I picked up my new SRX V8 AWD on Monday. Yeah, baby! As I have always changed my own oil in all my vehicles over the years, I decided to squeeze under my baby to locate the oil filter and drain plug. I located the oil filter easily enough, but all I can find that appears to be the oil drain is a gold colored plug (special alloy?) with a recessed torx head. Is that the engine oil drain?

Negative on the torx head, the V8 AWD oil drain plug is a standard hex head bolt that is on the LH side of the oil pan right next to the oil filter (I just changed the oil on our V8 after the 500 mile break in).

Thanks beers. I crawled under again and located the drain as you described. Guess Caddy wanted to keep the underside aerodynamic and flat, hence the side location. Looks like the old oil will gush right on to insulation(?) over some tubing when drained if not deflected. My dealer charges $110/hour, so I will change the oil myself! I wonder what their markup is on Mobil 1? I can get it at Walmart for less than $4/quart last time I checked.

With the Mobil 1, it would definitely be an expensive oil change. I got the oil at Walmart (bought 8 quarts, it took between 7.5 and 8) and the AC Delco filter at the auto parts store (Pepboys) for 3.99. Maybe I'll take it to the dealer when its due for the next change, at least a good 6-7K miles from now...

You may want to have an extra rag as when I did it the oil did catch some of that tubing that's next to filter.

Is it necessary to change the oil after the first 500 miles (I have a V6). I just picked up the car and dealer said there is no new-car/1000-mile service - that I should just wait until the change oil light goes on in the car. Was he right?

The 500 mile oil change after break-in is probably not necessary but I figure its cheap insurance anyway. I've heard that some manufacturers (Honda?) put additives in the initial oil and recommend that it not be changed until the first scheduled service.

From my experience with all late model BMWs, Hondas and probably this Cadillac SRX, manufacturers nowadays do NOT recommend changing the oil until the vehicle diagnostics say to. As Beers pointed out, my Honda has a special break-in oil with additives that must remain in place during break-in. Likewise, my BMW dealer told me they would NOT change the oil early when I asked, so my first oil change was at 7,200 miles! They emphasized that it was probably more harmful to change it early than late, and that changing it early also was environmentally unfriendly due to the waste oil created. The bottom line is that most modern engines do not benefit from more frequent oil changes so don't listen to those Jiffy Lube commercials trying to brain-wash you into thinking you need an oil change every 3,000 miles! My Bimmer gets it's oil changed about every 6,000 to 10,000 miles. Thus there isn't much need to change your own oil since you don't need to do it anywhere near as frequent as you would've in the past and it's just not that important anymore. Old habits die hard...

Old habits do die hard. Dealer said that under optimal conditions SRX might not need an oil change for 12,000 miles. Thanks for the peace of mind . . .

The change oil light on my 2002 Silverado did not come on the first time until almost 8,000 miles. Changing oil every 3,000 miles is nothing but a money maker for the oil companies.

My Cadillac dealer advised that I should change my oil at 3000 miles only for the first oil change. He said it was to get rid of any debris that may have resulted from beak in. He then said after that to go by the engine oil life indicator for any future oil changes.


David

How will the SRX "know" you have changed the oil and to begin its calculation for next oil change anew?

There is a reset procedure described in the manual (involving the nav system screen in our case). Seems pretty simple and the driver/owner can easily do it himself/herself.

My Cadillac dealer advised that I should change my oil at 3000 miles only for the first oil change. He said it was to get rid of any debris that may have resulted from beak in. He then said after that to go by the engine oil life indicator for any future oil changes.

DavidThis dealer is either "old school" or just wants you in to make some money off the service visit. It's been years since "the break-in debris might damage the engine so you'd better change your oil before 3,000 miles" mentality. Trust your vehicle's diagnostics computer--not old rules of thumb.

My dealer charges $110/hour, so I will change the oil myself! I wonder what their markup is on Mobil 1? I can get it at Walmart for less than $4/quart last time I checked.
I was looking for a thread about when to change the oil and came across this. My dealership gave me a Cadillac membership card good for three oil changes per year for the warranty period.

Of the people out there that had their oil changed in the SRX based on the info from the computer, how many miles did you have on it when the system said to change the oil?

My dealer told me to just wait till the system said to do so.

:hmm:

I use the standards for oil change that I learned decades ago. Also, reading oil analysis reports in numerous magazines, the need for oil change does not change. You are still working with an internal combustion engine.
Blowby, condensation if the engine was not run long enough to come fully up to operating temperature. Particulate carry over into the oil. All this contributes to contamination of all oil types. Moisture causes development of acids in the oil. Even the best oil is susceptable to breakdown from contaminants.
From new, I change the oil after 500 miles. On my Black CTS V I had the oil changed by the Cadillac dealer at 610 miles. Total cost for Mobile 1 and new filter was $63.00. The Chevy dealer charged $78.00 for Mobil 1 plus filter in my Corvette. Same engine, same amount of oil. Yes, I have the Oil Change prepaid dealer coupons. But, I will be using those to change the oil more often than the on-board computer calculations. The miles driven accounts for miles and mechanical loading wear based upon speed driven. There is no accounting for oil contamination, for which I am most concerned. Oil is much cheaper and more convenient that engine repair or replacement.

This is the first I have heard about dealer oil change coupons. Are these commonly given at purchase time?

This is the first I have heard about dealer oil change coupons. Are these commonly given at purchase time?
I wasn't expecting it but the dealership sent me a credit card type card that has my name, car type and VIN # on it and it says on the back of the card that it is good for 3 oil changes a year, 10% off any service or purchase, free car washes and free loaners.
:p

JohnZ Would you mind telling me where your dealer is - even the general area - either here or by Private Message. I would like to ask my dealer about getting these discounted coupons, and it might carry more weight if I could say I know of another dealer who has this offer.

JohnZ Would you mind telling me where your dealer is - even the general area - either here or by Private Message. I would like to ask my dealer about getting these discounted coupons, and it might carry more weight if I could say I know of another dealer who has this offer.

The dealership is the Gary Lang Auto Group in McHenry Illinois. The card is some platinum club thing. I'm not sure if this is something from this dealership or from Cadillac. It looks just like a credit card, There are no coupons of any sort. They must just swipe it and their computer system must keep track of how many oil changes you get or something. ???????