But not a cure all. VW/Audi calculates oil life based on the oil’s “thermal load.” It uses an oil temperature and oil level sensor and combines that data with fuel consumption, mileage, and time since last oil change. 2: Tracking vehicle operating conditions. Simply changing the oil won’t automatically reset the oil-life monitor. Skip to now! Portable Oil Life Monitor. They’ve prevented the waste of countless quarts of perfectly good oil over the years. Nice Post. That was probably due to using AMSOIL. Amsoil is a great oil. Typically, an OLM establishes oil-change intervals in the 5,000-7,000 mile (8,000-11,000 km) range. Oil change monitoring systems help you get the maximum use out of a limited natural resource. Had an oil change 3 months ago, have only driven 400 miles, and the change engine oil light came on. Thru algorithms, can adjust the oil change life in the car communication computer. In general manufactures don’t recommend standard oils for extended drains. Then you drive about 15 minutes to work. Using an Oil Life Monitoring System If your car has an oil life monitoring system, read your owner's manual to get a feel for how it's going to communicate with you. https://www.wallacechev.com/blog/oil-life-monitoring-what-is-it Thanks, really got to know and understand more about oil monitors. Real-World Evidence The oil life monitoring system in a 2007 Honda Fit Sport owned by an Edmunds.com editor signaled for an oil change at 5,500 miles, due to a lot of around-town driving. "With an oil life system, we can use the software to tailor an oil drain interval to the behavior of a certain customer," Snider said. Oil temperature monitoring. Considering how many vehicles and other motor machines are out there which all use oil, the environmental impact of oil change frequency can be absolutely astronomical. https://www.edmunds.com/.../when-should-you-change-your-oil.html Living in Canada where cold is common, you want to use a good synthetic anyway to ensure the oil flows quickly at start-up for easier starts and better wear protection. They’re all a little different. However, there are some gaps in the technology. I had this issue with emergency vehicles that were running 24/7. Production: Monitoring process water, chemical effectiveness, produced water discharge and reinjection, separator and filter functionality, refinery separation and discharge water quality Salt Water Disposal: Monitoring oil-in-water concentrations to improve skim oil revenue, and alert operators on high reading to ensure injection equipment is protected from high oil-in-water content They were actually overfilling them. Missing a 'reset' at an oil change will result in premature OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message. The reason I’ve been given is that once moisture and fuel contaminate the oil, it will become acidic, eventually causing corrosion. https://auto.howstuffworks.com/.../dirty-truth-about-oil-changes.htm We have some fleet vehicles that can be parked for a year or more at a time, and while they don’t get oil changes with zero miles, I wonder if we need to change it at all. The easy way to keep track of your oil’s life and create new oil profiles not in the database. Here is a real-world example: Say you start your car 20 minutes before you leave the house because it’s -30˚F (-34ºC) outside and you like to get in a warm car. Great post about oil life monitor, perhaps I will try to test that one out to see if it’s that benefit. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I went ahead and replaced the engine with a Jasper remanufactured engine which is much cheaper than buying a new comparable Suburban for $80,000+ . The algorithm calculates mileage, idle time, engine temperatures, trip times, engine loads, and ignition starts and stops. So I guess my oil changes have been more than frequent enough so the warning never came on. They are simply algorithms that prescribe when to change oil based on mileage, idle time, duration and other factors. This is the biggest question surrounding oil life monitors. Clearly, the system had detected different driving conditions and adjusted accordingly. Oil Life Software. He said that the longest oil change interval he was personally aware of was 17,000 miles in a colleague's car. Precisely how long the oil can last, however, depends on the quality of the base oils used in the formulation. The Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system analyzes your vehicle’s data to determine the recommended time to change your oil. As we point out in this post, you can’t necessarily trust your eyes to determine when to change oil. Per some reports: “153.5 million gallons of used oil is being generated in California every year, but only 59 percent of it is ever recycled.”. GM had a major issue with the valve train as there cylinder deactivation on the first gen 5.3.was a complete disaster….. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Freed From the Schedules Perhaps the best thing about oil life monitoring systems is that they free car owners from the confusing exercise of slotting themselves in the normal or severe driving schedules listed in the owner's manual. Showing the conservative nature of the oil life sensors, the analysis showed the oil had at least 2,000 miles of life left in it. It’s a win-win. So how does the system know when it's time for a change? I run full synthetic with a quality oil filter (brands omitted on purpose). This was for both gas and Diesel engines. No one has ever suggested that it’s going to eat through the oil pan, but it has always been recommend to me to prevent issues, that the rule of thumb should be to always change oil a minimum of every 6 months in vehicles or equipment that doesn’t get much use. This begs the question: Why have a normal category at all? Thanks for the explanation. They monitor several conditions known to reduce oil life, enter those values into an algorithm and return the