05-00-89-072D

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Bulletin No.:
Service Bulletin
Date:
00 - General Information
05-00-89-072D
September, 2016
INFORMATION
Subject:
Fuel and Oil Additives - Facts and Myths - Maximizing Gasoline Fuel Economy
Models:
2017 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks
This Bulletin applies to Export Models.
Attention: Please direct this bulletin to the Service Manager, Service Consultants and the Sales
Staff. A copy of this bulletin is encouraged to be given to the customer as it is written
with the consumer in mind. This bulletin may be posted in the customer lounge or
waiting area.
This Bulletin has been revised to add Model Years, add graphics, add a Section for Web Sites
and update the information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-00-89-072C.
A Statement About Fuel Economy
Sustainable energy use meets our present energy
needs without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet theirs. Almost all of the cars and
trucks we drive run on fuels derived from oil, which is a
non-renewable resource. Therefore, it makes sense to
use fossil fuel resources such as oil in the most efficient
way possible.
The information below is presented in three sections:
• What Not To Do: Engine and Fuel Additives,
Alternate Fuels, and Miracle Products
• What to Do: Maximizing Fuel Economy/
Minimizing Costs
• Web Sites
What Not To Do: Engine and Fuel
Additives, Alternate Fuels, and Miracle
Products
Various unproven products with claims to improve
vehicle fuel economy have been reported ranging from
magnets that align molecules to chemical combustion
improvers.
Most products claiming to provide benefits are based
on unsubstantiated claims. Those that do present
scientific results generally either have too little
supporting data to be conclusive, have not conducted
experiments in a controlled fashion, or cannot be
substantiated by anyone else but the product's
manufacturer. A review of the information shows that
the majority did not work, and for those that showed
some effect, the benefit was too small to be cost
effective.
Copyright 2016 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission summarizes
results for products tested by the federal government at
their website.
Harmful Ideas That May Damage the Vehicle and
Increase Emissions
Notice: Never put Kerosene or Diesel Fuel into any
gasoline engine vehicle. This may result in
inconsistent performance, driveability concerns
and damage to the engine that is not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
• A recent poor idea to improve fuel economy is to
blend either kerosene or diesel fuel into gasoline.
Both kerosene and diesel fuel are distillate fuels
meant for use in compression ignition engines, not
spark ignition engines. They have very low octane
and since they are heavier (higher density) than
gasoline, they will cause heavy engine deposits,
degradation of engine oil and very poor
driveability.
Notice: Never put acetone, ketones, or methanol
additives into any gasoline engine vehicle. Some of
these solvents may damage or corrode the fuel
system. They may also damage the painted
surfaces of the vehicle if spilled.
Damage to vehicle components that result from
using non-approved or aftermarket additives and
devices are not covered by the vehicle warranty.
• Chemicals that are normally used as solvents
should not be used. These include acetone,
ketones, and methanol. These solvents may be
incompatible with rubber and/or sealing
components, and in case of contact, may dissolve
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September, 2016
Bulletin No.: 05-00-89-072D
the vehicle’s paint finish. In the case of methanol,
corrosion of metal parts in the fuel system may
occur.
What to Do: Maximizing Fuel Economy
and Minimizing Costs
The best fuel economy possible is the direct result of
proper maintenance and good driving habits. Listed
below are some generally accepted recommendations
to achieve the best fuel economy possible. The first
sub-section is Vehicle Considerations and the second
sub-section is Driving Habits Affect Fuel
Consumption
Vehicle Considerations
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Accessories: Add on equipment such as: bike
racks, running boards, spoilers and Track
Packages may reduce fuel economy due to
increased drag and wind down force.
Air Filter: A vehicle that has a dirty air filter can’t
efficiently draw air into the engine. This restriction
forces the engine to expend energy to “breathe”
wasting fuel in the process. Air filter replacement
intervals are found in the Owner Manual.
Anticipate Upcoming Traffic Lights. Avoiding a
complete stop can help to save fuel. If the light can
be seen and is about to turn green and you can
safely slow down just enough without stopping,
less fuel will be consumed.
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Ask for and use engine oils that meet the dexos®
specification. Engine oils that have been approved
by GM as meeting the dexos® specification are
marked with either of the dexos1® approved logos
that are shown. For additional dexos® information,
refer to the link in the Web Site section of this
Bulletin.
Engine Oil — dexos® GM Vehicles do not
require additional engine oil additives. Some
additives may cause harmful effects to the internal
seals and may void the terms of the vehicle
Warranty. Always use the proper viscosity oil in
the engine (i.e. 5W-30). Using oil that has a higher
than required viscosity will create more drag on
the internal components of the engine especially
when cold. The vehicle Owner Manual contains
information on the proper type and viscosity of oil
for the vehicle.
Certain Model Year Corvettes use Mobil 1™
engine oil and if so it is indicated on the engine oil
fill cap.
