Oil life question
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 2
From: Corona CA
WRONG
The purpose of the forum is to share our combined learned knowledge and establish baselines for others to gain from our experiences or in ET's case his applied knowledge. I trust in the knowledge gained from those who know more than I.
Take a break and give it a rest...if I can save a buck I'm all for it.....the reason I watch the forum is to hopefully learn by others mistakes or misfortunes. Not to say what works for one works for all, we all have our own ideas and can read through the various posts to reach a decision.
The purpose of the forum is to share our combined learned knowledge and establish baselines for others to gain from our experiences or in ET's case his applied knowledge. I trust in the knowledge gained from those who know more than I. Take a break and give it a rest...if I can save a buck I'm all for it.....the reason I watch the forum is to hopefully learn by others mistakes or misfortunes. Not to say what works for one works for all, we all have our own ideas and can read through the various posts to reach a decision.
MONARTOR
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 250,330
Likes: 146
From: What I know, is dwarfed by what I pretend to know
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
continued bashing and name calling will empty this place quicker than am aircraft carrier during fleet week.. trust me. keep the comments to the OLM system and not to the poster.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,531
Likes: 1,943
From: Austin Texas
I have seen the OLM indicate 35% oil life left after a single weekend of use--this mileage took place on a road race track in 103dF temperatures and a fuel consumption rate of less than 6 MPG. At this rate, the OLM wanted the oil changed at 450 Miles!
I have seen the OLM still have 9% left at 18K miles. "Cold" starts at 89dF, 30 miles of freeway cruising (once in morning, once in the evening) ; with a handfull of 1500 mile trips at 65 MPH on cruise control.
I have seen the OLM still have 9% left at 18K miles. "Cold" starts at 89dF, 30 miles of freeway cruising (once in morning, once in the evening) ; with a handfull of 1500 mile trips at 65 MPH on cruise control.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
ET-
Thanks for the info, and for your time. Do you know who in GM to notify about the bug I have mentioned below?
70454-
The OLM measures the OL based on operating conditions, just as you said. That's why ET and the rest of GM spent so much effort to ensure that their program was correct. The OLM in our cars does NOT actually analyze the oil, I believe Mercedes does but it's probably not much more effective.
THERE IS A BUG IN THE OLM SYSTEM ON THE C6!
Someone else posted about this recently, and I have confirmed it on my car.
1. Scroll through the Trip button until you get to the Elapsed Timer.
2. Press and hold the Reset button for about 5 seconds, then release.
3. Scroll through Trip until you get to Oil Life Remaining. After a few seconds your oil life will jump up to 100%, just as if you had intentionally reset it.
Suggest you don't do this until your next oil change! Also, I do not use the Elapsed Timer any more to reduce the possibility of accidental OLM reset. Our manual says that if the OLM is reset accidentally, you must do the next change at 3,000 miles. Personally, I just remember what the % is any time I scroll through the OLM- if it gets reset, I'll still know pretty closely what the number should be.
Thanks for the info, and for your time. Do you know who in GM to notify about the bug I have mentioned below?
70454-
The OLM measures the OL based on operating conditions, just as you said. That's why ET and the rest of GM spent so much effort to ensure that their program was correct. The OLM in our cars does NOT actually analyze the oil, I believe Mercedes does but it's probably not much more effective.
THERE IS A BUG IN THE OLM SYSTEM ON THE C6!
Someone else posted about this recently, and I have confirmed it on my car.
1. Scroll through the Trip button until you get to the Elapsed Timer.
2. Press and hold the Reset button for about 5 seconds, then release.
3. Scroll through Trip until you get to Oil Life Remaining. After a few seconds your oil life will jump up to 100%, just as if you had intentionally reset it.
Suggest you don't do this until your next oil change! Also, I do not use the Elapsed Timer any more to reduce the possibility of accidental OLM reset. Our manual says that if the OLM is reset accidentally, you must do the next change at 3,000 miles. Personally, I just remember what the % is any time I scroll through the OLM- if it gets reset, I'll still know pretty closely what the number should be.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Originally Posted by EricR-TX
Thank you very much, however I might have a problem. When I reset it (at 33%), it said "Oil Life: ___%" for a while and then went right back to "Oil Life 33%" which is what it was at before the oil change. What gives? Did I reset it wrong, or something? Thanks in advance.
make sure the key is in the on position, but the engine isn't running. If it's running, you will get your symptoms.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Originally Posted by Lucky Tescher
If it is true that changing oil every 4 -K miles might void any warranty, what difference does that make? GM always find reasons not to honor this anyway. They will find some BS reason for not having to accept responsibility.
obviously, you have had a claim denied. Here's my experience. In the last 22 years, on 3 GM cars I bought new, I have never had a warranty claim denied as long as 1. It was in the 36 mo warranty period, and 2. It was not a problem with a part I had replaced or modded. Even had warranty work done on my 02 vette after the headers went on. Since it wasn't an exhaust problem, the dealer didn't bat an eye.