oil-life percentage you see on your vehicle’s display. How Old -- and Dangerous -- Are Your Tires. A better name is oil life estimator. https://www.acdelco.com/parts/oils-fluids/gm-oe-dexos1-full-synthetic-motor-oil Towing typically increases temperature, so the OLM will detect that temperature increase, however. Did you check oil levels when engine was cold ?? Thanks, this is handy information. I’m averaging 3 a year. Oil Life Monitor. Moisture, too, can collect in the oil due to changes in ambient temperature. I drive thousands of miles in a year and over an hr 1way to work every day. Led to the dealership & warranty company using it as leverage to say I wasn’t maintaining my vehicle properly. The data is run through a mathematical algorithm that predicts when the oil will begin to degrade. Receive pricing updates, shopping tips & more! Then oil life monitors (OLM) came along and changed the game. Get more information here. Get a free Edmunds appraisal report for your car in minutes, Ready to sell? The light comes on well in advance, giving the owner time to get the car serviced. This alert usually arrives anywhere between 5,000 and 8,000 miles. Through independent oil analysis, I’ve found that the oil (and filter) I’m using easily lasts until 15,000 miles given my vehicle and my driving conditions. The manufacturer should explain this to people more in there operators service manuals, which I am sure a lot of people don’t read. My truck is used mostly for towing.Does the oil life monitor factor this in? Many motorists may not realize they subject their vehicles to extended idle times or frequent short trips, which can expose the engine to wear if you don’t keep on top of oil changes. Yes, oil life monitors can track ambient temperatures and use that information to prescribe oil-change intervals. The idiot reminder is an annoyance, and being that its exactly at 5000 miles, it doesn't sound like the car did any "monitoring… They also noticed they ran cooler. Amzoil wasn’t the answer to my 2007 Suburban with the 5.3 engine. Since the GM Oil Life Monitor System does not actually sense oil condition, it is important that the engine computer knows when an oil change takes place. The LogicOil Portable OilLife Monitor. They didn’t have enough tension to scrape the excess oil from the cylinder wall. I have found that searching the year, make, model and “oil monitor reset” yields great instructions. In essence, I take what the OLM indicates with a grain of salt. I purchased a used 2010 Honda CRV with 130,000 miles that I use for a 50-mile highway commute. The oil-life monitor measures factors like temperature, idle time, rpm and mileage, but it can’t determine whether or not you’re actually towing. I’ve read and been told on multiple occasions, by different sources, that oil needs to be changed every 6 months, regardless of use. The mechanic must manually reset it after changing oil. We need more information to provide any insight. This article provides a little more information if you’re interested. Most first gen 5.3 didn’t go anywhere near those miles. Tell us why it wasn't helpful and we'll work on making it better: Originally published Jan. 22, 2018. And then you'd let the listed interval be your frequency guide. The color of the oil doesn’t necessarily indicate when it requires changing. This video shows how the system works. Your alternative was to crack the owner's manual to see whether your driving habits fell into the "severe" or "normal" category. If you’re concerned about pushing the oil too far, make sure you’re using a high-quality synthetic capable of delivering extended drain intervals. They are incapable of chemically analyzing the oil. When the analysis comes back, I’ll assess whether an oil change is really warranted or whether the oil can be run a bit longer. While first-generation oil life monitors were simple, mileage-based systems that prescribed fixed oil-change intervals regardless of operating conditions, today’s systems are far more sophisticated. Here’s an ASE G1 test question for you: Technician A says the oil life monitor will reset itself after the oil change. However, if you’re concerned about engine protection after 15,000 miles on the same oil, upgrade to a good synthetic for the reserve protection and peace of mind. Find out: Should I Warm Up My Car in Winter? If you rather get those cheap $20 oil changes I would stick to a shorter interval. Paying attention to the OLM (and the oil change sticker), I get really great mileage. Honestly, oil-life monitor is a poor description for these systems. One of the biggest issues of changing the oil too often, is environmental damage. If the oil does look For example, once it hit 10 percent or 5 percent? "We are very confident in the accuracy of the system," he said. Good stuff. After having oil consumption problems starting at around 160,000 miles it dropped a lifter at 210,000 miles. GM 5.3 had issues with oil consumption along with Subaru and others. I refuse to change full synthetic after just 5000 miles when I did not track the car. The Intelligent Oil Life Monitor does not use oil quality sensors – it is entirely software based. Scroll right to … Later, under highway conditions, the system (which Honda calls a "maintenance minder") came on at 7,600 miles. Thanks for sharing the informative post. If it doesn't look fresh and new, change it and the oil filter. Check your owner’s manual to see if shorter oil-changes are recommended when towing. For more information on the Oil Life Monitor, refer to your GMC’s owner’s manual or speak with your GMC Certified Service consultant. Some older vehicles require turning the key and pumping the accelerator a few times while the chime is sounding. Get a no-obligation offer for your car in minutes. Don’t forget too that a good oil filter is critical for extended drains as well. Or does the mechanic set it to 100% a manually? I use full synthetic oil on my 2018 Equinox. This helps