When do I need an oil change?
I have a new 2013 Suburban Truck with 4200 miles on it over the past 5 months. I am going to do about 1000 miles this upcoming week, not towing. My oil life indicator says 43% and "oil change not i...
Forum Discussion
I do not trust the oil life indicator 100%. With GM there is a severe use or duty service interval and it can be a third as long as with normal use, i.e. not towing.
I average the normal and severe use service intervals as half the miles I drive involve heavy towing or hauling and this is done in mountainous terrain. This applies to the motor oil and also to the transmission and transfer case and ball joints and other service items.
I do not know about the Suburban but if it has grease fittings for the front end ball joints and tie rods, etc. then they should be greased every 5,000 miles. If the do not have grease fittings I would be inclined to add them if it is possible to do so.
Lifetime lubrication means you do not add lubrication but wait for the part to wear out which will be in half the time it would have lasted had it been regularly greased.
I average the normal and severe use service intervals as half the miles I drive involve heavy towing or hauling and this is done in mountainous terrain. This applies to the motor oil and also to the transmission and transfer case and ball joints and other service items.
I do not know about the Suburban but if it has grease fittings for the front end ball joints and tie rods, etc. then they should be greased every 5,000 miles. If the do not have grease fittings I would be inclined to add them if it is possible to do so.
Lifetime lubrication means you do not add lubrication but wait for the part to wear out which will be in half the time it would have lasted had it been regularly greased.
