Understanding the GMC Oil Life System and Service Lights

Performing all scheduled and recommended maintenance on your GMC vehicle is necessary to keep it running properly so you can avoid many untimely, inconvenient and possibly costly repairs due to negligence. Thankfully, the days of a standardized manual maintenance schedule are coming to an end.

Smart technologies like General Motors' (GM's) Oil Life System (OLS) automatically monitor your vehicle's oil life with an advanced, algorithm-driven on-board computer system that alerts owners when it's time to change the oil. so they can fix the problem quickly and without hassle. When a service light comes on, such as the "ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON" light, all the owner has to do is make an appointment with a trusted mechanic, take the car in for service, and the mechanic will take care of the rest; it is so simple.

How the GMC Oil Life System (OLS) works and what to expect

The GMC Oil Life System (OLS) is not just an oil quality sensor, but a software algorithm that takes into account various engine operating conditions to determine the need for an oil change. Certain driving habits can affect oil life as well as driving conditions such as temperature and terrain. Lighter to moderate driving conditions and temperatures will require less frequent oil changes and maintenance, while more severe driving conditions will require more frequent oil changes and maintenance. Read the table below to find out how the OLS determines oil life:

Attention: Engine oil life depends not only on the factors listed above, but also on your car model, year of manufacture and type of recommended oil. For more information on which oil is recommended for your vehicle, see your owner's manual and feel free to seek advice from one of our experienced technicians.

The oil life counter is located in the information display on the dashboard and counts down from 100% oil life to 0% oil life as you continue to drive; at some point, the computer will prompt you to CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON. The computer will remind you of about 15% oil life end, giving you plenty of time to plan ahead for your vehicle's maintenance. It's important not to put off servicing your vehicle, especially when the gauge shows 0% oil life. If you wait and the maintenance is overdue, you run the risk of seriously damaging the engine, which can leave you stranded or worse. GM recommends changing the oil within two fills of the fuel tank from the first message or within 600 miles. In addition, GMC vehicles, like most other vehicles, require an oil change at least once a year, whether the car is rarely driven short distances or is the queen of garages. If the Oil Life System has been failing your GMC for a year or more, have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.

The following table shows what the information on the dashboard means when the engine oil reaches a certain usage level:

When your car is ready for an oil change, GM has a standard checklist for servicing your GMC:

GMC also recommends the following scheduled maintenance items throughout the life of the vehicle:

After completing an oil change and service, you may need to reset the OLS system in your GMC. Some service people neglect this, which can lead to premature and unnecessary operation of the service indicator. There are many different ways to reset this indicator, depending on your model and year. Please refer to the user manual for instructions on how to do this for your GMC.

While engine oil percentage is calculated according to an algorithm that takes into account driving style and other specific driving conditions, other maintenance information is based on standard time tables such as the old school maintenance schedules found in the owner's manual. This does not mean that GMC drivers should ignore such warnings. Proper maintenance will greatly extend the life of your vehicle, ensuring reliability, driving safety, a manufacturer's warranty, and greater resale value. Such maintenance work must always be carried out by a qualified person. If you have any doubts about what GMC Oil Life System (OLS) means or what services your vehicle may require, feel free to seek advice from our experienced technicians.

If your GMC's Oil Life System (OLS) indicates your vehicle is ready for service, have it checked by a certified mechanic such as AvtoTachki. Click here, select your vehicle and service or package, and book an appointment with us today. One of our certified mechanics will come to your home or office to service your vehicle.