Oil Change Frequency

[Silver Sky 2007]

Our Sky is appociating 3,000 miles. OnStar says remaining oil life 73% next oil change 10,200 miles Do most of you change at 3,000 or 5,000 or what interval?

[Rick Tinley Park]

Welcome to the SkyRoadster forums.
You ask a question that has been asked and debated quite a bit. Before opening this all up let me say the following:

FOLLOW the recommendations of your owner manual.

That said - Many people have many ideas as to the frequency of changes and the "First Change." To start what will be a lively discussion Let me tell you what I did.
Changed oil at 1000 miles the first time -- may or may not do any good - certainly does not hurt.
Changed oil then when the DIC showed 20% left as the owners manual stated (actually brought it in at 19%) I had about 6000 miles on the car - so 5000 miles on the oil. I saw the oil (asked to) and it looked like new - in fact the Tech asked if I had changed it earlier and not reset the DIC.

Secondly -- Search the forums for things like (First oil Change" or just Oil Change -- you will be reading for a long time


Anyone else???

[MidniteBlues]

I changed mine for the first time at 3000 miles. Didn't have to, but in the 2.4L case, the oil it comes from the factory was dino oil and I wanted to change to a synthetic. On the R/L synthetic is required and it comes from the plant with syn. Now your gonna get a lot of huwie about this "frequency" thing from many others here (I'm sure), and thats ok, many however over do it in my opinion.

After that first oil change, I will now probably do it every 6-7000 miles no matter what the DIC says bout life left or if the DIC says sooner so be it.. I mainly want to do it more frequent so they can rotate the tires, which you should do every 6K miles or so anyway. Even tho I am using the Mobil 1 15K oil, I am thinking to dropping that and start using the mobil 1 7500 mile oil. Donno, the 15K oil is so much better I read. I have posted on several other threads info about oil myths and facts, and oil tests filters etc that you might want to read, here, wth, I'll post them here so you won't have to look for them--Lotta info so enjoy the reading-- Again welcome aboard!!

http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm#Oi...ge%20Intervals

http://www.performanceoilnews.com/oi...nst_oils.shtml

http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfi...lterstudy.html

[CountryGirl]

I did the first around 4000 miles, will do the second around 10000, and will let the DIC get to around 20% after that.

I took it in for a tire rotation at 6000, I had to wait less than a half hour and they charged $20. I will probably see if I can talk mr.shenvalley into doing the rotations for me, though.

[RMFNSKY]

I use to change oil on my cars regiliouly every 3000 miles, but with the Sky I changed the Oil at 1000 miles went to synthetic now I change it every 6000 miles.

[Pitcom]

I changed the oil first time i think around 1800 miles. I just had it changed at around 7k. I'm using the mobile syntec 15k.

[Asucar]

Don't know my dealer well yet, but they suggested that despite what the owner's manual says, that I change my oil every 3k to start. They're going to watch my driving habits and may change that to time vs. miles......I'll go with it, BUT....I really don't believe it's necessary given that it's synth oil. Last summer I bought a restored Triumph TR6 that had 10k on a rebuilt engine using Amsoil....that 10k synth oil was as clear and clean as if it had just come out of the bottle....

(thinking of Xmicro every time I post now )

[Silver Sky 2007]

Thanks for all of the responses - very helpful - my question has been answered

[JRinKY]

I have had 2 oil changes, both when the DIC indicated 20%, and had the oil analysed both times. I am using dino oil and factory filters.

The first change was at 6600 miles, and the analysis said that it should have been earlier. I would think that 2-3000 miles is good for the first change.

The second change was at about 6500 after that, and seemed to about right based on residual oil condition.

[GMguy74]

I had the oil changed at 1000 miles (6 months old)... this was last November (bought the car in April). I will likely put another 1,000 on by this upcoming November. They put in the synthetic oil at the 1000 mile mark. Should I have the oil changed on a yearly basis? It doesn't get driven on a daily basis (apparently!) and because it's synthetic, does it require a yearly change?

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by GMguy74

I had the oil changed at 1000 miles (6 months old)... this was last November (bought the car in April). I will likely put another 1,000 on by this upcoming November. They put in the synthetic oil at the 1000 mile mark. Should I have the oil changed on a yearly basis? It doesn't get driven on a daily basis (apparently!) and because it's synthetic, does it require a yearly change?

Check out page 250 of the manual: Quote, "It is possible that, if you are driving under the best of conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at that time the system must be reset". So yea, I would change the oil at least once a year, no matter what oil I use. Mainly because the manual says so, altho, I believe it would NOT need a change, I would do it once a year, even with the low mileage you seem to drive. I would push personally and do it twice a year, just to be safe. But that's me--

[JRinKY]

MidniteBlues : Check out page 250 of the manual: Quote, "It is possible that, if you are driving under the best of conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at that time the system must be reset". So yea, I would change the oil at least once a year, no matter what oil I use. Mainly because the manual says so, altho, I believe it would NOT need a change, I would do it once a year, even with the low mileage you seem to drive. I would push personally and do it twice a year, just to be safe. But that's me--

The once-a-year requirement is to get rid of condensed water and fuel and to flush any varnishes that may be forming in the oil.

Once a year is plenty for that purpose. I would do it after storage.

[Rick Tinley Park]

I agree... I will always change at least once a year - in particular if the car has sat for a long time....
For what we pay for a O/C -- it's good medicine

[RPIpower]

My first oil change was:

500 miles: Castrol GTX 5w30
1000 miles: Castrol GTX 5w30
1200 miles: Redline 5w30
3000 miles: Redline 5w30

[richmcc]

I had my first Oil Change at 1000 miles and my second at 6000. My next will be before the Vegas trip and should be between 10000 and 11000.

[KappaMan]

Sky Specification Estimates/Sky FAQ

[Ghost-Sky]

Originally Posted by Silver Sky 2007

Our Sky is appociating 3,000 miles. OnStar says remaining oil life 73% next oil change 10,200 miles Do most of you change at 3,000 or 5,000 or what interval?

Hello Silver Sky, I changed the oil the first time at 1000, actually it was 996 miles, the next oil change will be soon and it will be at 3000 miles for every other change. Oh, I change the filter also. Oil is cheap the engine is not. I Have been doing this ever sence I bought my first car, a 1962 Studebaker Lark. Yea that was a long time ago.
(Ghost-Sky)

[Dhahranswa]

I did my first oil change at 2500 miles. The dealer charged about $60.00. This seems high.

[JRinKY]

Dhahranswa : I did my first oil change at 2500 miles. The dealer charged about $60.00. This seems high.

It sounds typical for a dealer service with synthetic. I assume they did Maintenance I, which includes rotating tires and a few other lube/inspection items.

[KappaMan]

Keep in mind that y'all have 100,000 mile/5 year engine warranty. When I get my car, I will follow the DIC oil life indicator, or at least once per year if I don't drive it much.

[VooDooNOFX]

Originally Posted by Dhahranswa

I did my first oil change at 2500 miles. The dealer charged about $60.00. This seems high.

Only 60.00? damn! Saturn of Ontario charged me $110.00 for a synthetic mobile one oil change. Aren't they supposed to be the same price coast to coast?

--Steven

[coopcj7]

I change my oil every 7500 miles. I use the Mobil 1 Synthetic. I know that it says it can