Failure to Change Oil=Engine Shutdown

TxDoc · March 16, 2002

Is anyone aware of this? I was told by a friend who had an Excursion. He has people who take care of mundane activiites like this, or are supposed to. The vehicle got to 17,000 or so (I don't remember the exact mileage) and it simply died. Would not turn over at all. Dead.

He had it towed in and was told that the computer will shut it down at a specified mileage. He told them to keep it. He bought a Suburban and upon inquiry was told it will do the same, but at possibly half the mileage. I will ask him again to get the exact quote by the service tech.

But, is anyone aware of this? If it weren't true, I would be surprised at two different techs affirming it.

Shaners · March 16, 2002

I've never heard of it, but I suppose it would be easy enough to program into the message center light. Let's say for example you don't reset the light, the computer could do something after 3-4K miles.... ???

But like I said before, I've never read anything like this either in the manual, or on the net (until now...)

Joel · March 17, 2002

hmm, sounds fishy. So driving along on the free way it will shut down when it hits 17k if whoever changes the oil doesn't reset the monitor?

Joel

firecadet613 · March 17, 2002

I haven't heard about that. Legally I doubt they could do it, if you don't change your oil you are only voiding the warranty, they cannot force you to change your oil to keep your vehicle running. As too the two techs affirming it, I'm not to suprised that the first one did considering he's a F*RD mechanic.

Joe

TxDoc · March 17, 2002

Like I said, I will check on this with him, again. He has no reason to make things up. It is of no benefit to him. And, he is not that kind of person.

I don't understand why the Excursion dealer would say that, especially if it were not true--because he told them he no longer wanted it and walked out without the vehicle. If it shutdown for another reason, why would they not tell the truth and lose his business. He does not keep a vechicle long enough for it to need much service. He will trade every year, so the dealer would be losing a regular, dependable, cash paying customer.

When he went to the Chevy dealer, he specifically asked about this occurring on the Suburban and I would not think this dealer would tell him it would do the same thing, but at roughly half the mileage--since he told the dealer that is why he is buying a different vehicle.

He does not mince words and pretty much tells you what he wants and expects you to know your "stuff" or he will deal elsewhere. I have two Honda generators that will shutdown or if there is a low oil level problem or won't start if it senses this at attempted startup. Seeing as how these are pretty low-tech compared to a $40,000 vehicle, I just wonder if they try to make sure of a proper oil change sequence so you don't ruin the engine and do a quick change and show up claiming a 3,000 mile change routine?

I still don't know what to think. It has my curiosity up, though.

Shaners · March 17, 2002

Low oil level could certainly cause a shutdown... but does your friend not look at his gauges?

If there is no oil pressure then there would be a catastrophic shutdown... OUCH!!!

Personally I don't think I could look at that "change engine oil light" every day for ever and ever and at least not run the truck through a "jiffy lube" or something.

If you have an engine oil related failure, GM will require documentation for proper maintenance. That is why I always have my service done by GM... I don't have to carry dated reciepts for oils and filters etc... It's all on their computer, and it's only $20-$25 bucks and I stay clean and it takes 30 minutes or less or it is free!!!

I sometimes wonder if mechanics opinions have to be taken with a grain of salt instead of literally....

BTW, I'm sorry about your friends truck.

TxDoc · March 17, 2002

It was not low on oil. He had oil, it just wasn't changed. He did not have any damage occur. It just was an inconvenience that it died and would not start.

Not too bad, I guess. He now has a Chevy!! When you have your own 20 million dollar jet, you can switch little things like cars/trucks that don't make you happy. ;)

Outisde

Inside

flight deck

Shaners · March 17, 2002

That's a beautiful plane TxDoc. I hope it never shuts down on him....

firecadet613 · March 17, 2002

That's a really sweet plane!

Greg · March 17, 2002

It was not low on oil. He had oil, it just wasn't changed. He did not have any damage occur. It just was an inconvenience that it died and would not start.

Not too bad, I guess. He now has a Chevy!! When you have your own 20 million dollar jet, you can switch little things like cars/trucks that don't make you happy. ;)

Do I understand this correctly? Here is a person that owns a private jet, that has enough preventative maintenance and checklists to choke a horse, who can't be bothered to get their oil changed on their truck in 17K miles? I don't get it.

TxDoc · March 17, 2002

Greg,

Someone who should have taken care of it, failed to do so. Some employees have duties of shopping, cleaning, scheduling, cooking, travel planning, gardening, feeding and taking care of cattle, taking care of pets, etc.

The Excursion was not serviced by the person or taken for service by the person who was being paid to do so. That was the bottom line. It should not have happend and it won't happen again.