I got a recall notice on my 2012 Chevy Equinox. All they did was change the computer with regard to the oil change interval. I have used mobil 1 0w30 since the car was new. Since the recall, it looks like they changed the computer to cut in half the oil change interval. I don't use the computer to change my oil; I use a 6000 mile interval. Before when I changed my oil at 6000 miles I had used roughly 50% of the oil life. Now at 5000 miles I am down to 30% oil life. I guess they were losing some engines when people were using the old computer program. It had to telling people to change their oil at around 11 or 12000 miles.
2012 Equinox Oil Change Recall
- Thread starter JLR
- Start date
- Status
Interesting. This recall does sound familiar. Do you have the 4-cylinder or the V6?
This was due to the direct injection diluting the oil and causing timing chain wear. The 2011 Equinox also was recalled quite a while ago, maximum OCI is now 5500 miles.
funny, I swear I have heard a hundred times on here that if someone was changing their oil before the OLM then they were idiots because they thought they knew more than the engineers.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
funny, I swear I have heard a hundred times on here that if someone was changing their oil before the OLM then they were idiots because they thought they knew more than the engineers.
You make a good point. Hyundai does not have any special recommendation for synthetic in their Santa Fe Sport D.I. engines, even the turbos. They seem to justify this decision by recommending no longer than a 5k mile oci. I have been guilty of arguing from the engineering point of view myself, having used conventional oil during one oci. But, this recall makes me think, it's probably better to err on the side of caution and keep using synthetic at even a conservative 5K mile oci.
funny, I swear I have heard a hundred times on here that if someone was changing their oil before the OLM then they were idiots because they thought they knew more than the engineers.
You make a good point. Hyundai does not have any special recommendation for synthetic in their Santa Fe Sport D.I. engines, even the turbos. They seem to justify this decision by recommending no longer than a 5k mile oci. I have been guilty of arguing from the engineering point of view myself, having used conventional oil during one oci. But, this recall makes me think, it's probably better to err on the side of caution and keep using synthetic at even a conservative 5K mile oci.
Last edited:
wemay
Site Donor 2023
...and conventionals strictly below 4K.
Way to go GM
Gm now recommend 0w20 in there new 5.3 V8 ecotec3 DI motor. So does that mean more engine wear and timing chain replacement? ?????
Newer DI engines are different. My 2013 Enclave and 2014 Impala DI engines go more than 5500 miles on their OLMs.
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
funny, I swear I have heard a hundred times on here that if someone was changing their oil before the OLM then they were idiots because they thought they knew more than the engineers.
+2 Common sense rules the day
funny, I swear I have heard a hundred times on here that if someone was changing their oil before the OLM then they were idiots because they thought they knew more than the engineers.
+2 Common sense rules the day
Originally Posted By: smithph
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
funny, I swear I have heard a hundred times on here that if someone was changing their oil before the OLM then they were idiots because they thought they knew more than the engineers.
+2 Common sense rules the day
+3 I've seen pics that prove the pro's and con's of the OLM. Not all of them are perfect, in fact some are real bad. At the end of the day common sense IMO will always rule.
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
funny, I swear I have heard a hundred times on here that if someone was changing their oil before the OLM then they were idiots because they thought they knew more than the engineers.
+2 Common sense rules the day
+3 I've seen pics that prove the pro's and con's of the OLM. Not all of them are perfect, in fact some are real bad. At the end of the day common sense IMO will always rule.
Wife has a 2012 Equinox 4cyl, and I change the oil every 3,000 miles with Shell conventional 10w30. Cheap insurance. Not taking any chances with the DI engine.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
Wife has a 2012 Equinox 4cyl, and I change the oil every 3,000 miles with Shell conventional 10w30. Cheap insurance. Not taking any chances with the DI engine.
Question for you:
How is running a non-approved oil, in the wrong grade, in a vehicle potentially under warranty, cheap insurance?
Wife has a 2012 Equinox 4cyl, and I change the oil every 3,000 miles with Shell conventional 10w30. Cheap insurance. Not taking any chances with the DI engine.
Question for you:
How is running a non-approved oil, in the wrong grade, in a vehicle potentially under warranty, cheap insurance?
Originally Posted By: JLR
I got a recall notice on my 2012 Chevy Equinox. All they did was change the computer with regard to the oil change interval. I have used mobil 1 0w30 since the car was new. Since the recall, it looks like they changed the computer to cut in half the oil change interval. I don't use the computer to change my oil; I use a 6000 mile interval. Before when I changed my oil at 6000 miles I had used roughly 50% of the oil life. Now at 5000 miles I am down to 30% oil life. I guess they were losing some engines when people were using the old computer program. It had to telling people to change their oil at around 11 or 12000 miles.
JLR,
About three years ago my brother got a recall of reclaibrating the OLM interval in addition to my 08-09' Impala SS. Now mine indicates to do a OCI every 6K which is fine with me cuz I'm not really use to doing my oil changes that long. Since switching to synthetic I do mine about every 6K and now my 2013 Camaro has just a little over 6K and will do it's first OCI this coming Friday. I wil put in some nice Mobil 1 in exchange of the factory fill blend.
Durango
I got a recall notice on my 2012 Chevy Equinox. All they did was change the computer with regard to the oil change interval. I have used mobil 1 0w30 since the car was new. Since the recall, it looks like they changed the computer to cut in half the oil change interval. I don't use the computer to change my oil; I use a 6000 mile interval. Before when I changed my oil at 6000 miles I had used roughly 50% of the oil life. Now at 5000 miles I am down to 30% oil life. I guess they were losing some engines when people were using the old computer program. It had to telling people to change their oil at around 11 or 12000 miles.
JLR,
About three years ago my brother got a recall of reclaibrating the OLM interval in addition to my 08-09' Impala SS. Now mine indicates to do a OCI every 6K which is fine with me cuz I'm not really use to doing my oil changes that long. Since switching to synthetic I do mine about every 6K and now my 2013 Camaro has just a little over 6K and will do it's first OCI this coming Friday. I wil put in some nice Mobil 1 in exchange of the factory fill blend.
Durango
My Regal with the 4-cyl. has obviously had that software update. Its OLM drops about 15% a month, and will clearly recommend a change at about 4500 miles.
^^^My friend's Malibu is one of the smoothest and quietest 4 bangers I have ever driven. I believe it is the same engine.
- Status