GM Oil Life System Monitor; Lowering Cost Of Ownership

One of the largest expenses over the life of an auto is oil changes. When you figure $15-$25 every 3000 miles, it really adds up, but is essential to the longevity of a car.

GM has a unique intelligent system called an Oil Life System Monitor. Each GM vehicle has a computer that calculates the revolution of the engine and can even tell what type of driving you do. If you do all highway driving or in town driving. The benefit to the customer is Reduced Cost of Ownership, Reduced National Consumption of Oil, and full usage of your oil.

This Oil Life Monitor for GM cars, trucks, and SUV's will tell you when to change your oil. It may be at 5000 miles and may be at 9000 miles. You can read more about this system in your GM owners manual, but my car can usually go 6000-7000 miles before it comes on. If you have a Drivers Information Center in your vehicle to check tire pressure, and different settings, you will notice an oil life percentage. If it is at 70%, it means there is 70% of your oil life remaining.

Now, consider half the oil changes of the competition. It may not sound like much, but do the math. In every 100000 miles you will change the oil 33.3 times if you change every 3000 miles. Multiply this # by an average of a $22 oil change and it comes up to $734. Cut this in half and you get $367. That is just for oil changes and only figuring it will get 2 times more mileage. You also have long life spark plugs and coolant. GM is thinking of the customer more than ever trying to regain market share.

Remember, the GM Oil Life System does not check oil levels, just when the oil starts to break down and needs changed. You still have to check levels.

There is a simplified GM maintenance schedule. This is performed when your change oil light comes on.
Maintenance 1:
-change oil and filter
-reset oil life system
-inspect engine air cleaner filter-change as needed
-rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear
-inspect brake system
-check engine coolant and washer fluid
-any other needed services

Maintenance2:
All services from maintenance 1 plus:
-inspect suspension and steering components
-inspect cooling system
-inspect wiper blades
-inspect restraint components
-lubricate body components
-inspect throttle system

You can alternate in between maintenance 1 and maintenance 2 each time the light comes on. Tires should be rotated every 5000 to 8000 miles.