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Oil change Questions

188K views 86 replies 20 participants last post by  Carbon Black  
#1 ·
Hey Everyone. I've been looking through some threads for a few quick answers regarding oil changes.

2012 GMC Acadia Denali

- How many quarts? 5w-30?
- PF48 for the filter?
- Got the first oil change at the dealer (hear the filter is hard to get off the first time). I usually do my own oil changes. I see that GM recommends a synthetic blend ( which is what the dealer did).

What are you people using for synthetic or Synthetic blends.

thanks
Quaf
 
#2 ·
Check the owners manual! PF-63 filter now recommended, WIX 57045 Oil Filter good. You need 5 1/2 qts oil,
a little more with the larger filters.

I used Amsoil & Mobile 1-212 filter. I like Mobile one oil, but after all the stories on the 2010 3.6 engines,
I switched to the Amsoil & even did an oil analysis. My goal is to make 1 year or 10k mi changes, but the
Moblie one was low on viscosity at 5k, might make it to 7.5K.
 
#3 ·
I use QuakerState 5w30 full synthetic every 5000 km's (approx every 5 weeks) and whatever filter the oil change place recommends. It takes 5.2 Litres of oil.
 
#4 ·
asmith2011-SLE said:
Check the owners manual! PF-63 filter now recommended, WIX 57045 Oil Filter good. You need 5 1/2 qts oil,
a little more with the larger filters.

I used Amsoil & Mobile 1-212 filter. I like Mobile one oil, but after all the stories on the 2010 3.6 engines,
I switched to the Amsoil & even did an oil analysis. My goal is to make 1 year or 10k mi changes, but the
Moblie one was low on viscosity at 5k, might make it to 7.5K.
Is the synthetic recommended for the 2012's and going forward or does it pertain to older models as well? I have a 2010 and I know the dealer is just using regular 5W-30 oil.
 
#5 ·
Double check the fill volume on My 2012...I have read that it was increased to an even 6 quarts.

As to the synthetic question, GM Dexos1 started with MY 2011. It was not retrospec'd to previous model years, but the"licensed" brands can be found here http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html. Your not going to hurt using one, but it is not mandated.
 
#6 ·
MedicRxDoc said:
Double check the fill volume on My 2012...I have read that it was increased to an even 6 quarts.

As to the synthetic question, GM Dexos1 started with MY 2011. It was not retrospec'd to previous model years, but the"licensed" brands can be found here http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html. Your not going to hurt using one, but it is not mandated.
Would there be a huge long term advantage to my 2010 if I told my dealer to start using a synthetic oil versus regular or would I be wasting my money. I now plan on keeping our Acadia for at least another 3 years.
 
#8 ·
Hawkeye said:
Would there be a huge long term advantage to my 2010 if I told my dealer to start using a synthetic oil versus regular or would I be wasting my money. I now plan on keeping our Acadia for at least another 3 years.
I am not taking the chance on my 2011 Enclave. I changed out the oil at 1500 miles to full synthetic. Every 3000-3500 miles I will have the oil changed again, full synthetic. Sure some of you may believe I am wasting my money but heck...after having the engine on the 07 Outlook dropped at just over 26000 miles for timing change replacement and then having it dropped again 45 days later not taking a chance. Can't prove that the standard oil was the problem but you know what? Don't care...not taking any chances on this SUV. Because I sure don't want to have to go through all that again.

Your call...my thought is...why not switch it sure won't hurt anything and as for wasting your money? That is your call on that one no one elses.
 
#9 ·
@quaf069, according to the 2012 GMC Acadia owner's manual, on page 11-12 you can read;
Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is recommended. See Engine Oil on page 10-8.

On page 12-2 of the 2012 Acadia owner's manual is the following information;
Engine Oil with filter should take approximately 6.0 quarts or 5.7 liters of oil.

I do recommend for further information about the engine oil to contact the local GMC dealership that you rely on and trust.

Michelle, GMC Customer Service
 
#10 ·
TMMAR said:
Are all the Dexos approved oils either full or part synthetic? Are there any pure dino oils that are Dexos approved?
Youll have the most advantage with synthetic- especially if you live in areas that freeze.

but Dexos oils are SEMI synthetic..
I have not seen a Dino that is Dexos approved....
And I have not looked lately to see if anyone MEETs the Dexos spec- with just dino.

Some oil co's dont want to pay to have the DEXOS logo on their bottles (license)
 
#12 ·
Hawkeye said:
How much does an oil change average when using synthetic?
I figure if you do it yourself...
and buy the oil at Wal Mart...
its about $7 for Mobil 1- 1 quart?
7x6= $42.
AC DELCO PF 48 filter= $5.
Do it yourself roughly $40-50.

Of course if you plan ahead and buy the oil on sale- as well as get a PF-63 it may be less.
But last minute and buy the oil at auto parts- definitely a bit more than $50.

Dealer... hmmmm...
 
#13 ·
Hawkeye said:
How much does an oil change average when using synthetic?
Mine is $91.00 Cdn minus 10% for CAA (AAA) membership equals $81.90 including the 13% sales tax we must pay.
 
#14 ·
rbarrios said:
I figure if you do it yourself...
and buy the oil at Wal Mart...
its about $7 for Mobil 1- 1 quart?
7x6= $42.
AC DELCO PF 48 filter= $5.
Do it yourself roughly $40-50.

Of course if you plan ahead and buy the oil on sale- as well as get a PF-63 it may be less.
But last minute and buy the oil at auto parts- definitely a bit more than $50.

Dealer... hmmmm...
I'd have mine done at the dealer but I can pretty much guess their shop fees and add that on top of what the cost of the oil is based on whay you've listed. Not cheap by any means but I'm just trying to decide if their is a long term advantage to the oil or what exactly the advantage of a synthetic is over regular oil. I live in Michigan so it's everything from a heatwave in the summer to the freezing cold winters.
 
