2011 Yukon XL Denali. It appears that this 2011 - like the 2005 we previously had - only is programmed for a 3000 mile oil change warning. Of course with semi-synthetic oil the interval is more like 6000 miles, and with full synthetic like 12,000 miles. I know how to re-set the interval, but that's different, and a "workaround".

Is there a way to change this default interval since we use full synthetic oil? Would be great to change that to 6000 or 10,000, or 12,000 miles. I know some folks will say this isn't mileage-based but that the GMC "knows" when it's time to change the oil. The only real benefit of synthetic oil is the larger oil change interval, I don't care if the GMC "likes" me better or not.

Thanks.

 

to each there own. i would not go over the interval. I see oil consumption, worn rocker arms, lifter noise, clogged vvt actuator screens, stretched timing chains, bearing and journal failures and its ALWAYS from drivers who extend the interval. Regardless of all the great properties of syn oil....there is still particles in suspension, water dilution from ethanol in the fuel and combustion and the detergents and additives don't last longer. Oil changes are cheap, engines aren't. there is a reason gm olm algorithm was brought back down.

 

So is it just an automatic 3000 mile interval, or does it monitor driving habits? I know our 05 Suburban went well over 3k between changes - in hind sight, wish we had changed oil more often.

 

My '11 Tahoe 5.3 goes on average 6000 to 7500 miles on the OLM depending on the time of year. Less in winter due to colder temps and more warm up idling time. It has been behaving that way over the last 100k miles I've had it. At 135k now.
System does not know what type of oil is in it. It calculates on rpm, run time, temperature, and average load percentage. Lots of towing will lower the mileage interval.
I only use full synthetic WM SuperTech in it and change it by the OLM. Oils cheap and not worth extending it more than the OLM says.
Took my old '99 Yukon 5.7 over 200k miles that way and sold it running fine using less than a qt. between changes.

 

OK, I understand better. Especially with the AFM system these engines have, I now agree to NOT extend the oil change interval with full synthetic oil, thanks for the input.

I already have 6 qts. full synthetic oil and an oil filter, will change that before Mrs. Cusser takes a 500 mile trip in mid-January.

 

I've been using the Range AFM eliminator in my truck since I got it. Loses about 1 mpg highway with it installed.
With the know AFM lifter issues I went with it and using a full synthetic oil from the day I bought it. I'm a 200k miles kind of guy.

 

Repairman 54 - may I ask two questions of you?
1. What year is yours?
2. Would you recommend Range AFM eliminator for a 2011 6.2 liter with 80K miles on it, like are the 2011 models more "sturdy" ?

 

Checking some rating sites, it seems the '11 is a well-made truck. at least not a lot of complaints.
Mine is a '11 with the 5.3 motor. I would run an AFM eliminator and only full synthetic oil in any GM V8 motor with it. Some folks have had no problems with the AFM running but a lot of people have had cam and lifter issues. I myself want to go at least 200k miles without doing any engine work other than maintenance.

 

The 2011 with the 6.2l does not have AFM. There is no reason to run an AFM eliminator.

 

Can you supply documentation for this?

1. Its owner's manual has section on AFM.
2. I chose the correct page on the Driver Information Center screen and I could see it change from V8 to V4 once at speed and not accelerating.