How much oil does your h2 burn?

[pdxrealtor]

How much and in how many miles?

Mine seems to be burning 1/2 court every 3k or so.

I fill it with six quarts and new filter at oil change time. I've read the 6.0 vortec is known for burning oil, but Lojac just said his doesn't burn any.

I only have 76k on the truck

[HummerMann]

My 2007 SUT has 132,000 miles on it, mostly highway miles, but some towing too, and I change the oil every 5,000 miles with Mobil 1 synthetic. It uses about a half quart every 5000 miles.

[pdxrealtor]

Originally Posted by HummerMann

My 2007 SUT has 132,000 miles on it, mostly highway miles, but some towing too, and I change the oil every 5,000 miles with Mobil 1 synthetic. It uses about a half quart every 5000 miles.

That what I thought mine was going also. Then I added a half court half way through the oil change and now 3k later it's down again.

It's almost like I don't go through any oil unless it's topped off to full capacity.

I'm going to pay attention a bit more closely this time. I went ahead and got Royal purple. I couldn't stomach the conventional just yet. Plus, RP just came out with a high mileage oil I might try next time around. Although the way the motor has been maintained I don't see why it would need a high mileage motor.

[HummerJim]

I'm on my third H2 and have never had an oil issue except for my 2003, that I bought new. It used a little over a half quart the first 2000 miles and then never used any oil after that. My current 2006 has 45,000 miles and has never used any oil except when we head up to the cabin on those very steep dirt roads, probably splashes up on the crank - the road isn't like Moab, but it's close and the main reason I've always had Hummers. I change the oil every 3000 miles and use Valvoline Synthetic, although I used to use Mobil 1.
Afterthought
I also had a 2006 H3 that did a little better on the trail because of it's narrower width and MTR tires, however it just couldn't carry enough of my wife's "stuff" back and forth to the cabin. That I 5 never used any oil.

[Egan]

I just changed my oil yesterday. It had been 8 months and 3,000 miles (miles are higher than that due to 37" tires). Put in 6 quarts plus a new filter. When I poured the old oil into the 5 qt container, it filled it to the brim. So I'm burning somewhat less than a quart, probably close to half a quart.

[pdxrealtor]

I'm going to change the oil today, and keep a close eye on things.

It seems I might be burning oil only when I'm topped off to the full mark. Once down a dot on the dipstick I don't seem to be burning any oil.

Again, going to confirm....

[LoJac963]

That's how my tranny is. If I top it off it will leak like it has a bullet hole in it. Once the level falls slightly under the top mark it never leaks.

[pdxrealtor]

Well I poured the old oil into the 5qt bottle the new oil came in and filled it, but that's it. So, I was a quart down.

I've got it filled and double checked the level after letting it sit all night.

I'll do a check every 500 miles, and see when the oil is disappearing. Then, next oil change, I'll try a conventional oil to see if it still disappears.

Does the DIC actually analyze the oil condition or just recommend change time based on monitoring the driving? I'm wondering if I stick conventional in there if the DIC will still tell me to change the oil at the same time as if there was synthetic in there.

[Egan]

Originally Posted by pdxrealtor

Well I poured the old oil into the 5qt bottle the new oil came in and filled it, but that's it. So, I was a quart down.

I've got it filled and double checked the level after letting it sit all night.

I'll do a check every 500 miles, and see when the oil is disappearing. Then, next oil change, I'll try a conventional oil to see if it still disappears.

Does the DIC actually analyze the oil condition or just recommend change time based on monitoring the driving? I'm wondering if I stick conventional in there if the DIC will still tell me to change the oil at the same time as if there was synthetic in there.

I'm pretty sure it is just a simple mileage calculation. My oil was pretty dark, but I only had 3,000 miles between changes (been riding my bike to work most days for the last 7 months), and the DIC never tripped (I have to remember to reset it).

[pdxrealtor]

Just mileage? It has to consider hwy vs. stop and go and I would think a few other traceable driving metrics.

It's concerning to think I could have put in generic oil and gone 6800 miles between changes per GM's recommendation. OUCH.....

[Egan]

Originally Posted by pdxrealtor

Just mileage? It has to consider hwy vs. stop and go and I would think a few other traceable driving metrics.

It's concerning to think I could have put in generic oil and gone 6800 miles between changes per GM's recommendation. OUCH.....

From the GM FAQ:

How does the system work?
The GM Oil Life Monitor System is not a mileage counter. It is actually a computer based software algorithm that determines when to change oil based on engine operating conditions. There is no actual oil condition sensor. Rather, the computer continuously monitors engine-operating conditions to determine when to change oil. Over the years, millions of test miles have been accumulated to calibrate the system for a variety of vehicles. The system was first introduced in 1988 and is now on more than 10 million GM vehicles.

[Egan]

And to answer your question on dino vs synthetic:

Do I have to use special oil?
The GM Oil Life Monitor System is calibrated for use with standard ?Starburst? mineral based automotive engine oil. Synthetic oils are not required except for the Corvette. Make sure to read the owner?s manual and select the viscosity and oil grade that is correct for your engine. Any oil selected for use should carry the ILSAC ?Starburst?.

[Egan]

Here's a pdf with all of the oil system FAQ's