Experts: 3,000-Mile Oil Changes May Be Unnecessary (NAPSA)—How often should drivers change their engine oil? Most technicians will say 3,000 miles while others say 5,000 or 7,000. But there’s another opinion: Let your vehicle tell you when. By following this simple recommendation, consumers can protect their wallets and the environment from unnecessary oil changes. With many GM 2004 modelyear vehicles equipped with the GM Oil Life System (GMOLS) technology, vehicle maintenance is both easy and convenient. GMOLS uses an algorithm that evaluates engine revolutions and temperature, along with driving conditions to inform the driver when to changethe engine oil with a simple changeoil message on the dash. By bringing the vehicle into a GM Goodwrench dealership at this time, motorists can double or even triple the time between oil changes when compared to the common industry recommendation of 3,000 miles. GMOLSis on about 95 percent of the vehicles that GM produces today and a widevariety of models since the mid-1990s. GMOLStechnology has allowed GM Goodwrench dealerships to offer all new Simplified Maintenance Schedules on most 2004 vehicles, taking away the mystery of vehicle maintenance. The new schedules are a departure from the typical industry approach of bas- CytoeX ROTC aed y (02 SRREy Mah Erte Se aoc A new indicator system can help car owners avoid unnecessary maintenanceandoil changes. ing maintenance intervals on mileage. Instead of a complicated list of different services to be performed at different mileage intervals, these schedules are based on the “changeoil” light/message. “Simplified Maintenance Schedules are a major convenience to drivers because they eliminate the need to make decisions regarding routine maintenance,” said Peter Lord, executive director, GM Service Operations. “Basically, when the light comes on, you bring the vehicle in for maintenance and the technician can perform an oil change along with other necessary maintenance items.” This alone could save consumers significantly on the number of oil changes they purchase over thelife of the vehicle. It also makes good environmental sense. Whenused as intended and linked with the Simplified Maintenance Schedules offered by GM Goodwrench dealerships, GMOLS can help save hundreds of millions of gallonsofoil. There are two alternating maintenance service packages that makeit easy for customers to have their vehicle’s oil changed and all routine maintenance performed during the same service visit. Since the system must be reset to work properly and many of the required maintenance services can be complex, GM recommends taking GMOLS-equipped vehicles to a GM Goodwrench dealership for proper service. Consumers should check their Owner’s Manual to determine if their GM vehicle has GMOLS. In addition, the engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year even if the GMOLSindicator does not come on. GM Goodwrench is the service brand for GM vehicles. With more than 7,000 dealerships, the network is one of the largest automotive service chains in the industry. Technicians receive specialized training from General Motors to provide expert care for GM cars and trucks. Genuine GM replacement parts are manufactured to the exact specifications of the vehicle. For more information, visit www.Goodwrench.com.
