Oil change question

[JcMack]

I've got an '08 Chevy Colorado. 4cyl supposed to be a "midsize" pickup. It's more like a s10 size. Bought it new it late '07 so it's 15yrs old with 30,000 miles on it. It was a personal truck and I drove a company van 90% of the time which accounts for the low milage. Anyway it needs an oil change and I take to the dealer to get it done. It's had 5W30 in it since it was born and local dealerships only do synthetic now. Is it O.K. for me to go to synthetic now after all this time with conventional oil? I remember many moons ago you could get in bad trouble mixing the oil and synthetic.

THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE, JIM

 

[MRB1]

I questioned the same thing for my 2004 GMC. The dealership assured me it was OK. Mixing - no. Changning over - OK. I now run everything, except the tractor, on synthetic, even the lawn mowers and UTV.

 

[Catwrangler]

I run blended syn/Dino oil in my '97 Nissan hardbody beater. 385,000 mi. And does Not burn/leak a quart btwn. Changes. The burning question for me is Why would you pay dealer prices for an oil change in a 14 yo. Truck? LOW mileage or not it's Long past the ago of "dealer maintained" value added on resale or trade.
JMHO - Respectably.

 

[Catwrangler]

**** spellchecker!
RESPECTFULLY.

 

[ladder13]

Yes, changed the oil, for a long time. Maybe I was dreaming but my cars ran cooler and quieter.
Ran synthetic in my snowblowers and lawn mowers with Wix filters.

 

[Model52guy]

I use full synthetic in everything now, including lawn mowers.

 

[DWalt]

The only reason I put synthetic oil in my wife's 2012 Mazda is because that is what the instruction manual calls for. But I normally leave it in for at least 10K miles, which is about two years of driving for her. I use regular oil in my 2003 Ranger. For many years I changed my own oil and filter but recently it has gotten to be too much work for me. I now take it to one of the quick oil change places. Much cheaper than the other places near me. I did it yesterday, was about $45. The others are now anywhere from $60 to $80 (regular oil). I suppose a dealer oil and filter change is probably well over $100 today.

 

[Wdbutcher97]

Check your owner's manual. I'm sure it will tell you that full synthetic can be used in you Colorado. The owner's manual on my 2001 Chevy S-10 states that it it can be used in it. My S-10 had 60,000 miles on it when I bought it and it has 136,000 miles on it now. I've used synthetic oil in it since I've owned it. It runs great and uses no oil. You should be good to go.

 

[jjfitch]

This!

Modern lubricants are extremely well engineered for their intended use! Dino oil: 3500-5000 miles! Full syn: 5000-1000+! And yes you can "blend" Dino and Synthetic oil!

Not all filters are created equal look to NAPA, WIX and other premium filters with extended intervals.

Google: "Bob's the oil guy" for everything automotive lubricant related questions!

 

[SMSgt]

Dealer cost here for an oil change is the same or less than most other places. The "quickie" places always try to sell you something you don't need, and I've caught them not changing filters, etc. I had a Toyota years ago when synthetics first became popular and switched my Toyota over. Temp dropped; gas mileage went up. Never found it to cause leakage as some claim. I use it in everything I run.

 

[Golddollar]

I was old school and exceeded the suggested oil change specifications when I started buying my own cars. I changed the oil and oil filter every 3000 miles. I figured the 2 extra oil filters and 2 extra quarts of oil cost me all of an additional $8 per year.

When I bought my first ever brand new car, I advanced to synthetic oil but still changed the oil and filter every 3000 miles. With my commuting to the Baltimore suburbs every day that occurred about every six weeks. I sold the car in the Gettysburg Auto Auction with 238,000 miles on it, so I must have been doing something right.

I guess now the oil change recommendation is every 7500 miles but from previous experience I have a hard time going that long. Now I go 5 months or 5000 miles, whichever comes first. I figure that's a good compromise.

 

[skywag]

Go to Walmart Auto for a "Pitstop" oil change.

$22 for synthetic/dyno blend.

Here in Chehalis, they do a great job!

 

[pawngal]

I tried getting an oil change at a Walmart several years ago when I was on the road for about 2000 miles. They couldn't get the oil filter off my Tundra! Next town I stayed in, went to Toyota Dealership to get it done.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I've got an '08 Chevy Colorado. 4cyl supposed to be a "midsize" pickup. It's more like a s10 size. Bought it new it late '07 so it's 15yrs old with 30,000 miles on it.

Colorado was a compact during its first generation (2003-2011), became a mid-size in 2012 model year with the 2nd generation.

With only 30K, changing to full synthetic is fine. Were it a high mileage vehicle, I'd be concerned about oil consumption after changing over.

Somebody like you must have owned my 2011 Tacoma before I bought it in 2017. It only had 40K on it in 6 years. It has 120K on it now. I run full syn in it since I bought it, but I think that's probably what it used before I got it. On a 5000 mile change interval, the oil level is down about a pint, and I regularly tow about 4500 pounds with it.

 

[NYlakesider]

Do it.

I have been using synthetic in everything I have for many years now. That includes 2 stroke mixes.

 

[JcMack]

To everyone that responded,

I REALLY appreciate your advice and info! The truck has done well for me and I hope it continues to motor on. I had 3 Toyota 4x4 Delux? PU's prior to the Colorado and always did my oil changes on them. My oil change days are gone along with a lot of other stuff.
The Dealerships here will do an oil change for $45 if you don't want to have tires rotated. My tires are new within the last four months. i've had more than one friend in the past tell me of nightmare problems experienced at quick change oil places and I NEVER use them.
With your advice in mind, I will let them put synthetic in the truck next week. Hopefully it will turn over a little better in this cold weather as an added benefit.

The tailgate has a sticker on it "The Closer You Get the Slower I Drive"

Thanks again, Jim

 

[Narragansett]

My son is has an automotive bachelors degree from New England Technical Institute. We have had this discussion before. He says do not swap over to synthetic if you have been using fossil in an older car. Why?, because there is a consensus that the thinner oil will leak past your gaskets.I would not do it. Use fossil every 3K miles or 12 months

 

[mmb617]

My son is has an automotive bachelors degree from New England Technical Institute. We have had this discussion before. He says do not swap over to synthetic if you have been using fossil in an older car. Why?, because there is a consensus that the thinner oil will leak past your gaskets.I would not do it. Use fossil every 3K miles or 12 months

My son was a dealer tech for 10 years and he said the same thing.

 

[Imissedagain]

Use regular if that is what the manual says.
Use semi-blend if that is what the manual says
Use synthetic if that is what the manual says.

Seals can be damaged as reported by mechanics I've known by mixing or not using what's called for.

Oil weights may be changed due to climate changes and miles on the vehicle.

Outboard marine engines:
Use their brand of oil for best performance and engine life.

 

[SweetMK]

My daughter got a '07 Colorado new,, It cost $15900,,
The truck has every option in the cab that was available,
it is factory lowered 2 inches, and came with 18" wheels.
She added the graphics on the side the first week she got it,,

Two years ago, she decided that she wanted a "car",,
she dropped the truck off for me,,
I use it as a UTV around my property.