I bought our '02 Silverado 3500 D/A, new on 9/3/02. As of today there is a grand total of 8360 miles on the odometer. Or 348 miles a month. It is used only for trips in our Arctic Fox truck camper.


The D/A maintenance schedule for "Short Trip/City" says change engine oil every 5000 miles or every 3 months (whichever occurs first).


I have had 3 oil changes:


9/30/02 748 miles By dealer


2/19/03 1674 miles Oil Stop using GM oil/filter


12/31/03 4964 miles By dealer





I have the dealer receipts for the fluids used at Oil Stop and for the Allison diff fluids and spin-off filters which were done by the dealer at 748 miles and by Oil Stop at 1630 miles.


My question, finally is: Will GM ever give me grief because I have not changed the oil every three (3) months? According to them in two years of ownership I should have had eight (8) oil changes.


I think the reason for three month intervals is because of condensation accumulation inside the oil sump which might dilute or somehow affect the oil or additives.


Your thoughts, please.









































Edited by: Scooter

Well, I must have asked a stupid question (even tho everybody says "there are no stupid questions"), because no one has replied.


Or, no one else on the forum drives their DuraMax 4000 miles a year, or less.


GMCSid: would you give me the benefit of your experience, if/when you see this post?


Anybody...........?

















Edited by: Scooter

Well, I'm not one of the tech's but I do my own oil changes and I am doing 4000 mile changes until 10 or 12K when I switch to synth. Then I will be using yearly or 10k oil change schedule. My SM said no problem..


I thought that GM recommended using the oil life monitor?

Can't tell you whether or not you'll have a problem. My old truck was driven less than yours annually. But I ran synthetic oil, it was serviced by my stealer who I knew well, and no problems.


Now I've got a new stealer, an SM I don't get along with, and a new truck that will get driven less than yours. I did the dino change already, probably go synthetic the next change, but it won't be every three months or even close to it...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

I did a little more reading and found that the Silverado owner's manual says to "Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the GM Oil Life System (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first. Reset the system"


I checked the engine hours and the reading is 276. Because this is an '02 with a build date of 13 May 02, I don't have the newer DIC info that tells you what % oil life remaining, only the "Change Engine Oil" message.


The dealer did my last oil change at 4964 miles and no doubt reset the Oil Life System.


So, which owner's manual rules? The Duramax Supplement or the Silverado owner's manual. They conflict one another.


What started me thinking about all this was my recent letter from GM Goodwrench Record Keeping Center advising that my Dealer recommends an oil change at 9000 miles (or 3 months since your last service). In fine print it also says "Some services listed are dealer recommended and may vary from the mfr's maintenance schedule)


I'n not trying to skimp on oil changes as evidenced by three (3) in 4964 miles. I am going to change the engine oil before the 1 year is up on 12/31/04.


I am a bit confused as to which owner's manual rules.


No one had a guess as to why there is a time limit imposed, be it is 3 months or 1 year. I posited it was because condensation will form inside the oil sump and somewhat dilute the lube oil.


Your comments would be much appreciated.

The owner's manual is generic for the Silverado / Sierra C/K2500 trucks.


The diesel supplement is specifically for the Duramax equipped trucks and will take precedence over the standard owner's manual.


3-5k between oil changes is conservative and you'll find that most owners here do that with Dino oil.


Some go to 7500 miles which is still conservative but it's a motherhood thing. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


I think your dealership will make a lot of money from you by changing your oil more often.


The best advice is to change the oil at least once or twice a year or by mileage and to follow good standard practices in preventive maintenance.


Eric, one of our premier tech's has written up a good PM schedule under the DYI category. I think you'll find that very valuable.