Oddball Update

I received an interesting letter from GM corporate last week. Apparently Pontiac would like to inform owners of 2005-06 GTOs with manual transmissions that, if driven aggressively, the LS2 engine in their vehicles will consume a small amount of oil. Over time, if the oil level is not maintained, the mill might be starved dry.

Since I’ve read several accounts on LS2GTO.com where people had their engines run dry on oil and spin a bearing or something, my guess is that Pontiac has had several warranty claims for this reason. The letter campaign is likely their attempt to indemnify themselves against further such claims, as they can point to this and say, “This is normal for the car, and if your engine starved, it’s because of owner neglect.”

Excerpt from the letter:

As the owner of a Pontiac GTO with a Six Speed Manual Transmission, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us. This letter is to remind you to check your engine oil level at every fuel stop to assure it is within the operating range at all times, particularly if you drive aggressively.

A higher rate of oil consumption is normal for vehicles equipped with manual transmissions that are driven aggressively. By “aggressive,” we mean operation at high RPM (3,000 RPM to redline), with frequent use of engine braking (using the engine to slow the vehicle). This characteristic does, however, require the owner to check the engine oil levels at sufficiently frequent intervals, especially when driving aggressively, to assure the oil level remains within the recommended operating range. …

Operating your vehicle with an oil level that is below the minimum level indicated on the engine oil dipstick can result in severe engine damage. Repairs resulting from operating an engine with insufficient oil are not covered under the terms of the New Vehicle Warranty.

Scott Lawson, General Director, GM Customer and Relationship Services

Based on my checks, my GTO has never used a drop of oil — and when I took another look at the stick after receiving this letter, the level was right where I’d last left it. Does that mean I drive like a grandma? I don’t think so — about 50% of the posters on the message boards have had no oil consumption, either. I also like engine braking, and I’m not exactly sure if the GTO can even be operated below the 3,000 RPM to redline range.

Still, it’s just another reminder of why frequent oil level checks are important. And what GTO stands for in the first place. No, not Gran Turismo Omologato. Gas, Tires, and Oil — as in, what it consumes greedily when operated in a spirited fashion!

Categorized as Cars, Cars/GTO