I was going to post this as an interesting article but it is not an article, so here it goes. Moderators, please feel free to move to this another forum if it is not appropriate here. This was sent to me without a confidential, secret or copyrighted label so I feel that it is OK to post it here. I have removed two charts that were labelled as confidential. One was titled: "Oil Degradation: Industry oil tests" and the other "Basics of the Oil Life System: How it Works". I will post the rest of the paper in its entirety and add some of my own comments at the beginning.
Some interesting passages:
"Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have long understood mileage is not a fundamental factor in oil degradation."
"Mileage is not a fundamental factor effecting oil life."
"It is important to note that even @ 0% oil life remaining there is a 20% safety factor."
Please also note this passage: "How is degradation of motor oil determined?
Degradation of oil is determined by chemical analysis. Color and smell are generally not useful in determining oil condition." I take this to mean that chemical analysis was used to "tune" the OLM, not that the OLM on individual vehicles uses chemical analysis to determine oil degradation once on the vehicle.
Paper:
Engine Oil and Oil Life System Information
What is engine motor oil?
Engine oil is made up of two components:
1. Base Stock (oil)
a. Mineral
b. Synthetic
2. Additives
a. Turn base oil into lubricant
b. Different additives for different purposes- antioxidants, anti-wear agents, dispersants, detergents, friction modifiers, pour point depressants, etc.
What is the history of Motor Oil enhancements?
• 1953: Detergent oils were introduced.
• 1962- 1968: Four (4) Multi-Service (MS) categories were introduced
• 1970: American Petroleum Institute (API) created “S” categories
o SA= Non-detergent (ND) straight mineral oil (not for use in automotive applications
o SB= Non-detergent (Inhibited oil only- not for use in automotive applications
o SC= Older MS oils
o SD= 1968 MS oil
o SE= 1972 MS oil
o SF= 1980 MS oil
o SG= 1989 MS oil
• 1993: GF1 specification created
• 1997: GF2 specification created
• 2001: GF3 specification created
• 2004: GF4 specification created
• 2010: GF5 specification to be introduced
The introduction of each specification category has resulted in progressively higher quality oils.
What is the North American Market for Motor Oil (2006 data)?
• Total market= 757 million gallons a year
• This equals over 2.2 billion quarts of oil per year
• If the quart bottles were stacked end to end they would be 418,000 miles high or 1.75 times the distance of the earth to the moon
What is the market trend?
Movement toward synthetic oil (By 2009 synthetic & specialty oils will likely to
account for over 20% of motor oil sold. Note: All 2008 model Cadillac will be
factory filled with Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil.
What is the history of GM Engine Oil Life System (OLS)?
Testing of the system began in 1983 on Chevrolet Corvettes. OLS was first
introduced in 1988 on some Oldsmobile models. GM began installing
OLS on the majority of product lines in 2003 and introduced
GM Simplified Maintenance (M1 & M2) in 2004.
Oil Life System vs. mileage?
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have long understood mileage
is not a fundamental factor in oil degradation. Ideally oil drain intervals
would be determined by the fundamental factors that effect oil degradation.
What are the fundamental factors that influence oil life?
• Primary factor: Engine combustion events
• Secondary factor: Engine oil temperature
Mileage is not a fundamental factor effecting oil life.
What are factors that influence oil drain interval mileages?
• GMOLS calibrations: More allowed engine revolutions result in increased mileage
• Vehicle build: Transmission gear ratios, final drive/rear axle ratios, tire size
• Customer use: Highway, city, trailer towing, extreme short trips
How is degradation of motor oil determined?
Degradation of oil is determined by chemical analysis. Color and smell are generally
not useful in determining oil condition.
(Missing Chart #1)
How does GM OLS work?
(Missing chart #2)
*It is important to note that even @ 0% oil life remaining there is a 20% safety factor.
What is the average oil drain interval for GM vehicles?
The average sales weighted oil drain interval in 8500 miles. If all customers
followed the OLS, we would save an estimated 7,000,000 gallons of oil
annually.
Does GM recommend the use of oil additives to increase oil life?
No- The statement in our owner manuals reads- “Do not add anything to
your oil. The recommended oils with the starburst symbol that meet the
GM Standard (GM6094M) is all you need for good performance and engine
protection.
What is a motor oil “Starburst”?
In 2003, auto and oil industry experts developed a new standard that provides a
significant upgrade from previous motor oils. Oils meeting the new standard provide:
• Improved oxidation resistance (less oil thickening)
• Improved deposit protection
• Better wear protection
• Better low temperature performance over the life of the oil
• Helps protect the environment by extending life of emission systems and conserving energy.
It is easy to identify these oils by the “Starburst” certification label.
What does the future hold?
