When to do first oil change?

[Kenway]

Hey guys, I'm only about 500 miles into my new 25 equinox, since this is a turbo engine, when I go to do my first oil change, what mileage should I be at? And should I immediately go with full synthetic oil or continue to use regular oil for the first 10k miles or so?

 

[PoManNox]

I'd go ~3K miles IMO. 99% of 0w20 motor oils will be synthetic. I've heard there is a synthetic blend 0w20 available. Just stick with a name brand dexos rated 0w20 (or what ever your 2025 calls for) and you'll be fine. I would not exceed 5K miles between oil changes from then on.

 

[Kenway]

I'd go ~3K miles IMO. 99% of 0w20 motor oils will be synthetic. I've heard there is a synthetic blend 0w20 available. Just stick with a name brand dexos rated 0w20 (or what ever your 2025 calls for) and you'll be fine. I would not exceed 5K miles between oil changes from then on.

Thanks! Will plan to get it at about 3k

 

[Ledman66]

I do mine once every six months or 7500 miles whichever comes first and usually it’s six months comes first for me which puts me at about 5000 milesthere’s really no need to change it at 3000 miles unless you’re doing a lot of towing and hilly driving , and full synthetic is the recommended oil for the 1.5 L turbo engine, it comes with full synthetic oil from the factory, and other than that doing it at 3000 milesYou’re just wasting your money and time in my opinion.

 

[RIT333]

You should be getting your first oil change for free from your dealer. That will also include a full look at all systems, and a free tire rotation. Make sure they reset the TPMS tire positions after the rotation. That can be done any time during the first year.

 

[sdhow]

First...ONLY use synthetic oil. It's what the manufacturers all use now.

I always get my first oil change at 500 miles. On a new engine, you have metal particles that are floating around that can cause damage to a new engine, especially on a turbo.

Years ago, I got a new truck and I worked for a company that specialized in OE fuel and oil filtration, so I had access to a development lab. Every time someone got a new car or truck, we'd bring it in and do an oil inspection analysis at 500 miles. The oil ALWAYS had fine metal particulates throughout it, from all the newly machined surfaces.

After the initial oil change, then every 3-4,000 miles. The reminder light comes on WAAAAAY too late! These are set for 7-7,500 miles. These GDI engines with VVT require clean oil, otherwise don't expect to get much over 100k out of it. That's why you see so many 2016-17 of these GM vehicles in the wrecking yards with no body damage on them; too costly to repair, so they're sent to the crusher.

 

[ricklack]

A friend of mine, who has been a mechanic for 60+ years and a coworker of mine when I was turning wrenches, told me something that sticks with me.

With a Turbo, or DI engine (we have both), if the oil looks dirty you are not changing it often enough. You CAN go too long between oil changes, but you can never change the oil too much.

That said, I usually change mine at @ 8,000 km (5,000 miles) max.

 

[michigansam]

when to do a Flush Your Coolant 2019

 

[sdhow]

when to do a Flush Your Coolant 2019

Every 5 years or 100,000 miles. DexCool is notorious for attacking RTV if left longer.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Hey guys, I'm only about 500 miles into my new 25 equinox, since this is a turbo engine, when I go to do my first oil change, what mileage should I be at? And should I immediately go with full synthetic oil or continue to use regular oil for the first 10k miles or so?

The manufacture's recommendation is at 1000 miles, then 5000 miles or every 6 months after that. If you bought it form an authorized Chevy Stealership, then the 1st one is free. Among other things, they'll strain the oil to check for debries. I agree with synthetic, though some also use a blend which is also healthy for the motor, but since I have all my serviceingdone by the dealer, I'll go with what they use (and I will ask to be sure)... I learned a long time ago to do the proper maintenance, expecially with modern automobiles...

 

[penright]

Thanks! Will plan to get it at about 3k

You should be getting your first oil change for free from your dealer.

I'm thinking about doing ours at 3K. The dealer will do the first one for free, but they said to bring it in at 7K. I don't want to wait that long, because of what @sdhow said. I am guessing they will still do one free at 7K and do all the other things. Did I read right the oil is 0w-20w? That does not feel right. The Honda was 5w-20w, but I did 10w-30w. I think it is a way for the car manufacturers to post better mpg.

I have had a couple of 3.8 Grand Prix. When I replaced the bypass, I would flush and replace it with green, thinking DexCool bad. Both of them I replace water pumps and lower intake gaskets. I got rid of them around 250,000 miles. I just got rid of my GXP (Grand Prix) with an LS. I used nothing but DexCool and never coolant system-related parts, except for the belt. It had close to 230,000 miles. Sometimes the guy who makes the product knows what they are doing.

Having said all that, brings me back to what weight oil to use.

 

[ricklack]

I'm thinking about doing ours at 3K. The dealer will do the first one for free, but they said to bring it in at 7K. I don't want to wait that long, because of what @sdhow said. I am guessing they will still do one free at 7K and do all the other things. Did I read right the oil is 0w-20w? That does not feel right. The Honda was 5w-20w, but I did 10w-30w. I think it is a way for the car manufacturers to post better mpg.

I have had a couple of 3.8 Grand Prix. When I replaced the bypass, I would flush and replace it with green, thinking DexCool bad. Both of them I replace water pumps and lower intake gaskets. I got rid of them around 250,000 miles. I just got rid of my GXP (Grand Prix) with an LS. I used nothing but DexCool and never coolant system-related parts, except for the belt. It had close to 230,000 miles. Sometimes the guy who makes the product knows what they are doing.

Having said all that, brings me back to what weight oil to use.

Just go by what your manual recommends, especially while under warranty -

 

[Tico007]

Recently there have been a lot of complaints about failing engines in brand new vehicles. Mainly Hyundai and Toyota. The cause? Appears to be debris from either the casting of the block or other shards of metal from the assembly of the engine. Could that happen to GM? Sure could happen to any manufacturer. So for me, it doesn’t really matter if it has break in oil. Or if the oil is dexos certified. What matters is a clean start. I used to just change the oil normally. Not anymore now I’m going change the oil almost as soon as I get it. And do it myself just to see what’s coming out. And then do it again pretty soon after that. I would probably do two oil changes in the first 5K. Then go to the normal length whatever that is I’m not afraid of oil life monitors.

 

[Vulpecula]

Old School would do first oil change at 1,000 miles. That was before precise CNC machining existed. Just to feel good, whatever manufacture recommends, half it, then do your regular schedule from that mileage. I did that and was very meticulous with oil changes, synthetic and oem filters, and guess what? Around 70,000 miles I started to burn a little oil with a full fledge 1qt per 1,000 miles around 90k+! Turns out the piston rings were inferior and the internal computer schedule for oil changes was incorrect. I kept my own detailed log. Whatever you do on your own, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP RECEIPTS FOR EVERYTHING, filters oil etc., and a good log! Good to have them for negotiations, GM rebuilt the motor, for free! They had a BIG problem! I still have my 2011 Equinox LS with 165,000+ miles! I'll save the other issues fr another day, Good Luck!