Oil Life
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1,900 Posts
Read your manual. You change it based on the indicator being at or close to 0% or every two years if your model year is prior to 2013. 2013 and newer the indicator will be at 0% at no more than 2 years so you only have to watch the indicator and change the oil at or before 0%.
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769 Posts
Mine read 18% around Thanksgiving time. I figured if I waited until it reached 0%, it would be mid-January and very cold in my garage. Meanwhile, it was Thanksgiving, I had some time off and plenty of free time, so I changed my oil then.
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1,126 Posts
The real question is: how many ICE miles or time is reasonable between oil changes? The manufacturers recommendations are always very conservative, and it is known that most cars can go way beyond the recommended intervals without any damage. Stretching up the interval saves time, money and the environment.
In over 4 years I have driven only 6000 ICE miles. I changed it once, but at this rate I probably don't really need one until the end of the Trump presidency.
Bringing The Volt to the dealer for service is a waste of money because there is nothing to service. Everything can be done trivially DIY: Check fluid levels under the hood and change oil and rotate tires at Quickielube is all it takes.
The oil filter of the Volt is an uncommon size. Jiffy Lube didn't carry it so I had to buy on in Amazon. Its only 7 bucks...
In over 4 years I have driven only 6000 ICE miles. I changed it once, but at this rate I probably don't really need one until the end of the Trump presidency.
Bringing The Volt to the dealer for service is a waste of money because there is nothing to service. Everything can be done trivially DIY: Check fluid levels under the hood and change oil and rotate tires at Quickielube is all it takes.
The oil filter of the Volt is an uncommon size. Jiffy Lube didn't carry it so I had to buy on in Amazon. Its only 7 bucks...
Truthfully, synthetic oil Like Mobil 1 EP is to the point where it'll last the life of the car (granted, car manufacturers won't warranty an engine with no oil changes, but it'll last and maintain its protective properties especially on the Volt's range extender, Oil filter changes are needed). Don't believe it? get an oil analysis done.
Of course, quality filters are still key, but the recommended (up to) 2 year change interval on the Volt is very conservative.
Of course, quality filters are still key, but the recommended (up to) 2 year change interval on the Volt is very conservative.
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1,318 Posts
I wouldn't trust mobile at that interval. The only oil I'd trust is amsoil. I change the oil in my cummins powered truck every 30k miles and the gfs element usually around 20k miles. I plan on switching to amsoil in the volt when it hits 0% and then it will get a analysis with 10% and it will probably get reset, filter change and back to 0% before a full oil change.
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23,703 Posts
Yes, your owners manual has great info.
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3,684 Posts
How will that work with your engine warranty? They want to see receipts for oil and filter changes at specified intervals, correct?
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1,318 Posts
With how little I use the gas engine and the fact they need to prove my modifications caused a failure, I'm not worried about it. I build engines and I'm not shy about hiring a lawyer to help my case. I'm not worried about a oil related failure. Once you start doing oil samples m, you'll realize how long oil and the additive packs will go.
personally I would not use sync. oil
seems to retain moisture more so than regular oil
and the motor doesn't run long enough or get hot, long enough, to burn it out
seems to retain moisture more so than regular oil
and the motor doesn't run long enough or get hot, long enough, to burn it out
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1,318 Posts
Ummm, what?
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3,684 Posts
"No proof of regularly scheduled oil changes . Warranty claim DENIED."
But you're right, I wouldn't worry about this engine. But also,,, I wouldn't go cheap while the warranty is in effect.
Moisture is moisture. Get the oil up to +180° F for a while and the moisture will hopefully leave the engine through the PCV system. Have you checked your oil fill cap for 'Milkshake'? This time of year is the worst.
Next you'll tell us bias-ply tires and drum brakes are the way to go.....
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1,318 Posts
Oil that's not recommended is considered a modification and would be part of the magnason moss act. They would need to prove that my "modification" caused the failure. I've been through this before with GM and won. The car was later lemon law'd with no fight from GM after the initial issues that prompted the lemon law pursuit.
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3,684 Posts
OK, so you've been through this before. "And won".
I just don't get going cheap for THE very few oil changes required before the end of the warranty period.
Where is this 'modification'?
"No proof of regularly scheduled oil changes . Warranty claim DENIED."
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2,138 Posts
Exactly LOL
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1,318 Posts
That's just not true. Yea, if the engine is all sludge and rod bearings are spun and the big end is blue, it's an oil problem. If a piston is cracked with no other signs of original damage, that wasn't oil and would be covered.
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10,014 Posts
Cadillac (and OnStar) wouldn't schedule an oil change (second one) unless it was under 20%. I could do it, but, I would be charged.
I did the first oil change early since the car sat on the lot for over a year. It was the free one anyway.
Since I am keeping this car for a while, I baby it.
I did the first oil change early since the car sat on the lot for over a year. It was the free one anyway.
Since I am keeping this car for a while, I baby it.
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