My 2008 Chevy 3500 now has about 5000 miles on it, mostly driving rural roads around 30-45 mph. I think I am getting clean fuel from a newer Safeway outlet. I am getting ready to go on a week long trip to Monterey CA that will put around 3000 miles on the truck. My plan is to run it at interstate speeds for as much of the trip as I can. I have not changed the fuel filter and I really don't want to have to change it while I am on vacation. Besides I don't trust myself yet to chang it. Should I have it changed before I leave or will I be safe letting it go to when I get back with 8000 miles on the truck? Thanks for any advice.

The truck would be fine. But for peace of mind I would go ahead and change it. Also anytime I go on long trips I keep a spare with me just in case. Never know what kind of fuel you may get from another station.

You should be fine, no worries. If you've been getting fuel from a reasonable place - you should be fine. :)

x2 what km2006 said.

With 5K on it you should be fine. Having said that, as another has stated take along a spare fuel filter in case you get some bad fuel. Even if you have to have a station mechanic change it, you at least will have the filter handy and not have to find one on the road.

Had about 3800 miles on my truck and took it on a 7340 mile trip on vacation and didn't change the fuel filter until I got back. Had 11,000 some odd miles on the original fuel filter. However I took a spare filter with me on my trip. Luckly I didn't have any problems. I think you shouldn't have any problems as long as you are getting good fuel.

5K-miles should be OK.

I have run into fuel filter issues between 8,500 and 10,000 miles a couple times. I am careful to carry a spare filter and a wrench, so my scheduled change interval is still at 10,000 miles.

Of course, this is something that will vary a whole lot depending on your fuel.

I just did a service on my pick-up. It was about 5,000 since the last service. I have been towing heavy all desert season with it. Fuel filter on the DIC showed 65%. I cut the fuel filter open and had less than a 1/4 of the filter left.

Agreed you're good at 5k but also agree to carry a spare so it's with you just in case. BTW, they're pretty easy to change after you try it the first time.

On edit, I see it's an '08 LMM. I'm told it's not as easy as the old body style.

With 5K on it you should be fine. Having said that, as another has stated take along a spare fuel filter in case you get some bad fuel. Even if you have to have a station mechanic change it, you at least will have the filter handy and not have to find one on the road.
This is what I am thinking too. Good idea to always take a spare with you on the road...

I change mine every 5k but 8k should be OK. Once you change it the first time you'll realize how easy it is.

Did my first change at 12,000 miles. I keep 2 spares in the tool box and a water sensor too.

Did my first change at 12,000 miles. I keep 2 spares in the tool box and a water sensor too.


I also bought a spare water sensor. It's much easier to have as a spare and replace on the road. Worry about taking the old sensor off when you get back to the house. I bought the sensor wrench from one of the site vendors since I thought I was going to damage the old one using channel locks taking it off.

When I bought my Savana it had 25K on it. At 27K I got around to changing the fuel filters, "just in case they needed it." The primary filter was as black as midnight, but the van ran fine and showed no improvement after the filter change.

If you carry a spare filter, also have a strap or swivel wrench and the WIF tool as well. Makes the emergency fuel filter changes easier if you have the tools with you to do the job.