2002 Silverado Oil Recommendation

Recently purchased a new 2002 Silverado Ext. cab with small V-8 (4.8 I think) and now have 3200 miles and still waiting for the oil change light to come on. Should I wait for this message or go with the old traditional method of every 3000-3500 miles . The truck is driven very mildly on hard surface roads about 1000 miles per month. I want it to last a long time and would like to know the best oil and filter to use. I used Mobil 1 in my last truck but always thought it was overkill. Before that and in our 2 Honda Accords I use Castrol 10-w30 every 3500 miles. Any suggestions will be appriciated. Thanks, MichaelD

go with your natural inclination, change the oil when you feel it's time, 3500 is a good number....everyone will have their own personal favorite when it comes to oil brands, mine is Valvoline and I always use Fram filters......Castrol would also be an excellent choice since you've obviously had good dealings with it in your other vehicles......

MichaelD,
I would have changed the oil at about 500miles. This would help clean out breakin particles. I would then change it again in another 500 miles. Then switch over to Amsoil Synthetic with their oil filters. With changes of the filter at 12,500 miles or 6 months then oil changes at 25K or 1 year. I would also change the Air Filter over too. Amsoil offers a reuseable foam filter with great filtration. Did you get the locking differential? If you did you should change the differential fluid by 7,500 miles or 500 miles after towing. Be sure to put synthetic in the differential 75w-90. This will help your truck last a long time.

Fram filters are garbage, use the acdelco pf59 for that engine. As for oil I use mobil 1 5w-30 and 0w-30 if I can find it in all of my vehicles and usually make the switch at the first oil change. If you've got the g80 locker it generates a lot of heat during breakin and you should change the fluid out after 500 miles to be safe. I'm also using mobil 1 75w-90 in the diff with good results.

Oils are like opinions, everybody seems to have one. Well here's mine... I feel that Jake is correct about changing oil A.S.A.P. once you've broke a new engine in. I also agree with mooser1 about Valvoline & Fram filters (and no Fram filters are not junk, which by the way are made by AlliedSignal, a division of Wix filters - The manufactuer of AC Delco filters - just for the record!) I will say that I see no problem with the factory filter, but as long as it is crediable, name brand filter you'll be fine. Now as far as oil goes unless you're racing oval track with you're truck, then any good quality oil (changed every three thousand miles) will do the job just fine. Synthetics are very good oils, but as far as your engine goes I can't substantiate the cost difference for Synthetic oil "IF IT'S CHANGED AT 3,000 MILE INTERVELS". Now as for the differential or any other fluid not changed as frequently, I highly recommend Synthetics. Not only are these opinions they have been put to use. I own used car dealership, as well as race dirt track. I certainly hope that I haven't offended anyone - I just like to tell it the way I see it! Thanks & good luck Michael!

You need to read this then: http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html :D

Found to be an extremely interesting study! :cool:

Thanks for the info, Puffnstuff!

I'll chime in here too.....and agree with the oil and filter change every 3,000 miles. I also think if GM wanted us to use synthetic oil, then it would come from the factory with synthetic oil (like the Corvettes do).
I also like the K&N oil filter...it costs a few extra bucks, exceeds the oem
filter, and accepts a 1 inch socket for easy installation and removal.

Be sure and keep that tranny fluid and filter changed too! Especially if you do any towing/hauling!

:wave:

I changed the oil on my 5.3L at 1,000 miles of granny driving & at every 3,300 miles after that. One time I waited for the "Change Oil" light (just as a test). It didn't come on, and after 7,000 miles I panicked & changed the oil... the light came on a little while later, but man that 7K mile oil was shot! I had to top up many times before changing it, which is a sure sign that the oil is breaking down & not protecting like it did when new.

I think the "Change Oil" light is there for soccermoms who drive 25,000 miles & then wonder why their car is smoking...