GM to reprogram oil change interval reminders for some 4-cylinder engines..
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Jack Coffee Hays County, Republic of Texas
GM to reprogram oil change interval reminders for some 4-cylinder engines..
General Motors is warning owners of almost 800,000 2010-12 vehicles that they may need oil changes more frequently than the onboard oil monitoring systems are telling them.
After high warranty claims on several models with four-cylinder engines, GM will reprogram software to make oil change warning lights go on sooner.
After high warranty claims on several models with four-cylinder engines, GM will reprogram software to make oil change warning lights go on sooner.
MINI has shortened the recommended intervals too... the first shoe?
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: San Diego County, California
A 'balance chain' is different than a timing chain, right? But the principle is the same... the oil is getting low, or gunky, or is no longer as efficient, and the parts wear out quicker as a result.
People can go with the longer interval if they want to, but I'll stick with the 5,000 to 7,500 interval, and sleep better at night. And check the level EVERY WEEK. Level is as important as clean oil!!
People can go with the longer interval if they want to, but I'll stick with the 5,000 to 7,500 interval, and sleep better at night. And check the level EVERY WEEK. Level is as important as clean oil!!
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,264
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From: wisconsin, usa
A 'balance chain' is different than a timing chain, right? But the principle is the same... the oil is getting low, or gunky, or is no longer as efficient, and the parts wear out quicker as a result.
People can go with the longer interval if they want to, but I'll stick with the 5,000 to 7,500 interval, and sleep better at night. And check the level EVERY WEEK. Level is as important as clean oil!!
People can go with the longer interval if they want to, but I'll stick with the 5,000 to 7,500 interval, and sleep better at night. And check the level EVERY WEEK. Level is as important as clean oil!!
a balance chain is a timing chain of a sort ... it is spinning a shaft with weights that makes a 4 cylinder engine as smooth as an 8 cylinder engine
if the chain wears, the timing between the crakshaft and balance shaft changes ... the result can be more vibration than if the shaft was not there
OR
it could result in the weights on the balance shaft and the weights on the crankshaft colliding, resulting in total engine failure
i would like to know what "increased warranty" translates to in plain english
Last edited by bmwr606; Apr 5, 2013 at 11:29 AM. Reason: typos
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,790
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From: Kansas City
The requirement was there all along - just as it is with MINI - that the owners change the oil at least once a year.....I wonder if some folks were driving high miles per year and causing the issue because the computer wasn't telling them to change it soon enough?
Seems like that's what the article was saying, or were they not changing it every year, just relying on the computer to tel them it was time?
I agrre with Joanie, I'll change at a regular interval, whether the computer says it's time or not.
I agree with frequent level checks too, until you've determined an oil usage pattern at least. After that I hardly see the need to check it every week unless your car is consuming mass quantities...
My Clubman S at 50K does not use any appreciable amount of oil in between my yearly oil changes.
Seems like that's what the article was saying, or were they not changing it every year, just relying on the computer to tel them it was time?
I agrre with Joanie, I'll change at a regular interval, whether the computer says it's time or not.
I agree with frequent level checks too, until you've determined an oil usage pattern at least. After that I hardly see the need to check it every week unless your car is consuming mass quantities...
My Clubman S at 50K does not use any appreciable amount of oil in between my yearly oil changes.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,007
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From: San Diego County, California
MINIDave, even though my straight Coopers don't burn oil, I check because making it part of a routine will help you remember to do it at all. :-) Check oil, tire pressure, windshield wiper fluid, etc. It will also catch problems early. Only takes a few minutes and it's 'quality time' with the MINIs.
We get so busy in our daily lives that things slip by us when we aren't noticing. Entrenched habits remind us to take care of what might otherwise overlook.
We get so busy in our daily lives that things slip by us when we aren't noticing. Entrenched habits remind us to take care of what might otherwise overlook.
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