#15 ·
You can usually get a $39.99 promotion for oil change and tire rotation at the dealer - not synthetic though of course. I change every 3K so no need for synthetic and I'm still not convinced there's a big difference for the everyday driver.
 
#16 ·
mikemu said:
You can usually get a $39.99 promotion for oil change and tire rotation at the dealer - not synthetic though of course. I change every 3K so no need for synthetic and I'm still not convinced there's a big difference for the everyday driver.
That's kind of what I wanted to hear as I stick to changing it every 3,000 miles regardless of the oil life monitor which I don't even pay attention to anymore.
 
#17 ·
mikemu said:
You can usually get a $39.99 promotion for oil change and tire rotation at the dealer - not synthetic though of course. I change every 3K so no need for synthetic and I'm still not convinced there's a big difference for the everyday driver.
What really ticks me off after the fact is that the salesman we dealt with explained the oil life monitor and said to always go by that and you could easily get about 15,000 miles between oil changes. From everything I've read from multiple folks on this site that isn't even close to being accurate especially if using regular oil which is what it shows in my owners manual. Had I not discovered this site some months ago I'd be going a long way between oil changes and doing who know's what kind of damage to the engine by ultimately running dirty, used up oil through it for thousands of miles. That just goes to show an ill informed salesman or one who was trying to push a good point that was really inaccurate just to make the sale.
 
#18 ·
I use the OLM in my other vehicles.
Just make sure the oil level is within the hashed marks.
But my 2003 Trailblazer- with 160,000--- when it was my daily driver- I used the OLM on that- it would go up to 11,500 miles between oil changes by the time it reached 0%- and I use regular oil.. my favorite- Valvoline Conventional 5W-30. The same thing I use in my Traverse.
But these miles were Los Angeles rush hour stop and go- with many times temps in the 90-100's in the summer.. so NOT highway miles.
I have UOA that Ive posted- that were done at 100K and I think at 146,000. they were fine. Oil was at end of life just like the OLM said.

The reason I did a UOA at 146K--- if it came back with 'bad' things- Id trade it in on the Traverse. But the report was so nice-- I decided to keep it.
Its now mainly driven by dad- so it gets yearly oil changes with it racking up only about 5000 miles a year.

On the Traverse- based on my UOA- and my Valvoline 5W-30- I do oil changes at 5000 intervals.
With my oil on sale- I stock up- paying $2.40 a quart.
6x2.40=$14.40
Oil filter is about $4.50 = about $19 for an oil change I do myself- while inspecting all the stuff under the vehicle (and taking pics for all to see).
 
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#21 ·
and while youre there- they will offer new wipers, new tires, new brakes, alignment, fuel system treatment, trans flush, and all sorts of things they found wrong with your car- or recommend...

and many people will say OK!.
They lose money on the oil-- but make tons on that not needed injector cleaning etc.
 
#22 ·
rbarrios said:
and while youre there- they will offer new wipers, new tires, new brakes, alignment, fuel system treatment, trans flush, and all sorts of things they found wrong with your car- or recommend...

and many people will say OK!.
They lose money on the oil-- but make tons on that not needed injector cleaning etc.
And that's exactly why I stay away from those places as they do that to everyone. You go in for a $24.99 oil change and come out with a $100+ bill for stuff you didn't even need. A couple of years ago I had to go to one of those places as my oil change was overdue and I had to make a long trip and the dealer was closed as it was a Saturday. They tried to play one of the dirtiest tricks in the book on me. I get in there, tell them i just want an oil change and thankfully they didn't try to push anything else on me other than checking the air filter and tailights. What they did do that was sneaky business is after they drained my oil and replaced the filter they tell me that hey, all of a sudden they realized they were out of the regular 5W-30 oil my truck runs on so they would have to use synthetic and that of course would cost 5 times as much. I looked at the tech straight in the eye and said "then one of your boys better haul butt to the auto parts store and pickup 7 quarts of regular oil". The look on his face was priceless as he knew he'd been had. They ended up using the synthetic to safe face but I got it for the price of the regular oil. At that point they didn't want to admit they were trying to cheat me and say they really had the regular oil. Just dirty practices they use on people and the ones who don't know better really get taken advantage of.
 
#23 ·
@Hawkeye, I apologize that you had a less than satisfying talk with the sales person at the dealership about this.

I am sure that you already know that you can contact the service manager to clarify this type of information that you were given.

Once again, I apologize for this situation that you encountered about your vehicle.

Michelle, GMC Customer Service
 
#24 ·
GMC Customer Service said:
@Hawkeye, I apologize that you had a less than satisfying talk with the sales person at the dealership about this.

I am sure that you already know that you can contact the service manager to clarify this type of information that you were given.

Once again, I apologize for this situation that you encountered about your vehicle.

Michelle, GMC Customer Service
This was not at the dealership, it was at a Quaker State Quick Lube, sorry if I didn't mention that. I've never had a dealership do that to me and I don't think they every would. I was referring to the drive through oil change type of places that have shady practices, not the dealership. The GM dealeship I go to now and that I bought out Acadia from has been great so no compaints there. Had something like this happened at a dealership I would've been on the phone with GM but like I said, I don't ever see a dealership trying to do that and that's why I get all my service done there (except for this one occassion).
 
#26 ·
@Hawkeye, thank you for the clarification about what type of establishment that you were at when you experienced this. I apologize for assuming this was at the dealership so it is not all your fault.

I am glad to read that you are very happy with the dealership that you currently work with.

I hope you are having a great week.

Michelle, GMC Customer Service