you avoid unnecessary maintenance while reducing waste oil. needs this light oil to work properly. How does the viscosity come into play in the motor oil life? It can’t – it simply estimates oil life based on an algorithm. The result: The oil could actually have safely delivered at least another 2,000 miles of service. Y’all either sell oil or provide oil changes to tell this blatant of of a lie. An oil light typically comes on when your oil pressure drops. This sensor measures electrical stability thru capacitance, using the motor oil as an insulator which send bit serial data to the engine control module. So the question I have is when the mechanic changes the oil does that automatically set oil life to 100%? Full synthetic oil change, and this is the first one since Ford's PCM refresh. The best source of info and totally informative I really appreciate your thoughts. Not long ago, most people changed oil every 3,000 miles (4,800 km). Do-it-yourselfers can easily do the reset, too, just by using a series of commands found in the owner's manual. What engine? Does the algorithm then allow adequately for the “severe” cold temperature conditions in Canada? Oil consumption increased on the diesel engines. The systems factor in plenty of extra time for the driver who procrastinates. Newer vehicles often require navigating to the proper screen on the display and following the prompts. Oil condition monitoring. Intelligent Oil Life Monitor (IOLM) The way you drive can have a significant impact on how often your oil needs changing. Glad we could help. Oil life monitoring systems have been around for several decades. I think oil monitors are nice because they tailor services to how you drive not some generic schedule. Severe conditions are described differently by various carmakers, but some "severe" conditions that they frequently cite are driving in stop-and-go traffic, towing, excessive idling and driving in the mountains. VIDEO: Motor Oil — Understanding the Numbers, VIDEO: Motor Oil — Debunking Common Myths, VIDEO: Motor Oil — Conventional vs. I think they’re full of it. Is this helpful? Anyone ever heard or can confirm/deny this? Over time, oxygen degrades the oil, just like oxygen causes iron to rust or an apple to turn brown. Press the Start button long enough for it to highlight the Run/On display, but do not actually start the engine. Synthetic. By enabling the reset (read owner’s manual for instructions), it lets the computer know an oil change has taken place. While 15,000 miles is a lot, it’s not out of the question if you’re primarily driving on the highway. Your OLM also acts as a safeguard against driving too long without an oil change in severe service. No matter what. I change my oil and filter when I can’t see my oil dip stick level lines through the oil. The average recommendation from the system for GM vehicles is 8,500 miles, Snider said. Were you monitoring oil consumption in the past? Does the monitor detect and/or calculate viscosity? Today, it’s common for an OLM in a vehicle driven mostly under normal service to recommend an oil change after 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or more. It is no big deal, because I will be changing oil on a regular basis and doubt if I'll ever let it go to ten k no matter what the Oil Life Monitor … Since early 2000’s BMW luxury models and Rolls Royce contain an oil condition sensor. It then establishes an oil change interval as low as 3,000 miles (4,800 km) and all the way up to 10,000 miles (16,000 km) and more depending on severity of conditions. Dipstick shows no loss of oil. Oil Analyzers INC. offers used oil analysis for passenger cars and trucks. Part of the algorithm is ‘engine load’. It’s usually a simple process that’s explained in your owner’s manual. 100,000-Mile Maintenance Costs for Top-Selling Cars, 5 Tips for Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop. https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/oil-life-monitors-should-you-trust-them Sorry, but I call BS on that article! Oil life monitoring systems put an end to the debate by reacting to how you actually drive. The Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) in Ford vehicles is a smart system that monitors oil levels and alerts you with a message in the instrument cluster when the oil needs changing. They were trying to use low friction piston rings. They do not monitor any direct physical or chemical property of oil; they only accumulate data from the vehicle’s computer and predict how your driving habits and operating conditions have affected the oil’s viscosity, total base number (a measure of remaining detergency), oxidation level and other factors. Thank you for sharing such an amazing post I found it really very useful and interesting. Thanks for the replys. Can you explain why this happens? Like anything, the better the quality, the longer it’ll last. Fifty years of doing it this way and never ever had a problem. Keep in mind that auto manufacturers also make money servicing your vehicle…. https://erwinsalarda.com/how-to-chevrolet-silverado-oil-life-reset If it’s worn out or going to fail no oil will stop that. On diesel applications, it also tracks the usage and life of the diesel particulate filter. But increasingly, the change-interval question is being answered by a vehicle's oil life monitoring system, which signals the driver through the instrument panel. I like to stick with full synthetics for many reasons besides to advantage of extended drains. A long-term 2008 Pontiac G8 GT driven by Edmunds went 13,000 miles before the monitoring system indicated the need for an oil change. Incorrect. Throttle position = Engine load. With premium touches inside & exclusive design cues outside, Envision Avenir is the highest expression of Buick luxury. Until recently, the question of when to change your oil was usually answered by your local garage, which had a vested interest in servicing your car every 3,000 miles.