DETROIT DIESEL
Fuel, Oil and Coolant Specifications
Although the stated Corporation policy is self-ex-
STATEMENT OF POLICY ON FUEL AND
planatory, the following is emphasized: Detroit Diesel
LUBRICANT ADDITIVES
AIlison does not recommend or support the use of any
supplementary fuel or lubricant additives. These
In answer to requests concerning the use of fuel and
include all products marketed as fuel conditioners,
lubricating oil additives, the following excerpts have
smoke suppressants, masking agents, reodorants. tune-
been taken from a policy statement of General Motors
up compounds, top oils, break-in oils, graphitizers
Corporation:
and friction-reducing compounds.
"It has been and continues to be General Motors
NOTE: The manufacturer's warranty applicable
policy to build motor vehicles that will operate
to Detroit Diesel engine provides in part that
satisfactorily on the commercial fuels and Iubri-
the provisions of such warranty shall not apply
cants of good quality regularly provided by the
to any engine unit which has been subject to
petroleum industry through retail outlets. It is
misuse, negligence or accident. Accordingly,
accordingly contrary to the policy of General
malfunctions attributable to neglect or failure
Motors to recommend the regular and continued
to follow the manufacturer's fuel or lubricating
use of supplementary additives in such fuels and
recommendations may not be within the coverage
of the warranty.
"This policy should not be confused with the fact
SERVICE AND INSPECTION INTERVALS
that certain supplementary additives may effec-
Generally, operating conditions will vary for each
tively and economically solve specific operating
engine application, even with comparable mileage or
problems which occasionally arise in some
hours and, therefore, maintenance schedules can vary.
vehicles. In such instances, supplementary addi-
A good rule of thumb for piston, ring, and liner inspec-
tives may be developed on the basis of suitable
tions, however, would be at 45.000 miles or 1500 hours
tests to remedy such problems without otherwise
for the first such inspection and at 30,000 miles or
causing harm IO vehicles. These selected products
1000 hour intervals thereafter.
are then given official GM part numbers and
made available for use in appropriate service
A suggested preventive maintenance practice is a
applications.
regularly scheduled testing of fuel and lubricating oils
by either the oil supplier or an independent testing
laboratory. Since the oil supplier knows the physical
"While General Motors Corporation assumes
properties of his products best and maintains labor-
responsibility for the additives selected by it to
atories to determine practical oil drain intervals, take
remedy specific operating problems, it cannot.
advantage of this service and request him to check
of course. accept responsibility for the many
drained oil samples frequently and report the results
other additives which are constantly being
to you.
marketed."
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