[RobertR]

The first oil change was done on my 2018 CT6, 3.6L.

Changed to Mobil 1 and replaced the oil filter with 2300 miles on the vehicle. Put in 6 quarts with hardly any oil showing on the dip stick. Is this typical for those who have changed their own oil?

I am also disappointed we do not have an oil pressure analogue gauge to watch the pressure.

Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[KRDCAD]

Why didn't you let the dealer do it for free?

 

[awein001]

Why didn't you let the dealer do it for free?

I also just changed mine, paid my local guy $85.

1. Don't trust my dealer- even for an oil change. Not once have i left with less issues then when i brought it in
2. There's a value to convenience. Dealer wont let me drop the car. No loaner given. I am not local to any other dealers. They are only open week days.
3. I would have to bring car to dealer at 7am, wait until 930 or 10 for it to be finished. (average based on when i used to take advantage for my CTS) Do i really need to take half a day off of work for this?


Local guy= dropped off at 7am on a saturday. They drove me back home. I cut the lawn, did some laundry, cleaned my other car, got the call around 9 that it was done. They picked me up at 925 and i was back home with the car at 932. Worth every penny versus dealing with the dealer.

 

[MHT]

The first oil change was done on my 2018 CT6, 3.6L.

Changed to Mobil 1 and replaced the oil filter with 2300 miles on the vehicle. Put in 6 quarts with hardly any oil showing on the dip stick. Is this typical for those who have changed their own oil?

I am also disappointed we do not have an oil pressure analogue gauge to watch the pressure.

Thanks in advance for your response.

Mobile 1 really should not be used in a new car. It is a better product for an older car than a new car. IMO much better to stay with the OEM oil brand.
Yes, Cadillac is now using a Mobile 1 transmission fluid in the 2016-2018 CT6 to help with the shudder and harsh shift of some of the transmissions but there is a good reason for that.

 

[MHT]

I also just changed mine, paid my local guy $85.

1. Don't trust my dealer- even for an oil change. Not once have i left with less issues then when i brought it in
2. There's a value to convenience. Dealer wont let me drop the car. No loaner given. I am not local to any other dealers. They are only open week days.
3. I would have to bring car to dealer at 7am, wait until 930 or 10 for it to be finished. (average based on when i used to take advantage for my CTS) Do i really need to take half a day off of work for this?


Local guy= dropped off at 7am on a saturday. They drove me back home. I cut the lawn, did some laundry, cleaned my other car, got the call around 9 that it was done. They picked me up at 925 and i was back home with the car at 932. Worth every penny versus dealing with the dealer.

I am not letting anyone out side of Cadillac work on my brand new car, especially while it is under warranty. If there is an issue with any work performed on my car by Cadillac it will be taken care of under the warranty or service will be eating the cost. Cost savings and convenience can sometimes come at a terrible price. Even after the warranty expires it will go into Cadillac for service.

 

[Loose-Caboose]

Fascinating! I think the most interesting aka Funny part is doing the oil change with just 2300 miles on the vehicle. But what is even funnier is my oil life warning started at 5000 miles. I had read the manual very throughly and I thought it should have been 7500 mile intervals. Sure enough I read it correctly. I called the dealership. They had no clue as to why the difference. But my feeling was if they were paying for the service why not. The Manual for my car, 2018 CT6, is less than what I would call Authoritative. I am waiting for the day when my brakes don't work per the manual and I am told the manual is not always right. Which is what I have been told by a Cadillac Representative in the past. As far as one issue you bring up, I agree so far that the Cadillac Service I have received to date is less than lauditory. I took my car to what I considered a priemer dealership for an issue and they came up with a "blank". The other day I was on My Cadillac app and looked at the service record. For that visit the service comment was "Not Repeatable". Every minute of every day I can repeat the same issue. Incredible!

 

[Jmeyer58]

When done, install the 6 quarts and check the oil with the vehicle on a level surface and the engine shut off. Add just enough additional oil to bring it to the top of the "add/full" marks on the dipstick. Most car manufactures now give the capacity to bring the level to the middle of the add/full marks.

As far as brand there are as many opinions on the brand of oil to use as there are oils. THE MOST IMPORTANT PART is that the oil is Dexos approved (https://www.gmdexos.com/owner/brands/dexos1/index.html) Just because an oil claims it meets the Dexos standards does not mean it is an approved oil!

Congrats on taking car of your car! Hope you have many trouble free miles ahead!
Jim

 

[Mutoidman]

Mobile 1 really should not be used in a new car. It is a better product for an older car than a new car. IMO much better to stay with the OEM oil brand.
Yes, Cadillac is now using a Mobile 1 transmission fluid in the 2016-2018 CT6 to help with the shudder and harsh shift of some of the transmissions but there is a good reason for that.

It may be that Mobil 1 is the factory fill as it is in Corvettes; even if it isn’t, full synthetic is better than conventional oil every time.

 

[MHT]

It may be that Mobil 1 is the factory fill as it is in Corvettes; even if it isn’t, full synthetic is better than conventional oil every time.

I guess things have changed as there was a time when full synthetic was not recommended for new cars. I know that Mobil 1 was not a factory fill for my 2017 CT6 and I am doubtful if it is for my 2019 XTS.
There was a time when the use of full synthetic oil in some new cars caused the engine to leak oil.

