A Look at GM's Oil Life Monitoring System

[ssummit camaro]

Originally Posted by thespymaster

Also to add to this, isn't it required for 2011 + Models now to utlize the new Dexos 1 oil format put out by GM?

Not using the DEXOS 1 on your 2011 + GM vehicle might lead to voiding the warranty??

but what you are using a full syn oil, is'nt this much better than the dexos. I thought i read somewhere that dexos is now required for all year gm vehicles.

[Sterling]

Didn't the earlier model LLT engines that were used in the Acadia and Cadillac have a timing belt instead of the chain? I think this is the reason they got the recall and we didn't. Ours is a chain so it should be more reliable.

[Lazerbrainz2k3]

Originally Posted by GRYGOOS

Locate the Oil Life Monitor "screen" on your DIC, and hold the reset button on the end of the DIC control lever in until it resets to 100%

or

on earlier models like my 2000 Silverado, put the key to the run position and press the accellerator pedel to the floor 3 times in rapid sucession.

That works on the Camaro, too.

[GRYGOOS]

Originally Posted by Lazerbrainz2k3

That works on the Camaro, too.

Yup, just like it says on Pg 10-14 of that pesky 2011 Owner's Manual, but for most, using your DIC is easier than reading

[calbert1999]

Just change your oil regularly, and as an additional measure add an oil additive to get you through the rough patches when you want to let it go for a few extra thousand kilometres. Simple, done. VMax is a good brand for the engine and fuel.

[Russell James]

Originally Posted by Sterling

Didn't the earlier model LLT engines that were used in the Acadia and Cadillac have a timing belt instead of the chain? I think this is the reason they got the recall and we didn't. Ours is a chain so it should be more reliable.

They are all chains in the LY7's/LLT's. The chains have been revised numerous times. Time will tell if the latest version is improved. The first half dozen versions of those chains weren't the most robust things out there.

[joe h]

The thing is, unless you lose oil pressure or break your timing chain/belt, no engine is going to die before 100,000 miles. Trannies on the other hand have been getting worse over the years. So GM backing up their olm with the extended warranty is just bs. The only reason the cars have been given an extended warranty is because GM and Chrysler were getting slaughter by Hyundai and Japanese brands.

BTW I have a 2001 Lumina and Cavalier that I have been giving 3,000 mile oil changes and the cavalier is at 310,000 and the lumina is at 250,000. Maybe when others can start claiming the same while following the OLM religiously, I will change my ways.

[mondain]

ok ok I'll read my manual....when I get my ZL1

[HxCGuitars]

That's seriously an awesome read. Thank you for the information. Very cool. I had always wondered about that on my friend's Malibu.

[Revo1]

Great post, thanks Frank!

[Man1acs]

So, what I guess I still don't understand is, it will even calculate when you need a oil change even if you use synthetic oil. I wonder if you switched from synthetic to conventional oil would the system still be accurate and visa verse? I might start paying attention to this system now in my Camaro, I never have before.

[GRYGOOS]

Originally Posted by Man1acs

So, what I guess I still don't understand is, it will even calculate when you need a oil change even if you use synthetic oil. I wonder if you switched from synthetic to conventional oil would the system still be accurate and visa verse? I might start paying attention to this system now in my Camaro, I never have before.

No, I believe it is calibrated for synthetic

[SilverTurtle]

there are a multitude of problems and situations that the OLM will NOT test for... one of them is a failing oil filter... another is a leaking gasket or journal going bad... nothing in the algorithm will test for these problems, and that is why I change my oil between 3,000 and 5,000 miles... its just a safety precaution to make sure that I take the best possible care of the vehicles that I drive... does it cost more? sure... is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY.

everyone and their little brother can use the OLM to change their oil and save the planet... but I will change my oil when I see fit to do so, and my cars will run better because of it.

and our cars that only travel 200-500miles per year all get annual oil changes, whether they need it or not is irrelevant

[LAWMAN]

Very good info.thanks for the read,however,i am old-school like some on here,i have always changed my oil around 3000 miles,i have let my camaro go about 4000 one time which im sure did no harm,only because of it useing synthetic,after reading this article i may now wait til 5-6000 mile intervals,i on avg. drive about 5 miles a day which is not the best for a engine due to it not getting hot enough or at normal operating temp.,i live about 2 miles from work,next month on the 2nd. i will have had my maro for 2 yrs. and currently have 14,600 miles on it....now i did do my first oil change after about 1,500 miles just to get the break-in oil out,but from what i have heard it is not really needed to do that with car's in today's time,