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Oil change/fiascos

1297 messages,  Last post on Sep 07, 2009 at 9:29 AM

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What is this discussion about? Engine, Oil

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#516 of 1297 Oil life by joe3891 Jan 24, 2005 (9:20 am)
has nothing to do with miles, it starts with a set number of RPM, then rpm's are deducted for the engine running, more are deducted for high or low temp and high load. The system was developed using oil analysis. Replies to this message: fish8 (Jan 24, 2005 12:25 pm)
#517 of 1297 Whats the real story?? by bjbird2 Jan 24, 2005 (10:22 am)
I started using Mobil 1 5W-30 synthetic oil in my 2002 Passat 1.8T starting at 1000 miles. All of the oil changes have been done every 5000 miles with a local mechanic, not VW, with me supplying the oil. I thought that with the 1.8T engine sludge problems, VW is now requiring the use of synthetic, and the new larger filters. I also read that VW dropped the price of the synthetic for dealer changes, so I thought I would call VW and find out how their oil change price compared with the cost of buying my own oil, and now, buying the larger filter from VW. I was surprised to hear the service person tell me they were not aware of a recent requirement from VW to use full synthetic in the 1.8T, that they use the semi-synthetic oil, and the larger filter, for a $40 change cost. Using synthetic would be $20-$30 more. So I have a letter from VW telling me to use synthetic oil, and they are very specific about which oils to use. Then I have the dealer telling me they're not aware of this requirement. Don't these guys communicate?  I think I'm going back to my mechanic and supplying my own oil. I'll just have to purchase the larger filter from VW. Replies to this message: altair4 (Jan 24, 2005 1:22 pm) 3screwsloose (Jan 29, 2005 5:04 pm)
#518 of 1297 use Mobil 1 0W40 instead of by krzyss Jan 24, 2005 (10:37 am)
5W30 and you are covered. Keep the receipts.   Krzys
#519 of 1297 Re: Oil life [joe3891] by fish8 Jan 24, 2005 (12:25 pm)
Replying to: joe3891 (Jan 24, 2005 9:20 am) It is also my understanding that the monitor takes into consideration the number of times one starts the car. The monitor does not actually analyze the oil, it just looks at the conditions the oil is being used under.   As Joe indicated, the Chevy oil monitor is not strictly based on miles driven as it is in Honda products. Honda's maintenance light goes off every 7,500 miles (I think)....Period!!
#520 of 1297 Re: Whats the real story?? [bjbird2] by altair4 Jan 24, 2005 (1:22 pm)
Replying to: bjbird2 (Jan 24, 2005 10:22 am) I was surprised to hear the service person tell me they were not aware of a recent requirement from VW to use full synthetic in the 1.8T, that they use the semi-synthetic oil, and the larger filter, for a $40 change cost. Using synthetic would be $20-$30 more.   Incredible. Simply incredible. I think I'd be forced to give VWoA a phone call about this one. This kind thing is going to kill VW.   I guess I've been lucky - I take my own 502.00 Spec approved oil to my dealership. They use their filter, stamp my manual, and the final price is somewhere around $45 (total - including the oil). And they use the bigger filter, too.
#521 of 1297 Re: Whats the real story?? [bjbird2] by bjbird2 Jan 24, 2005 (3:08 pm)
I called VW of America, and they were surprised that a dealer would say that they were not aware of the need to use synthetic oil in the 1.8T, and said that they would address it. They confirmed that I should continue to use VW recommended synthetic oil in my 2002, stressed the need to change it every 5000 miles, and keep all receipts. They also reminded me of the extended warantee related to the sludge problem. As I said, I've been using synthetic oil since 1000 miles, and I have 34000 with no problems (knock on wood!) Owning my first VW product has been a real love/hate relationship. Replies to this message: altair4 (Jan 25, 2005 6:21 am) cjsings2 (Feb 03, 2005 6:13 pm) fish8 (Feb 04, 2005 4:02 am)
#522 of 1297 Oil life monitor by 7937 Jan 24, 2005 (8:01 pm)
From GMTechLink   How the Oil Life System Works We’ve explained the GM Oil Life System (GMOLS) in detail before (March 2000, May 2003) so this is going to be brief.   GMOLS is a computer-based algorithm that assesses engine combustion events, temperature, vehicle use, and other parameters to determine optimum oil change intervals. Oil changes are now called for when actually needed, instead of depending on generic time or mileage interval tables. Mild highway driving in a mild climate can yield change intervals of 7,000 miles (11,000 km) or more, and as high as 12,000 miles (19,000 km) for some vehicles. Short trip driving in cold weather may reduce intervals to 3,000 miles (5,000 km) or less. Most people driving a combination of city and highway will likely see intervals of about 6,000 miles (10,000 km).   When GMOLS determines that an oil and filter change is needed, the driver is notified by a Change Oil message on the instrument panel (fig. 10). Oil should be changed within 600 miles (1000 km).   TIP: The Oil Life System must be manually reset when the oil is changed.   How the Oil Life System is Related to Maintenance The previously complicated, traditional normal/severe maintenance schedules required about 25 pages of explanation in the owner’s manual. The new simplified maintenance schedules can be explained in about 3 pages (see TechLink May 2003 for a summary).   All routine maintenance is grouped into one of two schedules, Maintenance I and Maintenance II. These services should be performed alternately, each time the GMOLS message is displayed.   Benefits of GM Oil Life System and Simplified Maintenance Benefits for the customer -- GMOLS takes the guesswork out of when oil changes are needed; the owner doesn’t have to keep track of anything. With maintenance intervals now aligned with oil changes, the customer can conveniently have both done during one service visit.   Benefits for the dealer -- Because of the typically extended oil change intervals, the customer may come back less frequently. But when they do come back, it’s for more services. The inspection and service points of both Maintenance I and Maintenance II are thorough, and are intended to keep the vehicle in good working order. They also give the technician the opportunity to locate, identify and recommend other needed services.   Benefits for the environment -- With GMOLS now installed on upwards of 20 million vehicles, if it’s used as intended, it can save almost 100 million gallons of oil in 5 years. And remember that every quart of oil poured into an engine eventually has to be drained out and properly disposed of.
#523 of 1297 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jan 24, 2005 (8:50 pm)
You can't make a really good judgment about your oil life based on how it "looks" on the dipstick I don't think.
#524 of 1297 That always got me by driftracer Jan 25, 2005 (6:20 am)
when I was a service manager....people would ask "how'd my oil look?"...I'd say "black?"   If I can see metal on your dipstick, you need a lot more than an oil change...about the only other thing you can tell on a dipstick is maybe with a blown headgasket, you'd have chocolate milk.
#525 of 1297 Re: Whats the real story?? [bjbird2] by altair4 Jan 25, 2005 (6:21 am)
Replying to: bjbird2 (Jan 24, 2005 3:08 pm) I'm really glad you made that call. If VWoA won't clean up the problems at the dealerships, I guess it's up to the customers to force their hand. Good on ya, mate!

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