File in Section:
Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

00 - General Information
07-00-89-036I
December, 2017

INFORMATION
Subject:

Enhancing Field Product Reports with Digital Pictures

Models:

2018 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks

Attention: Dealers play a key role in reporting product issues through the Field Product
Reporting process (refer to the latest version of Corporate Bulletin Number
02-00-89-002 (U.S) or 10-00-89-006 (Canada)). In many cases, photographs can better
illustrate an issue or provide additional detail than just the product report alone. This
bulletin is designed to assist you in providing digital pictures in a Field Product
Report. This Bulletin also applies to any of the above models that may be Export from
North America vehicles.
This Bulletin has been revised to add the 2017 and 2018 Model Years, add the Multiple
Pictures heading and add Picture of Parts On the Vehicle section. Please discard Corporate
Bulletin Number 07-00-89-036H.

Important: This bulletin contains information specific
to the Field Product Reporting process for U.S. dealers.
Dealers in Canada should continue to utilize one of the
electronic Product Information Report (PIR) forms
available in GM GlobalConnect and when appropriate
attach digital picture and sound files (refer to the latest
version of Corporate Bulletin *10-00-89-006). Export
dealers should submit Field Product Reports as per
their regional guidelines.
In order to provide good quality photos, Canadian
dealers are encouraged to review the sections within
this bulletin titled "Some Quick Tips For Taking Quality
Photos - Quickly!", "How to Properly Light a Picture"
and "Pictures of Parts Off the Vehicle", which provide
additional tips for quality photos.

Asking for YOUR Help!
To help better understand product concerns, we are
asking dealers to include a digital photo (when
appropriate) anytime you submit a Field Product
Report. By using the e-mail Field Product Reporting
Process and attaching a digital photo, YOU can help
GM identify and solve concerns quicker. For concerns
such as mis-routed wiring and hoses, paint blemishes,
window glass issues, component cracks/fractures or
misaligned components, “a picture is worth a thousand
words.”

What are the Guidelines for Photos?
Attached Digital Images should be in .jpg (jpeg) format.
The maximum allowable total size for the e-mailed Field
Product Report is 5MB. E-mails over this limit will be
returned as “undeliverable”. While you should always
Copyright 2017 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

strive for the highest resolution pictures available, the 3
Megapixel setting (available on most cameras) will be
sufficient to show the required level of detail. At this
setting you should be able to safely attach up to 5
photos to the Product Report.
Tip: If you have a product concern that cannot be
captured in a photo, but could be illustrated by a
sound or video clip you may be able to attach this
type of file. The most common styles are .avi, .wma,
and .wmv files. If you have this capability and a
video is the best way to capture the issue, you may
send these files with the FPR, being sure to observe
the 5MB total file size limit. Please note: Some
camera software has the ability to compress these
files for emails. If you are an advanced user, and
have this option, please compress the file prior to
sending.
Taking a variety of pictures at different distances is
usually preferred to just one angle. This allows both a
reference photo to show location on the vehicle and
additional close-ups for detail.
Please do not add any text to the photographs. This
both dramatically increases the file size, and also
renders the photo useless to GM Service if the need
arises to publish the provided photo.

Where to Send?
Important: Canadian dealers should refer to latest
version of Corporate Bulletin Number 10-00-89-006.
Export dealers should submit Field Product Reports as
per their regional guidelines.

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December, 2017

For U.S. Dealers, Product Reports with digital photos
should be e-mailed to
[email protected]. The product
report form is available through GlobalConnect on the
Service Workbench, under “Service Forms.”

Some Quick Tips For Taking Quality
Photos - Quickly!
When illustrating a concern, it is vital that the pictures
you provide are sharp enough for the viewer to
understand the issue. Most current digital cameras can
produce very detailed photographs if you observe these
easy tips.
Use the Macro (Flower) Setting for Close-Ups
Any picture taken closer than about 2 ft. will be blurry
unless you activate the Macro focus on the camera.
This setting is shown as a flower, a magnifying glass, a
magnifying glass over a flower, or the word MACRO on
most cameras.
Hold the Camera Steady
If necessary brace yourself against a wall or some
other sturdy object. Press the shutter button gently so
you do not jerk the camera, as even small movements
will blur the picture. If available, use a tripod or a
stationary surface.
Try a Shot With the Flash, and One Without
Sometimes you may get a better picture with the flash
on, and sometimes it may wash out the picture. The
only way to know is to try one picture each way.
Focus on Your Subject
Most digital cameras focus on the center of the image
when the shutter button is pressed half-way down. If
you need to photograph something that is not dead
center, point the camera at that item, and press the
shutter button half-way down. Re-frame the picture
while continuing to hold the shutter button, then finish
by pressing the shutter all the way down.

