TO: Sales Consultants, Sales Managers, Service Consultants, and Service Managers
SUBJECT: Oil Life Management System Quick Tip
DATE: October 2022
The new Oil Life Management System (included in select newer models, including the 2023 Sportage) is designed to monitor oil deterioration data factors such as engine rpm, engine load, engine oil temperature and evaluates conditions such as short distance driving in cold weather, high temperature uphill driving, and long-term idle. The vehicle issues an alert when it is time to change the engine oil.
It is important to make the customer aware that the alert message may come on earlier than the cadence outlined in their Owner’s Manual.
For example, the customer's Owner's Manual may indicate an 8,000-mile maintenance cadence but based on the severity of that customer's driving habits, the oil may deteriorate faster, and the customer could see the alert appear much earlier than 8,000 miles. Informing customers of this potential "discrepancy" upfront will help ease their concerns. Again, the engine oil change interval alert is predicated on oil life based on a customer's driving habits.
There are two levels of alerts:
- First Alert - warning message when the system detects that there is 5% of oil life remaining
- Second Alert – warning message when the system detects that there is 1% of oil life remaining (the warning light will also illuminate on the cluster and stays on until the oil life is reset)
Important Reminders about the Oil Life Management System
- The system works most accurately when the recommended oil is used. If the recommended oil is not used, replace the engine oil according to the maintenance schedule under the severe usage condition.
- Because the system assumes the engine oil is being filled normally, the customer should check the oil level regularly.
- During service for an oil change, the remaining engine oil life should be reset. If it is not reset, the system alert will not be accurate.
- If the customer has reached the maximum maintenance interval but still has not received an alert from the system, the vehicle should be checked by an authorized Kia dealer.
Be sure to remind customers that they can find additional information on the Oil Life Management System and other key vehicle alert systems in their Owner's Manual.
Sincerely,
Service and Product Quality Team
Kia America, Inc.
TAGS: Oil Life Management System, Service, Product Quality