Synthetic Oil...when to make the switch?????

[H3ProspectKy]

I'm going to have my first oil change tomorrow and would like some feedback on what mileage you should have on your H3 before making the switch to synthetic oil. I'm at 2000, but a buddy of mine said it should be closer to 5000 before switching to synthetic. Any opinions on this? Thanks...

[H3ProspectKy]

I'm going to have my first oil change tomorrow and would like some feedback on what mileage you should have on your H3 before making the switch to synthetic oil. I'm at 2000, but a buddy of mine said it should be closer to 5000 before switching to synthetic. Any opinions on this? Thanks...

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

There are several schools of thought about this. The two most common are:

1: Even though we are told there is no longer (or a very short) BREAK IN PERIOD on engines it might be good to go to 5000/6000 miles and let it get its initial break in wear before starting the synthetic.

2: It don't make a dam either way!

I tend to go with number one but remember i'm Hebrew and I believe in the story about ten Jewish lawyers in a room coming up with 13 opinions...

RYD

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PhilD:
You can put it in straight away, no need to wait. Mercedes, BMW, Aston, Corvettes all come with Syn from day 1.

There is absolutely no reason to wait with today's modern engines. But you can if you want. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is true, you can run it from day one, so long as it meets GM specification GM6094M, and every synthetic I have ever seen meets GM spec GM4718M, which is actually a higher specification than 6094.
However, on another note, do you require synthetic? Modern oils meeting the GM spec 6904 are extremely reliable, with excellent additives.

[Surferjo]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by f5fstop:
However, on another note, do you require synthetic? Modern oils meeting the GM spec 6904 are extremely reliable, with excellent additives. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I thought I read in another thread that GM ships the H3 with Synthetic oil already. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

In response to your question about oil changes I have 1000 miles on my H3 now and I'm going to do an oil change this week. I always try to do an oil change at a 1000 miles on a new car. I have seen some pretty nasty stuff in the oil bucket after a 1000-mile change. I’m also replacing with synthetic.

Good Luck

[HumbleAg]

Changed mine for the first time this weekend (oil life system still didn't tell me it was time, but I was bored).

Put in Mobil One extended life because the store didn't have standard Mobil One 5W30. Also used a Mobil One extended life filter, $10 I'm sure I didn't need to spend.

I think f5fstop is correct, no need for synthetic these days, but since I changed it myself it cost less than having the dealer or jiffy lube do it. Since I'll only keep the truck for 50k miles or so, the guy that buys it after me will probably appreciate it.

Oh, and even though I went 7000 miles before the first change (gasp), there were no surprises in the oil bucket and the oil still looked fairly clean.

I'll follow the oil life monitor now, hopefully get 10-12k between changes.

[wannabeH3]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HumbleAg:

but since I changed it myself it cost less than having the dealer or jiffy lube do it.. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

wait a second.. my dealer told me its 29 bucks for a change... thats cheaper than doin it yourself isnt it? plus they loob your chassis http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[HumbleAg]

My dealer wanted almost $50 (for standard oil). J-lube is probably about $30 (extra quart included) for standard oil, but they'll make a mess of things. They may even want more since the skid plates have to be removed.

Synthetic oil and a good filter is right about $30 (unless you go overboard with the extended life stuff like I did).

Factoring in the 2 hours I spent messing around with it, it really isn't worth it from a financial standpoint. However, it was kindof fun (and I was bored before I got my Christmas presents).

[f5fstop]

I will admit, to using synthetic oil http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif, but only because I have gallons of 5W30 Mobil one on my shelf. I used this oil in my Vettes, and last year, PEP boys had a special. Purchase a MADD calender for $1.00, and it included a coupon for three quarts free, with purchase of three quarts. This brought down the price of Mobil one to $16.00 for six quarts.
Do you realize how many MADD calenders I gave away last year, missing one coupon? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
I believe, I still have eight cases of Mobil 1. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
The one thing I always do when doing an oil change, is to purchase the best filter, and this is for any car I have ever owned. The best filters out there for the H3 are probably the Mobil 1 filter or the K&N. They filter down to 10 microns (normal filters filter down to 15-20 microns), and if off-roading in sand, this might be important.

If anyone is ever curious to see how their oil stands up, send an oil sample to an oil analysis lab such as http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ and have the oil analyzed. This will remove a lot of doubt on whether or not the GM oil life system really works. It sure proved to me that the system works great, and very accurately.

[Steve - SanJose]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by f5fstop:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PhilD:
You can put it in straight away, no need to wait. Mercedes, BMW, Aston, Corvettes all come with Syn from day 1.

There is absolutely no reason to wait with today's modern engines. But you can if you want. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is true, you can run it from day one, so long as it meets GM specification GM6094M, and every synthetic I have ever seen meets GM spec GM4718M, which is actually a higher specification than 6094.
However, on another note, do you require synthetic? Modern oils meeting the GM spec 6904 are extremely reliable, with excellent additives. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Porsche also fills the crankcase with Mobil 1 snthetic from day 1. But many Porshces are used as weekend toys (low annual mileage) so the oil change intervals of 15K miles or once per year make sense since they all carry over 9 quarts.

Hummer owners can ponder the use of synthetic oil, but few will enjoy any noticable benefit during the time that they actually own the vehicle.

S.

[tmiller]

Did 1st oil change at 3000 miles Used Amsoil 5/30 I use it in all my cars and trucks.

[Mike E]

Do the part stores have a part number for the oil filer?

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mike E:
Do the part stores have a part number for the oil filer? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Same number as used for a Colorado/Canyon with the optional I-5 engine.