GM’s Simplified Vehicle Maintenance Can Save the Environment

[Rob]

GM’s Simplified Vehicle Maintenance Can Save the Environment
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3000-Mile Oil Changes May be Unnecessary
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Grand Blanc, Mich. – How frequently should drivers change their engine oil? Most technicians will say 3,000 miles while others say 5,000 or 7,000. But ask Mr. Goodwrench and he’ll offer a simple solution – let your vehicle tell you when. By following this simple recommendation, consumers can protect their wallets and the environment from unnecessary oil changes, helping reduce pollution and conserve resources this Earth Day (April 22), which ironically falls within National Car Care Month.

GM’s award-winning Oil Life System (GMOLS) uses an algorithm that evaluates engine speed and temperature and the system informs the driver when to change the engine oil with a simple change oil message on the dash. By bringing their vehicle into the nearest GM Goodwrench dealership at this time drivers can double or even triple the time between oil changes when compared to the common industry recommendation of 3,000 miles.

Why it’s important
According to industry experts, oil changes can pose a significant environmental problem. The American Petroleum Institute estimates that more than 640 million gallons of motor oil are sold each year, about half of which is used by do-it-yourself oil changers. While gas stations, quick oil change shops and car dealerships generally follow good practices and return the used oil for recycling, only about a third of the do-it-yourselfers return used oil for recycling. That means hundreds of millions of gallons used motor oil are going unrecycled and often end up dumped on the ground, poured down storm sewers or sent to landfills.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that do-it-yourself oil changes are the single largest source of water pollution in the United States. Just one quart of improperly disposed used oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of water, enough to meet the needs of 50 people for a year.

"This car care season, we want owners of GM vehicles not to worry about deciding when to change their engine oil because leading-edge technology will determine the right time," said Peter Lord, executive director, GM Service Operations. "Simply visit your GM Goodwrench dealership when the vehicle signals and you won’t have to worry about how many miles you have driven. There’s also an extra level of comfort in knowing that this also can help tackle a growing environmental problem."

GMOLS is on about 95 percent of the vehicles that GM produces today and on a wide variety of models since the mid-1990’s. There are roughly 20 million vehicles on the road today equipped with GMOLS. Together, these vehicles can help save an estimated 120 million gallons of oil if consumers simply follow the change oil light recommendation.

GM received the first-ever Environmental Excellence in Transportation Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers in 2001 for the Oil Life System.

GM’s New Simplified Maintenance Schedules Challenge Industry Assumptions
GMOLS technology allows GM and GM Goodwrench dealerships to offer all new Simplified Maintenance Schedules on most 2004 vehicles to simplify maintenance for GM customers and to build long-lasting customer relationships. The new schedules are a departure from the typical industry approach of basing maintenance intervals on mileage. Instead of a complicated list of different services to be performed at different mileage intervals, GM’s new Simplified Maintenance Schedules are based on the change oil light/message.

The first time the message on the dash appears, GM Goodwrench dealerships will offer a Maintenance I service package which includes an oil and filter change, a four-tire rotation, visual inspections of the fluid levels and brakes and a resetting of the system. The next time the message appears a Maintenance II service package is recommended, which includes everything in Maintenance I, plus a professional inspection of the suspension and steering components and the transmission. After the first two visits drivers will alternate between the two schedules as the prompt appears on the dash for the life of the vehicle. Since the system must be reset to work properly and many of the required maintenance services can be complex, GM recommends taking GMOLS-equipped vehicles to the GM experts at Goodwrench dealerships for proper service.

“Simplified Maintenance Schedules are a major convenience to drivers because it takes the guesswork out of when to change oil and it eliminates the need to make decisions regarding routine maintenance,” Lord said. “Basically, when the light comes on you bring the vehicle in for maintenance and the technician can perform an oil change along with other necessary maintenance items such as checking belts, rotating tires and changing the air filter."
Consumers should check their owner’s manual to determine if their GM vehicle has GMOLS. If it does, a GM Goodwrench dealership can service and reset the system at the vehicle’s next oil change. If it doesn’t, they should follow the oil change recommendations listed in their owner’s manual. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year even if the GMOLS indicator does not come on.

The GM Oil Life System is available on all light-duty North American GM cars except for some models of Buick Park Avenue and Le Sabre, Pontiac Bonneville and Sunfire/Sunbird, Chevrolet Tracker, Cavalier and Malibu, S10/Sonoma trucks, Astro/Safari Vans, and the Pontiac Vibe. For more information about the GM Oil Life System, visit www.gmability.com.

GM Goodwrench is the service brand for GM vehicles. With more than 7,000 dealerships, the GM Goodwrench network is one of the largest automotive service chains in the industry. GM Goodwrench technicians receive specialized training from General Motors to provide expert care for GM cars and trucks. Genuine GM replacement parts are manufactured to the exact specifications of the GM vehicle. For more information, visit the GM Goodwrench web site at www.goodwrench.com.

National Car Care Month is a nationwide effort to focus motorists' attention on the importance of vehicle care and maintenance. It was developed by the National Car Care Council and lasts the entire month of April. More information is available at www.carcarecouncil.org.

