM's.

I'm guessing this is a 5-30 recommended engine?? 5qt capacity? I don't have the owners manual with me.

Thanks for the advice to all. She is a very bright one who when it comes to cars has the "turn the key it works, what more is there" attitude.


My father has a 2011 Traverse with the same engine and I take care of it for him. I use QSUD 5w30 and whatever applicable filter I can find the cheapest. Usually its the Motorcraft FL-500S from Advance Auto (I did this the first time just because he dislikes Ford products just to see the look on his face).

He follows the OLM and he is all short trips except for the back and forth from WI to FL twice a year. No problems with his rig yet.

It also will accept any Fram 10575 numbered filter. The capacity with filter is 5.5 quarts, and when removing the filter from the top it will make a big mess all over the front motor mount. Stupid placement of the filter by the engineer. I've even tried using a gallon ziplock bag around the filter to try to catch the oil but no go. Get a good pair of rubber or silicone covered gloves to deal with the filter as it will be hot and it's real close to the exhaust heat shield. Make the mess and then use brake cleaner to clean it up and install the new filter.

 

[Indydriver]

Maybe apples and oranges but the DI turbo in my Speed3 gets some serious fuel dilution which keeps me changing it's synthetic oil at the 4,000 mile mark. Why no oil test? I know from watching this DI, I will test any other DI engine I buy until I establish a baseline and comfort level with how it's performing.

 

[BISCUT]

Thanks for the info...

Oil change complete. What a PITA. Filter is in horrible spot. Took just about 6.5 quarts which is great news! I like engines with large sump capacity.

M1 5-30 and a AC Delco filter was the equipment used.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: gregk24


Well Ill just name a few circumstances. Our Uplander is a short tripper, really all of our cars are because we live less than 1 mile from our jobs. After 3000 miles of 1 mile trips in the Uplander the OLM was down to 89%...Hmmmmm. There was also a guy on here who had an Equinox who followed the OLM and ended up having to get a new engine because of fuel dilution (he is now doing shorter OCI's) and then there is the VCM (i know thats Hondas term but same difference) on the chevy trucks that need shorter OCI than the OLM suggests.



There is nothing but anecdotal chatter to suggest any need for any GM V8 powered truck to need recalibration of the OLM. Maybe the brand new DI models will have issues, we don't have any of those in our fleet here yet. But on the pickups and vans it is excellent used exactly as delivered.

Note we just sold our oldest unit with a half million miles, always serviced via OLM and never dripped, burnt, or smoked any oil at all!