Annual oil change?

[WANG]

I have a sump full of PU 5w30 in my G8 GT that is nearing one year in service. It has about 4K miles on this run, minimal short trips. The sump holds 8.8 Qts.

I already have the products on the shelf to do the change (the next couple changes, actually), and totally had my head wrapped around just doing the oil and filter change after 1 year in service in accordance with the manual and generally accepted practice. However, the OLM indicates like 75% oil life remaining, and that makes me consider deviating from the prescription.
I'm thinking that I will take one three courses of action:

1. Just change it as I had planned, and send a sample out for analysis

2. Change the filter only, top it off, change the oil and filter on the OLM and send out a sample at that time for analysis

3. Leave it alone, change it after 15-18 months in service, and send a sample out for analysis

The intent is not to be cheap, but not to be wasteful, either. COA #1 is most likely, at this time. What do you guys think?

 

[Scorch]

I'd change it as planned and send out a sample. That way you have confirmation that it will be safe to go a little longer next time.

 

[rg200amp]

Number 1 for me.

 

[JOD]

giant sump, minimal short trips, high-quality oil, 75% on the OLM, mild climate? I'd leave it in for another year, unless your owner's manual specifically requires a change @ 1 year and you have warranty considerations. A UOA isn't going to tell you anything you don't already know at this point. I just don't think the oil has been in service long enough to really give you an indication of how it's going to hold up over a longer OCI.

What filter are you using?

 

[meangreen01]

I'm going option 3 with one of mine. It has 6qts QSUD that's been in since 10/2010, and only has about 2500 miles on it. If I change it in early spring it will only have ~1000 miles more tops. I couldn't bring myself to drain it at the one year mark with such little use. I might do it sooner if there's a warm day and I'm bored, but otherwise it's staying in till March.

 

[oggb]

Whatever makes you worry about it less.

 

[fdcg27]

I'd try #2 with a UOA right now.
The GM OLM is very sophisticated, so without regard to the one year requirement, the oil is probably fine.
A UOA on a sample with TBN would confirm this.
The oil should look fine, with nothing scary.
The real test would be a UOA after another year of similar use.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Scorch
I'd change it as planned and send out a sample. That way you have confirmation that it will be safe to go a little longer next time.

This sounds like a good bet to me. Then you will at least be informed to make an educated decision for next time.
Or just send out a sample before you change the oil. As long as the results come back fairly the sample will reflect what's still in the pan.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

#1 if warranty dictates
#3 If not.

 

[rjacket]

Qu about the 75% calculation.

Is it calculated the same way regardless of oil type ie do you "tell" the OLM that you've put in conventional vs synthetic or does it run the same calculation regardless.

And does the car allow for conventional or is it spec'd for synthetic.

If it's calculating based on there being conventional, then 75% would be a huge margin of safety for PU.

 

[Bluestream]

I vote for #3

 

[WANG]

I'm using ACDelco PF48, it's not an E-core filter.

Definitely not losing any sleep over this, I'll update in the UOA section when the time comes. Thanks for the replies.

 

[demarpaint]

Devils advocate here, #1 for me with a twist. I'd pass on sending the oil out for analysis and put that cash towards next years OC. Unless you suspect a problem such as a bad head gasket, then send it out. Even a premium oil like Amsoil or Mobil 1 EP has a one year service life according to the manufacturer, [if the miles stated aren't reached] so dumping it in a year is what the mfg. would suggest anyway. The cost of a UAO is about the same as the cost of an oil change if you shop for deals. Fresh oil is better than year old oil that saw a lot of short hops.

I just did a 1 year OCI in my van 3,200 miles on the oil to be exact. It was severe service with a lot of time in the shop and idling. JMO

 

[wtd]

I just asked this question about changing the oil on my 98 chevy truck with only about 700 miles on the oil change which was done in Jan of 2011. Everyone said to run it until I hit the 3,000 mile mark regardless of how long it has been in the engine.

So do you guys think that an engine oil only has a max of 1 year of service life regardless on miles? Does oil degrade just sitting in the engine without being run much.?

Wayne

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: wtd
I just asked this question about changing the oil on my 98 chevy truck with only about 700 miles on the oil change which was done in Jan of 2011. Everyone said to run it until I hit the 3,000 mile mark regardless of how long it has been in the engine.

So do you guys think that an engine oil only has a max of 1 year of service life regardless on miles? Does oil degrade just sitting in the engine without being run much.?

Wayne


It depends more on the type of driving you do during the year. If the oil gets hot when you drive it before you shut it down you should have no problems with going more than a year, if you don't have many miles on the oil. I posted the UOA done by Terry some years ago. It was the factory fill on my BIL 1999 Porsche Boxter. The factory oil was Mobil 1 5W-40, most likely an Euro oil only at that time. The car had 9,000 miles and 5 years on the factory fill. No oil was added during that time. Terry tested it and it still had lots of usable life left in it. This car is the "weekend" fun vehicle, not raced but driven more than enough each time to get the oil temp into normal operating range.

Whimsey

 

[db500]

#3...BTW changing the filter is pointless in this situation...your fine for 2 years easily on this oil.

 

[Bamaro]

Without a doubt, #3!

 

[abycat]

Id say pull some oil and get a UOA done on it. You would know for sure if the oil is in good condition and have your answer validaded with science. Thats what i would do. If you still had some warranty left it might be comprimised by going over a year.

 

[moto94536]

HI I have 2010 Honda Pilot with 14k.

1st service: 8462 Miles: A1 code: Dec,9th, 2010.

I suppose to get B16 code coming soon around 15k.

so should I change the oil and leave the oil filter.

 

[berniedd]

#3 is the way to go.