Vehicle Maintenance Goes High-Tech (NAPSA)—Is your car’s oil ready to be changed? Do you know how muchair pressure is in its tires? Even if you don’t know the answers to these important main- tenance questions, there’s a chance your vehicle might. Increasingly, automakers are using sophisticated computer technology to diagnose a wide array of vehicle problems or to monitor a vehicle’s performance. For example, new systems have been designed to determine when it’s time for oil changes and maintenance. Specialized systems can double or even triple the time between oil changes, when compared to the common 3,000-mile recommendation. “Our engineers have studied oil life for decades, and they learned that oil life tends to degrade in a predictable pattern,” said Peter Lord, executive director, GM Service Operations. “The GM Oil-Life System (GMOLS) simply measures the two key factors that enable us to predict the optimum timefor the oil to be changed—enginerevolutions and temperature.” The system can automatically adjust the oil change interval based on engine characteristics, driving habits and the climate in which the vehicle is operated. For instance, mild highway driving in a warm climate will maximize the interval between oil changes. Depending on the vehicle, this @ could be in excess of 12,000 miles. On the other hand, short-trip driving in a cold climate may limit the oil change to 3,000 milesorless. With all of the time and financial constraints on consumers today, GM Goodwrenchbelieves in using technology to deliver convenience and valueto vehicle maintenance. For example, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, an industry-first service available only from GM, collects valuable maintenance information on four of the vehicle’s key operating systems from hundreds of diagnostic checks and sends a personalized e-mail directly to the owner. “Today’s consumer doesn’t have the time for unnecessary trips for maintenance,” said Lord. “The innovative use of leading-edge technology in our vehicles enables GM to offer game-changing approaches to service such as Goodwrench Remote Diagnostics, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics and Simplified Maintenance Schedules including GMOLS that save consumers time and money, while setting a new standard of convenience and peace of mind that no other manufacturercan offer.” According to Lord, the dealership can perform all routine vehicle maintenance to help prepare for the change in weather and winter driving months. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.goodwrench.com.
