50% Oil Life = Dark Oil?

[Agent WD-40]

I was just checking my oil and I noticed it seemed sort of dark. I really don't know what is normal for the car though so I figured I would see what others were experiencing.

I have about 4k miles on it since the last oil change and the oil life meter is reading 49% remaining. I have been doing a lot of short city trips in the cold winter weather where the car doesn't get a chance to warm up very well. The oil temp doesn't get up to normal before I turn the car off usually. I have a cam, headers, intake, and exhaust on an L99 if that matters any.

Does this sound normal from what others are seeing? Would my cam have any affect on oil life? Thanks!

[Jabs]

Originally Posted by Agent WD-40

I was just checking my oil and I noticed it seemed sort of dark. I really don't know what is normal for the car though so I figured I would see what others were experiencing.

I have about 4k miles on it since the last oil change and the oil life meter is reading 49% remaining. I have been doing a lot of short city trips in the cold winter weather where the car doesn't get a chance to warm up very well. The oil temp doesn't get up to normal before I turn the car off usually. I have a cam, headers, intake, and exhaust on an L99 if that matters any.

Does this sound normal from what others are seeing? Would my cam have any affect on oil life? Thanks!

I also would like to know...

[camaro1]

just change it,,

[y2k king]

the oil turns dark about the same time you drive around the block...no big deal.

[SUX2BU]

I change it every 3K miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first no mater what anyone says.

[camaro1]

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

I change it every 3K miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first no mater what anyone says.

good man!!,, we are seeing so many issues from people going by the oil life monitor,, oil changes are cheap if you like your car and plan on keeping it for years to come.

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by y2k king

the oil turns dark about the same time you drive around the block...no big deal.

This. It happens

Also note that the oil life expectancy is merely a meter. More like a service light but with percentage. I first changed my factory oil at around 3550 with Mobile 1 full syn. Then changed it again at 6985. Draining the oil, It was darker than triple zero black. These engines nowadays are ok from 5k-7k before needing an oil change. But that's at the limit. The most important thing to do is keep an eye on your oil level. check it often. Coming from the import scene, those little engines live or die on a quart

[SGOS252382]

I change my oil about every 3k - 4k (way before the oil life is up), but I race my car. If you run your car hard, you'll want to change your oil more frequently.

[Inferno Orange SS]

That oil monitor scares the crap out of me, my second oil change was done just under 5000km and the oil monitor still read 70% oil life remaining... Even the Manager at my local dealership said someone would have to be crazy to listen to that thing and that he still recommends changing it every 5000 or so. I agree with him completely.

[justa25thTA]

Originally Posted by camaro1

good man!!,, we are seeing so many issues from people going by the oil life monitor,, oil changes are cheap if you like your car and plan on keeping it for years to come.

I'd like to see some more information on this.

[OUR72GTO]

Originally Posted by Inferno Orange SS

That oil monitor scares the crap out of me, my second oil change was done just under 5000km and the oil monitor still read 70% oil life remaining... Even the Manager at my local dealership said someone would have to be crazy to listen to that thing and that he still recommends changing it every 5000 or so. I agree with him completely.

Sure he does .....they get paid to say that.

[C586]

3k change is a waste. I change the oil in my supra at 6-8k miles and always send it for analysis. They always say I had around 30% of oil life left. And its a race engine that usually sees about 25 psi and 8k rpms daily. Oil turns black pretty quickly once its in the engine. I change my filter halfway through the interval. I plan on doing the same with my camaro. I changed it at 500 miles and 1k miles and wont change it til prolly 5k then send it out and they will most likely say I had about half the life left in the oil.

[xxlbeerz]

If you're running synthetic, changing every 3k would be a huge waste.

[L99SS]

Originally Posted by Inferno Orange SS

That oil monitor scares the crap out of me, my second oil change was done just under 5000km and the oil monitor still read 70% oil life remaining... Even the Manager at my local dealership said someone would have to be crazy to listen to that thing and that he still recommends changing it every 5000 or so. I agree with him completely.

Every 5000km?! You're just barely getting your money's worth from that batch of oil.

At many dealerships where income is more dependent on vehicle maintenence than auto sales, the managers just might tell you the same thing. From a strictly financial point of view, the more frequently he can get you into the shop, the better for his pocketbook.

Oil life is determined by how hard the engine is driven and how much strain the climate puts on the system. Today's synthetic oils are quite temperature stable and durable; 5,000-8,000 miles between oil changes for a broken-in engine is not unrealistic.