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Older vehicle Owner Manuals indicate to look for
the American Petroleum Institute (API) Starburst
symbol. The Starburst symbol indicates that the oil
has been certified by the API. dexos® is also an
excellent choice for these older vehicles. Look for
this information on the oil container, and use only
those oils that are identified as meeting GM
Standard GM6094M and have the starburst
symbol on the front of the oil container.
Engine Oil Life System: Newer GM vehicles
have an Engine Oil Life System. This computer
system indicates when to change the engine oil
and filter by displaying a message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). This computer algorithm
is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on
driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil
change is indicated can vary considerably. For the
Engine Oil Life System to work properly, the
system must be reset every time the oil is
changed. Aveo, Wave, Optra and Epica currently
do not have an Engine Oil Life System.
E85 FUELS: Only vehicles designated for use
with E85 should use E85 blended fuel. E85
compatibility is designated for vehicles that are
certified to run on up to 85% ethanol and 15%
gasoline. All other gasoline engines are designed
to run on fuel that contains no more than 10%
ethanol. Use of fuel containing greater than 10%
ethanol in non-E85 designated vehicles can cause
driveability issues, service engine soon indicators
as well as increased fuel system corrosion.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp: When the
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) also known as
the Service Engine Soon (SES) Lamp is
illuminated, the vehicle’s On-Board diagnostics
computer has identified that something is not
working properly. GM vehicles have many sensors
that the computer uses to both control and sense
actual fuel usage. When the MIL illuminates it is
an indication that the engine has lost some of its
ability to run at peak efficiency. This may result in
increased fuel consumption, increased emissions,
and/or driveability concerns.
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•
Tire Pressure: A vehicle specific Tire and
Loading Information label (typical view) is
attached to the driver door or center pillar (B-pillar)
depending on the vehicle. The tire and loading
information label shows the number of occupant
seating positions (A), the maximum vehicle
capacity weight (B) in kilograms and pounds, the
size of the original equipment tires (C) and the
recommended cold tire inflation pressures (D).
One of the major contributors to poor fuel
economy are under-inflated tires. Tires that are
low on air pressure create drag that the vehicle’s
powertrain must overcome, wasting fuel. Always
keep tires inflated to the proper pressure as
shown on the vehicle Tire and Loading Information
label. The correct tire air pressure promotes fuel
efficiency and reduces tire wear, further
decreasing vehicle operational costs per mile.
• TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasoline:
Notice: DO NOT confuse the Top Tier™ Fuel
designation with higher octane (Plus/Premium
Grade Fuel) commonly sold at most gas stations.
Plus and Premium fuels are required in some high
performance GM vehicles. However, they do not
necessarily represent the higher detergency that is
present in available TOP TIER™ Detergent
Gasolines.
TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasoline is the premier
standard for gasoline performance. By selecting
fuels designated as TOP TIER™ Detergent
Gasoline, this helps drivers avoid lower quality
gasoline which can leave deposits on critical
engine parts, reducing engine performance.
These fuels are preferable when and where
available. They help to keep the fuel injectors and
intake valves free of deposits. Clean engines
provide optimal fuel economy, performance and
reduced emissions.
For additional information regarding Top Tier fuels
and available Retailers, refer to the latest version
of Corporate Bulletin Number #05-06-04-022.
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September, 2016
Additional gasoline brands are added to the TOP
TIER™ list as they meet the standards. For the
very latest list of TOP TIER™ Retailers, refer to
the link in the Web Site section of this Bulletin.
• Recommended Grade (Octane) Fuel:
Notice: For high performance GM vehicles that DO
require Premium (91 octane or higher) fuel, you
MUST use fuels of at least this octane. Use of lower
octane fuel may result in reduced performance,
knocking, and/or permanent engine damage not
covered under the terms of the New Vehicle
Warranty.
Purchasing higher than required octane fuel is a
waste of money. Using higher octane fuels in a
vehicle that only required regular unleaded fuel
will neither increase performance nor improve gas
mileage. Only use the octane rated fuel
recommended for the vehicle. Refer to the Owner
Manual.
• Spark Plugs: Most current GM vehicles have
100,000 miles (160,000 km) service intervals for
spark plugs. Spark plug replacement intervals are
found in the Owner Manual.
⇒ If the vehicle has reached this Maintenance
Schedule Interval, replace the spark plugs to
assure proper performance and efficient
operation.
For spark plug service intervals on Chevrolet
Aveo, Optra, Epica, Pontiac Vibe, Wave and
Saturn Astra, refer to the applicable
Maintenance Schedule in SI.
• Utilize Cruise Control. Maintain a consistent
speed by using the cruise control (if equipped).
Use rest areas or truckstops located at the top of
hills. Stopping at the top of a hill allows you to
ease back on to the highway proceeding downhill,
which requires less fuel.
Bulletin No.: 05-00-89-072D
down the road until traffic grinds to a stop. This driving
style leads to stop-start traffic jams which increase fuel
consumption and emissions.
