flounder_26

I would quote the whole letter but I am lazy.

Basicaly the letter says that manual trans uses more engine oil over time vs auto. Due to engine braking yada yada. It's my responsibility to monitor it. I can deal with that. But if I have engine troubles and a dealer blames it on low oil level it's not waranty.

I am a tech for VW and we have standards for how much oil is allowed over the course of an oil change interval. What I was wondering and if you guys share the same veiw is this. If GM has a problem as I have read here about oil consumption (ls2) than shoudln't GM take responsiblity? I mean if my engine ends up using too much oil in 3000 miles I am going to ask for somehting to be done about it. Is that right?

I messed up the poll.

Yes it's your problem

No it's GM's

mooninitesunite

voted.

DrEvyl

iTrader: (5)

It depends on what you consider "too much" oil, I'd say, and it also depends on how hard the car is driven.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

no matter what some will say some usage is normal. a QT every 1k isnt. i dont care who says it is on a stock motor no matter how hard you drive it.


but yes of course checking your level is your responsibility.

flyin red TA

Beat the hell out of mine...not even down a half quart in 3k miles. It is an m6 and I check it all the time, though.

GM won't screw ya unless you keep taking it in for changes and it is always low.

Jake99SS

Depends on how much usage and how much you beat on it. I sure don't baby my car but I also don't drive it hard. I check my oil pretty regularly and I doubt I have to have to add even a 1/2 pint over 3000-4000 miles. I think it's a CYA move on GM's part. 3 qts over the course of an oil change is not normal. Maybe for a race car that's set up with pretty loose rings but not a factory stock GTO.

Fenster

iTrader: (3)

I work for a major manufacturer in the auto industry and I can tell you that GM's position is a normal one.

All the auto manufacturers will attest that manual trans cars will burn more oil due to numerous factors including driving styles etc... Not out of the ordinary.

I think you are however misinterpreting the letter. What they are doing is informing you that ALL vehicles need to have the oil checked on a regular basis between oil changes. I try to check mine around every 1k miles just to monitor the actual consumption. It is YOUR responsibility to check the oil, and if there appears to be a problem take it into the dealer to have the investigation inspected. Normally the dealer will then start a consumption test for 1000 miles or so, then check the level. They have certain allowable tolerances of course. If there is a problem they will fix it, but if you ignore the signs and don't do the checks; and there is a problem that you could have helped prevent, i.e. consumption over time that caused low engine oil levels and a catstrophic failure, there is a possibility that GM could deem it a non-warranty situation.

Its always a good idea to check the levels between the oil change intervals!

Sneakyws6

It is bs cover their *** marketing from GM.

My 89 TPI Formula350 barely used any oil and it had 150,000+ miles on it. My 2001 Formula had the low oil light come on at 2200 miles brand new right after I bought it. then I started monitoring it and it was using 2 quarts per oil change. Gm said it was normal to lose/use 10% of the oil between changes. That is only about a 1/2 quart.

funny thing is how normal it is but when GM replaced my motor under warranty due to piston slap the new motor that has around 50,000 miles on it hardley uses any oil.

KrautBurner

iTrader: (5)

true,

I've always been told (by vw and others)
that up to a quart per oil change interval for "performance engines" is acceptable

flounder_26

I work for VW in the service dept. I know the procedures too.
I know it's out responsiblity to check oil level and periodically it is normal to add some oil. I just wonder if this letter it to make me aware thus prevent a failure before it happens. Or if this letter is the lube so they can try to pound me later. lol

TKO52

iTrader: (3)

checked it after 1k after oil change and it had too much in it

and i know i only put in 6.5 quarts

Steelo00GT

I emailed Pontiac about the issues some GTO owners have discussed here about oil consumption and motors blowing up. I emailed them because I have serious interest in the GTO. Here is there response.



Thank you for contacting the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center. We
appreciate you taking the time to write us.

I have processed the information on the Pontiac GTO and did not find
any open recalls. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the
Pontiac GTO I recommend you visit your local Pontiac dealership.

You can locate a dealer of your choice by visiting our website at
http://www.gm.com and selecting “Vehicle Shopping” and then
“Dealer Locator” or by simply clicking on the following URL:
http://www.gm.com/automotive/vehicle...ealer_locator/. You
will then enter in the appropriate information to locate the dealer
nearest to you.

If you should need to contact us in the future, simply reply to this
message or call our Pontiac Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-762-2737.
Customer Relationship Specialists are available Monday through Friday
from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

For more information regarding the maintenance and care of your
vehicle, please visit www.mygmlink.com. This free online service offers
vehicle and ownership-related information and tools tailored to your
specific Pontiac.

Again, thank you for contacting Pontiac.

Sincerely,


The Pontiac Consumer Support Team

Pontiac supports Buckle Up America. We encourage you, your family and
your friends to always Buckle Up.



I know from what I have read that GM has sent letters to owners, which makes me believe Pontiac is full of it.

92slowmaro

iTrader: (22)

im a tech at a pontiac dealer and we had a customer take gm to court over this issue. the guy had 1 motor replaced under warrenty came in 3qts low at 9000 miles with never having done an oil change. customer complained of a knock. lol i wonder why?

comes back at 7000 miles later same concern. we didnt warrenty the motor and the car sat at our dealer for 1 year.

now honestly you have to admit the customer was in the wrong for not servicing his car every 3000 miles.

so customers problem i vote.

CLOP824

I think GM suspects oil usage problems and is laying the ground work for evading warranty costs. Yes the oil should be checked every 1000 miles or so.
I had a 2002 BMW 540 6 speed manual (280 hp} which was leased with oil changes included in the lease. The agreement was to bring in the car when the oil life warning came on. This occured at 16k to 17k miles. I never had to add oil between changes.

CLOP824

My 2006 GTO oil was changed first after 1000 miles. The oil service message came on at 4000 miles at it was 1 quart low. The oil was changed again. What has others experience been with the oil srevice message.

razorclaw99

iTrader: (7)

no man, its ur responsibility

LS1_boostdscoob

does it specify anywhere in the manual to check oil levels at specified(say 1000) miles?
i wonder if they might lose some ground because of that.. kinda like the hot coffee McDonalds thing..

Scooter70

iTrader: (1)

After 200 track miles this weekend, my oil level did not go down a single drop. Oil consumption is not a problem here.

Steelo00GT

Yeah, that is irresponsible on the customer's part. I am wondering if all of these issues are because people just aren't maintaining their vehicle properly.

oct03gto

iTrader: (15)

IMO, as an auto tech. A 1/2 quart of oil being consumed over 3k miles is fine. Over 1 qt is a problem with the engine and the car make company. This is a bullsh!t answer to GM's problem. And I can almost be certain that GM will have a few people suing them over this.

GM is resposible, hands down.

I understand the car owner, or sevice technision is responcible for checking and topping off. But high consumption rate is not a cause of the driver.

So, even though I am a GM owner, and have owned nothing else. GM can