How often do I change the oil in a new truck?

Question

I just bought a new Chevy truck. How often should I change the oil during the first year. Any other precautions with a new engine that I should be aware of?

Answer 1

i own a repair shop,and id change it every 3-5 thousand miles ,don't go over that,other than that you should be fine,and with a new vehicle ,just use good common sense,and do your self a favor,get the owners manual and read it,this is a good book to read,if you,ll set down and read the whole book it will tell you when you need to change the oil as well as where all the fuses are located at,and which ones to use in it,most people sit back and don't have the slightest clue of what to do when a fuse blows,read the book and you,ll know all this stuff and more,and it has in it a real good maintenance schedule also,good luck with it enjoy it while its new,i hope this help,s.

Answer 2

When it comes to oil (and filter of course), I always tossed out the book and simply changed it every other month...regardless of the mileage (I never put more then a 1000+ in any month - so this assumes that you don't commute from NY to SF on a regular basis)

Anyway... my '77 El Camino is still going strong with over 300k miles on it - burns about a half quart a month now. and my old 73 pickup finally blew at about 250k miles (but my kid driving it 2 quarts low prob. had something to do with that - grin). Both of these run/ran GM's standard 350 engine (later called the 305) which is a good workhorse.

Bottom line.... oil is a lot cheaper then a new engine and only takes about 15 minutes to do yourself AND you can use the time while it drains to check everyting else.

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Answer 3

Go by what the book says. When they are brand new you have a starter oil. Different than regular. Every 3,000 miles is what I hear often. I'd do it before that though if it's a nice truck.

Answer 4

It depends on a LOT of variables and different things. I only recommend the use of MOBIL ONE 0W_30 engine oil on FORD engines. It works GREAT and can last for one full year. AMSOIL is another GREAT engine oil that requires only ONE YEAR, or 25,000 miles oil changes. REGULAR PETROLEUM based oils should NOT be used at all. This means VALVOLINE nad other cheaply made WAX REDUCTION oils. Oil stays CLEANEST if your air/fuel mixture is close to PERFECT! ANd if your engine is driven enough to get it to FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURES QUICKLY. CArs that do NOT get driven much have more troubles usually, since CONDENSATION never is allowed to evaporate, and the exhaust systems remain unheated, along with O2 sensors. MY RULE OF THUMB is to change th oil ONLY when it gets VERY DARK or VERY THICK> I also recommend the use of a good SLUDGE REMOVAL TReATMENT, and that your THROTTLE BODY and IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE are cleaned up to SHOWROOM very often. The IAC fine tunes the AIR induction portion of your air/fuel mixture. It is a WASTE to change oil at 3000 miles, since this is NOT the 60's or 70's any more. Engines are made to VERY exacting specs to make the LOWEST emissions, and oil has been improved to provide MORE and MORE protection with time. Old theories of car maintenance are a TOTAL JOKE> Fuel is mixed so very thoroughly, that very small doses of carbon are made and most contaminants are disposed of before the oil gets DIRTY. Older CARB engines werer a NIGHTMARE for emissions and carbon formation. <<<<>> FORD engines have REMOVABLE idle air control (IAC) valves for cleaning. This will INSURE that your engine gets the proper amount of AIR along with the injected fuel. Better starts, and CLEANER oil is the benefit. The more PRECISELY engine are made and the more precisely the FUEL INJECTION systems have gotten, the LOWER th dirt and carbon are made. HENCE to change oil very frequently if you are using the BEST oils is NOT REQUIRED!!! I have learned to change oil ONLY whne it gets dark or thick. I was the SECOND postion SAAB technician for a prominant Detroit dealership. STAY AWAY FROM VALVOLINE! Even though it ALSO is very much improved, NO tests have confirmed that it's afffinity for making engine sludge have been reduced. Using a TIME TESTED and APPROVED synth oil is the BEST choice, even for cars and trucks that do NTO do much work and even sit for long periods of time. They RESIST corruption from humidity (water vapor) and protect your bearings at start-up, when nearly ALL engine wear occurs. AMSOIL will work for 25,000 mile intervals if AIR/FUL mixture is showroom perfect. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 5

I would follow the guidance given in the owners manual, and I would most likely have all my services done at the dealership where I bought the vehicle. Reason is it build a history should for some reasons I have a problem with the vehicle then I would have a maintenace history with the dealership.

Answer 6

Typically companies ask that you have the oil changed around 1,000 miles, then every three after that.

When I worked at a shop, i bought a new car and changed the oil every thousand miles for the first 45,000...and with around 60,000 on it now, the oil that comes out every 3,000 looks brand new.

Answer 7

Check your owners manual. It will say with average driving every 5000 miles. Also that is what the dealer will tell you!

Answer 8

if it is brand new about 2000 miles or two months. if it is used or a year or so old every three thousand miles or three months.