• Avoid Extended Idling: There is no need to idle
the engine until it reaches full operating
temperature. Extended idling time wastes fuel and
has a negative impact on miles per gallon. When
using the Remote Start feature (if equipped) keep
the idling time to a minimum. Starting the car on a
very cold day and leaving immediately may
actually cause the engine to consume more gas.
Warming it up and thinning the oil for a few
minutes can actually improve mileage.
• Combine Trips: Any vehicle uses much more
fuel when the engine is cold. This is especially
true in the winter months when the engine will take
the longest to warm up. Combine errands or trips
so that the vehicle only needs to warm up once to
encompass many different stops.
• Empty the Trunk: Avoid leaving unnecessary
items in the trunk. It takes power to move
increased weight and that means more gasoline
consumption and reduced performance. While the
change may be slight, multiplied by thousands of
miles it adds up.
Driving Habits Affect Fuel Consumption
Many variables affect fuel consumption, including but
not limited to: Aggressive and/or timid drivers, altitude,
ambient temperature, humidity, road conditions, traffic,
vehicle condition and extreme weather conditions.
Motorists that are too aggressive or too timid in their
driving style are the cause of major traffic jams,
scientists have discovered. Researchers say
aggressive motorists, who drive too fast and too close
to the vehicle in front, or timid motorists, who leave too
big a gap, send a "wave of deceleration" backwards
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Odometer Accuracy: Odometer accuracy can be
verified using Interstate or US Highway mile
markers. Mile markers are the little green signs
with the white numbers printed on them dotted
along the roadside. Well traveled routes will have
them every mile, some Interstates even display
them in tenths of miles. Back country US
Highways will spread them out as thinly as one
every twenty miles or so. Compare the distance
between the beginning and ending odometer
reading to the distance between the beginning
and ending mile marker signs. In Canada,
distance (kilometer) markers are also
commonplace on many Canadian highways.
Odometer accuracy can also be verified by using
Google Earth™ mapping service. Google Earth™
includes several tools for measuring distances
Bulletin No.: 05-00-89-072D
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very accurately - right down to the millimeter level.
With the Google Earth™ method, measure a very
specific route on the computer, and then go out
and drive it to make the mileage comparison.
Odometer Trip Setting: Some vehicles are
equipped with a “Trip A” and “Trip B” setting on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). This display
shows the current distance traveled, in either
miles (mi), or kilometers (km) since the trip
odometer was last reset.
This display may also show the approximate
average miles per gallon (mpg) or liters per 100
kilometers (L/100 km). This number is calculated
based on the number of mpg or L/100 km
recorded since the last time this menu item was
reset. This number reflects only the approximate
average fuel economy that the vehicle has right
now, and will change as driving conditions
change.
Slow Down, Drive Smoothly: Avoid quick/full
throttle acceleration from a standstill in town and
high cruising speeds on the interstates. While the
optimum MPG or L/100 km for highway cruising
speed varies from vehicle to vehicle, faster is
almost always worse. If the vehicle is equipped
with a Driver Information Center that displays
Instant Fuel Economy, select that display and vary
the vehicle’s cruising speed while on the highway.
The display will change continuously with uphill
and downhill sections but you should quickly be
able to identify on level ground the speed range
that the vehicle performs best in.
Weight: Weight is one of the biggest causes for
loss of kinetic energy in non-hybrid cars. An extra
100 pounds (45 kg) increases fuel consumption by
1–2%. Weight is the most important factor in
stop-and-go driving. Don't remove things from the
car that are needed frequently. Instead make sure
these items are in the car and readily accessible,
because wasted trips to retrieve or replace them
will be much worse than a little less gas mileage.
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Web Sites
– dexos® Engine Oil: For additional information and
available licensed brands visit this General Motors
website: http://www.gmdexos.com
– Additional Information about ways to maximize fuel
economy, driving more efficiently, detailed test
information and gas mileage estimates for cars
dating from 1985 can be found on the web at the
official U.S. U.S. Department of Energy website.
Visit: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
– For Federal Trade Commission “Gas Savings
Products” information, visit: https://
www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/
0057-gas-saving-products
– You can take many free or low-cost steps to save on
gas, including buying only the octane level you need,
watching your speed, properly maintaining the
vehicle, and checking tire pressure. For more
Federal Trade Commission, Saving Money on Gas
tips, visit: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/
0098-saving-money-gas
– For a list of TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasoline
Retailers, visit: http://www.toptiergas.com/
retailers/
Trademark Footnotes
dexos® is a Registered TradeMark of General
Motors LLC
dexos1® Icons are Registered Logos of General
Motors LLC
dexos® Specification and Registered TradeMark
are Exclusive to General Motors, LLC
Google Earth™ is a TradeMark of Google Inc. ©
2015 Google Inc. All rights reserved.
Mobil 1™ is a TradeMark of EXXON MOBIL
CORPORATION
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.
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