oil change light questions (not how to reset)
09-28-2010, 10:33 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
oil change light questions (not how to reset)
When I purchased my C4 the oil change light came on, on the drive home. Naturally, I changed the oil & reset the light. Well that was over 6,000 miles and two oil changes ago and the light still has not came back on since then.
I always assumed since it's a 94, the light worked off mileage, But now I'm wondering if it measures the viscosity of the oil and/or driving habits?
So my questions are: What triggers the oil change light? And does disconnecting the battery reset the memory, even if the light is not on? (IE: 2100 miles on last oil change, disconnecting the battery reset it back to zero?)
thanks
I always assumed since it's a 94, the light worked off mileage, But now I'm wondering if it measures the viscosity of the oil and/or driving habits?
So my questions are: What triggers the oil change light? And does disconnecting the battery reset the memory, even if the light is not on? (IE: 2100 miles on last oil change, disconnecting the battery reset it back to zero?)
thanks
09-28-2010, 10:50 PM
#2
Race Director
When I purchased my C4 the oil change light came on, on the drive home. Naturally, I changed the oil & reset the light. Well that was over 6,000 miles and two oil changes ago and the light still has not came back on since then.
I always assumed since it's a 94, the light worked off mileage, But now I'm wondering if it measures the viscosity of the oil and/or driving habits?
So my questions are: What triggers the oil change light? And does disconnecting the battery reset the memory, even if the light is not on? (IE: 2100 miles on last oil change, disconnecting the battery reset it back to zero?)
thanks
I always assumed since it's a 94, the light worked off mileage, But now I'm wondering if it measures the viscosity of the oil and/or driving habits?
So my questions are: What triggers the oil change light? And does disconnecting the battery reset the memory, even if the light is not on? (IE: 2100 miles on last oil change, disconnecting the battery reset it back to zero?)
thanks
It does not actually measure the oil though, and I don't think disconnecting the battery will reset it either.
From the '96 owners manual:
Page 2-91
The monitor uses oil temperature and engine revolutions
to decide when the oil is nearly worn out. The light is
only a reminder, though
Be sure to reset the monitor when your oil is changed,
even if the CHANGE OIL light didn’t come on.
If you don’t reset the monitor, it won’t work correctly.
Page 6-14
Your Corvette has an Oil Life Monitor. This featwe will
let you know when to change your oil and filter -- usually
between 3,000 miles (5O00 krn) and 7,500 miles
(12500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions, the indicator may come on before 3,000 miles
(5000 km). Never drive your vehicle more than
7,500 miles (12500 km) or 12 months (whichever
occurs first) without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil. So, if you
drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the monitor when the
oil has been changed.
09-29-2010, 09:26 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
Bear in mind the calculations assume you arte using Mobil1 or an equivelant synthetic. (If you aren't you should be). You are changing your oil too often.
09-29-2010, 03:00 PM
#4
Team Owner
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I rely on my OIL LIFE MONITOR (with paper back-ups) and my light comes on between 7,200 and 7,500 miles using Mobil 1 synthetic.
09-29-2010, 03:25 PM
#5
Team Owner
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It's more than just mileage used in the calculation.
It does not actually measure the oil though, and I don't think disconnecting the battery will reset it either.
From the '96 owners manual:
Page 2-91
The monitor uses oil temperature and engine revolutions
to decide when the oil is nearly worn out. The light is
only a reminder, though
Be sure to reset the monitor when your oil is changed,
even if the CHANGE OIL light didn’t come on.
If you don’t reset the monitor, it won’t work correctly.
Page 6-14
Your Corvette has an Oil Life Monitor. This featwe will
let you know when to change your oil and filter -- usually
between 3,000 miles (5O00 krn) and 7,500 miles
(12500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions, the indicator may come on before 3,000 miles
(5000 km). Never drive your vehicle more than
7,500 miles (12500 km) or 12 months (whichever
occurs first) without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil. So, if you
drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the monitor when the
oil has been changed.
It does not actually measure the oil though, and I don't think disconnecting the battery will reset it either.
From the '96 owners manual:
Page 2-91
The monitor uses oil temperature and engine revolutions
to decide when the oil is nearly worn out. The light is
only a reminder, though
Be sure to reset the monitor when your oil is changed,
even if the CHANGE OIL light didn’t come on.
If you don’t reset the monitor, it won’t work correctly.
Page 6-14
Your Corvette has an Oil Life Monitor. This featwe will
let you know when to change your oil and filter -- usually
between 3,000 miles (5O00 krn) and 7,500 miles
(12500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe
conditions, the indicator may come on before 3,000 miles
(5000 km). Never drive your vehicle more than
7,500 miles (12500 km) or 12 months (whichever
occurs first) without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil. So, if you
drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL
light comes on. Remember to reset the monitor when the
oil has been changed.
CorrectExample, my 96 light came on last week. The oil only had 5,000 miles. Well those were some good RPM 5,000 miles. On my other Vette the light came up at 7,500 miles but, that one is an automatic.
09-29-2010, 08:54 PM
#7
Safety Car
If the oil temps don't come up enough from short trips, you will also get the light earlier. My first time after a reset was only 5000 miles. The next 5000 miles, I did the oil change before the light came on rather than add 1/2 a quart.
10-20-2010, 03:40 PM
#9
Race Director
You must manually reset the oil life monitor after each oil change.
1. Turn the key to the "ON" position, but don't start the engine.
2. Press the ENG/MET button on the Trip Monitor and release it. Then, within five seconds, press and release the ENG/MET button again.
3. Within five seconds, of Step 2
1990 – 1991 , press and hold the RANGE button on the Trip Monitor.
1992 -1996 , Press and hold the GAUGES button on the Trip Monitor.
4. The CHANGE OIL light will flash.
5. Hold the RANGE or GAUGES button until the CHANGE OIL light stops flashing and goes out. When the light goes out, the Engine Oil Life Monitor is reset. This should take about ten seconds.
If it doesn't reset, turn the ignition "OFF" and repeat the procedure.
10-20-2010, 10:08 PM
#10
Drifting
Member Since: May 2010
Location: Gaithersburg MD A member since 2007 but then the computer crashed and then the car crash loss of memory X 2
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I never paid attention to the oil monitor, Just change the oil every 3000 or so miles and dont worry. My '93 had 260 + K miles on it, all but the first 8 were mine, when I sold it in August.
Compression on all cylinders the day before it was sold were within 3 pounds of the specs on the day I originally drove it home. I even used the same compression tester.
Compression on all cylinders the day before it was sold were within 3 pounds of the specs on the day I originally drove it home. I even used the same compression tester.
10-20-2010, 10:51 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I never paid attention to the oil monitor, Just change the oil every 3000 or so miles and dont worry. My '93 had 260 + K miles on it, all but the first 8 were mine, when I sold it in August.
Compression on all cylinders the day before it was sold were within 3 pounds of the specs on the day I originally drove it home. I even used the same compression tester.
Compression on all cylinders the day before it was sold were within 3 pounds of the specs on the day I originally drove it home. I even used the same compression tester.
You put somewhere around 252,000 miles on it and it only lost 3lbs of compression... That's incredible.. I could see if you started with 80,000 and it only lost 3lbs. But I figured a engine would loose more then 3lbs during the break in cycle.
What oil did you use?
