Break in oil change?

[Chuck Schick]

Wonder if the dealer will do the complimentary oil change at 500-1000 miles for a break in oil change? Be nice to clean it out.

Then after the next change do a UOA and see what is going on...

 

[ScarabEpic22]

Probably depends on the dealer, mine offered the first one as complimentary. I took it in around 1000-1100mi mark IIRC for the first one then switched to Mobil 1 at 5k.

 

[jgrote]

Mine said no way. I'm at 4200 miles and I think I'm going to change it myself this weekend. I might not do the filter, but at least the oil. I can't wait 8000 miles for an oil change.

 

[$ub$onic]

Mine said no way. I'm at 4200 miles and I think I'm going to change it myself this weekend. I might not do the filter, but at least the oil. I can't wait 8000 miles for an oil change.

Change the filter! On a fresh motor it's almost as important as the oil. It would have collected all the little metal shavings.

 

[acamacho104]

Always change the filter. They're just cartridges and don't cost much. I can't think of a reason not to.

 

[sonic_braaappp]

did my first oil change at 7100 miles... lol switched to royal purple and dear lord, i can actually feel the difference the oil makes

 

[Chuck Schick]

I will probably use a semi synthetic like Quaker State. Dexos rated.

 

[The Champ]

did my first oil change at 7100 miles... lol switched to royal purple and dear lord, i can actually feel the difference the oil makes

From Royal Purple's website:

Enhanced additive technology prevents metal-to-metal contact beyond both dexos1™* and ILSAC GF-5 specs

They claim it's better - but they don't have the Dexos1 certification.

Which means that you could be risking warranty coverage on your motor by running an oil that is not a certified Dexos1 approved oil.

Now I'm not trying to say that RP is bad oil. But it's one thing to claim something and another thing to be certified.

There are plenty of Dexos1 certified motor oils out there. I only use certified oils in my 2011 or newer GM products. A certified oil will have a logo similar to this prominently displayed on the label.

or

RP 5W30 container:

Other brands with the certification logo:

 

[River_Rat]

Personally, I use "dexos1 certified" oil (Mobil-1 Synthetic) because it is plenty good enough and in the right price range ($25-$28). Maybe the label gives me the warm fuzzies, I don't know. But I certainly wouldn't worry about using non-certified oil that is equivalent to, or better than, dexos1 certified oil. The manual recommends dexos1, but it does not require it.

Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is recommended.

Sonic Owner's Manual

In the rather unlikely event that Royal Purple (or any other oil, for that matter) actually caused engine damage, well then RP should have your back.

If a Royal Purple lubricant is shown to have caused damage to an engine, engine component, or automotive system, Royal Purple, will replace the defective lubricant and pay for the reasonable cost of repair or replacement of the affected engine, engine component, or automotive system.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL APPLY ONLY UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
The lubricant was used in accordance with any Royal Purple product instructions;
The vehicle is using the appropriate Royal Purple lubricant type recommended by the OEM and was using such Royal Purple lubricant at the time of any engine or component failure;
Vehicle has been reasonably maintained and maintenance has been performed within the vehicle’s OEM recommended schedule or the written instructions of Royal Purple;
The vehicle has never been used for a commercial or agricultural purpose; and
The vehicle has never been used in racing or competitive events.

Outperformer Pledge for Lubricants | Royal Purple - Synthetic Motor Oil & Performance Lubricants

 

[Chuck Schick]

When we bought our 2012 Traverse I asked the service writer how to prove we used the properly rated oil, in the event of engine problems. He said to keep receipts or labels from the oil box.

I started using the Quaker State because Menards sells it, and usually has it on rebate.

 

[The Champ]

The vehicle is using the appropriate Royal Purple lubricant type recommended by the OEM and was using such Royal Purple lubricant at the time of any engine or component failure;

As there is no Royal Purple lubricant that is certified by GM, there is no RP lubricant that is recommended by GM.

I'm not saying that RP wouldn't pay the claim - but there is a definite clause in their policy that would easily allow them to.

