First oil change

s4bill · 11-27-2012, 07:55 PM

2006 LBZ

It is time for an oil change.

The previous owner informed me that he had been using synthetic oil. I believe he had the dealer doing the maintenance on the vehicle.

Is it common to use synthetic oil in a diesel engine?
Is it worth the extra money?

Any other suggestions or points I should be aware of before I tackle the oil change?

Duramax. · 11-27-2012, 08:14 PM

alot of guys are using synthetic oil. it can last around 10k - 15k miles.
i prefer regular oil because i like to change around 4-5k miles anyhow so synthetic would be a big waste of money.
there are a ton of good threads with lots of info if you search around for a few mins.
as far as the oil change its pretty strait forward.10 qts... one thing ive noticed is try to park uphill a little to get as most of the old oil out as possible that way when you put new oil in it looks clean for a few days longer lol

blitzin247 · 11-27-2012, 08:17 PM

Yes it's common, no, it's not neccisary, but it does extend your drain intervals from five k to ten k.

My suggestion is don't cheap out in regular maintenance, just do it faithfully and she will be good, also, get a good oil filter wrench, seriously, I fought my oil filter for a week, and it wasn't my first rodeo either.

s4bill · 11-27-2012, 08:46 PM

I assume you use 5W40?

I am changing the oil based on the dash component stating that I have zero percent oil life.

What is the recommended interval?
What does this dash notification equate to? x number of hours? x number of miles?

**Dirtbikindad393** · 11-27-2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4bill

I assume you use 5W40?

I am changing the oil based on the dash component stating that I have zero percent oil life.

What is the recommended interval?
What does this dash notification equate to? x number of hours? x number of miles?

It has a formula based on engine hours, starts, idle time, rpms and then it decides that it reduces oil life based on those and more. The oil minder tends to go off approx 7500 miles. I do 15k mile oil changes using Amsoil filters and oil. This makes my maint program very easy because I do my fuel filter and Allison spin-on at the same time. That saves me money over 5k mile changes that I used to do with conventional oil. The recommended interval is when the oil minder goes off.

Many people use mileage to govern their changes and it seems to be popular to change around 5k with conventional oils and 10-15 with synthetics. If you decide to use synthetics don't hesitate to give me a call and let me tall you about our DF member special for Amsoil. If you need any help with a maint schedule or recommendations you do not have to be buying from us to ask questions we are here to help!

KB3MMX · 11-27-2012, 11:35 PM

If you want the best protection get synthetic, if you want frequent drains with less protection get conventional.
This time of year is when a synthetic makes a big difference in oil flow at startup and it also makes for easier cranking with a quicker Startup.

.

bigjohn · 11-28-2012, 03:23 AM

Synthetic is slicker than snot. The changes are 10 to 15,000 miles its a better than using conventional oil and better protection.

andy-stevenson · 11-28-2012, 03:28 AM

Amsoil makes a synthetic without the extended intervals if you want the benefits of synthetic, but are more comfortable with 5k interval changes.

jmac5058 · 11-28-2012, 04:31 AM

Once a diesel motor is run on synthetic it needs to stay on synthetic. The decision has been made for you.

**Dirtbikindad393** · 11-28-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy-stevenson

Amsoil makes a synthetic without the extended intervals if you want the benefits of synthetic, but are more comfortable with 5k interval changes.

This is correct and its called OE (Original Equipment) oil and it is rated for the MFG recommended oil change interval up to 10k miles. It comes in 10W-30 and 15W-40 weights. It costs less due to the additive package being less than the 25k mile oil. It is a CJ-4 rated oil so it may be used on newer DPF equipped trucks and is backwards compatible for older CI-4 trucks such as the 01-2007 LBZ trucks. We stock this oil on the shelf so if you have any questions or are interested in the DF member Amsoil special we have PM us or call.

OED 15W-40

OEC 10W-30

11-27-2012, 07:55 PM	eBay Motors #1 (permalink)
s4bill DuramaxForum n00b Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	First oil change 2006 LBZ It is time for an oil change. The previous owner informed me that he had been using synthetic oil. I believe he had the dealer doing the maintenance on the vehicle. Is it common to use synthetic oil in a diesel engine? Is it worth the extra money? Any other suggestions or points I should be aware of before I tackle the oil change?

