Is it time for an oil change?

Question

Is it really OK to wait until the change oil light comes on on my new GMC truck? I've put 12,000 miles on it and the light hasn't come on yet.

Answer 1

I hope you read all the answers here.
First 12000 is to long but then again 3000 is to soon.
It is funny how a little mis information get around. First let me set this stright.
IT WAS THEM QUICKEY OIL MARTS THAT STARTED THAT CRAP ABOUT THE 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. THY PUT ON A CHEEP 1.35 CENT OIL FILTER AND TELL YOU IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR CAR GOING THEN CHANGE IT EVERY 3000 MILES. THIS IS TRUE AS THAT CHEEP OIL FILTER WILL NOT KEEP YOUR OIL CLEANER LONGER THAN THAT.

MOST CARS TODAY WILL SAY 5000-7000 DEPENDING ON YOUR DRIVING CONDICTIONS, AND THAT IS ONLY IF YOU HAVE A FIRST CLASS OIL FILTER. 1.35 CENT OIL FILTER WILL NOT DO THE JOB.
A GOOD OIL FILTER WILL BE AN AC-NAPA GOLD-BOSH
FRAM IS NOT A GOOD OIL FILTER. DONT BELEAVE ME DO THIS, BUY 1 AND CUT IT OPEN AND LOOK AT WHAT IS INSIDE. THAT PAPER IS ALL THAT IS KEEPING YOUR OIL CLEAN AND FOR MY MONEY IT ANT GONNA CUT IT.

TAKE IT FROM A MECHANIC THAT KNOWS. GET A GOOD OIL FILTER AND GOOD OIL AND CHANGE IT EVERY 5000-7000 MILES LIKE THE CAR MAKES SAY, NOT THEM DUMB A#$ QUICKEY OIL MARTS.

Answer 2

Holy cats!

I've never heard of a truck that goes 12,000 miles before an oil change. Run, don't walk, to a service center and ask what the recomened milage is. You should probably get the oil changed right away, don't wait.

Most vehicles change their oil between 3,000 and 6,000 miles.

You are in danger of burning up your entire engine (yes, it's happened). Get your truck checked right away.

Answer 3

Man, I hope your kidding.

If all you have is an Oil Light, that does not come on until your oil is empty.

You should always get your oil changed every 3000-5000 miles depending on the type oil you use and the type miles driven (city or highway).

Go get your oil changed now.

Answer 4

Don't wait for the light. Every 5000 miles you should change regularly. Any more mileage on your truck w/o an oil change and it's bye bye engine.

Answer 5

You are about 11,000 miles past due for your first oil/ oil filter change and about 8,000 miles past due for your second oil/oil filter change.Waiting for the oil change light (NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING) to come on is asking for trouble.You should have had your first oil/oil filter change done at 1,000 miles just to drain out the metal particles from your engine breaking in,and from that point you should have your oil/oil filter changed ever 3,000 MILES or (3) MONTHS WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.GET THE OIL/OIL FILTER CHANGED A.S.A.P. before you do any harm to your brand new vehicle.

Answer 6

NEVER wait for the oil/ "idiot" light to come on. By then its too late. Change your oil every 3000 miles wheather you think your oil needs changed or not.

Answer 7

It should have come on by now....

if you don't do hard dusty dirty driving, then 5000 miles
is what your manual recommends, if you do hard
dirty driving then 3000 miles is the recomended interval.

The light is there to remind you in case you forget.,
try to change it per ,milage when you can.

Answer 8

I thought you were supposed to change the oil every 3 months

Answer 9

12000 miles without a oil change is not good i change my oil Evey 2500 miles. Don't wait for that light change it as soon you have time.

Answer 10

girl, girl girl, by the time u figure u need an oil chnage, u may as well change your engine because it is going blow on the high way.
But any way maybe your boyfriend does it for u when u don't have a clue, ask him first.If he says no, then that should be the first thig to do on your schedule tommorrow.