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2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
... AND I lived in Canada, I'd use Delvac 1 5W-40 & rely completely on the OLS monitor. (Here in Colorado M1 5W-40 is readily available & cheaper, & in warmer climates I'd only use M1 15W-50.) If they're requiring you to get an annual oil change, then THEY should be covering the costs, not you. If you're paying for it, get Delvac 1 (it's a better oil than M1 0W-40) & have them install it for you.
Keep in mind that part of this is determined by the engine & it's oil capacity. Is your '03 the SS or the convertible? If it's the SS, then it holds 50% more oil (6 liters) & has the latest version of GM's OLS programmed for turbos using synthetic oil. If it's the convertible, then it holds only 4 liters of oil & has a simple "time for service" light that's in no way tied to actual oil abuse.
Also keep in mind that the TSB is designed to instruct dealers on two points:
1) NOT to use a dino (conventional) or semi-syn oil when relying on the OLS, since there will be serious engine problems by doing so, &
2) which oil to use for service warranty reimbursement purposes.
As I mentioned earlier, #1 is partially concerned with warranty requirements. If you always change your oil when the OLS reaches 50%, then any full syn will do the job & GM-LL-A-025 (or anything better) is a moot point. But, since the SS has the advantage of holding more oil & monitoring via the OLS, why mess with changing "any full syn" more frequently? Use a better full syn & change it less.
As for #2, with a turbocharged Saab engine, I'd only ever use a premium full syn (like Mobil 1 or Amsoil) with a High Temperature/High Shear (HT/HS) rating appropriate for the HT/HS environment of a turbocharger. (HT/HS is all a turbo ever sees!) It doesn't matter if it's "covered" under warranty, semi-syn simply won't hold up as well as a premium full syn. During the warranty period on our '99 9³, I did all our oil changes 'cuz the dealer was clueless about the lesser oil's abilities to protect the engine & turbo.
Let us know what they say when you show 'em the TSB.
posted by 146.82.1...
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