Your thoughts on vehicle service maintenance

Don M said:
I was introduced to Amsoil by an independent mechanic several years ago. When he retired, I couldn't find it anywhere except on line and I didn't want to become an 'independent dealer' in order to buy it just for my car(s), so I switched to Mobile 1.

When I got the Camaro in 2015, I knew I wanted to go back to Amsoil, so I searched on line for a local source. I found a shop in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio that used Amsoil exclusively. The Camaro needed an oil change and I was out of dealership 'freebies' from buying the car (driving 100 miles a day goes through oil changes fast LOL). So I decided to check out the shop, Gear Heads, it's called. I went in armed with a list of questions regarding known issues with the 5th gen Camaro and the V6 LFX engine it has and already knowing the answers from researching Camaro forums, I asked the questions while the car was getting the oil changed.

I asked about everything from what oil I should use to known timing chain issues (the timing chain issues were with the LLT V6 and had been corrected in the LFX engine, so my car wasn't affected). They were spot on with everything, including explaining to me that the timing chains were not an issue with the LFX, just the previous generation LLT. I asked about using the Amsoil Signature Series oil and they told me that unless the car had a dual filtration system, I would be wasting money on the more expensive oil, that the "XL Series" (Amsoil's 'mid grade' oil) would more than cover the needs of a car driven roughly 20K mile a year.

When they were done with the oil change, the mechanic came back with a shopping list of what was NOT wrong with the car and some SUGGESTIONS of future maintenance services I might want to think about - no pressure whatsoever to get them done. They even noted that one of my rims is different from the other three.

Since then, I have taken my mother's car, my brother's truck, my sister-in-law's car, each more than once for needed repairs and they all say how reasonable the cost was and how "nice" the owner is. My dad's Corvette is even slated to go in to repair all the things HE "fixed" on it so it will be a running/driving car again. Their business is geared toward Repeat Customers, not "Soak them and forget them." Their philosophy is: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it, if it's questionable, keep an eye on it and if it is broke, use quality parts to fix it so it stays fixed.
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I order Amsoil all the time from their website, I didn't have to become a distributor? Just sign up to be a preferred customer for $10, and you get a $25 off coupon(at least the last two times I did). The membership is for six months so I just order six months worth of oil(one case, two changes). It's a nice little deal really, especially since you can't find Amsoil for a car anywhere, I only see their small engine and motorcycle stuff in stores.
 
PouncingPanzer said:
I order Amsoil all the time from their website, I didn't have to become a distributor? Just sign up to be a preferred customer for $10, and you get a $25 off coupon(at least the last two times I did). The membership is for six months so I just order six months worth of oil(one case, two changes). It's a nice little deal really, especially since you can't find Amsoil for a car anywhere, I only see their small engine and motorcycle stuff in stores.
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It was YEARS ago that I looked at buying it online, so maybe I'm remembering incorrectly or things have changed. It's gotten to the point for me, where I've found a trustworthy shop that uses it and it's just easier to let them do the change and get the free inspection of the rest of the car in the process. Especially now since my wife's 'new to her' car is also going to Gear Heads for work.
 
Wanted to add, i use the OLM on the truck. Tells you when your up for a oil change. Go's by your driving habits etc.. I usually change it around 10%, and always have the tires rotated same time. Duratracs are not cheap! I am currently at 42K miles and they still have some life left and have all worn even. A result of tire rotations.

I also use the K&N cabin filter. Never needs replacing, just cleaning. And a dry flow air filter for the engine.
 
It's amazing how much life you can get out of a good set of tires if you rotate them frequently.

A good set of Michelin Defenders LTX's will get a good 50+K on my wife's SUV. Save's money considering the insane mileage that car sees every year.

Even performance tires in my car see much better life when rotating. With normal street use and rotations I can get around 30K, which is actually quite good!
 
I’m just wondering for those who don’t drive much, how long will tires last time-wise. I have much less than the reported mileage life of tires but I’m certain I have to get new ones any way due to age. I have no dry rot or anything like that but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before my tires might be unsafe.
 
