New here and...lube question.

RickZRX · Post by **RickZRX** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 7:32 am

...new to Chevy's ( I have 4 old Ford's in the front yard). Just bought an '03 ZR5.
Been reading up some & looks like I'll be throwing new rotor, cap, plugs etc on it. (Niehoff)
Now the lube question..
Going to run it on Mobil1, but which grade? not a fan of the "energy saving water like crap" my ex wifes Corolla used & I live in the Mojave so 110deg at this time of year is considered mild...probably something "thick"

Had a look at the fluids this morning & all appear clean/fresh so I'll run it as for 3K miles & then change engine/tranny, diffs etc & want to go full synthetic everywhere.... so what do I need to buy? (Wix filters is a given) Recovering from shoulder surgery last week so it's gonna be a while before I can do stuff anyway, but may as well get the supplies in so I have em on hand.

Actually not totally "new" to Chevy's, I used to have a former USAF aircraft refueller based on the '52 pick up with a 500 gallon tank on the back...wish I'd kept that

& how the hell do I turn off those annoying daytime running lights??

Any other advice/tips would be welcome... (especially regarding fuel consumption..):)

Here's a pic:

Link't image. 100k limit-HJ

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 7:47 am

Welcome

I can't help you with the synthetics as there are others here more versed in that topic.

A SEARCH Will reveal the answer to the DRL question, or you can just push the dome light dimmer several time, it will chime and they will be off.

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 9:09 am

Welcome to the forum RickZRX.

I use 5W/30 Mobil 1 in the winter, and 10W30 Mobil 1 in the summer.

If it doesn't get very cold where you live, then you can just run 10W/30 year round.

As far as oil filters go, I like to use K&N oil filters. They are very high quality and are probably the best oil filters currently made. If want to use one then get part # 2001.

I have heard that Mobil filters are good also. Don't use Fram oil filters!

In the front and rear differentials I use Redline synthetic Shockproof gear oil. I also use Redline high temp synthetic ATF in my transfer case.

DO NOT use any sort of synthetic ATF in the transmission.

It will only lead to major problems down the road.

Stick with a name brand regular ATF instead. As far as transmission filters go, I only use original GM filters.

I also use GM fuel filters since Fram has been known for its failures.

Did I mention not to use anything made by Fram!

Steve

RickZRX · Post by **RickZRX** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 9:18 am

We have 30-40deg temp swings between daytime & night here so it can be 80at lunch time & 40deg at midnight... & in Winter in gets down in the 20's or lower.
I already avoid Fram so I'm ahead of ya there

So ya saying *normal* atf in the tranny but synthetic in the transfer case? Hmm.. ok...
I'll pick up a GM tranny filter sometime this week.

Picked up some Royal Purple gear oil for the diffs & some synthetic ATF for the transcase.

Ya think the 10-30 is better than 10-40?

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 9:47 am

RickZRX wrote:We have 30-40deg temp swings between daytime & night here so it can be 80at lunch time & 40deg at midnight... & in Winter in gets down in the 20's or lower.

I think the 10W/30 summer and 5W/30 winter schedule would work well for you, although it would still be ok to run 10W/30 year round.

So ya saying *normal* atf in the tranny but synthetic in the transfer case? Hmm.. ok...

Yes, the tranny has clutches that will get burned up by the slippery synthetic ATF, while the transfer case doesn't have any clutches so synthetic ATF will work fine there.

Picked up some Royal Purple gear oil for the diffs & some synthetic ATF for the transcase.

Royal Purple, Redline, and Amsoil are the top 3 synthetic oil producers.

Ya think the 10-30 is better than 10-40?

I think so, but I don't see any problem using 10W/40 if that's what you like.

Steve

RickZRX · Post by **RickZRX** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:07 am

I checked the Haynes Book Of Lies & it says 10-30 so thats what I went with (RP).

