I dont know too much on the engine in the Traverse _ i have not purchased one yet.
But I do have an 03 Trailblazer. I will hit 145,000 today. I have 10,571 on the oil so far. No make up oil. I dont have the DIC on this vehicle- but only the Change oil light. But from all the miles ive put on this vehicle- I know that pretty soon the light will come on.
I have no problem with the engine going 10-11,000 miles- AND using regular Dino oil... no synthetic here.
This engine also takes 7 quarts with filter change.
This has been a remarkable engine. Ive always done these long oil changes. it still idles smooth. plenty of power etc.
And- I live in Southern california- which means I get stuck in rush hour traffic.... so I guess you can say it sees some heavy duty stop and go.
But I trust the OLM for the Inline 6. For fun, im going to have an oil analysis done on the oil when I change it out at 145,000.
the last oil analysis was at 104,000.
Now we need to see more oil analysis for the Traverse engines.
for comparisons---- lets take 2 Trailblazers. I6 who travel- 21,000 miles a year.
that owner does 3000 mile oil changes. at 7 quarts per oil change... thats 7 oil changes.
7 oil changes x 7 quarts = 49 quarts of oil.........
ME: 10,500 mile oil changes= 2 oil changes. 14 quarts used.
49-14= 35====the other owner used 35 more quarts of oil....in 1 year.
multiply those 35 quarts by several hundred thousand trailblazer owners....
thats alot of oil..
Theres members over on the trailblazer forums- who change their SYNTHETIC oil at 3000 miles--- to me thats crazy.
but the oil consumption does add up.
most of the people who say they wouldnt go past 3000 miles-- have never had their oil analyzed.
so like I said- ill have the oil analyzed- and see how that report looks.
if it looks good- ill continue driving-- and then purchase the Traverse- and hand the TB to my dad.
if it doesnt look good--- ill trade it in and be happy with the 150,000/ 7 yrs of great usage I have gotten from it.