How much oil?

[warriorpluto]

These guys are arguing me down at this oil shop saying six quarts of oil. It's a free oil change using supreme synthetic oil 15 40 I think. I know it's seven quarts. Two mechanics are arguing me down saying that's all they take. 4.2 engine. They say I really don't need seven.is this true? Out do I need to add another quart after I leave here

 

[D0M0]

Its 7. I was shocked honestly myself when I did my first oil change. It should be in your owners manual.

 

[Blckshdw]

If you have your owners manual in the glove box, flip to the fluid capacities page, and wave it in their faces

 

[warriorpluto]

I'd it safe to ad a quart of non synthetic to it? I'm at home now

 

[warriorpluto]

I'd it safe to ad a quart of non synthetic to it? I'm at home now

I meant synthetic oil. Just a different brand

 

[warriorpluto]

Schaefer is what was used

 

[Blckshdw]

I've heard mixing synthetic and non synthetic is a bad idea. Did you check your oil level at the dip stick? How does it look there, low or OK?

 

[jrSS]

I've heard mixing synthetic and non synthetic is a bad idea. Did you check your oil level at the dip stick? How does it look there, low or OK?

Then what is semi synthetic oil blend?? I don't use it but they sell it. I know people who use it without any issue.

 

[The_Roadie]

...It's a free oil change ...

There's no such thing as a totally free oil change, unless the shop is a charity.

I've heard some talk about the quickie-lube joints trying to target for half-way up the dipstick hash marks instead of to the top, so they can gain another 1-2% profit out of a business model that would die if it wasn't for cheating and upselling.

But to short you a full quart is unconscionable. If THEY don't fill it to the tippy-top, escalate. Bad reviews on Yelp if they don't cave. You have the owner's manual, and their reference is what?

 

[gmcman]

Make sure they changed the oil filter. If they change the filter 6 qts won't fill it up and will be evident on the dipstick....make sure the vehicle is level.

I would go back just for principle, and the fact they didn't perform the job correctly, show them the owners manual and see what they say.

Oil and filter change, 6 qts is not enough.

 

[warriorpluto]

There's no such thing as a totally free oil change, unless the shop is a charity.

I've heard some talk about the quickie-lube joints trying to target for half-way up the dipstick hash marks instead of to the top, so they can gain another 1-2% profit out of a business model that would die if it wasn't for cheating and upselling.

But to short you a full quart is unconscionable. If THEY don't fill it to the tippy-top, escalate. Bad reviews on Yelp if they don't cave. You have the owner's manual, and their reference is what?

Well since they shorted me a quart,I guess it wasn't free. I'll just assess another quart of synthetic. These guys argued me down bad saying the owner manual is wrong and that every envoy that comes through that's all they put in it. It made my laugh cause they said I was putting in too much and the auto parts store just want more money by adding an extra quart. I just thought maybe something had changed or something but evidently it didn't

 

[warriorpluto]

Make sure they changed the oil filter. If they change the filter 6 qts won't fill it up and will be evident on the dipstick....make sure the vehicle is level.

I would go back just for principle, and the fact they didn't perform the job correctly, show them the owners manual and see what they say.

Oil and filter change, 6 qts is not enough.

Yea they changed the filter

 

[The_Roadie]

... I just thought maybe something had changed ...

What might have changed is the honesty of the staff at quickie-lube places. Sadly, it has not. They remain lying scumbags (on average). If they also claim the OLM is wrong and you STILL need to change your synthetic every 3000-5000 miles, then you have even more proof.

There is no way to make an honest living in the quickie-lube industry doing straight oil changes. The bottom-feeding customers who INSIST on saving a buck and who flock to the outfit who is even 25c cheaper than the competition are who forced the industry to cheat to survive.

Around 1995 in Oregon with more $$ than I had time, and I used a regional quickie-lube chain, I was witness to a manager who was screaming at one of his service writers in the office, yelling at him about how bad his upsell percentages were and how they were going to go out of business if they didn't get up to 60 or 70% upsell. I reported that incident to their hot line for customer issues, of course, and got a reply that the manager was in trouble for other HR issues and he was leaving. But the economics lesson stuck with me.