Bulletin No.: 07-00-89-036I

Multiple Pictures
In most cases, it may be required to take multiple clear
pictures of the area of concern. Different angles of the
area may also help when submitting the photos.
Correct Poor Lighting Conditions
Poor lighting conditions result in poor quality photos for
the following reasons:
• Dim lighting results in the camera needing to keep
the shutter open for a longer period of time. This
makes it very difficult to hold the camera steady
enough for a sharp picture.
• The cameras auto-focus system relies on the
contrast between surfaces in order to focus. When
lighting is poor and the subject appears uniformly
dark, the camera will not be able to properly focus
and return a blurry picture.
• Using flash may help, however some cameras
may still not be able to properly focus even with
the flash on. The camera focuses in the dark prior
to the flash going off and still returns a blurry
image.
• For close-ups in dim lighting, a flash may wash out
the image.

Bulletin No.: 07-00-89-036I

December, 2017

Page 3

Picture of Parts On the Vehicle
It may be required to take a picture of the part on the
vehicle. Some pictures have been taken too close to
the part to validate if that was the area of concern.

4903190

•

Here is an example picture of the part taken from a
distance. The location of the part is then circled
and then a close-up picture of the part has been
taken.

4903252

•
4903225

•

In this example, a close-up picture was taken of
the O2 sensor without noting the location and
concern.

In this photo, the O2 sensor wiring pigtail harness
was called out along with which sensor was the
concern.

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December, 2017
•

Bulletin No.: 07-00-89-036I

In this example, the picture was taken without any
additional light source. The camera could not
properly focus and the photo is dark
(under-exposed).

4903255

•

A close-up of the sensor was then taken and the
area of concern was noted with an arrow. In this
example, it was found that the Heated Oxygen
Sensor 1 pigtail had a severed wire.

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•

How to Properly Light a Picture
Here are a few examples of low light photography and
ultimately how to avoid these common problems. The
subject is the Power Steering Electrical Connector at
the vehicle steering rack.

The same photo is attempted by turning on the
flash. Most of the detail is lost due to the flash
washing out the picture (over-exposed). This time
the focus is better due to the flash allowing the
camera to automatically select a very small
aperture setting for the lens (Increased Depth-of
Field).

2001143
2001141

•

In this picture an additional (shop light) light
source is used, but it is too far in front of the
camera. Anytime additional light is supplied to the
back side of your subject or in front of the lens, the
camera will try to properly expose the light source
leaving your actual subject too dim
(under-exposed).

Bulletin No.: 07-00-89-036I

December, 2017

Page 5

2001138
2001144

•

Here is a properly focused and exposed picture.
This picture was taken with no flash, and the same
shop light held behind and slightly to the side of
the camera. Holding the light source to provide a
degree of side lighting on the subject will
dramatically increase the level of detail in the
picture. This technique is very useful for showing
casting concerns or other issues where showing
surface texture is vital.

Here is a picture of an electronic steering column lock.
This first picture shows how the camera exposes the
light colored part when placed on a white background.
Even though plenty of light was available, all the detail
is lost due to overexposure.

Pictures of Parts Off the Vehicle
You might assume parts already removed from a
vehicle would be much easier to photograph. This can
certainly be true, but watch out for improper
backgrounds. It is always preferred to have a plain
non-distracting background. You should use medium
colored backgrounds to ensure proper exposures.

2001146

When a medium colored background is used, the
camera properly exposes the picture. Dark colored
parts should be photographed on slightly lighter colored
backgrounds to provide good contrast.
Please refer to the user guide that came with your
camera for additional hints and detailed instructions on
advanced features.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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