CT5-V Oil Change Report/Health

[LongGrayLine16]

So, I am 5 oil changes into nearly 3 years of ownership and just less than 16k miles. I have done oil change analysis reports for each change and probably have enough data at this point to see that the engine and components are generally broken in. On the 5th change (most recent), I also submitted the same sample to SPEEDiagnostix to see if there is any truth to who is the “better” service. Not sure they are worth 2-3x what Blackstone charges.

Does anyone else have any history they would like to share?

 

[alloy00]

I like Speed Diagnostix/Lake Speed Jr. but he/they are proud of their analysis. If you can do without the write-up's, I think the Oil Analyzers lab (available for purchase thru Amsoil website) is generally regarded as the best lab and bang-for-buck.

 

[LongGrayLine16]

I’ll have to look into the amsoil one. I’ll probably never do the SPEEDiagnostix again. Paying $100+ for the same info. And seeing how much they spend on packaging that literally gets thrown away. Just seems like a general waste.

 

[pmsteinm]

I did Blackstone once on my V2 at 100,000 miles. Things looked fine but they had no trend info. With my new car I get it done every change, so I'll have lots of data when the warranty runs out. It probably isn't necessary but its only $35 so why not.

 

[LongGrayLine16]

I did Blackstone once on my V2 at 100,000 miles. Things looked fine but they had no trend info. With my new car I get it done every change, so I'll have lots of data when the warranty runs out. It probably isn't necessary but its only $35 so why not.

Exactly. For the $35-45, it still costs less to do the change myself than taking it to a dealer/shop. And now I have literal history and records, and not just a receipt saying they changed the fluid.

 

[BigShark]

For $35 Blackstone is definitely worth it just for the peace of mind and trend data, especially on a performance car like the CT5-V. But if anyways, potential problems would be a headache of the new owner of the car (of course if you don't plan to keep it long)

 

[Argent86]

Exactly. For the $35-45, it still costs less to do the change myself than taking it to a dealer/shop. And now I have literal history and records, and not just a receipt saying they changed the fluid.

I was going to skip my 1st oil change Blackstone test (at 500mi) and save it for oil change #2. But, you make a good point about having literal history. I think, now, I'll send in the oil I saved from change #1, will pour it out from the oil filter I saved.

Might have to try that Amsoil test - in fact, I'll do both the Blackstone and the Amsoil report at change #2.

 

[alloy00]

Here are my first two. The oil nerds say that UOA's for the first few changes are uselsess because engine isn't broken in, there's so much assembly silicon, etc. But like you all, I wanted records from the very beginning. I'm using Mobil 1 0w40 ESP X4. It's now DexosR approved, has more viscosity and higher HTHS than Supercar 0w40, and costs about half the price. Can often get 5 quarts + filter from AutoZone on special for about $40. The filter is not compatible but you can return it when you pick up the oil (and even if not it's still cheaper per quart than Supercar). After returning the filter, oil is $5-6/qt; and I buy the PF64's from Amazon.

 

[LongGrayLine16]

I'm using Mobil 1 0w40 ESP X4. It's now DexosR approved, has more viscosity and higher HTHS than Supercar 0w40, and costs about half the price. Can often get 5 quarts + filter from AutoZone on special for about $40.

Shh!! Autozone is going to catch on and remove it from the promo list!