 

[Mutoidman]

As far as brand there are as many opinions on the brand of oil to use as there are oils. THE MOST IMPORTANT PART is that the oil is Dexos approved (https://www.gmdexos.com/owner/brands/dexos1/index.html) Just because an oil claims it meets the Dexos standards does not mean it is an approved oil!

Not to get into a whose-brand-of-lubrication-is-best contest:

Dexos-approved just means the oil could’ve just met the minimum standard and they paid GM to use the logo, nothing more.

Anybody want to buy Amazon or BestBuy-branded oil? Not I.

Remember that Mobil’s synthetic ATF was Dextron HP-approved, but as it had a tendency to adsorb moisture they still had to re-formulate it.

My car has only 38k miles on it, and the tech just called me to say he was surprised at how dark the existing old-formula Mobil 1 ATF was when they drained it. Glad I’m replacing it early!

Frankly, I used to use Mobil 1 until I did some research and discovered it’s basically the Budweiser of oil - ubiquity does not necessarily equate with superiority; it just means they have the biggest advertising budget and the most distribution muscle.

 

[ricktherealtor1]

I guess things have changed as there was a time when full synthetic was not recommended for new cars. I know that Mobil 1 was not a factory fill for my 2017 CT6 and I am doubtful if it is for my 2019 XTS.
There was a time when the use of full synthetic oil in some new cars caused the engine to leak oil.

The day I changed my oil on my 2000 Deville DTS hi output to full synthetic, I started to leak like the Exxon Valdez. Playing with oil is a risky venture. Everyone has an opinion. My current XTS V Sport goes to the Caddy dealer for service and they only put synthetic blend in it. I asked why not full syn, and they said this is what Cadillac recommends. My thoughts are that a blend is like adding half water to your beer. Why would you do that?

 

[KRDCAD]

My thoughts are that a blend is like adding half water to your beer. Why would you do that?

Because it cost less

 

[Mutoidman]

The day I changed my oil on my 2000 Deville DTS hi output to full synthetic, I started to leak like the Exxon Valdez. Playing with oil is a risky venture.

I find what happened to your DTS nonplussing as my experience with full synthetic motor oil has been completely positive.

I ran my 1996 Impala SS on Mobil 1 for a few years before switching to Amsoil Signature Series oil and EaO filter and had no issues.

My 2001 Tahoe LS only ever ran with Amsoil Signature Series up until I sold it when I bought my CT6. I changed the oil once a year for 15 years - using an Amsoil EaO filter - and it ran like top. My mechanic bought my Tahoe for his wife because he knew the engine was in great shape.

My wife’s 2015 Terrain Denali AWD has been switched to Amsoil for the oil, filter, ATF, differential lube, and transfer case lube for two years. It runs and shifts smooth as can be.

Now, I’m fully expecting to continue the positive experience after switching the oil, filter, ATF, and differential lube in my CT6 to Amsoil.

 

[marktanner]

Supposedly, a well worn engine using regular oil will have some ring shrinkage and subsequent oil burning and leakage if switched to fully synthetic, but it won't happen if synthetic is always used.
My ATS-V kept giving oil change warnings around every 3000 miles or less. I didn't think that was normal and reported it to the dealer. Since that last oil change, it's been over 6000 miles and it just got to 40%. I wonder if there is a mode change after the first change, and it didn't happen until they manually changed it. I certainly haven't been driving any differently.

 

[dbldpr]

I get free oil changes for 2 years from the dealer I bought from. Free is better than paying. I like free

 

[Mutoidman]

I get free oil changes for 2 years from the dealer I bought from. Free is better than paying. I like free

You get what you pay for.

 

[NewYorkBill]

I haven't changed oil myself since I was 16 and broke. 14 vehicles later and still no problems with professionals doing it at dealerships.

The 2016-18 owners enjoy free tire rotations and oil changes while the perk has been scaled back for the 19's . . . one free maintenance visit. After that, we pay, though it's relatively inexpensive and quick.

 

[RobertR]

I did for awhile let the quick lube centers change my oil until they didn't tighten the drain plug and I had oil on my driveway. I also went to a dealer or 2 over the years, most of the times a problem, if not grease on the seat, a lug nut was not tightened properly and spun off.

I have a peace of mind doing it myself, I own a lift and appreciate being able to inspect the under carriage when the car is up.

Regarding the use of Mobil 1, the brand of choice for my cars for 25 years. Typically change the oil even sooner than 2300 miles. Never have a had an engine leak, have had Corvette's, Viper's, many different Chrysler products with Hemi's and have a CTS-V. All have Mobil 1. The service manager at the Cadillac dealer I do business with says he would put Mobil 1 in the vehicle but would have to charge for the difference.

All the dealerships I do business with have a understanding the free oil changes for the life of the vehicle I will not take advantage of.

It's not the cost gentlemen -- it's the peace of mind and convenience. I change the oil in a vehicle and it takes 20 to 30 minutes including inspecting and wiping the undercarriage. No big deal.

 

[DeadBirdDog]

Changing modern, synthetic oil at 2000 mile intervals is simply wasteful, not prudent. Even factoring out the cost aspect, there is ZERO benefit to this. It's a waste of resources.

 

[RobertR]

Changing modern, synthetic oil at 2000 mile intervals is simply wasteful, not prudent. Even factoring out the cost aspect, there is ZERO benefit to this. It's a waste of resources.

DeadBirdDog I did not use the word "interval", you did. I typically want to remove the original factory oil with any possible break in particulates. After that it's what the oil life system calls for or 12 months. Hope this helps clear this up for you.