Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintainengine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M maynot be available. You can add substitute oil designatedSAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all temperatures.Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard GM4718Mshould not be used for an oil change.Engine Oil AdditivesDo not add anything to the oil. The recommended oilswith the starburst symbol that meet GM standards are allyou need for good performance and engine protection.Engine Oil Life SystemWhen to Change Engine OilYour vehicle has a computer system that lets youknow when to change the engine oil and filter. This isbased on engine revolutions and engine temperature,and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,the mileage at which an oil change will be indicatedcan vary considerably. For the oil life system towork properly, you must reset the system everytime the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has beendiminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will come on.See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-50. Changethe oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving underthe best conditions, the oil life system might notindicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year.However, the engine oil and filter must be changed atleast once a year and at this time the system must bereset. Your dealer/retailer has trained service peoplewho will perform this work using genuine parts and resetthe system. It is also important to check the oil regularlyand keep it at the proper level.If the system is ever reset accidentally, you mustchange the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since yourlast oil change. Remember to reset the oil life systemwhenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil LifeSystemThe Engine Oil Life System calculates when tochange the engine oil and filter based on vehicle use.Whenever the oil is changed, reset the system soit can calculate when the next oil change is required.If a situation occurs where you change the oil prior to aCHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message being turnedon, reset the system.5-16
