GM joins California EPA campaign to reduce motor oil consumption
Not long ago we spoke about a campaign by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) that recommended to verify how often motor oil had to be changed. General Motors has joined the campaign and will support CIWMB in informing motorists that millions vehicles can be driven much longer than the old standard of 3,000 miles between changes. Driver farther, save oil.
GM also took the chance to speak about its Oil Life System, which checks the quality of motor oil for the driver, informing about its "life." The system uses an algorithm based on key engine functions to determine when oil should be changed. This usually extends oil change intervals to 6,000 miles (although it depends on vehicle usage). According to GM, this would save more than eight million gallons of motor oil per year in California alone.
[Source: GM]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sasparilla 6:26PM (6/11/2008)
This oil analysis information is a great tool and I hope GM rolls it out to all their vehicles, but it can take some getting used to. I had a Honda Civic 06 that has something similar and it was unnerving to be passing 5,000 miles and still have alot of life being shown in the oil before changing is recommended. By 5k miles I can't stand it anymore and change it anyways. ;-)
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Luke 7:01PM (6/11/2008)
Consumer Report's study using New York City taxi cabs resulted in their recommendation of changing oil at or by 7,500 miles. Ever since then (1996) I've followed their recommedation. My 1992 Ford Excort had 240k when I gave it to my sister (who drove it for 6 more years).
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me2 8:11PM (6/11/2008)
5K on a Civic ? I think the change interval on the 4 cylinder Accord was like 10K miles.
The worst vehicle for changing oil must be a Ford Powerstroke. The change interval is like 4K miles if you tow with it and it uses 14 quarts. Plus you need to change the auto transmission oil every 30K miles. What a terrible waste !
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sydbot 8:09PM (6/11/2008)
I'm not sure how much oil it takes to make a quart of synthetic, but in my Escort I use to run about a year between changes (10-12k miles) and I'm at 12k right now in my Olds that's getting changed this month. Plus, its supposed to have higher lubrication efficiencies compared to regular oil or even blends.
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Uncle B 8:35PM (6/11/2008)
Last time I looked at this problem, I concluded that it takes a lot of oil to pour a block, machine the parts and assemble the thing! To preserve this investment in resources I don't take chances by stretching oil changes. Since machined surfaces and cylinder bores are delicate things, I prefer to change my oil, save the old oil and send it to the re-refiners, a great group of recyclers that need the support.
P.S, In Brazil there is no oil shortage. Is that because their capitalists are smarter than ours?
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Luke 10:38PM (6/11/2008)
You can change your oil as often as you please. Why not change it every 100 miles or 50 miles. The decision, however, is much easier if you look at the research, rather than considering what "should be good" according to your emotions.
http://www.xs11.com/stories/croil96.htm
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kzemach 11:01PM (6/11/2008)
I use both synthetic and an AMSOIL system, which is a double (bypass, to be precise) system. I change my oil every 15k, and most people who get a chemical analysis at 15k miles find that the oil is still in excellent condition. The system is expensive, but I hate changing oil. It works.
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hans 7:46AM (6/12/2008)
i drive an 05 acura TSX.
the manual says 5000 miles for extra urban driving and 10000 miles for normal. and thats on regular oil.
of course the dealer says 3000 miles.
i used to live in LA and did it every 5000, now i live in the bay area where theres probably 1/4 the traffic and do it every 10k.
have about 40k miles on the car, and it hasnt had a problem.
so i suppose if honda says its ok its ok . i figure if i followed the dealer, i'd be using up 3 times as much motor oil.
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motorman 8:50AM (6/12/2008)
i change the oil in my corvette once a year,4000/5000 miles as it is mobil 1 and i put the drained oil in my silverado for another 10,000 miles. i have been doing this for years and the silverado has a 150,000 miles and runs fine.
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Rick 7:05PM (6/12/2008)
me2- THe new Civics tell you when you need to change the oil, mine was around 6k.
Mazdas are between 5-8k, so only the dealer's service shop and Jiffy Lube will say every 3k to get more of your money. If people read their manuals they'd see the intervals are much higher than that clear oil change sticker they just put on your windshield and this wouldn't be an issue.
Also use synthetic oil only!
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Gregersonk 2:20PM (6/12/2008)
I'm so not buying your Silverado.
Ever since they reformulated, Mobil 1 is the bottom of the barrel when it comes to synthetic.
Castrol Syntec and Amsoil are at the top when it comes to synthetics.
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David 11:53AM (4/20/2009)
Oil itself does not wear out - it gets dirty. Your oil filter only filters out particles down to 20 microns. It is the smaller particles that cause the worst wear. There is a product that will remove those particles by holding them to the side of the oil filter. That way you can just change the oil filter every other time, cutting your oil consumption in HALF. It is still important to have that service check up at recommended intervals as they check many other fluid levels too. If you use this magnet system and do your other maintenance checks your car will last many more miles. You can read more details at http://bit.ly/17WtNC
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