For those readers who may be unaware, buyers of a 2025-model-year GMC vehicle receive a free oil change under the automaker’s Pro Grade Protection program. However, there’s a bit of confusion surrounding the timing and eligibility of the free GMC oil change, which has left a few owners frustrated. Now, GM Authority is providing some insight into this service and clarification on why an early oil change is important after purchasing a new vehicle.
As highlighted by GM Authority readers who have written in describing their experience, the misunderstanding often arises when dealerships decline to perform the free GMC oil change on a new vehicle, stating that the oil is “too new.” In some cases, dealers have told customers that the complimentary first oil change can’t be completed until the vehicle reaches a certain mileage or percentage within the oil life monitor.
This can be problematic, especially for those vehicle owners who subscribe to the theory that engine oil should be changed early after purchasing the vehicle in order to remove contaminants that naturally occur as part of the engine break-in process, thus ensuring the longterm health of the engine.
So to clear things up, GM Authority is providing GM’s official position on the free GMC oil change. Here are the terms from GM itself:
“As a 2025 GMC owner, we are pleased to offer you Pro Grade Protection on your new purchase/lease. This program provides peace of mind with the following included benefits:
One (1) Covered OIL CHANGE visit within 1 year / 12,000 miles of ownership (free of additional costs) which includes:
- ACDelco dexos full synthetic oil and ACDelco oil filter change
- Tire rotation (ask dealer or see Owner’s Manual for details)
- Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection (MPVI)“
Notably, the policy does not require a specific oil life percentage or mileage threshold, only stating that the free oil change should be completed within one year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.
So, with that in mind, if a dealer refuses to honor the service before these conditions are met, customers are well within their rights to insist it be completed anyway, since there is nothing in GM’s terms that stipulates mileage or oil life. Not that we’d recommend it, but if a customer wants the free GMC oil change done after driving their new GMC for only a mile after taking delivery, the dealer should honor the request.
As a reminder, GMC Pro Grade Protection provides a well-rounded suite of ownership benefits for 2025-model-year vehicles in addition to the oil change and tire rotation, including:
- 3 years / 36,000 miles Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty
- 5 years / 60,000 miles Powertrain Limited Warranty
- 5 years / 60,000 miles Roadside Assistance
- 5 years / 60,000 miles Courtesy Transportation for warranty service
- 3 years / 36,000 miles Corrosion Protection
- 6 years / 100,000 miles Rust-Through Protection
To sum up, the free GMC oil change is not only a valuable part of new vehicle maintenance – it’s also an important step in protecting your investment from the get-go. So get that fresh oil in there and make sure your engine lasts for the long haul.
Comments
First oil change should be near 1000 miles.
I engineered IC engines for 4 OEMs during my career (retired in 2024). These days, with modern engines, temps, materials, tech & motor oils, the sweet spot for the first oil change is between 2,000 and 3,000 miles.
There just isn’t that much material breakdown during the first 1K miles, but there is much more between 2K and 3K. That’s what I would recommend. Doing the first oil change after 1K used to be the best practice in the 90s, but modern engines need more use.
Part of the reason for the early first oil change is not just for wear parts but also to flush out the leftover manufacturing gunk from the internals of the block, heads and oil passages. Look for the glitter in your drain pan.
Finally some one who really knows about cars. Also check the owners manual. It state the same thing as Chuck. Your a really good man Chuck.
12k miles for oil change is diabolical
Reread the article. They are not saying the first oil change is at 12,000 miles. You can have it PERFORMED WITHIN 12,000 miles.
Trax 2025. Owner*s manual states oil change when “Change oil soon” lights up on
on dashboard. Can go another 1300 miles before change. Up to ONE YEAR under perfect conditions. No definition for Perfect Conditions. If in dought check the owner*s manual. COMMON SENSE.
I went to a different dealer, had them charge out the oil and filter to my vehicle, and they gave me the items. I then went home and did the service myself. I don’t trust those lube boob’s to fix a sandwich. The endless revolving door of idiots and staffing at dealers these days hasn’t been good.
Couldn’t agree more
It is not up to the customer to have to argue with the dealer but rather it is GMs responsibility to ensure it’s customer vehicles receive the best service. I see more and more where GM is passing the buck onto the customer instead of taking responsibility for issues.
Agreed. But when it comes to customer service and doing the right thing, today’s gm is all lip service.
I’m thankful to have excellent sites like GM authority to keep them on their toes and us owners informed.
Why is it that everyone nowadays wants someone else to be responsible for their “stuff”.
Vehicle maintenance is the sole responsibility of the vehicle owner. Manufacturers make the recommendation as to when “service” should be adhered to. They have the technical expertise and knowledge of how the durability testing went in order to determine the proper maintenance intervals. I’m positive dealerships are more and more fed up with prodding people to get the required maintenance, and getting a “no thanx” or “later” response then finding out the customer did not do anything and then they complain their vehicle isn’t running correctly. Put your damn cell phone down and “manage” your own lives. Our society is becoming lazier and lazier. That’s why everyone is so short of money. Having to pay someone else to do everything for them. That’s specifically why most of our manufacturing has gone elsewhere. MBA grads won’t work in factories. Duh!
“It’s not how much you make that matters as much as how much you get to keep.”
Yes and no.
The point here is that when the manufacturer includes a particular service with the purchase of the vehicle (in this case, the oil change), and some of the dealers that represent said manufacturer aren’t fully informed about the terms/conditions of said service, it creates confusion. That confusion is certainly not the fault of the vehicle owner.
Most excellant Fred. You are totally right. I am very happy with G.M. dealership. Great service advisors. Men + Women. Great mechanics. I worked in a G.M. factory as a grunt.( 26 years)
Machine operator. Computerized machines. Great knowledge to run them. Had pleasure of working with some university ( aged 20*s) who had great work ethic + and did out-
standing work.
Good insight. My father has a 2024 Honda CR-V and went to get his first FREE oil change and they denied him because the oil life monitor was more than 10%. Unbelievable.
Wait – what is an oil change ?!? Google
When the light on the dash comes on I take it back to the dealership and purchase a new GM – Im making America great again.
The true heartbeat of America from a real patriot. Thank you.