{"id":986,"date":"2008-11-06T21:05:35","date_gmt":"2008-11-07T02:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/caddyinfo.com\/wordpress\/?p=986"},"modified":"2008-11-06T21:05:35","modified_gmt":"2008-11-07T02:05:35","slug":"goodwrench-busts-auto-care-myths-one-myth-at-a-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.caddyinfo.com\/wordpress\/goodwrench-busts-auto-care-myths-one-myth-at-a-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Goodwrench Busts Auto Care Myths One Myth at a Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Effort begins by educating consumers that 3,000-mile oil changes are a thing of the past <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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GRAND BLANC, Mich . \u2013 Goodwrench is sending a few automotive maintenance myths to the scrap heap in an effort to help consumers save money, time and wear and tear on the environment. The effort continues with the biggest myth in the business, the often-recommended 3,000-mile \/ three-month oil change.<\/p>\n

GM is debunking this myth with its patented engine Oil Life System (OLS). Because GM\u2019s OLS tells vehicle owners exactly when to change their oil based on individual driving habits, a motorist who drives an average of 15,000 miles per year, this could mean between two to three fewer oil changes annually.<\/p>\n

\u201c The GM Oil Life System monitors combustion events, engine temperature and other parameters to gauge the oil’s life,\u201d said Matthew Snider, GM\u2019s lead engineer for the GM Oil Life System . \u201cOver the years, millions of test miles have been accumulated to calibrate the system for a variety of vehicles. Keeping pace with technology, the system continues to be upgraded periodically to account for advances in lubrication and engine design.\u201d<\/p>\n

Besides saving time and money, cutting out unnecessary oil changes also helps protect the environment. According to Margo Reid Brown, director of the California Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), just one gallon of oil that makes its way into our waterways can pollute a million gallons of water.<\/p>\n

More than 97 percent of GM vehicles sold today in the U.S. and more than 31 million GM vehicles currently on American roads are equipped with the OLS. The system is based on an algorithm that tracks engine revolutions and temperature, and predicts oil life based on these parameters and driver use. If all drivers of GM vehicles currently equipped with the system in the U.S. use the system as intended, they would save more than 100 million gallons of motor oil consumed annually, compared to the 3,000 mile interval.<\/p>\n

The American Petroleum Institute states that more than 1 billion gallons of motor oil are sold each year in the U.S. Of this, about 185 million gallons of used motor oil are disposed of improperly each year \u2013 dumped onto the ground, tossed into the trash or poured down the drain, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, the <\/a> California Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB<\/a>) and General Motors joined forces to encourage drivers to follow their vehicle manufacturer\u2019s recommendations on oil changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrivers across the country can do their part by debunking this myth and not wasting oil that still has life by changing it prematurely,\u201d said the CIWMB\u2019s Brown.<\/p>\n

How OLS works <\/strong><\/p>\n

GM\u2019s Oil Life System uses a special computerized algorithm that monitors engine speed and temperature, and continuously examines engine conditions to determine when it’s time to change the motor oil. GM\u2019s Oil Life System will automatically adjust the oil change interval based on engine characteristics, driving habits and the climate in which the vehicle is operated. Even with an advanced technology like the Oil Life System, it is still a good idea to periodically check a vehicle\u2019s oil level before going on long road trips or after extensive driving.<\/p>\n

GM’s service schedule is based on the Oil Life System, allowing for a more consolidated service schedule which is a departure from the typical industry approach of basing maintenance intervals on mileage. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional debunked auto maintenance myths <\/strong><\/p>\n

Changing a car\u2019s oil every 3,000 miles isn\u2019t the only auto maintenance myth Goodwrench experts are busting. Goodwrench also helps vehicle owners by dispelling additional automotive maintenance myths that encourage consumers to spend money on unnecessary vehicle repairs that don\u2019t improve fuel efficiency, performance and aren\u2019t environmentally friendly. Besides changing a vehicle\u2019s oil, other vehicle services have changed over the years, particularly within the first 60,000 to 100,000 miles of ownership. Here are some of the most commonly held maintenance myths that have been busted or adjusted based on technologies available on today\u2019s vehicles.<\/p>\n