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 4:10 pm

go with amsoil
heres a linkA M S O I L

RickZRX · Post by **RickZRX** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 4:33 pm

jeff024 wrote:go with amsoil

I probably would if I could just pick it up at a local store...but around here it involves emails, phone calls & then waiting in for it to be dropped off etc & I don't have that much patience

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 4:38 pm

try here rick it will give you local dealers
DEALERS CLOSE TO YOU

RickZRX · Post by **RickZRX** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:15 pm

Had a look at that link, it provides one guy the other side of town in gangbanger central

BobbleSmitty · Post by **BobbleSmitty** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 6:02 pm

Welcome to the site! Where are you from??

RickZRX · Post by **RickZRX** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 10:29 pm

Antelope Valley Ca.

Just found out I have what I assume are oversize tires, 30x9.5's?

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:59 am

RickZRX wrote:Antelope Valley Ca.

Just found out I have what I assume are oversize tires, 30x9.5's?

not sure about oversized but yes they are larger then what came stock,I think the stock 275/35s were like 29.5s

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:55 am

jeff024 wrote:
RickZRX wrote:Antelope Valley Ca.

Just found out I have what I assume are oversize tires, 30x9.5's?
not sure about oversized but yes they are larger then what came stock,I think the stock 275/35s were like 29.5s

Um, the stock size tires are 235/75R15 with a 28.7" diameter.

Steve

RickZRX · Post by **RickZRX** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:23 am

Ah, so not exactly "overly huge" then

They're Goodyear Wranglers, I've also heard good things about some Bridgestone who's name escapes me right now.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:31 am

killian96ss wrote:...the stock size tires are 235/75R15 with a 28.7" diameter.

Close. That (235/75R15) is the correct size for the optional offroad tires.
The stock tire size is 235/70-15 with a 27.9" diameter

gairbear · Post by **gairbear** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:49 am

I'm sorry to hear you have goodyear's I had nothing but bad experiences with those tires...BFG's are the way to go IMO

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:44 am

HenryJ wrote:
killian96ss wrote:...the stock size tires are 235/75R15 with a 28.7" diameter.
Close. That (235/75R15) is the correct size for the optional offroad tires.
The stock tire size is 235/70-15 with a 27.9" diameter

Well, I almost got it right.

I was recently looking at tires for the Blazer and it has 235/75's stock. I must have had the "75" stuck in my head.

Steve

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:46 am

gairbear wrote:I'm sorry to hear you have goodyear's I had nothing but bad experiences with those tires...BFG's are the way to go IMO

I guess it depends on what style Wranglers they are.

My MT/R's are the best tires I have ever owned and they put the BFG's to shame.

Steve

gairbear · Post by **gairbear** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 2:47 pm

Well I'm pretty sure mine weren't MT/R's...not really sure what they were...could've been the low end tires.....ida know

RickZRX · Post by **RickZRX** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:59 am

ok, got all the oily liquids I need, now it appears it's advisable to junk the dexcool & go with green stuff....

& my bloody grease gun has buggered off someplace so I need to go buy a new one of those...& some goop to go in it...

Anything else I need to know?

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:40 am

a flush kit to get all the Dex out and remove the overflow tank to get it all outta there

RickZRX · Post by **RickZRX** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 7:03 am

Okee doke.
Thinking of throwing one of these hoods on it:
http://www.goodmarkindustries.com/grphx ... 0COLOR.jpg

& what the heck are those plastic thingiemagummers on the rear pillars where the seatbelts hang? 2 bits of plastic joined by a peiece of elastic..

One of either side of the cab...

Also: that black(?) plastic grill part on mine looks like crap, probably going to refinish that part.

Steve2003 · Post by **Steve2003** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 8:38 am

cowl hood

Snoman002 · Post by **Snoman002** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:25 am

RickZRX wrote:
& what the heck are those plastic thingiemagummers on the rear pillars where the seatbelts hang? 2 bits of plastic joined by a peiece of elastic.. One of either side of the cab...

Our Bravada has those too.

I do believe that those are for the seatbelts, to pull the shoulder strap down for smaller kids so it does not rub their neck.

I think.