Oil % question
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 104
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Oil % question
I have an oil change scheduled at my local dealer for first available day 6/14, there so booked up you have to schedule Maintenace 6-8 weeks in advance. SO my oil is at 6% and I'm getting nervous as my appointment is still a week + away.. Does the 6% represent the amount of good oil left or more just a amount of time or miles since last oil change?
I wouldn't let this happen but if it reaches 0% oil does the car cpu have a fail safe to prevent driving it? Should I just add some oil in the meantime?
Note: 2014 C7 Z51
I wouldn't let this happen but if it reaches 0% oil does the car cpu have a fail safe to prevent driving it? Should I just add some oil in the meantime?
Note: 2014 C7 Z51
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
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You're fine. The world will not end and the car will not sieze up and stop on the highway if you hit 0%. Take it in and everything will be just dandy.
Elmer
Elmer
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^ this. You will be fine if the oil life monitor hits zero before you can get the oil changed. Your oil will still protect the car.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
OLM takes into account a number of factors including oil temperature, run time and time expired. The Owner's Manual indicates you can drive up to 500 miles after the oil life drops to 0%. Oil life percentage doesn't mean there is a certain amount of good oil remaining. It means all of the oil is degrading and needs to be changed at 0% or soon after. From the OM:Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer that indicates when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine temperature, and miles driven. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, the system must be reset every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 1 000 km (600 mi). It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for up to a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and, at this time, the system must be reset.
It is also important to check the oil regularly over the course of an oil drain interval and keep it at the proper level. If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi) since the last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
Bill
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer that indicates when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine temperature, and miles driven. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, the system must be reset every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 1 000 km (600 mi). It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for up to a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and, at this time, the system must be reset.
It is also important to check the oil regularly over the course of an oil drain interval and keep it at the proper level. If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi) since the last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
Bill
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Melbourne FL
I have an oil change scheduled at my local dealer for first available day 6/14, there so booked up you have to schedule Maintenace 6-8 weeks in advance. SO my oil is at 6% and I'm getting nervous as my appointment is still a week + away.. Does the 6% represent the amount of good oil left or more just a amount of time or miles since last oil change?
I wouldn't let this happen but if it reaches 0% oil does the car cpu have a fail safe to prevent driving it? Should I just add some oil in the meantime?
Note: 2014 C7 Z51
I wouldn't let this happen but if it reaches 0% oil does the car cpu have a fail safe to prevent driving it? Should I just add some oil in the meantime?
Note: 2014 C7 Z51
My Lexus OLM was set for 10,000 mile oil change intervals on less than 5 quarts of synthetic oil. Never had any problems. Not saying the cars are anything alike, but just a point of reference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,924
Likes: 1,884
From: Hot Springs AR
Water in the oil from condensation due to short runs, or worse, starting your engine, letting it idle for 15 minutes, then shutting it down, is a much bigger concern.
TLDR: as everyone else has mentioned, you're fine. Just go drive your baby!
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike