The dealer says ignore the computer and

[MrDatabase]

change the oil every 3000 miles in my Pontiac G6 Ecotec 4cyl engine. I'm using full synthetic oil 5W30, the computer says it has about 70% life left in it. I've seen 'experts' on other boards insist the GM oil computer is accurate. I drive freeway mostly, little short trips. What do I do?

Hate to waste it, don't want to fight the dealer

Maybe the dealer just wants to make money changing my oil? I like the car

and plan on keeping it. Any ideas?

 

[Pablo]

NOW this angers me. IDIOTS.

Yes follow your OLM. Let him try something, dunno what - what can he do? In the USA, there's not another dealer around?

 

[dkryan]

I'd leave the oil in until the OLM said 25%. That oil monitor is fairly sophisticated and I believe you'll find you can rely on it to provide accurate OCIs. If you need proof, have a used oil analysis (UAO) performed on your oil when it reaches 25% on the OLM.

With a full syn 5w30, you'd be wasting your money and lining the dealer's pockets to change it out at 3k. I say ignore the dealer, not the OLM.

 

[dave1251]

The dealer is just trying to sell you an oil change. Follow your OLM. I had an dispute with an "service representive" on this issue. The dealer's service department will say anything to maximize profits. Plus you are using synthetic. This will give you even more of an margin of error.

 

[Blue99]

My advice is to contact Pontiac Customer Service, either by e-mail or call using the toll free number listed at this link:

http://www.pontiac.com/divisional/contactus/contactus.jsp

Have the VIN for your vehicle available as they need this for customer service records.

If you phrase the question as, "My dealer is recommending I change oil at 3,000 miles, but my OLM is indicating 70% life - what do I do?", it's almost a slam dunk that the CS representative will tell you to follow the OLM.

 

[JustinH]

The dealer makes money every time you get your oil changed, sure they want you in there.

I bet their tune would change if you bought a vehicle that had lifetime oil changes for free or something.

 

[Lorenzo]

Tell him to ignore the MSRP and sell you a car for 70% off the invoice price.

 

[Syntec-Man]

Slap the dealer in the face they want to rip you off! with a full syn. you should be able to go 30% over the OLM. The OLM is configured to the cheapest dino oil in the world

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Quote:

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change the oil every 3000 miles in my Pontiac G6 Ecotec 4cyl engine. I'm using full synthetic oil 5W30, the computer says it has about 70% life left in it. I've seen 'experts' on other boards insist the GM oil computer is accurate. I drive freeway mostly, little short trips. What do I do?

Hate to waste it, don't want to fight the dealer

Maybe the dealer just wants to make money changing my oil? I like the car

and plan on keeping it. Any ideas?

---

When unsure - flip a coin!

 

[rpn453]

Some people simply believe oil has to be changed at 3000 miles. Maybe he truly believes that your engine will benefit from more frequent changes, or maybe he's just trying to sell oil changes. I've heard no mention of him saying warranty will be denied or anything; that would be crossing the line. Advising that you do routine maintenance ahead of schedule isn't that bad.

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.

 

[wavinwayne]

Tell that dealer to go jump in the used oil tank. He just wants more of your money.

Change the oil when the OLM says to change it. Changing more often is unnecessary. I WOULD check the oil level frequently & top up as needed, since I'm guessing the OLM can't factor in whether or not your engine is running a quart or two low.

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

In another area, I recounted my tale of woe with my local Hyundai Stealer, insisting the factory-supplied maintenance that came with the car must be cut in half or warranty claims will be denied in the future. I called Hyundai Consumer Affairs and they were on the phone to the dealer about it before you can say 1-2-3. Consumer Affairs told me in no uncertain terms the owner's manual maintenance schedule is my guide, NOT the Stealer's "wish-list". The Hyundai consumer affairs folks also told me there were several other outlets recognized as authorized, no-questions-asked facilities that can do my 30, 60, 90K warranty stops. As long as Just Tires, TiresPlus, Firestone, Sears and a couple of others I'd never heard of provided me with the checklist, I'm COVERED. He said the FACTORY rules the STEALER, not the other way around..

These Stealers, I tell ya, they REALLY got a pair, the crooked bastids. NOW I really hate em! I was away the rest of the day, but I did get a call from the Stealer, but they didn't leave me a message. Wonder what THEY wanted..?

 

[wavinwayne]

Quote:

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....I did get a call from the Stealer, but they didn't leave me a message. Wonder what THEY wanted..?

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They wanted to make sure your address hadn't changed & to see when you'd be home, so they could

you.

 

[LouDawg]

This dealer was/is an idiot. But there are a *few* good ones out there...just have to be careful. So far, my dealings with our Honda/Nissan/Ford dealers have been positive. YMMV.

 

[The Critic]

All of the GM dealers in this area still recommend the 3-mo/3k routine. Well, except the HUMMER dealer.

For the Honda dealerships, it's a wash. One of them says to go strictly by the OLM, the others, still write 5000 miles on the window for the new Civics/Accords they service that have the Oil Life Monitor.

The two area Acura dealers go by the OLM only, but the ones in the Bay Area don't.

 

[Cutehumor]

I wish I had a car with an OLM. I guess I'll have to wait another 6 years

 

[nascarnation]

Quote:

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The OLM is configured to the cheapest dino oil in the world

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actually for GMs the OLM is configured to work with oils that meet the specs for the car

 

[Jim 5]

My chev dealership has an oil change sticker that says something like:

"Your vehicle is equipped with an oil life monitor. Your oil life monitor will indicate when it is time for an oil change."

I have been changing based on the OLM, and used oil analysis indicates that the OLM is quite conservative. You will be just fine changing on the basis of the oil life monitor. Just be sure to check your oil every time you fill the tank and top up whenever necessary.

Your dealership knows better, and is just trying to separate you from some of your hard-earned money. Plus, if you don't know any better than to rely on them when they say ignore the OLM, then you're also likely to fall for it when they tell you that your muffler bearings need replacement when you're in for your premature oil change.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Just say no to the Stealer!

The OLM (or your engine) could care less about running Syn. It was designed around conventional oil and just follow it.

When it goes off, just change it soon and you'll be fine.

FIND another place to have service your car. I only use Stealerships for warrenty work. (and for my Last chev truck and toyota I have not had any. Hope my new Subaru will follow that trend...)

Take care, bill

 

[PF52]

Quote:

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change the oil every 3000 miles in my Pontiac G6 Ecotec 4cyl engine. I'm using full synthetic oil 5W30...

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You have the 2.4 Ecotec I believe? I put 10,700 miles on mine before the monitor got down to 0% and that's with a lot of highway miles also. Particularly using synthetic, I would not worry taking it to 10,000.

I'm not using synthetic, so I change it sooner. But its interesting to see how the OLM keeps track of my cold starts, idling time, etc, which have all increased now that winter is here. Betcha that 0% will come around a little sooner next time!

Quote:

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actually for GMs the OLM is configured to work with oils that meet the specs for the car

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Actually there is some confusion on this, since some Ecotecs are spec'd with full synthetic from the factory, and some are not, but drivers of both cars don't really see a big difference between them as far as the OLM percentages go. I have a suspicion that both cars get the same OLM software.