I have a new Cobalt and the my dealer recommended that I change the oil within a couple of hundred miles of the OLM reaching 0%. I guess I have a good dealer here.
The dealer says ignore the computer and
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The only Ecotec engines that are spec'ed for synthetic oil are the ones in the Saab models.
Per GM, GF-4 rated synthetic oil does not deliver longer service life compared to GF-4 rated conventional oil under most service conditions. As a result, the service intervals are the same.
But this is irrelevant as the Saab models that use the GM Ecotec engine have a much higher limit on the OLM compared to those used in the Cobalt/Solstice/etc. The Saab models use a special long-drain synthetic oil that isn't GF-4 rated.
Per GM, GF-4 rated synthetic oil does not deliver longer service life compared to GF-4 rated conventional oil under most service conditions. As a result, the service intervals are the same.
But this is irrelevant as the Saab models that use the GM Ecotec engine have a much higher limit on the OLM compared to those used in the Cobalt/Solstice/etc. The Saab models use a special long-drain synthetic oil that isn't GF-4 rated.
Oh, I wasn't thinking about that one. I would say the OLM is probably calibrated identically (upper limit of 12.5k) given that GM does not find that synthetic oil lasts longer per their studies.
I'm with the chorus
... the dealer is trying to take more money from your pocket. I bet that they also specify all sorts of extra services like power steering flushes, fuel injection cleaning, special additives to the oil and fuel and so on. These are all standard pages in the how to make more money book for service managers.
The places where I would be more conservative than GM is in the manual is for brake fluid (change once per 2 years), transmission fluid (change at least once per 30k miles) and coolant (change once every 2 or 3 years).
For oil changes the OLM is fine. For the other items GM's recommendations seem overboard.
The places where I would be more conservative than GM is in the manual is for brake fluid (change once per 2 years), transmission fluid (change at least once per 30k miles) and coolant (change once every 2 or 3 years).
For oil changes the OLM is fine. For the other items GM's recommendations seem overboard.
If it's your first oil change, then do it right away. If not, you have time on your side.
specs: 5w-30, api SM, islac GF-4.
Personally, I'd wait until the OLM is getting low or tells me to change it. GM spent the money developing that system for good reason, despite the fact that it may reduce income for the dealer's service department
Yeah, and I'm still trying to figure out what that reason is. Of ALL the things GM could have spent R&D time and money on, why this? I would have much preferred they spend that effort on more reliable components.
Yeah, and I'm still trying to figure out what that reason is. Of ALL the things GM could have spent R&D time and money on, why this? I would have much preferred they spend that effort on more reliable components.
It can't hurt to to change the oil sooner on first oil change but 3,000 miles on a full syn is way to short of an oil change interval unless time comes into the oil change interval. The oil moniter seems to work out .
Me too. But for that, somebody would have to tell somebody else that what they've been doing is unacceptable, and that person's feelings may have gotten hurt!
I do like the idea of an OLM though, and I hope to see more cars with it in the future. It takes out the guesswork of how your driving style affects your OCI.
Find a new dealer. Any GM car will do fine with synthetic oil and the OLM configuration. Just remember when you get down to zero on the oil life you have 600 miles left. Not a good idea to go past that.
Thats why I can't stand dealers sometimes.
Our new Rabbit says 2 5k OCI and then 10k after that and that is exactly what I am going to do.
Our new Rabbit says 2 5k OCI and then 10k after that and that is exactly what I am going to do.
This is an interesting bit of info! I'd like to hear more about this!
I've been adjusting the GM OLM down and chinging at 40% left with conventional and at 10% left with true synthetic.
Just my own crude rule of thumb.
Ask him to write you a list (on company letterhead) of all the places where your owner's manual is wrong and you should believe the dealer instead. Forward letter to corporate headquarters. Watch fireworks.
How long are OLM's going before reaching zero percent? How many miles are on your vehicle? I'll start.
2006 Honda Civic Si, OLM 0% on factory fill at 6,000 miles, now have 9,000 total miles on car.
2006 Honda Civic Si, OLM 0% on factory fill at 6,000 miles, now have 9,000 total miles on car.
Forgot to say that when I get everything together in my TDI I will be using a flexible service interval...we will see how well VW does it. Only a couple of more parts to order.
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