2007 Saturn Aura XR- 10,000 miles later.......

[autofan]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Depends on the tire dude. I just yesterday replace my Continental ContiTracs (often referred to as ContiCrap) on my Armada. They were at the wear indicators at 26,400 miles.

I'm with you on the Continentals. My 2003 Pontiac Vibe and 2005 G6 both had ContiSport Touring tires and they were both worn out around 20,000 miles. GM actually covered the replacement of the tires for the Vibe (I switched to Goodyear RS-As which were on some production Vibes) and Continental gave me a discount to use toward new tires for the G6 since they wore out prematurely. I got Yokahamas as replacements.

A note on the frequent oil changers - why? GM's warranties are based on the oil life monitors and engines/oils are now so much better that it's totally unnecessary to waste oil on overly frequent changes. It's not 1960 anymore!

[rbarrios]

Thanks for the write up.
I had a 1996 Saturn SL manual. that little car kept going and going. I sold it around 150,000 miles---- the only repair I ever did to it was a starter.
I think front brake pads 1 time. and tires 1 time. I sold it with the original factory clutch... though the clutch was nearing replacement... Great great car...
I can imagine the XR is light years ahead.....

But like the others said... 3 oil changes in 10,000 miles.....
GM sent out a letter to all dealers to STOP doing the 3000 mile oil changes and use the oil life monitor.
My brother is also the type that will change the oil if the dealer says to.....(not based on OLM).
On our 07 Impala- the 3.9L engine- the OLM has indicated oil changes at about 4500, 5000, and 5800. the current batch is at 30% life.. and were going to hit 20,000 miles soon. weve had the car for about a year and 5 months.................
Now..... my 2003 Trailblazer-- thats a different story. the 4.2L inline 6 takes 7 quarts of oil.
This one goes a long time between oil changes. the last oil removed had about 11,400 miles.... or thereabout. AND this is on REGULAR DINO OIL. at this oil change- the engine had about 126,000 miles. Im currently at 127,400.
about 25 miles shy of 104,000 miles. I had the time to change oil.
My oil life monitor had NOT come on. but I was at 10,554 miles... so I changed it (I did not reset the light.)
I sent off a sample to get analyzed. I requested the analysis that tells me how much life the oil has left.
they said the oil could go a little more-------- and sure enough the OLM light came on about 300-400 miles later.
the oil analysis lab and GM's OLM were right on with each other...
so- I changed oil at ABOUT the following mileage 104,000 /114,000/126,000.
thats 3 oil changes in about 22,000 miles.
My engine still runs great- and is giving me great mileage. Yesterdays tank returned 20 MPG in city/hwy driving. thats 20 MPG in a SUV.... and this was street and hwy mileage combined!!!! (or course I also drive sensibly)
the analysis is posted below.

[autofan]

Originally Posted by rbarrios

But like the others said... 3 oil changes in 10,000 miles.....
GM sent out a letter to all dealers to STOP doing the 3000 mile oil changes and use the oil life monitor.

Thanks for the interesting analysis. I really just think a lot of people are stuck on the historic convention of "every 3000 miles" (some even more frequently than that such as doing the first oil change at 500 or 1000 miles ) and can't get used to the idea that it's totally unnecessary on modern cars and trucks. As for dealers, many still push the old convention because it keeps the cash registers ringing.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

The Suburban and Equinox is my moms vehicles and the BMW is my dads vehicle. The Aura is mine. Yes, I am spoiled. So saving you the trouble there.

LOL. Nice review though, the Aura is still looking good. I still LOVE that two tone interior color combination. Beautiful car! Good you ddn't put too many miles on it either.