Contact:
Cheryl McCarron
810-606-3112
cheryl.mccarron@gm.com

Tom Henderson
810-606-3114
tom.e.henderson@gm.com

 

[Rob]

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Simplified Maintenance
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Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
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Q: How does the GM Oil Life System work?
A: Vehicle maintenance intervals of three months or 3,000 miles no longer apply to vehicles equipped with this system. Instead of an actual oil-condition sensor, the GM Oil Life System relies on a computer-based software algorithm that continuously monitors engine-operated conditions and driver use to determine when an oil change is necessary. GM has calibrated the system for a variety of vehicles based on millions of test miles over a period of years.

Q: How do I operate the system?
A: The GM Oil Life System is very easy to use. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for a description of your specific vehicle’s change oil light or message and instructions for resetting the system. When the algorithm determines that your vehicle needs maintenance, the change oil light or message will illuminate on the instrument panel or the driver information center at start-up. You should have your vehicle’s oil changed within 600 miles of the odometer reading at the time the change oil light or message first illuminates. Immediately after the oil change, reset the system according to instructions in your Owner’s Manual. After the reset, the change oil light or message will no longer illuminate at engine start-up until the oil needs to be changed again.

Q: How many miles can I expect to go between oil changes when using this system?
A: It will vary. The beauty of the GM Oil Life System is that it automatically adjusts the oil-change interval based upon engine characteristics, your driving habits and the climate in which you have been operating your vehicle. For instance, mild highway driving in a warm climate will maximize the interval between oil changes. Depending on the vehicle, it could be as high as 12,000 miles. On the other hand, short-trip driving in a cold climate may limit the oil-change interval to 3,000 miles or less. In general, most people who combine city and highway driving find that the GM Oil Life System will indicate the vehicle needs an oil change every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. Most people maintain consistent driving habits. This means their mileage between required oil changes will be consistent.

Q: What happens if I change the oil and forget to reset the system?
A: Since the GM Oil Life System does not actually sense oil condition, it is important that the engine computer knows when your vehicle has had an oil change. It registers this information through the reset operation described in your Owner’s Manual. The change oil light or message will illuminate at start-up until the system is reset. The more you drive without resetting the system, the more inaccurate the GM Oil Life System will be. If you drive more than 500 miles after an oil change without resetting the GM Oil Life System, you should default your oil-change interval back to 3,000 miles. After you change the oil and reset the system, you may resume normal use of the system.

Q: What if I want to change my vehicle’s oil every 3,000 miles?
A: You may continue to change your oil every 3,000 miles if you choose, but the GM Oil Life System allows you to extend your mileage between changes without harming your engine. It takes the guess work out of your vehicle maintenance needs, calculates when you need maintenance and it provides efficiency and convenience. It is also an economically sound practice that protects the environment by minimizing the amount of oil used and discarded. Remember, however, to reset the system after the oil change or you will get a false reading from your oil light or message.

Q: Do I have to use special oil?
A: The GM Oil Life System calibrates your needs based on the use of standard factory-fill mineral-based automotive engine oil that displays the “Starburst” APIâ Certification Mark. This verifies that the American Petroleum Institute certified it for use in gasoline engines. Make sure to read your Owner’s Manual to select oil with the viscosity and grade that is correct for your engine. Any oil you use should carry the API “Starburst” mark. The Corvette is the only vehicle that requires synthetic oil.

Q: The oil-change service station recommends that I change the oil every 3,000 miles. Why should I not believe them?
A: The 3,000-mile oil change is a very conservative approach to maintaining your vehicle that dates back to 1968. Since then, there has been much advancement in both engine design and oil technology. These advancements, in conjunction with the GM Oil Life System, allow you to increase engine oil-change intervals without risking harm to the engine.

Q: Will I damage the vehicle if I don’t change the oil soon after the change oil light or message comes on?
A: As your Owner’s Manual specifies, you should change the oil as soon as possible after you see this indicator. We recommend that you change it no more than 600 miles after the message first appears.

Q: Do I have to check my oil level now that my vehicle is equipped with the GM Oil Life System?
A: Yes, the system does not sense oil level. As your Owner’s Manual specifies, we recommend that you check your oil every time you stop for gasoline.

Q: During the summer, I drive my vehicle in a very hot climate. Do I need to change the oil more often?
A: The GM Oil Life System calculates your vehicle’s needs based on a wide range of driving conditions, including more stressful situations such as severe climates, trailer towing or stop-and-go operation. There is no need for you to override the recommendation of the GM Oil Life System.

Q: Why should I follow Maintenance I and Maintenance II instead of traditional a la carte maintenance schedules?
A: It’s easier, saves them time, and sets up the dealer to organize your vehicle maintenance needs for you based on Maintenance I and II schedules. This also protects the environment by minimizing the unnecessary disposal of oil.

Q: Am I now required to bring my vehicle to a GM dealership for routine maintenance or can independents provide the service requirements of Maintenance I and II?
A: You may choose to have an independent shop perform your maintenance. However, we recommend that you have your GM Goodwrench dealer’s technicians do it because they are trained and best equipped to meet GM vehicle owners’ needs for comprehensive maintenance, service and GM Parts.

 

[Rowdy1]

I Don't Think So

Gee, I wonder if I should install one of those on the 62?:L