Originally Posted By: Sierra048
Originally Posted By: GM4LIFE
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: GM4LIFE
I usually go by mileage more than the OLM percentage indicator. I did my first oil change at 1.754 miles and the second one at 5,221 miles. I plan on going no more than 4K miles between oil changes. It's cheap insurance and always ensures I have fresh clean oil and a new oil filter.
But alotta guys will tell you that you don't need fresh oil in your engine all the time and that varnish is not harmful.
I know, I know...I am wasting oil and changing it out too early. If you saw what Mobil 1 looked like after 3,500 miles in my engine, it will really surprise you. I know color of the oil doesn't really tell you anything, but it was blacker than tar and smelled really bad. I am glad I got it out when I did and put in fresh Mobil 1. I just ordered a bunch of Pennzoil Ultra Platinum to see if my results are any better with that over Mobil 1. I can always go back to Mobil 1.
GM4LIFE,
I changed the oil and filter in my 2014 Sierra 1500 for the first time this past Saturday. Had 5204 miles on the oil (OLM was at 30%). I, like you, noticed a strange smell that I have never had with used oil from any OCI from any vehicle before. Is this smell because of gas and the DI engine? Just thought it was odd.
My CTS-V does not have a DI engine. My 2015 Escalade has the 6.2L DI engine, but we are only at 2,500 miles on it so I won't be changing the oil just yet on the Escalade. At 2,500 miles, the Escalade OLM is currently at 68% oil life remaining. I will see if the dealer will change the oil at around 5,000 miles. Who knows if they will or not. I believe Cadillac's premium maintenance program covers oil changes at the 20% or below oil life remaining. When you changed your oil, what did you use? Factory fill oil or something better? I believe GMC offers 2 years or 24K miles of maintenance included, so if your dealer changed the oil, I know what they used.
My CTS-V has the 6.2L pushrod supercharged LSA engine and when I noticed the color AND smell of the oil at the last oil change at 5,200 miles (engine's second oil change with Mobil 1), that's when I knew that oil changes were going to be more frequent for this engine. I push this engine hard, so I just want to take care of it and make sure it always has fresh oil in it. I know what most people are going to say, but for this engine, it really is cheap insurance.
Also, most have to consider that the GM LSA is a high performance engine and in my opinion, this engine is going to need more frequent oil changes over other 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder engines in cars that are driven normally or in non-severe duty. I live in Los Angeles and the traffic here will kill the oil inside an engine. To save a $12K engine, I will spend a little cash and make sure to change the oil every 3K miles if I have to. $50.00 worth of oil and filter to ensure this engine lasts is a no brainer to me. I have always been overly cautious when it comes to vehicle maintenance.