There are plenty of honest independent mechanics that can do oil changes without cheating you, if you're in a situation that prevents you from being a DIY. Even if they cost $10 more, does ANYBODY really want to be known as a bottom-feeder? It's not too expensive.....

 

[warriorpluto]

What might have changed is the honesty of the staff at quickie-lube places. Sadly, it has not. They remain lying scumbags (on average). If they also claim the OLM is wrong and you STILL need to change your synthetic every 3000-5000 miles, then you have even more proof.

There is no way to make an honest living in the quickie-lube industry doing straight oil changes. The bottom-feeding customers who INSIST on saving a buck and who flock to the outfit who is even 25c cheaper than the competition are who forced the industry to cheat to survive.

Around 1995 in Oregon with more $$ than I had time, and I used a regional quickie-lube chain, I was witness to a manager who was screaming at one of his service writers in the office, yelling at him about how bad his upsell percentages were and how they were going to go out of business if they didn't get up to 60 or 70% upsell. I reported that incident to their hot line for customer issues, of course, and got a reply that the manager was in trouble for other HR issues and he was leaving. But the economics lesson stuck with me.

There are plenty of honest independent mechanics that can do oil changes without cheating you, if you're in a situation that prevents you from being a DIY. Even if they cost $10 more, does ANYBODY really want to be known as a bottom-feeder? It's not too expensive.....

Thanks for that information.I'll keep that in mind. I usually do most of my maintenance and engine work bit I was in a rush a took a friend up on his offer. He just gave me another quart.I had to show him your replies on this forum lol

 

[The_Roadie]

...I had to show him your replies on this forum lol

Oh, great. YET another town whose mechanics have taken out a contract on me.

I got so many enemies I should box them up and give them away for Christmas elves.

 

[RayVoy]

As the roadie said, there is no such thing as a free oil change; I think you will find, that 15/40 is NOT the right oil for the I6 engine.

 

[The_Roadie]

I missed the viscosity issue! They violated that spec, too?

 

[warriorpluto]

I missed the viscosity issue! They violated that spec, too?

I'll take it out at 1k miles I'm in the deep south so it's hot where I'm at.

 

[TangoBravo]

Yeah 15/40 is whats used in diesel engines. I cant imagine that type would do good things to a CPAS or afew other parts for that matter, at min probably lookin at really shitty MPG's.

 

[warriorpluto]

Yeah 15/40 is whats used in diesel engines. I cant imagine that type would do good things to a CPAS or afew other parts for that matter, at min probably lookin at really shitty MPG's.

Actually it hasn't affected my mpg at all surprisingly. Just can't back from a sixty mile trip but the cpas thing has me thinking though.I'll probably take it out Monday evening.thanks for reminding me

 

[gmcman]

I missed the viscosity issue! They violated that spec, too?

I totally missed that as well.

Yeah, go back and get some 5W-30 if they didn't use it. The tight tolerances in your bearings will like it when it's cold.

 

[NJTB]

Just went through this myself. Seven quarts overfills it ever so slightly, maybe 1/4 inch or a bit less on the stick.
I was glad I didn't get into a HEATED argument with the guy.

 

[Denali n DOO]

Just went through this myself. Seven quarts overfills it ever so slightly, maybe 1/4 inch or a bit less on the stick.
I was glad I didn't get into a HEATED argument with the guy.

My last dealer change ended up to be too much as well, about 1/4" above the hash marks, it doesn't say how many L they used but based on your situation I'd guess they put 7 in. I also think maybe they put too much in on purpose to mess up my oil usage issue that I'm trying to prove to them. I think I read somewhere that over filled is okay as long as it's not too much that the oil starts to foam from the crankshaft, not sure what too much is on the dipstick tho.

 

[97blazer]

IMHO a) There is no harm in running a qt low. Drag racers (me among them) do it all the time. Overfill is worse than a bit under. b) Fuget it and go to a different oil changer next time. c) I do think you need to change out the 15/40 although I run 20/50 in my Syclone with no issues. I didn't see where you live but choose viscosity of your oil based on local temps. 5/30 when it's very cold. Stick some 10-30 in the freezer over night and see how well it pores. Initial start-up is when the vast majority of engine wear occurs. Really thick (cold) oil will get to the bearings late. In the end, unless you see consistent temps well below 0 I doubt you'll ever see a problem. No harm is mixing different oils. Synth and dino, but we feel better when it's all the same. API standards require that oils can be mixed.

