Oil change based on oil life monitor?

[trm0002]

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?

[Vash]

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.

[five-oh]

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.

Originally Posted by trm0002

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?

[trm0002]

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.

[SSOOCH]

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.

[gtjacket]

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.

[edog]

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?

[earn88hardt]

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

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

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.

[CamaroHutch]

Originally Posted by earn88hardt

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

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

[trm0002]

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

[UCF w00t]

Originally Posted by trm0002

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.

[trm0002]

Originally Posted by UCF w00t

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

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.

[UCF w00t]

Originally Posted by trm0002

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... I'll probably do my first change around 1000 or 1500 miles but 6k-8k after that, depending on what the OLMS says.

[2SSRS]

Good for you guys i go by the indicator on all my GM cars my 1996 Impala had 254,000 mi on it and i sold it to a guy that works for me and he still drives it work every day, My 2004 GMC denali yukon xl has 207,500 mi on it and it runs all the time and that is all on the indicator, So all my cars run all most 10,000 mi before a oil change.

[Mr_Draco]

I've always been told by my mechanics and some mechanic friends as well as the techs at my local Chevy dealer to change the oil every 1,000 miles per quart of dino oil and 2,000 miles per quart of synthetic oil. I was told this is where the 5,000 mile mark for for dino and 10,000 miles mark for synthetic came from as most engine take around 5 quarts of oil. With a 8.6 quart capacity, the SS will easily go 10,000 miles before needing a oil change.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by earn88hardt

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

actually, its based of the hours, the operating temps, the loads put on the motor, the miles, oil press, and other inputs.
its not how long the motor was ran, its HOW the motor was ran.

Originally Posted by trm0002

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.

I'd change it at 10k personally.

but modern engine technology as well as modern oil technology has surpassed the old school "3000 mile oil change" requirement. my 94Z still gets the oil changed every 3k during the off season and every 500 miles during the racing season. but I thrash the living piss out of that car.
my 98 pickup with 191k miles on her gets the oil changed around 7k miles, the 08 pickup got the first oil change at 1500 miles and a second one at 11k.... when the OLM indicated it needed an oil change (was at 28%)

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

Good for you guys i go by the indicator on all my GM cars my 1996 Impala had 254,000 mi on it and i sold it to a guy that works for me and he still drives it work every day, My 2004 GMC denali yukon xl has 207,500 mi on it and it runs all the time and that is all on the indicator, So all my cars run all most 10,000 mi before a oil change.

another thing to keep in mind...

the OLM is not going to register the oil life directly proportional to the miles you travel. sometimes it will be 7k, sometimes it will be 12k, etc. it all depends on HOW the miles are driven. if you cruise the highway 90% of the time, your oil will last you longer than someone who is thrashing on the car all the time. just part of the way it works.

[wullger]

I wait until the OLI on my Sierra tells me I have about 20% life left, then take it in. It's about that time I notice gas mileage going down, too.

Your mileage may vary, since Camaros and Sierras are two VERY different animals, but it's been my experience the OLI is pretty reliable

Here's the OnStar page about the OLI: http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp...s/oil_life.jsp

[GrnMchin]

Originally Posted by UCF w00t

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... I'll probably do my first change around 1000 or 1500 miles but 6k-8k after that, depending on what the OLMS says.

+1

I don't fear the oil breaking down rather the dirt that it picks up. Yes the filter should take care of most but not 100%.

[UCF w00t]

Came across this today in the OnStar maintenance report...

http://www.goodwrench.com/_res/pdf/OLS1.pdf

[surferbarney]

My cousin has a corvette and uses mobil 1 synthetic and he changes his oil only every $12K miles or so.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by surferbarney

My cousin has a corvette and uses mobil 1 synthetic and he changes his oil only every $12K miles or so.

thats some expensive miles...

[GMtothecore]

I'm comfortable at 10K miles between oil changes after the break in.

[69 Hugger]

I'll need therapy if I let it go anymore than 4000 tics without changing, 125K on the S-10 and 147K on the Silverado. But at 80 to 90 dollar a oil changes I might be able to let go bit further. (Ufc woot) good information

[KJS]

I usally change it when the wife goes on the warpath. Takes about 5-6 hours to do.
Sometimes it needs changing every other weekend.