OIL CHANGES

The 3,000-mile myth

Many older-model Chevrolet vehicles, including those manufactured without or before the creation of the Oil Life Monitoring System, require oil changes at 3,000-mile intervals. However, thanks to advances in engine technologies, newer models have a much longer range between oil changes. Always refer to your Chevrolet vehicle Owner's Manual for oil-change intervals for your specific vehicle.

Engine Oil Life System

Most Chevrolet vehicles are equipped with the engine Oil Life System (OLS). This system interprets your vehicle’s speed and engine temperature and continuously monitors operating conditions—which helps determine when it’s time for an oil change. The OLS also monitors your personal driving habits and the area’s climate conditions to let you know precisely when to come in for an oil change. It’s a simple, effective way to save money and help reduce oil waste.

Selecting your oil

Choosing the proper grade of oil is a critical step in engine maintenance. From conventional to full synthetic, your Chevrolet Certified Service experts offer a range of oil types, including ACDelco Conventional Oil, ACDelco dexos1TM Full Synthetic, and Mobil 1TM Full Synthetic. Ask the experts which grade of oil you should use for your specific Chevrolet model. You can also check your Owner’s Manual for the correct grade.

Brakes

Are your brakes signaling a problem?

Sometimes, your Chevrolet vehicle’s brakes will alert you when there’s trouble. Whistling noises, chirping sounds, and grinding are indications that brake service is required. Here are some common causes of brake pedal pulsation and/or noise:

• Worn brake pads
• Heat-cracked or worn rotors
• Loose-fitting brake pads in the caliper
• Missing or damaged noise insulators
• Uneven torque of lug nuts or caliper hardware

The life of a brake pad

Brake pad life depends on driving habits, vehicle usage, and operating environment. Brake systems are designed to provide 20,000 to 25,000 miles of pad life in very severe use (such as heavy-traffic urban areas) and will give 40,000 to 60,000 miles of pad life in average use. Factors that will reduce pad life include frequent heavy braking, elevated temperatures (caused by high-speed braking, driving in mountainous areas), driving with the vehicle heavily loaded, and severe environments such as high-corrosion areas and areas with a lot of road debris and dust.

How do I know when I need new brakes?

Brake pads are equipped with wear indicators that produce a squealing noise when the brakes are almost worn out. The noise may be present with or without the brake pedal applied, but when noise is heard from the wear indicator, the brake pads should be replaced as soon as possible. Wear indicators are set to create noise when there is around 2 mm of brake pad friction material thickness remaining. In the case of assessing pad wear through inspection, pads should be replaced at or before 2 mm thickness is reached.

Brake rotors are marked with a “minimum thickness” on the casting (usually 2 mm to 3 mm less than the new rotor thickness). Rotors should be replaced before they reach this minimum thickness and should not be turned below this.