Oil change based on oil life monitor?
 

If I did that, I'd be going almost 15,000 miles between oil changes. What's up with that? I have over 1600 miles on the car since the last (first) oil change and the oil life monitor tells me I have 89% remaining. There is NO WAY I will be going another 13k+ miles, much less 3k miles before it's changed again. Is the monitoring system really worth a damn? Is GM crazy enough to really stand behind their warranty if someone doesn't change their oil for 12,14,16k miles based on the monitoring system? Just curious. You guys seeing crazy numbers like that?

It's for the people that buy cars and just drive them till they die or they get another. Some folks never open the hood themself during the entire ownership of a car.

So no it's not for hardcore gearheads that's 4 sure. The percentage is not time but condition I think.

I've done a little research on this and what I've heard is that today's oils are so good compared to where they were years ago that changing oil at 3,000 miles is nothing more than a waste of money. By changing the oil so soon, the oil never actually "breaks in" to its maximum viscosity. With longer, even lifetime, powertrain warranties I don't think the manufacturers would be calling for such long intervals if they didn't feel confident in the abilities of today's oil. The manual on my work Impala specifically says not to change the oil until the monitor indicates to do so.

But what's the real deal with Mobil1? It SHOULD last longer than regular oil but do you really want to bank on that? I have never been a 3k oil change religious zealot but I have never been a 10k nut either. Regardless of the vehicle I have/had, it's always been a 4-5k change cycle; you know the routine- "damn, 4000 miles, gotta stop soon and get the oil changed"...becomes..."holy s*** almost 5000 miles, gotta stop TODAY and get the oil changed"...

I think that's about where my comfort level remains with the Mobil1 until someone tells me different and why; around 4k between changes.

Synthetic oils don't break down for at least 12k miles. You are wasting your money, but I'm still changing mine at 500, 1500 and then every 3000 after that. It's all preference.

SSooch, you stated the 1st sentence as fact and then you proceed to go against it. Why would you change your oil b4 12K if it does not break down? Obviously you do not trust your factual 1st statement. I will change my oil every 7,500 miles and use Mobil 1 synthetic oil. Why? Because that's what GM recommends and the oil they felt confident in it in upholding their warranty.

The service Manager at Radley states he changes his every 5k. The salesman I purchased from said to change it when the car tells you to, which is around 7k. I just went to check my indicator, and I am at 70% life remaining. I have 3400 miles on mine.

I feel if regular oil gets changed every 3k to 5k, then synthetic should be able to last at least twice as long. My question is does the car determine by distance, or viscosity of the oil? How does it tell?:iono:

The engine oil monitor is based on the hours the engine is run not teh miles on it

I would say run 7500-8000 on the oil, if you are a firm 3000 guy move that up to 5000 with synthetics or just move back to dino oil and do it every 3000.

It actualy monitors several indicators, such as engine revolutions, temp, etc.

Same earlier question. Does GM then stand by the engine if you (crazily) don't change the oil until the monitor tells you to?

Crazily? I'd have to dig for the post but that's what Number 3 recommended.

Edit: here ya go.

You're telling me that if your indicator didn't tell you to change your oil until 14,000 miles you'd be ok with that? I sure as hell wouldn't be.

No, I wouldn't. I'd certainly change it before then. But the idea of not changing it til the thing tells you to isn't that crazy... :iono: I'll probably do my first change around 1000 or 1500 miles but 6k-8k after that, depending on what the OLMS says.