I have a 2004 Chev Silverado 1500 used for short daily commuting,usually 3 miles a day and long distance towing (about 500 miles)1 or 2 times a month which is 3000 rpm's pulling a tall and wide trailer. My other car is a 2001 Grand Prix that is used for daily short trip driving and a 50 mile trip ounce a week. The question I am asking is should I follow the OLM or stay with the 3 month 3000 mile schedule I have ben using. I do use synthetic oil and a pure one filter.
GM OLM should I follow it?
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The OLM is accurate. 3,000 mile oil changes with a synthetic is VERY conservative (and wasteful).
Either follow the OLM w/premium synth or do a timed interval of 3 to 4 or 6 months with a dino oil (imo).
Yes. The GM OLM's are good stuff.
They are calibrated to work on the cheapest API certified stuff you can get.
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Originally Posted By: 2003f7
I have a 2004 Chev Silverado 1500 used for short daily commuting,usually 3 miles a day and long distance towing (about 500 miles)1 or 2 times a month which is 3000 rpm's pulling a tall and wide trailer. My other car is a 2001 Grand Prix that is used for daily short trip driving and a 50 mile trip ounce a week. The question I am asking is should I follow the OLM or stay with the 3 month 3000 mile schedule I have ben using. I do use synthetic oil and a pure one filter.
If 3K is the OCI, use any brand name dino. If using AC Delco filter, I would only change that filter every 6K.... every 2nd oil change.
I have a 2004 Chev Silverado 1500 used for short daily commuting,usually 3 miles a day and long distance towing (about 500 miles)1 or 2 times a month which is 3000 rpm's pulling a tall and wide trailer. My other car is a 2001 Grand Prix that is used for daily short trip driving and a 50 mile trip ounce a week. The question I am asking is should I follow the OLM or stay with the 3 month 3000 mile schedule I have ben using. I do use synthetic oil and a pure one filter.
If 3K is the OCI, use any brand name dino. If using AC Delco filter, I would only change that filter every 6K.... every 2nd oil change.
Thanks for the info.The truck OLM tells me to change it about 3000-4000 miles and the car is around 5000-7000 miles.
I would go with the monitor if using dino, and two trips of the monitor using PP. Other OTC syns may go as far but I would confirm with UOA.
I think the OLM is a great tool and is a much less wasteful way of determining when to change oil.
I think the OLM is a great tool and is a much less wasteful way of determining when to change oil.
I don't have a OLM on any of my vehicles. From what I have read, they are calibrated for dino oil. They take into consideration the mileage, rpms, run time length, and many aspects of how the vehicle is driven. That is why there is variance between vehicles. I think if you use synthetic oil it would be safe to take the OLM down to around 10% since synthetics do hold up longer than dino oils. I think this is correct. Some others with more experience will chime in I'm sure.
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the OLM are calibrated depending of the vehicule type and which oil that the manufacturer decided to choose for this vehicule.
For example, mine is calibrated for syn spec GM4718M(between 10k-15k miles per OC). while on my buick, it was calibrated for dino (approx 7500m per OC).
For example, mine is calibrated for syn spec GM4718M(between 10k-15k miles per OC). while on my buick, it was calibrated for dino (approx 7500m per OC).
The OLM on the Buick is reporting 52% oil life left, at 3400 miles and 4 months into the OCI. From what I've read here, it seems like 5K and 6 months is easily doable.
Since the monitor doesn't know that I have synthetic (PP) in there, the same conditions should apply to a good dino. Better, in fact, since THE SUMMER (tm) is coming, and the oil will get nicely warmed on my commutes.
As will I, but that's another rant.
Since the monitor doesn't know that I have synthetic (PP) in there, the same conditions should apply to a good dino. Better, in fact, since THE SUMMER (tm) is coming, and the oil will get nicely warmed on my commutes.
As will I, but that's another rant.
I would go by the OLM, but use a quality synthetic and you will have no worries at all. Drive happy!
2003f7
Not saying that my advise is the only advise, but can't hurt to follow it with a better oil than called for... This will for sure help keep the engine running in top condition...
The owners manual should clarify the oil issue. Check for any special GM spec's. If dino is 'allowed' then it must be calibrated for it. Of course being conservative is good idea.
I would just do rational approach to the OCI considering the OLM and what others find. Any reasonable approach should get the engine to 200K+ miles.
I find GM seems to go with small oil filters so I would not double up on OCI.
I would just do rational approach to the OCI considering the OLM and what others find. Any reasonable approach should get the engine to 200K+ miles.
I find GM seems to go with small oil filters so I would not double up on OCI.
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just change it when the car tells you to change it.
We're BITOGers, dangit. We don't need no stinkin' OLM's.
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