In its vehicles without the Oil Life System, GM currently recommends oil change intervals on two different schedules, depending on how the vehicle is being used. Drivers making lots of short trips or towing trailers should change their oil every 5,000 kms. Those making relatively long cruising trips should have it done at a 12,000 km interval. In fact, because these guidelines are intentionally conservative, a lot of oil is being drained before its useful life has ended. The Oil Life System gives consumers confidence in the fact that they aren't damaging the engine by running bad oil, and that they're not wasting time, money and resources by changing oil that has a lot of useful life remaining.
Oil changes are a significant environmental problem.
The rest of it is apparently dumped on the ground, poured down storm sewers or sent to landfills. Just one quart of improperly disposed used oil can contaminate 4.5 million litres of water, enough to meet the annual needs of 50 people. The Oil Life System grew out of GM's extensive Research and Development efforts, and it shows once again that GM is the industry leader in consumer-oriented technology and environmental protection.