Excuse the rant....

 

[The_Roadie]

IMHO a) There is no harm in running a qt low.

I agree. At this point the quantity (not the viscosity) is being argued not for technical reasons but the principle of the thing. If the oil change monkeys wanted to claim 6 3/4 qt. was proper, I would have given a tip o' the hat to their experience. By claiming 6 is proper and arguing with the customer and his Owner's Manual, they're into cheap-ass-cheat-the-customer-out-of-a-quart territory. Then it becomes a jihad in my eyes, not a purely technical discussion. Your points are very valid.

 

[meerschm]

if they claim less than 7 quarts, are they using the proper oil filter, or a shortie that happens to fit?

 

[warriorpluto]

Yea I changed it back today to the recommended oil. And one thing that had me really pissed off is the guy didn't put my belly pan back on. Like how do you forget to put that back on? I'm going there tomorrow to get them to put it back on. No one else is going to touch my truck now.

 

[97blazer]

Yea I changed it back today to the recommended oil. And one thing that had me really pissed off is the guy didn't put my belly pan back on. Like how do you forget to put that back on? I'm going there tomorrow to get them to put it back on. No one else is going to touch my truck now.

Huh? Talk about lazy. Amazing. Do they still have the thing? Changing oil filter on my (I6) TB is messy enough, I don't even try it through the dinky door that GM gives me. I pull the pan/cover every time.

 

[vipergg]

Huh? Talk about lazy. Amazing. Do they still have the thing? Changing oil filter on my (I6) TB is messy enough, I don't even try it through the dinky door that GM gives me. I pull the pan/cover every time.

On the newer ones there is no dinky door anyway just a big plastic cover that you have to pull off . 4 bolts and its off not a big deal.

 

[D0M0]

What is this "Door" that you all speak of?

 

[97blazer]

What is this "Door" that you all speak of?

As Vippergg mentioned on mine there is this 2-bit door that you're supposed to go through to change the filter. And like he said 4 bolts and the whole thing is off. Much easier. GM could of put a little more thought into the filter change on these. But I guess we're not alone. Other GM cars are as bad or worse.

 

[warriorpluto]

Huh? Talk about lazy. Amazing. Do they still have the thing? Changing oil filter on my (I6) TB is messy enough, I don't even try it through the dinky door that GM gives me. I pull the pan/cover every time.

Yea and they had another trailblazer up there today. They put six quarts in the truck. I told the owner it's seven. And he was like "what?" He looked in the manual and was surprised.Lol luckily they still had my cover. The guy who changed my oil, his nephew, said, "my uncle always taking those covers off and not putting them back on" I just face Palm.

 

[D0M0]

As Vippergg mentioned on mine there is this 2-bit door that you're supposed to go through to change the filter. And like he said 4 bolts and the whole thing is off. Much easier. GM could of put a little more thought into the filter change on these. But I guess we're not alone. Other GM cars are as bad or worse.

I guess mine is missing. The first oil change that I did on the TB I just drove it up on ramps, reached up and screwed the filter off.

 

[jrSS]

So glad I don't have to mess with the "door thing" anymore when changing my oil. Damn thing was annoying.

 

[Mark20]

As Vippergg mentioned on mine there is this 2-bit door that you're supposed to go through to change the filter. And like he said 4 bolts and the whole thing is off. Much easier. GM could of put a little more thought into the filter change on these. But I guess we're not alone. Other GM cars are as bad or worse.

My mother-in-law's Volkswagen falls into the much worse category.

 

[97blazer]

What is this "Door" that you all speak of?

On mine there is a little door in the bottom cover that you can remove to change the filter. Not worth it though because the filter is in such an awkward position I just remove the entire cover as mentioned.

 

[AV8ER]

My friends f150 has the filter in the left front wheel well mounted horizontally. You have to get the wheel turned just right and snake it out through the a-arm. I will have to agree the little door on the tb is a joke but I've gotten to where I can change the filter through the door without too much of a mess. My engine likes about 6 1/2 qt when changed with the filter.