 

[River_Rat]

As there is no Royal Purple lubricant that is certified by GM, there is no RP lubricant that is recommended by GM.

I'm not saying that RP wouldn't pay the claim - but there is a definite clause in their policy that would easily allow them to.

You have made an arguable point. However, you only bolded "recommended by the OEM" when the phrase in its context reads "Royal Purple lubricant type recommended by the OEM."

The language does not require that a lubricant be a specific lubricant formulation recommended by an OEM, which would be quite silly since OEMs do not (to my knowledge) recommend RP.

In our case, the OEM has recommended a "lubricant type," such type being "engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of the proper SAE viscosity grade [5w-30]."

It would be a pretty tough sell for Royal Purple to claim that their oil exceeds dexos specs (the type recommended by the OEM) and then turn around and then deny warranty coverage on the ground that their oil is not the "lubricant type recommended by the OEM." This is, of course, assuming that the oil in question is correct "SAE viscosity grade" recommended by the OEM.

Again, you have an arguable point based on the ambiguous language used by RP in their policy. In the end, however, I believe that such ambiguity should be resolved against RP and likely would be if it ever came down to it. See Contra proferentem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[ChrisJ]

Another one of these threads?

No, the dealer will not do a "break in oil change" as they are neither required by the manufacturer or necessary. GM, the manufacturer of the engine who backs it with a 100,000 mile warranty says you do not need to do any such change.

I changed the oil in my Sonic at 700 miles and it was a complete waste as the oil looked brand new. Don't remember when I did the first change in the Cruze but I know I cared a lot less.

This is not the 1950s and break in oil changes and 3000 mile oil changes are not required any more than changing spark plugs every 10,000 miles.

 

[Chuck Schick]

I think this is the first time I have seen anyone say avoid a break in oil change on a new motor....I do see your point.

My 1954 Plymouth 230 engine has the sloppiest tolerances, clanking, and sounds like a sewing machine(which is good). The Mopar factory manual recommends a break in oil change at 1000 miles.

Fast forward to a new 2014 engine, that requires a Dexos spec, so the oil will not foam, and cause wear because of the tight tolerances.

With tighter tolerances, would it not be better to rid the engine of debris upon break in?

You are correct, the owners manual only discusses a engine break in period, but not an oil change.

 

[The Champ]

It would be a pretty tough sell for Royal Purple to claim that their oil exceeds dexos specs (the type recommended by the OEM) and then turn around and then deny warranty coverage on the ground that their oil is not the "lubricant type recommended by the OEM." This is, of course, assuming that the oil in question is correct "SAE viscosity grade" recommended by the OEM.

That's why I said that I posted "I'm not saying that RP wouldn't pay the claim..."

The part that I didn't say, but expected would be understood, is that GM could very well void their 100,000 mile warranty for failure to utilize a Dexos1 certified oil.

I guess I can't see taking the chance that my oil would prevent me from having an engine failure covered by the factory warranty and then having to hope that the failure could be documented to be caused by Royal Purple's oil.

They may ultimately cover the claim - but how long does it take to get this all resolved and get your car back on the road?

Much easier to use a high quality certified oil and not have to worry about how a potential claim would be handled.

 

[Chuck Schick]

Suspicious of the whole oil warranty thing anyway. Short of sludge deposits under the cover, how could you prove it? Burned, worn bearings?

 

[pljenkins522]

There is effectively no "break in" period for this engine, nor has the engine been supplied with break-in oil specific to the task. The engine should not make significant metal and if it does it indicates a serious problem with the engine. Oil changes should be made when the oil life indication in the car dictates it. Nothing stopping you from changing it before that happens, but it's a waste of money to do so. And ALWAYS ALWAYS, and just to be clear, ALWAYS change the oil filter when you change the oil. Failure to do so it inviting all sorts of badness to happen all for want of saving yourself 5 bucks. You went to the effort of taking off the rock guard under the engine already, might as well go the distance!

Obviously, checking your fluids every time you fuel the car is prudent and is a great way to inspect everything under the hood regularly.