id just like your thoughts..

[OtisBlkR1]

I already know the oil (Mobil 1 5w30) thats currently in the block is more than capable of handling the below scenario, I just want your opinions on the subject.

OLM is reading 41%
Im at around 2,500-3,000(ish) miles
this is mostly 10 each way to and from work trips
5.3 ltr Silverado
Truck does see severe duty fairly often (towing 3,000-4,000lbs) for 200 mile round trips.
Truck normally gets 3,000-4,5000 SYN oil changes due to use..
Last OCI was in January.

The decision.

Im going back to the mountains in a few weeks, This will be 480 miles each way with of course mountain driving in the mix, truck will be loaded with 1 wet bike at around 440Lbs and travel equipment and gear, probably another 200LBS.. plus me.. so no trailer and maybee 700-800lbs total of equipment.. and its HOT out now and will be then too.. im looking at probably 1,200 mile round trip.

Again i KNOW the mobil in the block is fine, i know it can handle this trip with ease, but the BITOGer in me is just itching to change the oil and have fresh in the block for this trip.. with the above stated information, and lets say its your truck and your in my shoes.. what would you do ?

Ive got fresh Valve white bottle and fresh Mobil 1 sitting on the shelf..

give me your 2 cents guys..

 

[Boomer]

Leave it in. You are going to not use a valuable resource properly if you change now.

 

[fdcg27]

Leave it alone.
There is nobody more anal than I am when it comes to oil chnages, but even I wouldn't change the oil with the OLM showing 41% remaining when using a quality oil like M1.
It's not like you're using MSS.

 

[dave1251]

Your statement of all the BITOGer's are just itching to change the oil on their cars just to change it is not correct. I enjoy changing the oil on vehicles it is a nice time for me to relax, teach my oldest about maintenance, and to do a nice once over on the vehicles. But I do not change early because I know there is nothing wrong mechanically with my wife's car or my truck. I have proven and seen a lot of data for my vehicles that the manufactures factory OCI recommendation is pretty conservative. So back to your Silverado. The GM OLM was programmed for conventional oil use, the OLM for a 5.3 GM is very accurate, provides a pretty good margin error for a safe OCI, if your engine is mechanically sound. So you have a oil in your block the outperforms the Mobil conventional that was the benchmark to determine the safe OCI for your engine. So the real question is with this information are you comfortable of taking the trip in the Silverado without changing the oil or not?

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Boomer
Leave it in. You are going to not use a valuable resource properly if you change now.


You're wasting perfectly good oil, and wasting your money.


With a syn-blend and NON severe service it could easily go to 7500-8k miles or if you don't make it to that mileage within 18 months change it.

 

[Eddie]

Leave it in. I don't even understand why you are normally changing at 3-4,500 miles when you can easily double that. You are wasting resourses, your money and polluting the environment.

 

[chubbs1]

I have to say I would not change either, go on your trip with confidence and change it when you get down to 15%or so on the OLM. M1 is a great lube.

 

[OVERKILL]

That's not severe service. My parents regularly tow far more than that about 4x longer in their Expedition running the same oil. You'll be FINE.

 

[tig1]

I'm leaving tomorrow for Florida in the Fusion and have 7200 miles on the M1 0-20. Will drive about 23-2500 miles round trip on this oil. I have done this many times as I only change every 10K or so. You won't have any problems at all with your trip on this OC. Have a good trip.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
Your statement of all the BITOGer's are just itching to change the oil on their cars just to change it is not correct.


i was referencing how "particular and retentave" most of us are about maintence that post on BITOG.. If YOU mistook this or if YOU read into this as me saying something else, it was misunderstood.

AS for everyone else thats contributed a positive responce, thanks for your input, every once in awhile i need a little push to leave things be.

 

[CBR.worm]

My thoughts? I wish I was going to the mountains next week. It sounds like you are taking the big bike? Have fun and don't worry about the oil.

How are the tires on the bike?

 

[levi]

Take 2 aspirin - or 2 beers - and call us when the OLM is 80% or higther.

Enjoy your vacation!

.

 

[johnsmellsalot]

How often does the owner's manual say to change it?

On my Buick, the owner's manual says that the oil life monitor will come on between 3,000-7,500 miles. I change it every 3,000 miles because it's so old and I don't drive that much.

On my Chrysler, the owner's manual says to change it every 6,000 miles for normal driving conditions and every 3,000 miles for extreme conditions. I follow the schedule for extreme conditions.

On my mom's car, I change it when the oil life monitor gets to 5%. That's usually around 7,000 miles. She drives a 2010 Honda Civic.