Bill D said:
I’m just wondering for those who don’t drive much, how long will tires last time-wise. I have much less than the reported mileage life of tires but I’m certain I have to get new ones any way due to age. I have no dry rot or anything like that but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before my tires might be unsafe.
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They say by the book your tires should be no more than 6yrs. old.

8yrs. tops.

I recently bought a new set of tires this past Black Friday when I discovered my 2 “good” tires/the 2 rear Toyo Tyres were 16yrs old. They still looked good and had tread but i knew I had to change them fast once I checked the date code.

Research it. There’s a reason why the time of 6yrs. makes sense regardless of the amount of miles you put on them.
 
pro 4x said:
Wanted to add, i use the OLM on the truck. Tells you when your up for a oil change. Go's by your driving habits etc.. I usually change it around 10%, and always have the tires rotated same time. Duratracs are not cheap! I am currently at 42K miles and they still have some life left and have all worn even. A result of tire rotations.
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I can't speak for the other brands, as I've always worked at GM Dealers, but the Oil Life Monitor is simply an engine hour meter, nothing high tech. Obviously, if your averaging 30 mph, it's counting down twice as fast as averaging 60 mph. I use Mobil 1 in all my vehicles. In my DD commuter Lacrosse, which rarely sees 50 mph, I change oil every 4k miles or so, which still shows 35-40% remaining on the OLM, but I feel better doing it that often.
Bill
 
A lot of the OLM systems now , particularly Honda and the Asian imports , are far more than an hour meter. They take into account the load on the engine and the throttle placement. And I can tell you that this works, when I had a Honda Accord where I was commuting stop and go , versus another job that was all interstate commute, the OLM went down much quicker in percentage in the stop and go type driving vs the interstate commute……both trips were about the same amount of time one way.
 
glen e said:
A lot of the OLM systems now , particularly Honda and the Asian imports , are far more than an hour meter. They take into account the load on the engine and the throttle placement. And I can tell you that this works, when I had a Honda Accord where I was commuting stop and go versus another job that was all interstate commute, the OLM went down much quicker in percentage the stop and go type driving , vs the interstate commute, both trips were about the same amount of time one way.
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I’ve definitely noticed this more advanced behavior in my Acura TL.
 
The service department of a dealership is a money maker but at my dealership, it is also a great option. I have purchased three vehicles from the same dealership and they take good care of my cars. They usually have the parts in stock and they have all of the factory diagnostic equipment. My service manager knows me and tries to save me money whenever he can. He also knows not to wash my car. I'm not saying that all dealership service departments are trustworthy. It is best to have them perform the first service and see how you like them.
 
That sounds like a truly rare, golden dealership. If they keep things going as good as they are, they ought to win a national award. I think all dealerships have some kind of award program they compete for.
 
I'm a dinosaur. I still wax my cars and service them myself.

I try to let go and farm out a few things but recently got stung by a GM tech who believed that only 4 of the brake fluid bleeders needed to be bleed instead of all 8 on a Corvette brake system. ABS purge was skipped also. Pages of the GM manual were emailed to his superior asking what the GM logo on the building means when their service compares to a quick lube shop. I love the service advisor but the back room cost her a customer.

I have the equipment at another home to do it myself next fall but mediocrity seems to be the new normal.

Make sure you know what you are getting ahead of time!!!!
 
How the Chevrolet Oil Life Monitor (OLM) system works and what to expect
The Chevrolet Oil Life Monitor (OLM) system is not a simple oil quality sensor, but a software-based, algorithm-driven device that takes into account various operating conditions of the engine to determine when the oil needs changing. Certain driving habits can affect the life of the oil, as well as driving conditions such as temperature and driving terrain. Lighter, more moderate driving conditions and temperature will require less frequent oil changes and maintenance, while more severe driving conditions will require more frequent oil changes and maintenance.
 
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