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Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
5 or 6,000 miles may just be enough to cancel any warranty you may have....and insure reduced engine life.
Ive had my car over 6 years, I know the oil life monitoring system intimately..have seen hundreds of Ls/X engines data reports from the GM test lab.Gm spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in the devoloment of the Oil Life Monitoring system. I rely on it, knowing that following it will insure engine longevity in the 200,000 plus range.
My oil life monitor usually is at zero right around 3800 to 4,000 miles...
in six plus years I have made 15 oil changes... and I am confident they were done at the proper interval.
Make sure you use the proper oil with the proper GM Spec, no synthetic blends, no extended life synthetics.. they dont meet the GM spec.
Ive had my car over 6 years, I know the oil life monitoring system intimately..have seen hundreds of Ls/X engines data reports from the GM test lab.Gm spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in the devoloment of the Oil Life Monitoring system. I rely on it, knowing that following it will insure engine longevity in the 200,000 plus range.
My oil life monitor usually is at zero right around 3800 to 4,000 miles...
in six plus years I have made 15 oil changes... and I am confident they were done at the proper interval.
Make sure you use the proper oil with the proper GM Spec, no synthetic blends, no extended life synthetics.. they dont meet the GM spec.
Harry
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
5 or 6,000 miles may just be enough to cancel any warranty you may have....and insure reduced engine life.
Ive had my car over 6 years, I know the oil life monitoring system intimately..have seen hundreds of Ls/X engines data reports from the GM test lab.Gm spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in the devoloment of the Oil Life Monitoring system. I rely on it, knowing that following it will insure engine longevity in the 200,000 plus range.
My oil life monitor usually is at zero right around 3800 to 4,000 miles...
in six plus years I have made 15 oil changes... and I am confident they were done at the proper interval.
Make sure you use the proper oil with the proper GM Spec, no synthetic blends, no extended life synthetics.. they dont meet the GM spec.
Ive had my car over 6 years, I know the oil life monitoring system intimately..have seen hundreds of Ls/X engines data reports from the GM test lab.Gm spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in the devoloment of the Oil Life Monitoring system. I rely on it, knowing that following it will insure engine longevity in the 200,000 plus range.
My oil life monitor usually is at zero right around 3800 to 4,000 miles...
in six plus years I have made 15 oil changes... and I am confident they were done at the proper interval.
Make sure you use the proper oil with the proper GM Spec, no synthetic blends, no extended life synthetics.. they dont meet the GM spec.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Gearhead Jim
ET-
Thanks for the info, and for your time. Do you know who in GM to notify about the bug I have mentioned below?
70454-
The OLM measures the OL based on operating conditions, just as you said. That's why ET and the rest of GM spent so much effort to ensure that their program was correct. The OLM in our cars does NOT actually analyze the oil, I believe Mercedes does but it's probably not much more effective.
THERE IS A BUG IN THE OLM SYSTEM ON THE C6!
Someone else posted about this recently, and I have confirmed it on my car.
1. Scroll through the Trip button until you get to the Elapsed Timer.
2. Press and hold the Reset button for about 5 seconds, then release.
3. Scroll through Trip until you get to Oil Life Remaining. After a few seconds your oil life will jump up to 100%, just as if you had intentionally reset it.
Suggest you don't do this until your next oil change! Also, I do not use the Elapsed Timer any more to reduce the possibility of accidental OLM reset. Our manual says that if the OLM is reset accidentally, you must do the next change at 3,000 miles. Personally, I just remember what the % is any time I scroll through the OLM- if it gets reset, I'll still know pretty closely what the number should be.
Thanks for the info, and for your time. Do you know who in GM to notify about the bug I have mentioned below?
70454-
The OLM measures the OL based on operating conditions, just as you said. That's why ET and the rest of GM spent so much effort to ensure that their program was correct. The OLM in our cars does NOT actually analyze the oil, I believe Mercedes does but it's probably not much more effective.
THERE IS A BUG IN THE OLM SYSTEM ON THE C6!
Someone else posted about this recently, and I have confirmed it on my car.
1. Scroll through the Trip button until you get to the Elapsed Timer.
2. Press and hold the Reset button for about 5 seconds, then release.
3. Scroll through Trip until you get to Oil Life Remaining. After a few seconds your oil life will jump up to 100%, just as if you had intentionally reset it.
Suggest you don't do this until your next oil change! Also, I do not use the Elapsed Timer any more to reduce the possibility of accidental OLM reset. Our manual says that if the OLM is reset accidentally, you must do the next change at 3,000 miles. Personally, I just remember what the % is any time I scroll through the OLM- if it gets reset, I'll still know pretty closely what the number should be.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by talon90
Follow the oil life monitor. Listen to E-T on this one. He really is in the know. As far as using the monitor.
