Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

The real question is, who in their right mind woudn't use it?

It is huge benefit. Time saver, money saver, worry saver and lessens waste.

Decades of research goes into this.
You paid money for this wonderful addition to our cars.
Use it. If you think your engine has something wrong with it, then get the oil analysis.


GM Oil Life System & Simplified Maintenance
Frequently Asked Questions
Oil Life System
Simplified Maintenance
Oil Life System
What is the GM Oil Life System?
The GM Oil Life System is a computer based software algorithm that determines when to change oil based on engine operating conditions. There is no actual oil condition sensor. Rather, the computer continuously monitors engine-operating conditions to determine when to change oil.

How does it work?
In all internal combustion engines, the primary driver in oil degradation is the combustion event. Every time the engine fires, a small volume of oil is directly exposed to, and destroyed by, this high-temperature, high-pressure event. Furthermore, combustion gases containing acids, fuel, and water get past the piston rings and react with, and degrade the engine oil. In addition to the combustion event, oil temperature plays a role in oil degradation. As oil temperature increases the oxidation rate of the oil speeds up, which can lead to oil thickening over time. On the other hand, colder oil temperatures increase the concentration of contaminants, such as fuel and water in the oil. The GM Oil Life System comprehends these oil degradation processes, and using an algorithm, calculates the optimal time to change the engine oil. While the basic algorithm is the same for all GM engines, each engine gets its own calibration specifically tailored to its unique needs.

How many GM vehicles are equipped with the GM Oil Life System?
More than 31 million GM Oil Life System-equipped vehicles have been sold in the U.S. since 1998. Today, over 97 percent of GM vehicles sold in U.S. are equipped with the Oil Life System.

How many miles can a vehicle go between oil changes when using this system?
The system allows GM customers to take advantage of the great strides that have been made in engine design and lubrication technology over the years. Depending on the vehicle/engine combination, driving conditions and driver habits, OLS equipped vehicles may extend oil change intervals significantly compared to the traditional 3,000 mile recommendation. However, based on driving conditions and type of vehicle the interval can vary. For instance, mild highway driving in a warm climate will maximize the interval between oil changes. Depending on the vehicle this could be in excess of 12,000 miles. On the other hand, short trip driving in a cold climate may limit the oil change interval to 3,000 miles or less.

Should oil be changed every 3,000 miles?
Over the years, there have been numerous advancements made in engine and oil technology, as well as a more thorough understanding of the mechanisms involved in oil degradation. These advancements allow vehicles equipped with the GM Oil Life System to maximize the time between oil changes without risking harm the engine. Our confidence in the GM Oil Life System is backed up by GM’s 5-year, 100,000 mile Powertrain limited warranty. All vehicle owners should consult their owner’s manual for the appropriate oil change recommendation.

How much waste oil can be saved with the GM Oil Life System?
Equipped with the GM Oil Life System, the average GM vehicle typically needs oil changes half as often as the 3,000 mile recommendation. Based on driving 15,000 miles per year, this could mean between two to three less oil changes annually. If used as intended by all drivers of GM vehicles equipped with the system in the U.S., that would equal more than 100 million fewer gallons of motor oil would be consumed annually, compared to the 3,000 mile interval.

Does the oil level on a vehicle equipped with the GM Oil Life System need to be checked?
Yes, the system does not sense oil level. As stated in the owner's manual, it is recommended that vehicle owners check their oil when they stop for gasoline.

Which current GM vehicles are equipped with the GM Oil Life System?
All GM vehicles sold in the U.S. (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC) with the exception of the Chevy Aveo.

How is the system operated?
The GM Oil Life System is very easy to use. First, refer to the vehicle owner's manual for a description of the specific 'change oil' message and instructions for resetting the system. When the engine oil needs to be changed, the 'change oil' message will be illuminated on the instrument panel or driver information center when the vehicle is first started. An oil change should be done within 600 miles from when the message was first displayed. Immediately after the oil has been changed, the system must be reset. After resetting, the 'change oil' display will no longer be displayed after engine start up.

