Explain the "oil life meter" to me ...
- Thread starter bob67
- Start date
laborsmith
New member
Glorified trip odometer that takes into account driving patterns. So if your driving is mainly stop and go you will go through your percentage faster than if your driving is mainly highway speed but less than triple digit.
ss2000slp
New member
It takes into account engine temperature, rpm, runtime, load, and I'm sure other parameters. Nearly every manufacturer is using some sort of oil life monitor now (all with varying degrees of frustration to reset them), and none seem to be consistant. It does not actually "test" the condition of the oil, just goes off of a computer program, so the car does not "know" that there is clean oil in it.
mitdr774
also a dinner prick
If its mostly city, I go 3000-4000 miles. If it is mostly highway I will go 5000-6000 miles. the oil comes out nasty and I would rather not have it in the engine beyond that. I am about due now that I think about it.
The OLI is based on calculations made by the computer as to what the condition of the oil should be. The actual oil itself does not really break down, but the additives do and the oil gets dirty. I find that my OLI averages about 10,000 miles before it gets down to 5%.
The OLI is based on calculations made by the computer as to what the condition of the oil should be. The actual oil itself does not really break down, but the additives do and the oil gets dirty. I find that my OLI averages about 10,000 miles before it gets down to 5%.
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ChrisJ
Active member
I go 9-10K miles (mostly highway and no short trips) on my changes running M1 as per the OLM. I recently started using M1 extended performance.
Remember, GM developed the system and is giving you a 100K 5 year warranty on the engine. This means they must have some faith in it.
Also everyone knows "oil looks nasty" is irrelevant. The only way to know if its good is to do an analysis.
Remember, GM developed the system and is giving you a 100K 5 year warranty on the engine. This means they must have some faith in it.
Also everyone knows "oil looks nasty" is irrelevant. The only way to know if its good is to do an analysis.
ahtoxa
New member
Just because the oil looks "nasty" by being dark isn't an indication of it being incapable of sustaining necessary lubricity and shear resistance.
I used to be the guy that changed their oil every 3k miles. It was a religion for many years. But as time went on, as oil has improved, as companies provided research results and as third party companies (like Blackstone) has been testing oil to find that you don't need to change it nearly as often as we thought, I have changed my ways.
In fact, hundreds if not thousands of engineers that work for automotive manufacturers cannot be wrong when they suggest 10k mile or greater oil changes. Even at that, I'm sure there's a good safety margin built into that as no company is interested in engine failures due to long oil change intervals.
They know the consumption rate of a common oil additive under those various conditions. The computer calculated the oil life is based on how much of that additive is left. It is likely also working on the assumption that the cheapest oil, with the minimal amount of additive, is in there.
Some other manufacturers do just use a trip odometer.
ChrisJ
Active member
It uses the assumption of you using a Dexos1 approved oil.
ColonelPanic
Banned
When does it usually start throwing code 82's at you, percentage-wise? Does it wait until 0% or is there a buffer built into it?
I was hoping to find out for myself, but only made it to 11% left (~6800 into the OCI.) I went ahead and changed it out to take advantage of one of the last warm weekends left.
Anyway, I trust GM on this OLM and will follow it with confidence. Seems like I average a 1% drop every 70 miles or so in my normal driving.
I was hoping to find out for myself, but only made it to 11% left (~6800 into the OCI.) I went ahead and changed it out to take advantage of one of the last warm weekends left.
Anyway, I trust GM on this OLM and will follow it with confidence. Seems like I average a 1% drop every 70 miles or so in my normal driving.
KartRacer
Member
This is a tough one for me, 40 + years of 2500 mile oil changes and now the manufactures says it ok to be close to 10K.
I am getting better but I am changing at 50% on the oil life. Usually around 5000 miles. I use castrol full synthetic because it is Dexros approved.
Had used Valvoline for last 30 + years but they chose not to sign up for Dexros certification. I am sure it is just as good but I chose to stay with Dexros approval.
I am getting better but I am changing at 50% on the oil life. Usually around 5000 miles. I use castrol full synthetic because it is Dexros approved.
Had used Valvoline for last 30 + years but they chose not to sign up for Dexros certification. I am sure it is just as good but I chose to stay with Dexros approval.