GM
Aiming to Make Life (and Oil Changes) Easier
Vehicle
maintenance can be time consuming and costly if not properly monitored. For instance,
based on common recommendation, many motorists change the oil in their vehicle
every 3,000 miles - a conservative approach typically accepted as the industry
standard for those who sell oil changes for a living. While spending $20 to $30
per oil change might be considered an inexpensive way to protect an engine, this
can amount to hundreds of dollars spent over the life of the vehicle with no benefit
realized.
To
help reduce costs to the consumer, GM Goodwrench, the automotive industry's largest
service chain, has introduced new simplified maintenance schedules for most of
its 2004 model year vehicles, that make it easier to obtain routine maintenance
services at a GM Goodwrench dealership - in less visits. In addition, GM has shortened
the maintenance section of typical owners manuals from more than 20 pages to just
three, making maintenance easier to understand. "Customers
don't have to worry about deciding when the best time is to change their engine
oil because our Oil Life System technology adapts to their driving conditions
and habits, and determines the right interval," said Peter Lord, executive
director, GM Service Operations. "Since the new maintenance schedule is based
on oil change intervals determined by this technology, customers can save time
and cost." The
new simplified maintenance schedules helps consumers determine when to have oil
changes performed, because the GM Oil Life System (GMOLS) notifies drivers in
their vehicles. With
the GMOLS, consumers have an accurate and reliable way to monitor engine oil life.
When the system is activated, consumers can go to their nearest GM Goodwrench
dealer and a technician will change the oil and filter, properly dispose of the
old oil, then reset the vehicle's oil life system. Overall operating costs for
the customer will be lower, because they only have to change the oil when needed,
and they can be reassured that their engine is always running with good oil, improving
the long term performance and reliability of their GM vehicle. Use
of the GMOLS will often double or even triple the oil change interval for a typical
vehicle when compared to the 3,000-mile oil change. The
GMOLS will automatically adjust the oil change interval based on engine characteristics,
driving habits and the climate in which the vehicle is operated. For instance,
mild highway driving in a warm climate will maximize the interval between oil
changes. Depending on the vehicle, this could be in excess of 7,000 miles and
as high as 12,000 miles (in some models). On the other hand, short trip driving
in a cold climate may limit the oil change to 3,000 miles or less. In general,
most people that drive a combination of city and highway find that the GMOLS will
indicate an oil change every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. GM data shows the OLS extends
oil change intervals without risks to the engine. The
GMOLS can offer significant benefits to the environment by reducing unnecessary
use and disposal of oil. GM has built more than 20 million vehicles to date with
the GMOLS. In the next five years, if the GMOLS is used as intended - oil changes
performed only when necessary - millions of gallons of oil could be saved. In
1998, GM announced that it would equip nearly its entire North American lineup
with the GM Oil Life System (GMOLS) by 2003. In keeping with its commitment to
sustainable mobility, the Oil Life System will be 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 Geo, 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. |