2003 Buick rendezvous Oil Changes

[vincenero]

I have a 03 Buick rendezvous. Recently brought it in for oil change at jiffy lube. Car had 267000km on it and ran perfect. As I pulled out of bay doors the engine started knocking instantly. I turned around and brought back in. They acknowledge the car was knocking badly and it wasn't before oil change.

I needed a new engine cause they made me drive home and I think the bearings were done from driving it and not getting any oil. There was metal shavings in oil when I brought to a different garage. Told me that rod bearing were gone and cheaper to replace engine.

So my question is I follow the oil life computer in the car and jiffy lube is telling me that I abused my car because according to them I was bringing car in every 10-11000km. I told them my vehicle was equiped with this feature and they denied my claim of paying for replacement engine due to I did not go every 5000km...if this true or do I have a valid point and a good fight?

[newdude]

No abuse. You followed the OEM's recommended procedures on oil changes. GM states to follow the OLM.

 

From the 2003 Rendesvous owners manual:

 

 

When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life System)

Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.

When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service people who will perform this work using genuine GM parts and reset the system. It is also important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed.

How to Reset the Change Engine Oil Message

The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OIL message being turned on, reset the system.

 

If your vehicle does not have the optional Driver Information Center (DIC), do the following:

1. With the ignition key in ON but the engine off, fully push and release the accelerator pedal slowly three times within five seconds.
2. Turn the key to OFF.

   If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes back on, the engine oil life monitor has not reset. Repeat the procedure.

If your vehicle has the optional DIC, do the following:

1. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off.
2. Press the MODE button until the DIC reads OIL LIFE LEFT/HOLD SET TO RESET.
3. Press and hold the SET button until 100% is displayed.

   You will hear three chimes and the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will go off. If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes back on, the monitor has not reset. Repeat the procedure.

 

The maintenance schedule in the owners manual states:

 

Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance

Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the GM Oil Life System (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). Reset the system.

Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.

When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service people who will perform this work using genuine GM parts and reset the system.

It is also important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See Engine Oil for information on resetting the system.

 

Jiffy Lube's recommendations are NOT the OEM"s recommendations. You followed the OEM, so I see no grounds for them to say you abused it (unless you did lol). To me? The way you have written your post, it seems that something happened at that oil change service (they forgot the oil didn't tighten the plug, forgot to tighten or forgot the filter).

 

Now...one thing to keep in mind, if you follow the OLM, or change it every 3k, either way, you should always check your oil, every or every other time you get gas. If there was an underlying issue and you've never checked your oil level...

 

[RyanbabZ71]

Not sure, you may want to consult a lawyer. Sounds like the only way anything will get resolved. Worst case can you file an insurance claim?

[Black02Silverado]

It sounds like from your post, you drove out with them not putting oil back in the vehicle. Agree that you need to get an attorney.

[tbarn]

It's simple to me. If it has the correct filter and is full of oil, then I think they have a very strong leg to stand on. They did nothing wrong. How ever, wrong filter or low or no oil then they have a problem regardless of oil change history. Although using OLM is abuse in my book. At least on the older vehicles. Even GM realized this and changed the OLM algorithms.

[vincenero]

Thanks guys for all the replies. Makes me feel a little better knowing I followed what the guidelines are for changing oil. The vehicle has 267,000km on it and it's always been serviced when the oil monitor told me it was time. Jiffy lube is playing hard with me right now but when I present all my bills of oil changes and other repairs they will see it wasn't from lack of maintenance