Thoughts on GMC Acadia and Fluids

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Dec 28, 2011
Messages
5,651
Previous post was about helping a friend get into an Acadia Denali. Done, she picked it up yesterday all smiles.

I was thinking of a 2k oil change. I'm not a big fan of leaving the FF in there for long.

I was also thinking the following at 15K and then again at 75K and 125K, and 175K
She does not come close to severe service schedule.

Front Diff
Rear Diff
Trans Case
Tran pan drop/filter and fill

I do not know much about GMC. Let me know your thoughts.
 
Originally Posted By: BISCUT

I was thinking of a 2k oil change. I'm not a big fan of leaving the FF in there for long.


I'll say is this statement can get you into some real hot water around here. I'd do a used oil analysis or two to see if there are any fuel dilution issues before establishing the OCI you plan on using or to backup the OLM. Otherwise nice rig your friend bought.
 
Two schools of thought, not a lot in between. Some people leave in, i saw a used oil analysis or too from factory fill that looked ok. I changed my 2013 elantra out at 600 miles, then again at 2k then went with 5k changes.
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: BISCUT

I was thinking of a 2k oil change. I'm not a big fan of leaving the FF in there for long.


I'll say is this statement can get you into some real hot water around here. I'd do a used oil analysis or two to see if there are any fuel dilution issues before establishing the OCI you plan on using or to backup the OLM. Otherwise nice rig your friend bought.


I think OP meant leave the FF in there for 2K miles.
 
Id consider her history. Seems she is prone to selling cars very early. OK, that's what she wants to do - but there is zero reason to spend any of that effort on a car that will be dumped in a few years and with 50k miles. 75k, 125k, 175k, etc become irrelevant to you. Sure you want some receipts if doing a private sale, otherwise no point, it will all be lost at the trade-in.

Id say that if the first oil change makes you feel good, then go for it, but really primarily to pull a sample for UOA to see that there are mo blatant flags and to see how bad it fuel dilutes, if at all.

THe driveline fluids Id leave alone if the vehicle isnt going to be owned for the long haul. I dont think there is enough debris to make a concern, and those components tend to live very long lifes as it is. If you really wanted to suck out some ATF every so often, as a feel-good precaution, Id probably get a suction system and just pull a few quarts from the dipstick - dropping the pan is a real mess.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Id consider her history. Seems she is prone to selling cars very early. OK, that's what she wants to do - but there is zero reason to spend any of that effort on a car that will be dumped in a few years and with 50k miles. 75k, 125k, 175k, etc become irrelevant to you. Sure you want some receipts if doing a private sale, otherwise no point, it will all be lost at the trade-in.

Id say that if the first oil change makes you feel good, then go for it, but really primarily to pull a sample for UOA to see that there are mo blatant flags and to see how bad it fuel dilutes, if at all.

THe driveline fluids Id leave alone if the vehicle isnt going to be owned for the long haul. I dont think there is enough debris to make a concern, and those components tend to live very long lifes as it is. If you really wanted to suck out some ATF every so often, as a feel-good precaution, Id probably get a suction system and just pull a few quarts from the dipstick - dropping the pan is a real mess.


Ah, She threw a wrench into the mix. Said since she has about 15yr to retirement she would ideally like to keep this one for 12 or so years. That was what pushed her to the Denali package.

Yes I'm talking FF only. I will push her to 5k OCI. Will have some work to do as she is a 3k and must be done kinda gal.
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: BISCUT

I was thinking of a 2k oil change. I'm not a big fan of leaving the FF in there for long.


I'll say is this statement can get you into some real hot water around here. I'd do a used oil analysis or two to see if there are any fuel dilution issues before establishing the OCI you plan on using or to backup the OLM. Otherwise nice rig your friend bought.


I think OP meant leave the FF in there for 2K miles.


I realize that. Typically any OCI shy of what the mfg recommends, especially for a new vehicle is taboo around here. LOL
 
Originally Posted By: BISCUT
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Id consider her history. Seems she is prone to selling cars very early. OK, that's what she wants to do - but there is zero reason to spend any of that effort on a car that will be dumped in a few years and with 50k miles. 75k, 125k, 175k, etc become irrelevant to you. Sure you want some receipts if doing a private sale, otherwise no point, it will all be lost at the trade-in.