Extended engine oil drain intervals
• Customer demand
o Reduced maintenance
o Convenience
• Environmental benefits
o Reduced used oil handling & disposal
o Conserve petroleum resources
• Competitive pressures
o Some European companies already at 20,000 mile changes
• Competitive advantage
o Maintain GM’s leadership position without compromising engine durability.
Some interesting passages:
"Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have long understood mileage is not a fundamental factor in oil degradation."
"Mileage is not a fundamental factor effecting oil life."
"It is important to note that even @ 0% oil life remaining there is a 20% safety factor."
Please also note this passage: "How is degradation of motor oil determined?
Degradation of oil is determined by chemical analysis. Color and smell are generally not useful in determining oil condition." I take this to mean that chemical analysis was used to "tune" the OLM, not that the OLM on individual vehicles uses chemical analysis to determine oil degradation once on the vehicle.
Paper:
Engine Oil and Oil Life System Information
What is engine motor oil?
Engine oil is made up of two components:
1. Base Stock (oil)
a. Mineral
b. Synthetic
2. Additives
a. Turn base oil into lubricant
b. Different additives for different purposes- antioxidants, anti-wear agents, dispersants, detergents, friction modifiers, pour point depressants, etc.
What is the history of Motor Oil enhancements?
• 1953: Detergent oils were introduced.
• 1962- 1968: Four (4) Multi-Service (MS) categories were introduced
• 1970: American Petroleum Institute (API) created “S” categories
o SA= Non-detergent (ND) straight mineral oil (not for use in automotive applications
o SB= Non-detergent (Inhibited oil only- not for use in automotive applications
o SC= Older MS oils
o SD= 1968 MS oil
o SE= 1972 MS oil
o SF= 1980 MS oil
o SG= 1989 MS oil
• 1993: GF1 specification created
• 1997: GF2 specification created
• 2001: GF3 specification created
• 2004: GF4 specification created
• 2010: GF5 specification to be introduced
The introduction of each specification category has resulted in progressively higher quality oils.
What is the North American Market for Motor Oil (2006 data)?
• Total market= 757 million gallons a year
• This equals over 2.2 billion quarts of oil per year
• If the quart bottles were stacked end to end they would be 418,000 miles high or 1.75 times the distance of the earth to the moon
What is the market trend?
Movement toward synthetic oil (By 2009 synthetic & specialty oils will likely to
account for over 20% of motor oil sold. Note: All 2008 model Cadillac will be
factory filled with Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil.
What is the history of GM Engine Oil Life System (OLS)?
Testing of the system began in 1983 on Chevrolet Corvettes. OLS was first
introduced in 1988 on some Oldsmobile models. GM began installing
OLS on the majority of product lines in 2003 and introduced
GM Simplified Maintenance (M1 & M2) in 2004.
Oil Life System vs. mileage?
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have long understood mileage
is not a fundamental factor in oil degradation. Ideally oil drain intervals
would be determined by the fundamental factors that effect oil degradation.
What are the fundamental factors that influence oil life?
• Primary factor: Engine combustion events
• Secondary factor: Engine oil temperature
Mileage is not a fundamental factor effecting oil life.
What are factors that influence oil drain interval mileages?
• GMOLS calibrations: More allowed engine revolutions result in increased mileage
• Vehicle build: Transmission gear ratios, final drive/rear axle ratios, tire size
• Customer use: Highway, city, trailer towing, extreme short trips
How is degradation of motor oil determined?
Degradation of oil is determined by chemical analysis. Color and smell are generally
not useful in determining oil condition.
(Missing Chart #1)
How does GM OLS work?
(Missing chart #2)
*It is important to note that even @ 0% oil life remaining there is a 20% safety factor.
What is the average oil drain interval for GM vehicles?
The average sales weighted oil drain interval in 8500 miles. If all customers
followed the OLS, we would save an estimated 7,000,000 gallons of oil
annually.
Does GM recommend the use of oil additives to increase oil life?
No- The statement in our owner manuals reads- “Do not add anything to
your oil. The recommended oils with the starburst symbol that meet the
GM Standard (GM6094M) is all you need for good performance and engine
protection.
What is a motor oil “Starburst”?
In 2003, auto and oil industry experts developed a new standard that provides a
significant upgrade from previous motor oils. Oils meeting the new standard provide:
• Improved oxidation resistance (less oil thickening)
• Improved deposit protection
• Better wear protection
• Better low temperature performance over the life of the oil
• Helps protect the environment by extending life of emission systems and conserving energy.
It is easy to identify these oils by the “Starburst” certification label.
What does the future hold?
Extended engine oil drain intervals
• Customer demand
o Reduced maintenance
o Convenience
• Environmental benefits
o Reduced used oil handling & disposal
o Conserve petroleum resources
• Competitive pressures
o Some European companies already at 20,000 mile changes
• Competitive advantage
o Maintain GM’s leadership position without compromising engine durability.