What happens if the oil is changed and the system is not reset?
Since the GM Oil Life System does not actually sense oil condition, it is important that the engine computer knows when an oil change takes place. By enabling the reset (read owner's manual for instructions), it lets the computer know an oil change has taken place. In the event that an oil change is done without resetting the system, the 'change oil' indicator will remain illuminated until the system is reset. The more miles that are driven without the system being reset, the more inaccurate the GM Oil Life System will be. If more than 500 miles have been driven after an oil change without resetting the GM Oil Life System, the oil change interval should be defaulted back to 3000 miles. After the oil has been changed and the system reset, normal use of the system can be resumed.

Does the system require special oil?
The GM Oil Life System is calibrated for the oil quality specified in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Owners should be sure to refer to their owner’s manual for the proper oil quality and viscosity.

Can “do-it-yourselfers” reset the system?
The Oil Life System must be reset after each oil change. This can be done by following the steps in the vehicle’s owner’s manual, or by visiting a GM dealer.

How long do drivers have to change their oil after the light comes on?
As stated in the owner's manual, it is recommended that oil be changed within two fuel tank fill-ups. Owner's manuals for newer vehicles recommend changing oil within 600 miles of the light turning on.

Is discoloration of oil a warning sign?
Discoloration is natural for engine oil when it is used; in fact, discoloration is a sign that the oil is doing its job. Engine oils contain dispersants, which are designed to hold contaminants, such as combustion by-products, in suspension. These contaminants provide a dark color to oil. Therefore, simply by doing its job, an engine oil will turn dark with use. The extent of oil deterioration is determined through the use of a wide range of physical and chemical tests, but color is not one of them. The GM Oil Life System is designed to account for oil deterioration and a darkening of the oil with use is expected and natural.

 

I guess I'm not in my right mind. I sure do pay attention to it. I base my decision "when" I'm going to have my oil changed. I do not wait to get to zero on any vehicle. (Yukon/Vette) It seems to me if GM covering with 100k warranty why would they tell their customers to use the monitor because we all know what could happen if oil not doing what it's supposed to. Why would they (GM) take that risk? I do not believe they would. It's a good reminder for me....(I'm old anyway 49)

 

It's a tool and it is interesting to see how fast the percentages come down when I do my high rev city driving or drive when it is cold. But, I have never waited for it to come down to 1%.

 

Since mine is not a daily driver, I pay no attention to it. As long as the car is under GM warranty, I change it once a year. After the warranty is up, who know? To each his own.

 

No one I have ever seen has ever offered hard evidences that changing oil early on a normally functioning non-modded engine has any measurable useful benefit.

Please, if someone has proof, that decades of research has been wrong.

Please, don't keep it to yourself.


I would love for Mythbusters to tackle this.

 

Not "Proof", but "Interesting":

I did an oil change on our 2009 at about 16k miles, the oil had about 5,700 miles and the OLI was reading 51% Life Remaining.

Sent a sample to Blackstone Labs and they recommended changing the oil a little sooner. I have seen similar reports on other LSx engines. The LS2/LS3 engines throw a LOT of metal into the oil during the early part of their life, enough it might become abrasive.

Does this mean the indicator is worthless? No way. The engine won't self destruct if I take it down to 0%, just might last only 150k miles instead of 200k. And after the next change, I'm guessing the oil will be good for longer.

 

not only will i use it on the vette, but i use it on the wife's equinox. she has almost 9000 miles on it and it is still around 30-40% oil life left. and i check the oil in both cars and they keep level and stay clean.

 

I use it all the time on my C6 and TBSS. The only time I'd change it based on my own desire would be before/after a racing event or after having engine work done. Other than that, I listen to the little man inside the dash.

 

I use the oil change system in my GM cars. The only exception is for the first oil change, where I will change when I get to 3 to 4K miles, because I want to flush any residual debris that could be in a new engine. Earlier posts cover the way oil life can be estimated from data gathered by the on board computer.

Some poeple swear that every 3K miles is the proper interval. Usually advised by advice from their daddy year ago or by their trusted mechanic.

Sort of like my elderly mother who would always use premium gas in her Mercury because the trusted man at the gas station told her that it was better for her car (even if it had a 9:1 compression ratio). She told me that I was wrong when I argued that she was wasting money. If I was wrong, she was really wasting money back in my college days when paying for my graduate level courses in Internal Combustion Engine Theory at Purdue.