Why Are there so many problems with my 2012 Buick?

[Mackiesback]

I have seen an oil analysis of synthetic oil after 7500 miles and there was still life left in the oil. That is real world results not just speculation. This is 2020 not 1980 so obviously some of you need to get up to date on the longevity of motor oil.

I was a Mobil distributor in the late 70s when Mobil 1 was a new thing and they were recommending 25k on the oil with filter changes every 5-10k. Lets not pretend these extended intervals and recommendations are a 2020 thing. Reality is the 2.4 had issues with oil passages clogging and GMs fix was to adjust the OLM intervals. That doesn't sound like a manufacturer that has a 100% handle on what oil life in their products should really be. Besides, you are talking full synthetics. Is that what the manufacturer recommends using for these 7500-10k intervals? I am not sure that it is. I think these intervals are dino oil.

Not being a fan of big ticket repairs, I will continue to change my oil with full synthetic at 50% indicator life. It's not very expensive.

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

Another factor is that even if they oil can go 10K miles, how about the oil filter? I change the oil of my wife's Encore every 5K miles and the oil filter looks pretty beat up. This is the factory filter I am using. One might suggest using one from Amsoil, but their filters are junk. One guys on the forums was posting they were failing under 5K miles, no where near the 15K they claim.

 

[Dirt]

No it's not ridiculous it's true, motor oils are much more advanced today and they can easily last that long while still lubricating the motor properly.

I have seen an oil analysis of synthetic oil after 7500 miles and there was still life left in the oil. That is real world results not just speculation. This is 2020 not 1980 so obviously some of you need to get up to date on the longevity of motor oil.

Well, there's also this little factor called the "filter" that people seem to forget about, along with natural consumption, cavitation. The folks that rely on their little "computer" to remind them to change your oil are the reason there are threads such as this one, and the reason why GM was forced to change their oil change intervals. Even my 2016 Encore suggests a 3k mile interval between oil changes. For the $35 or so investment (that's using the good stuff too) every few months, it's a small investment to keep your engine running and healthy for the long haul...for an engine that's only going to last up to your warranty period, sure, go 10k miles between oil changes, and pay the price later. Your car, not mine.

 

[Mrlogic313]

Well, there's also this little factor called the "filter" that people seem to forget about, along with natural consumption, cavitation. The folks that rely on their little "computer" to remind them to change your oil are the reason there are threads such as this one, and the reason why GM was forced to change their oil change intervals. Even my 2016 Encore suggests a 3k mile interval between oil changes. For the $35 or so investment (that's using the good stuff too) every few months, it's a small investment to keep your engine running and healthy for the long haul...for an engine that's only going to last up to your warranty period, sure, go 10k miles between oil changes, and pay the price later. Your car, not mine.

Exactly. For those of us who like to keep our cars for years after the warranty period is over this is the key to longevity. 20 mins of your time and a few dollars is worth the piece of mind imo.

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

A few dollars is a true statement! Last year I loaded up on Mobil 1 for my Regal. With gift card stacking, you could get a 5-quart jug for less than $5 and they had a rebate too. Same thing for Pennzoil, they recently had a deal which they had a $22 Shell gift card and Walmart had a 5-quart jug on sale for about $16. I like changing my own oil, since I can take a long time to drain most of the oil out, clean the oil housing properly, correctly install and torque the drain plug. Also, I am sure not to under-fill or overfill the oil levels. Some people say they don't have time to do it. It takes me a lot more time to drive to the dealership, wait for an hour or so and then drive back.
For my wife's Encore it is even more critical because there are two different oil filters that will fit. I quickly found a dealership that I will never use is the one that does not even have the correct filter in stock! (I stocked up on factory filters as I had some Buick Reward's credit)

 

[G-782964]

I bought my 2012 Buick Regal brand new with only 2 miles on it. I've had so many problems with it that I accused my dealership of tearing up stuff just to charge me. I recently saw a thread on here where a person said that their car rocks back and forth at traffic lights with their foot on the brakes. I KNOW HOW THAT FEELS! It's been doing that for years, but the dealer cab never recreate the problem when I take it in. I know my car is considered old at this point, but if everybody's having the same issue, it's the manufacturer. I'll never buy a Buick again.

Mine is also a 2012 Turbo Premium 2 edition, it does the same things at red lights on occasion. It feels like someone is reaching over and feathering the accelerator petal. It only does this about 10% of the time I drive it, and only when sitting at red lights for a minute or so. I usually just throw it into neutral then back in drive and it stops. Never found a cause, clearly its common. No CEL either.