Oil Life Monitor Question

[Black02Silverado]

Here is a good explanation of the GM OLM.

 

[mr_bots]

I wouldn't worry too much about the OLM. My mom had a Yukon for 90+k miles only changing oil when the light came on and currently has a Malibu with about 105k miles with the same thing. No problems with either engine. Chrysler has a similar system that I started using after three oil changes for break in, though it seems more conservative than GM's as the last time it came on was 4k after the previous oil change.

 

[PenguinLTZ]

I am using it because Nick said my truck would last forever if used Amsoil and the GM OLM.

 

[Texas1911]

If it's accessible, there's no major harm in changing the oil filter at every 3000 miles. The oil itself technically will last forever (synthetic), but the additives package in the oil does get consumed. Some of the oil also gets turned to carbon via blow-by past the rings and/or windage venting.

Viscosity can only really be tested in a lab, and over time the viscosity of the oil will increase as it fills with particulates and the oil degrades. Generally in a 7000 - 10000 mile window it'll act like a slightly more viscous fluid. In my turbo car, after about 3000 miles it'd start to show higher oil pressures ... but the oil demand in that car is higher than virtually any truck on the road.

 

[OldCracker29]

I am using it because Nick said my truck would last forever if used Amsoil and the GM OLM.

I used to change oil religiously at 3K, now it's around 5K.

 

[bubbatrucklover]

I have did a good bit of reading up on the OLM...but that still don't mean I know a damn thing...
The first few oil changes were at around 3000 miles... that was before I really knew what the OLM does and what all it monitors.

Theoretically...according to the owners manual....The one on my Caddy will go as far as 12,500 miles or one year before telling you that you need to change oil.
But that, of course, depends on your driving habits and a bunch of other factors.

I never let it go that far... I usually change between 5000 and 8000 miles... depending on how hard I have been driving it.
I use full synthetic oil in it.
It holds 8 quarts of oil.

It was last changed at 102,000 ... it now has 108,000 and the OLM still shows 49 percent oil life remaining...
I usually change it at around 35 percent oil life remaining.... which will correspond to probably about 8,000 miles this time.

DAMN Jim. That's a pretty slick set up. It sounds like your Caddy is smarter then me.

Here is a good explanation of the GM OLM.

Thanks Nick. That kind of dumbs it down for morons like me to understand.

I wouldn't worry too much about the OLM. My mom had a Yukon for 90+k miles only changing oil when the light came on and currently has a Malibu with about 105k miles with the same thing. No problems with either engine. Chrysler has a similar system that I started using after three oil changes for break in, though it seems more conservative than GM's as the last time it came on was 4k after the previous oil change.

Damn. That's some good numbers there.

I am using it because Nick said my truck would last forever if used Amsoil and the GM OLM.

If it's accessible, there's no major harm in changing the oil filter at every 3000 miles. The oil itself technically will last forever (synthetic), but the additives package in the oil does get consumed. Some of the oil also gets turned to carbon via blow-by past the rings and/or windage venting.

Viscosity can only really be tested in a lab, and over time the viscosity of the oil will increase as it fills with particulates and the oil degrades. Generally in a 7000 - 10000 mile window it'll act like a slightly more viscous fluid. In my turbo car, after about 3000 miles it'd start to show higher oil pressures ... but the oil demand in that car is higher than virtually any truck on the road.

Hey if I can tack on another 2,000 miles (minimum) between changes that adds a little more coin in my pocket.

I used to change oil religiously at 3K, now it's around 5K.

I'm going to let my odometer hit the next reasonable mark then start doing 5k. Like I said to Zembonez easier math.

 

[Texas Jim]

I have did a good bit of reading up on the OLM...but that still don't mean I know a damn thing...
The first few oil changes were at around 3000 miles... that was before I really knew what the OLM does and what all it monitors.

Theoretically...according to the owners manual....The one on my Caddy will go as far as 12,500 miles or one year before telling you that you need to change oil.
But that, of course, depends on your driving habits and a bunch of other factors.

I never let it go that far... I usually change between 5000 and 8000 miles... depending on how hard I have been driving it.
I use full synthetic oil in it.
It holds 8 quarts of oil.

It was last changed at 102,000 ... it now has 108,000 and the OLM still shows 49 percent oil life remaining...
I usually change it at around 35 percent oil life remaining.... which will correspond to probably about 8,000 miles this time.

DAMN Jim. That's a pretty slick set up. It sounds like your Caddy is smarter then me.

Yeah... if you let the OLM get to -0-...it will actually display on the DIC, every time you start it...

CHANGE ENGINE OIL....

I reckon that is because little ol' Blue Haired ladies and old dumb guys like me drive 'em.
The car has to be smart to compensate for us being dumb and forgetful and not remembering to ever change the oil ...

 

[txab]

Don't know if this has been mentioned already...... but you can send an oil sample off and have it tested. Then you'll nail down an oil change interval and feel comfortable with it.