11-27-2012, 08:14 PM	eBay Motors #2 (permalink)
Duramax. Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 752	alot of guys are using synthetic oil. it can last around 10k - 15k miles. i prefer regular oil because i like to change around 4-5k miles anyhow so synthetic would be a big waste of money. there are a ton of good threads with lots of info if you search around for a few mins. as far as the oil change its pretty strait forward.10 qts... one thing ive noticed is try to park uphill a little to get as most of the old oil out as possible that way when you put new oil in it looks clean for a few days longer lol __________________ Nick 2004.5 LLY Chevy ECLB 4x4 charcoal gray EFI Pela Motorsports dsp5, AirDog 165, 3" DE downpipe, 4" DE straightpipe, Edge CTS w/Dash mount, AFE mouthpiece, egr blocked, pcv rerout, resonator plugged, 6" Fabtech RTS lowered down a little, add a leaf, 4" block, Rare Parts tierods, MOOG pitman, idler arm, and idler arm bracket, cognito brace kit (PISK), Rancho steering stabilizer, 35/12.5" toyo's, 20/10" xd satin diesels, horn blasters "train horns", custom 23gal air tank, de-badged, Tow mirrors, 145000 miles 3rd owner, lots of custom dents and scratches

11-27-2012, 08:17 PM	eBay Motors #3 (permalink)
blitzin247 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Everywhere Posts: 724	Yes it's common, no, it's not neccisary, but it does extend your drain intervals from five k to ten k. My suggestion is don't cheap out in regular maintenance, just do it faithfully and she will be good, also, get a good oil filter wrench, seriously, I fought my oil filter for a week, and it wasn't my first rodeo either. __________________ Purchased 11/15/12: 2004 LB7 CCSB, ATS 4000 turbo, upgraded injectors, Diamond Eye 4 inch turbo back exhaust, H2's on 315/70/17's, Ranch hand front bumper. EFI LIVE by Kory Willis Purchased parts awaiting install: Moog problem solver lower ball joints, Moog pitman and idler arm, AD 165 Special thanks to: Brent@LDS, mrmanners@Synthetic Motorsports, and Kory Willis@PPEI. DMAXSTORE.COM, Your Duramax Diesel-Only Shopping Resource Jesus loves YOU, Have you asked Him to be your Savior yet?

11-27-2012, 11:35 PM	eBay Motors #6 (permalink)
KB3MMX DuramaxForum Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ObamaNation-Under the Dictator's rule Posts: 1,871	If you want the best protection get synthetic, if you want frequent drains with less protection get conventional. This time of year is when a synthetic makes a big difference in oil flow at startup and it also makes for easier cranking with a quicker Startup. . __________________ Ham Radio= Global communications without airtime fees My Antenna-SteppIR *Si Vis Pacem, Para bellum !!!!* ======================== 07' Chevy Silverado HD --CC, SB 4X4 Duramax Diesel/ 6 spd Allison Auto (PTO high idle mod) --EFILive tuning by ...ME with 68MM 4094VA Garrett Powermax Stage 2 Turbo --SILVERLINE 4" Stainless Exhaust, Modded stock Airbox and LIBERATOR Stainless Downpipe --AMSOIL Synthetics and filtration bumper to bumper, including Bypass --DDM tuning HID's in Low and High Beams, 6000K Lows/4250K Highs --PPE rear Diff cover, PPE Deep Trans Pan, PPE High Flow Manifolds and Up Pipes --Danville 3" Y Bridge and big air intake kit / EGR delete

11-28-2012, 03:23 AM	eBay Motors #7 (permalink)
bigjohn DuramaxForum Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 2,128	Synthetic is slicker than snot. The changes are 10 to 15,000 miles its a better than using conventional oil and better protection. __________________ 2006 2500 HD SLT ECLB, LBZ, Bilstein shocks,Banks 4inch exhaust, Alligator Adp Cat filter. And S&B air intake good to be driving a diesel again. 2002 Chevy silverado 2500 HD, LB7, traded it on a gasser and then traded it in for LBZ.

11-27-2012, 08:46 PM	eBay Motors #4 (permalink)
s4bill DuramaxForum n00b Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	I assume you use 5W40? I am changing the oil based on the dash component stating that I have zero percent oil life. What is the recommended interval? What does this dash notification equate to? x number of hours? x number of miles?

11-28-2012, 03:28 AM	eBay Motors #8 (permalink)
andy-stevenson Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 462	Amsoil makes a synthetic without the extended intervals if you want the benefits of synthetic, but are more comfortable with 5k interval changes. __________________ 05 LLY EFI Live Built Trans Built Front End Supporting Mods

11-28-2012, 04:31 AM	eBay Motors #9 (permalink)
jmac5058 DuramaxForum Veteran Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,049	Once a diesel motor is run on synthetic it needs to stay on synthetic. The decision has been made for you.

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