[Mrdestination28]

My service manager assures me that I don't need to change it until 5K miles but I am not sure because apparently the first oil change is usually done early on at around 1.5-2k miles....

 

[Z71]

You are good for at least 5,000 miles. Changing the oil early is just a waste of money and oil.

 

[smithb]

Even though I am only 30, I've always heard you should change your oil after the first 500-1000 miles to get rid of all the junk in the motor from break-in. From what I understand, this may have been true from 30+ years ago (like people that think a less restrictive air filter gives better gas mileage), but now engines are manufactured so much better there aren't bits of metal floating around in the oil, oil filters are better, and I've also heard oil formulation is different. Maybe someone that knows for sure can help, but I know they've cut back on zinc-dialkyl-dithiophosphate (anti-wear agent), that cloggs the catalytic converter, from around 1,200 ppm to 800 ppm now, but the factory oil has a higher concentration to help with break in. Does anyone know if that is true?

Anyway, my CTS is the first car of 4 I haven't changed the oil right away. I did change the filter though to a K&N filter (that was the only high performance oil filter at the time, but I am not sure about now). I would prefer to buy a Mobile 1, but I don't know if they make one that fits yet.

That's just my 2 cents.

 

[cts2008lover]

I had free 1000 mile check up at 1500 miles (No Oil Change),
first oil change at ~5300 miles (free) and
second oil change at ~12500 miles with state inspection.

Runs As New.
However, my dealer had charged ~$60 for part and ~$30 for labor.

My Lexus and Nissan I had first oil change at ~1000 miles.

 

[cafpaf]

I have a saying with my friends and family that is, "Did you read the book?" The owner's manual tells you to have the first service performed at 5000 miles and then to follow the oil life monitor recommendation. However, it also stated that regardless of what the oil life monitor states, the oil should be changes at least once per year. There is a wealth of information there if we would only take the time to read it. My wife and my brother always find it easier to ask rather than search and that is where my frequent saying comes from.

 

[bobelew]

I have always made my first oil change before 1000 miles. The CTS was no exception. I did find quite a bit of mill scale within the filter. It is just an easy way to clean out all of the gunk out of the engine. Will it damage the engine if you don't, probably nothing of any consequence, but I just feel more comfortable getting all of the junk out of the system early. From my experience, most of the mill scale will be trapped in the filter by the 700 mile mark.

 

[Z71]

I have a saying with my friends and family that is, "Did you read the book?" The owner's manual tells you to have the first service performed at 5000 miles and then to follow the oil life monitor recommendation. However, it also stated that regardless of what the oil life monitor states, the oil should be changes at least once per year. There is a wealth of information there if we would only take the time to read it. My wife and my brother always find it easier to ask rather than search and that is where my frequent saying comes from.

I am looking in the manual right now and cannot find where it says to service it at 5,000 miles?? Its does not say that!

Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when
to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work properly, the system must
be reset every time the oil is changed.

When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A Change Engine Oil Soon message comes on. See DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-57. Change the oil
as soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km).
It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions, the
oil life system might not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and
filter must be changed at least once a year and at this
time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained service people who will perform this work using
genuine parts and reset the system. It is also important to
check the oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed

Scheduled Maintenance
To maintain the ride, handling, and performance of this
vehicle, it is important that the first tire rotation service
be performed when the vehicle has 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). Check tires for inflation pressures
and wear. See Tires on page 5-63. Rotate tires. See Tire
Inspection and Rotation on page 5-80 and “Tire Wear
Inspection” in At Least Once a Month on page 6-11.
When the Change Engine Oil Soon message
displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC), service
is required for the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced as
soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km).
It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions,
the engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle
service is necessary for over a year. However, the engine
oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer
has trained service technicians who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system.

If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
the last service. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See Engine Oil Life System
on page 5-21 for information on the Engine Oil Life
System and resetting the system.
When the Change Engine Oil Soon message appears,
the following services, checks, and inspections are
required:
❑ Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oil on
page 5-18. Reset oil life system. See Engine Oil Life
System on page 5-21. An Emission Control Service.
❑ Visually check for any leaks or damage.
See footnote (k).
❑ Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace
filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
See footnote (l).
❑ Rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear.
See Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-80 and
“Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month on
page 6-11.
❑ Inspect brake system. See footnote (a).
❑ Check engine coolant and windshield washer fluid
levels and add fluid as needed.
❑ Perform any needed additional services.
See “Additional Required Services” in this section.
❑ Inspect suspension and steering components.
See footnote (b).
❑ Inspect engine cooling system. See footnote (c).
❑ Inspect wiper blades. See footnote (d).
❑ Inspect restraint system components.
See footnote (e).
❑ Lubricate body components. See footnote (f).

 

[cafpaf]

I apologize. I stand corrected! I should have double checked the manual myself prior to my previous post. The oil does have to be changed at least once per year unless the oil life monitor tells you to do so more frequently. I was confusing the tire rotation and the oil change requirements. Since I take the care to the dealer to do both the oil changes or tire rotation, I will be having the oil changed and the other services set forth in the prior post with each tire rotation. That will necessitate one less stop at the dealer and, for me, it will occur at approximately every 6000 to 7000 miles. Again, sorry for the incorrect post. However, I am glad to know that you "read the book."

 

[docestes]

I didn't change mine until the oil life monitor said to, which came at about 12,000 miles. This was very different from what I had always been taught in the past, but it's what the manual recommended. I've had the car 10 months and have changed the oil once.

 

[Ronster]

Whether you change the oil at 1000 or 10,000 miles, the important thing is to check the oil level, carefully, fairly often especially during "break-in". top off as needed but do not overfill. use the correct oil; there are different grades of synthetic and gm calls for the more stringent spec in the hfv6. the neat thing about this engine is you can change the oil filter any time you want, even without changing the oil. I did at 4k miles and topped off with a half quart of Mobil-1 at the time.
rg

 

[z06bigbird]

Anytime I see no oil left on dipstick, I change oil. LOL