Id say that if the first oil change makes you feel good, then go for it, but really primarily to pull a sample for UOA to see that there are mo blatant flags and to see how bad it fuel dilutes, if at all.

THe driveline fluids Id leave alone if the vehicle isnt going to be owned for the long haul. I dont think there is enough debris to make a concern, and those components tend to live very long lifes as it is. If you really wanted to suck out some ATF every so often, as a feel-good precaution, Id probably get a suction system and just pull a few quarts from the dipstick - dropping the pan is a real mess.


Ah, She threw a wrench into the mix. Said since she has about 15yr to retirement she would ideally like to keep this one for 12 or so years. That was what pushed her to the Denali package.

Yes I'm talking FF only. I will push her to 5k OCI. Will have some work to do as she is a 3k and must be done kinda gal.


Well I'd say data rules. I'd go for those used oil analysis, and do that early change then for feel good purposes. If after the second one (say at 5k) comes back looking good, and you have two analytical chemistry reports to justify, then run with it. Or perhaps you won't like the result, and it will be smart to keep the shorter OCI.

What are the specs for the other fluids? Dex vi is easy, but what about xfer and diffs?? Is the rear an LSD/locker?
 
I have an Outlook, which is essentially the same vehicle. GM even went back in time, and took the backend of the old outlooks and put them on the new Acadias.

I wouldn't go crazy changing the fluids on this car too often. Most hold up pretty well, while others need a little more attention. You'r schedule is a little aggressive and may not be worth your time and money. But that's my opinion. Watch the oil and the rear dif, but the others aren't going to give you a lot of problems.

Personally, I think 2k on the factory fill oil is a little soon, if you are planning to go right to syn. I would refill with dino for the next 2-3 OCIs or more, and then switch to syn, but thats my opinion. used oil analysis in this forum and others show that this engine will shed iron for a while, regardless if its filled with conventional or synthetic. Let the break-in happen and keep the oil clean with frequent changes and a quality filter. I do not have the DI engine, so the Oil Life Monitor will take me to 10k, if I go based on that. I usually run it to about 85-90%. I do have to add about a quart of makeup oil along the way. The water temp at operating temperature is 210, which means the oil is at least 250. I would recommend an oil with a low NOACK.

I do think an earlier swap of the rear dif is a good idea. I did a drain and fill of the front and rear dif at 75k, and while the front was still pretty clean, the back end was very dark. I would reccomend not going over 50k. The front dif is a little more difficult to do. I think you are supposed to drop the exhaust to get to the fill plug, but I fashioned a tool made out of a 10mm allen wrench and a 10mm socket to get the job done.

The transmission fluid was still looking good at 70k when the dealer did a flush as part of a repair that had to be done. It was a dark cherry red, which was to be expected, but not black or brown. The fluid change is easy. The "pan" (there really isn't a pan) has a drain plug, so its easy to do quick fluid swaps. When my Outlook hits 100k, I am going to start doing drain and fills every 30k miles or so. That way at least half of the fluid will always be new every 2 years. There is no easily serviceable filter on this transmission. You have to remove the transmission and tear it apart to get at the filter.

Good luck with the new Acadia!
 
I have always changed out the factory oil in all new vehicles I have bought at ~1000 miles.

I then change the oil every 6K miles. I have never had a problem with lubrication.
 
Originally Posted By: bigblumer

Personally, I think 2k on the factory fill oil is a little soon, if you are planning to go right to syn. I would refill with dino for the next 2-3 OCIs or more, and then switch to syn, but thats my opinion. used oil analysis in this forum and others show that this engine will shed iron for a while, regardless if its filled with conventional or synthetic. Let the break-in happen and keep the oil clean with frequent changes and a quality filter. I do not have the DI engine, so the Oil Life Monitor will take me to 10k, if I go based on that. I usually run it to about 85-90%. I do have to add about a quart of makeup oil along the way. The water temp at operating temperature is 210, which means the oil is at least 250. I would recommend an oil with a low NOACK.
!


I personally don't think the elevated iron is a big deal, and it looks like it will make her more at ease, so I think the 2k, 5k, 10k, and on interval is good.

I'd buy syn driveline fluids (eg amsoil svg) at his leisure and change it in the spring after the vehicle has a few miles on it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom