I was under the impression that you did not have to service the diesel engine or vehicle as you did a gasser? My brother in law has a diesel GM truck and he only changes oil, oil filter and gas filter....so what do you guys think?

If you are running the original oil, then you should get a service done, my dealer tech told me a mandatory spin off filter change for the allison is needed at or before 15,000 miles.
As far as them needing to be serviced like a gas keeping diesels well lubricated, getting plenty of clean air, and clean fuel and they run great and have more consistent power for a lot longer life.

and the Alli spin-on filter and chassi lube when oil changes are made. I can't think of anything else it needs.

Fuel filter, alli filter, and check the air filter, t-rotate??...

I change every 8000miles the oil, oil filter, fuel filter, allison spin, and rotate tires. Get it all done in one afternoon. Normal oil will last about 10,000 based on the oil life info from the DIC. Fuel filter last roughly 12,000 for me. I change air filter every other time. Will do full allison service at 50,000 maybe.

Brian

I change every 8000miles the oil, oil filter, fuel filter, allison spin, and rotate tires. Get it all done in one afternoon. Normal oil will last about 10,000 based on the oil life info from the DIC. Fuel filter last roughly 12,000 for me. I change air filter every other time. Will do full allison service at 50,000 maybe.

Brianditto-exept the alli at 20k

The engine oil I would have changed at 1,000 miles or 1600 km's. This gets rid of the damaging 6-10 micron size metal particles, trans as well. Air and fuel when they need to be done. I have been lucky or..... with fuel filter on never picking up wet or dirty fuel. I would have changed the rear diff at that time and do the front diff after the first winters use. Anyone wanting to lubercate door hinges and such the Super Lube spray is very good.

I don't suppose it will change the minds of those who still cling to the 1960s regime for oil changes, but the owner's manual says to change the tranny filter at the first oil change. The first oil change is to take place when the DIC tells you to do it. This cna be 9,000 or more miles, depending whether you are pulling a trailer. GM has tested their oil monitoring system for more than a decade and it works. If you don't believe me, send a sample of your engine and transmission oil to a lab like Blackstone for analysis. You are wasting your money if you change the oil any earlier than the DIC tells you. There's always at least 10% life left at that stage when the oil is analysed.

Try this:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33348

Here is GM's explanation of the oil life system. Like most everyone else, it took me a little time to accept it, and to change my habits of 30 years, but like me, YOU too can do it.

Here is GM's explanation of the oil life system. Like most everyone else, it took me a little time to accept it, and to change my habits of 30 years, but like me, YOU too can do it.

That' like asking me to get rid of my dog ro something:p:

I agree that an early initial oil change could prove beneficial over the long haul however I don't think there is as much break-in shit in the oil as some folks think. These motors are filled run and drained at the factory. I believe the benefit is due to the fact that the oil degrades severely in a new motor during the first 1-1.5k thus reducing its effectiveness over the normal service lifetime.
It is hard for the diehards out there to let go of the 3k mile oil change. And it appears that the oil makers aren't helping either. Most of them still recommend more frequent intervals than the auto makers do. .......and there is a good market for used oil.
There is no reason to change the engine oil any more frequently than the auto maker recommends in the owners manual. They generally have a schedule for severe duty applications, with brief definitions, in there too.

Even the cheapest oils available off the shelf today are vastly superior to motor oils of only 5-10 years ago.

Moved to Maintenance and Fluids! ;)

Try this:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33348

+1

Good info.