And I agree with you on that. Probably because SOME are less than adequately trained .

Those that are correctly trained, generally remark about the OLI. I was in a large GM dealer in Ft. Wayne this past summer. The "service advisor" tried to tell ME that GM RECOMMENDS 3000 mile oil changes. When I displayed the quotation in the Owners Book about the OLI and oil changes he was "dumbfounded". His statement was something to the effect, "that it must be a new requirement for the HHR" . I politely insinuated he was an a$$, it's on all GM cars for a number of years and shouldn't be in the position he was in. I got my loose radio wire fixed and left.

But my comment would be, "Let's see, you are trusting a service department that can't repair brakes, do a recall campaign correctly, install a head liner, repair a squeak in the front end, a rattle in the hatch, etc. etc. without a return visit....several times (if you're lucky) TO TELL YOU WHEN TO CHANGE YOUR OIL". Are you sure they are telling you the absolute truth (since GM themselves say something quite different). Are you sure they are even putting oil in the car? Changing the filter? Using the right type of oil? How about quantity? I did this with a bit of tongue in cheek....but you get the idea.

 

Or, he's got the highest conversion rate in the region for unnecessary, but profitable oil changes.

 

I just had my oil changed with Mobil 1 over the weekend. The OLM said I was at 67% oil life at around 3500 miles. I had the mechanic show me the oil filter and there were no metals shavings or pieces in the filter. He said it looked pretty clean for the first oil change. So I'm wondering if I could get 7K miles between oil changes, which would be about 3 per year.

Price of oil change was $59.99 - $6 coupon.

 

If you are following the manual and going by the OLM then 7k is easy. On mine, 7k is on the low end.

 

dbfruth's right, 7K is on the low end, I too have a problem going such a long time between changes after doing it at 3K all my life, but I just did my 2nd oil change, this one at 33% which was just over 7K miles and the oil still looked very good, not really black, more of an amber. Could still see through it.
At the price of synthetic oil, I will wait until I get much closer to 0% next time.

 

welp for right now..... i will change it at 3000 miles, no matter what the percentage is on the dic

i get them free for another 15 months......part of the pkg i got..

 

I was skeptical at first. I have always done oil changes between 3000 and 5000 miles depending on the vehicle. This was my first car to have a system like this and at first I ignored it and went with my old school of thought. Later I decided that the OLM would not be there if they did not intend for you to use it. I figure that by following the GM recommendations I am saving money, and I don't have to crawl under the car as often.

 

My 2000 Trans Am has the older style OLM. It ticks off around 5K miles depending on my driving. I have had it go off at 3500 miles.

I'm just shy of 4K miles on the HHR and the OLM is around 46% IIRC. I figure as long as I check the oil I'm ok.

In this case, being GREEN is a good thing.

I just wish dealers were better educated on the OLM. My dealer still pushes the 3000K mile thingy.........

 

Every Service advisor, Parts consultant, Service and Parts Manager is required to take a class on the GM Oil Life System. GM requires their dealerships to be up to speed with all the tests and schooling to be compliant with their franchise agreement. If the dealer you are going to doesn't know about this system I would recommend finding yourself another GM dealer to take your car.

 

Interestingly, the oil change place I went to placed a sticker on the windshield that recommended I have my next oil change in 4K miles. I don't know where they came up with that one....