SRX oil consumption

Non-repair car talk
kevm14
Posts: 16025
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: SRX oil consumption

Post by kevm14 »

kevm14 wrote:I've been keeping my eye on it, here and there. I finally remembered to check it again. It took a full quart and could probably take another 1/3rd quart to bring it up to the top of the dipstick. It has been a little over 4,000 miles. For a Northstar at about 100k, I presume this is satisfactory.

Other specs: engine oil life is 71% remaining, which translates to an incredible 14,000 mile oil change interval. Which I definitely won't be doing. Also, this thing takes a full 8 quarts, which means even 5,000 mile oil changes are overkill. I think the soonest I'd even consider it is 7,000.

Of course I added M1 5W-30 since I assume that's what's in there. It is an M1 factory fill like my CTS-V, and says so on the oil cap - which means GM4718M oil spec is required. Unless Barry's just added whatever. I'll probably switch to GC 0W-30 but that will sure be an expensive oil change. Almost makes me consider getting two 5 qt jugs of M1 at Wally World since the cost savings would be so significant.
Just an update I guess. Did my second oil change on the SRX since purchase. The first one was in mid November 2015 at 98,106 miles. I stretched this one to today, which is 11 months and 9,645 miles. Oil life indicator showed 38% oil life remaining! That translates to a ridiculous 15,500 mile oil change interval. It does hold 8 quarts, and does also take another 2+ quarts across the interval. Plus, it calls for fancy synthetic so it kind of makes sense. I did switch to GC 0W-30 purchased via Amazon Prime, and there was a 20% off sale. So I bought 3 cases of 6 quarts, at $6.66/qt which is a very good price.

I guess I could just do 12 month oil changes at this point on this vehicle. That's kind of cool.

Side note: I took it for a spin around town after the wheel bearing and again after the oil change. This engine does run very well, feels strong, and is extremely smooth. A RWD STS with the Northstar (same as the SRX) would be a very nice car to drive, being lighter and lower.
kevm14
Posts: 16025
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: SRX oil consumption

Post by kevm14 »

1,600 miles into this oil change after switching to GC 0W-30 and the oil is still at the top of the dipstick. Too early to tell but this is looking like less oil consumption than on the M1 5W-30.
kevm14
Posts: 16025
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: SRX oil consumption

Post by kevm14 »

2,650 miles and still like 3/4 up the dipstick. Pretty sure this is better than the M1 was. I love GC 0W-30.
kevm14
Posts: 16025
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: SRX oil consumption

Post by kevm14 »

3,850 miles in and it is almost 1 qt down. Which would put it about the same as M1. Damn I thought I had something here. No matter, I am sticking with GC. Still sounds better on cold starts.
kevm14
Posts: 16025
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: SRX oil consumption

Post by kevm14 »

kevm14 wrote:3,850 miles in and it is almost 1 qt down. Which would put it about the same as M1. Damn I thought I had something here. No matter, I am sticking with GC. Still sounds better on cold starts.
I may have checked before the oil has run back to the sump. I just checked now and at 4,000 miles it is 1/3rd up the dipstick. Meaning GC may have stretched a quart another 1,000 miles. I will keep tabs.
kevm14
Posts: 16025
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: SRX oil consumption

Post by kevm14 »

Added the quart at 4,600 miles into this oil change. Mileage is 112k. We bought it at a little under 92k so about 20k on it since March 2015. Which is similar to the mileage I've put on my CTS-V since July 2010...
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