Aftermarket oilfilter causes engine damage?

This is the first new car we have bought and I am discovering the dealer will tell you just about anything to get you in to pay for their overpriced service. Can someone tell me if this is for real? They sent me a letter that said my 3000 mile service was due and that it could affect my warrantee. Well called them up and they said oh, that is just an oil change. Upon asking them if I could do it myself (I do 90% of my own work) they said I had to use a GM oil filter because they have had problems with aftermarket oil filters causing engine damage. I think this is just a greedy dealer trying to get business but perhaps I am wrong. Anyone know any facts on this issue? My thinking is filters are filters.

You can certainly change your own oil. The fear is that if (in the slim chance) that there is a failure of some sort, the GM dealership change is the best proof it was done, when and at what mileage. Sometimes they say quick change reciepts are not adequite proof. So if you do change your own oil, keep a log, and preferably the receipts for the filters and oil.

There are big differences in oil filters. However, I have used cheap oil filters, and as long as I change the oil regularly, they have been fine. To me the main thing is changing it. Some of my cars I let go longer than others as the oil seems to stay cleaner longer on certain cars. And my vehilce use varries quite a bit. Your vehicle should have the oil life monitor to help whith when to change it.

I would recommend changing the oil soon after break in. (1000 miles or so) And don't forget to reset the oil life monitor. if you've got 3K on your vehicle, dont sweat it, I would just get it changed.

I've been told there is a law that if the dealer requires them to do the oil change, using a dealer oil and filter, they must provide it free of charge. So tell them sure they can do it, as long as its free.

For a while, the GM dealers had brought their prices down on oil changes and were competative. Maybe they went back up???

I too do all my own oil changes. Be sure to drain them oil with the engine hot, and drain for quite a while, at least 10 minutes.

Dan Strong

I the Dealer requires their filter and oil in order to avoid warranty issue, they must provide it for free. Also, any oil filter is fine except fram. Personally, I use Motorcraft (same as Purolator but cheaper) any chance i get and if not available for my vehicle i will use NAPA (same as Wix but cheaper).

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

Some after market filters contain teflon to help reduce engine wear. These could be the filters the dealer is talking about. Stay away from these filters, they may reduce engine wear but the teflon can block oil passages in the engine causing bigger problems.