From my manual.
Engine Oil Life
Press the TRIP button until the engine oil life is
displayed, such as OIL LIFE REMAIN 89%.
This is an estimate of the engine oil’s remaining useful
life. It will show 99% when the system is reset after
an oil change. It will alert you to change your oil on
a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the system will
alert you with a message CHANGE OIL SOON.
When the oil life is down to zero, you will receive the
message CHANGE OIL NOW.
To reset the OIL LIFE reminder after an oil change:
1. With the ignition on, press the TRIP button so the
OIL LIFE percentage is displayed.
2. Press RESET and hold for two seconds. The word
RESET will appear, then OIL LIFE 99%.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE yourself after
each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be careful
not to reset the OIL LIFE accidentally at any time other
than when the oil has just been changed. It can’t be reset
accurately until the next oil change.
The DIC does not replace the need to maintain your
vehicle as recommended in the Maintenance Schedule
in this manual. Also, the oil change reminder will not
detect dusty conditions or engine malfunctions that may
affect the oil. If you drive in dusty areas, change your
oil after every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or three months,
whichever occurs first, unless the DIC instructs you to
do so sooner. Also, the oil change reminder does not
measure how much oil you have in your engine, so be
sure to check your oil level often. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
From my manual.
Engine Oil Life
Press the TRIP button until the engine oil life is
displayed, such as OIL LIFE REMAIN 89%.
This is an estimate of the engine oil’s remaining useful
life. It will show 99% when the system is reset after
an oil change. It will alert you to change your oil on
a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the system will
alert you with a message CHANGE OIL SOON.
When the oil life is down to zero, you will receive the
message CHANGE OIL NOW.
To reset the OIL LIFE reminder after an oil change:
1. With the ignition on, press the TRIP button so the
OIL LIFE percentage is displayed.
2. Press RESET and hold for two seconds. The word
RESET will appear, then OIL LIFE 99%.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE yourself after
each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be careful
not to reset the OIL LIFE accidentally at any time other
than when the oil has just been changed. It can’t be reset
accurately until the next oil change.
The DIC does not replace the need to maintain your
vehicle as recommended in the Maintenance Schedule
in this manual. Also, the oil change reminder will not
detect dusty conditions or engine malfunctions that may
affect the oil. If you drive in dusty areas, change your
oil after every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or three months,
whichever occurs first, unless the DIC instructs you to
do so sooner. Also, the oil change reminder does not
measure how much oil you have in your engine, so be
sure to check your oil level often. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
[QUOTE=CitznFish]regardless, I still change my oil when the monitor says 80%.
I'm at the oil change place more than I am at my own home.
QUOTE]
Can you say what is the mileage at that point of 80% for you?
. I know it is diffeent for each person depending on driving style and environment.
I'm at the oil change place more than I am at my own home.
QUOTE]
Can you say what is the mileage at that point of 80% for you?
. I know it is diffeent for each person depending on driving style and environment.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 1
From: Life ain't no dress rehearsal, are you gonna wait to get your toys til AFTER you have a heart attack?
Originally Posted by xs650
GM spec for engine oil is GM4718M meeting API SL, not Mobil 1.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
Originally Posted by PappyTinker
And, Mobil 1 is not the only lubricant that meets/exceeds this spec. Amsoil 5W30 also meets this specification and it is an extended drain interval lubricant.
AMSOIL Series 2000 0w30
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 5w30
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 10w30
Not trying to fan what is a spirited debate too much, but for those looking for more concrete data on how long the oil is good for, here are a few used oil analysis reports in a fellow forum members 99 FRC:
Corvette C5 AMSOIL Series 2000 0w30 Used Oil Analysis Report
The 6/24/05 and 5/6/05 samples were AMSOIL Series 2000 0w30 with 3513 and 3281 miles on the samples, the 3/11/05 sample was German Castrol 0w30 with 3126 miles on the sample.
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C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
AMSOIL Dealer (Forum Vendor)
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
I liked the info on the olm from the the evil one.He has had vettes longer than me & sounds like he helped design the sys.Being an old a/c mechanic(retired)I didnt have the privilige to second guess the tech info or do anything but what mfg said,nor did I want to.The parts had to have tso # & you had to go by the procedures.The man that let me see how he worked on the relative new v/8 Chevy was the mech on a (Nascar driving Star)Speedy Thompsons car.Later he maintained a very successful super stock Impala in the Atlanta area.He told me from the start," you can make the engine do something it wasnt designed to do ,but that doesnt make you a genius,they designed it they are the ones.The mfg.gave him several things that he used on the 348 truck eng.& that thing didnt respond to the usual H.P. tricks.That tought me a good lesson that has served me well.I go by the book & I believe those guys...
