I apologize if this topic has been discussed before but can someone answer me this question. A lot of new cars are coming with oil life, I guess sensors? They give you a % thing telling you how much of your oil life is remaining. Now I know the old deal was 3,000 or 3 months, whichever came first, but what do you think? Should you follow the life thing or do what has always been done?

Thanks

 

My dads 2006 Buick Lucerne had one of those and as far as we could tell it was going off the mileage. The second it ticked over to 3k miles it would have a pop up in the info center in the cluster to tell us to change the oil.

 

I got this from mediaford.com Oil Life MonitorWhat it is: The oil monitor keeps drivers aware of the status of their vehicle’s engine oil and alerts them when it is time for an oil change. How it works: An electronic system monitors engine operating conditions including temperature and engine revolutions as well as mileage and time since the last oil change. A display on the message center periodically notifies the driver regarding the percent of oil life remaining as well as when the oil needs to be changed. Customer benefit: Prevents premature engine wear by notifying the driver exactly when the oil needs to be changed. Also, saves time and money by avoiding unnecessary oil changes.

 

Very interesting - and here I thought it was just a mileage/time thing that triggers the oil life monitor -

At the rate I am going, it looks like it uses the 7500 mile oil change interval.

I'm curious if the one in our trucks is just millage/time, or is more involved like jtech posted.

 

I would stick with the old fashioned way, change oil every 5,000 if using synthetic oil and 3,000 using non-synthetic oil.

 

i too stick with the old fashion way and 5000 on syn & 3000 on standard oil

 

Just out of curiousity as my 09 hasn't been delievered yet, but what oil does it come with from the factory. 5W-20?? And is it a synthetic. I plan on just changing mine at 1000-1500 the first time and using Valvoline (whichever weight it comes with) after that and changing every 3000 miles or every 5,000 if its synthetic.

 

I imagine it's filled with the Motorcraft 5W-20 from the factory. I am not sure if it is synthetic, all the Motorcraft oils listed on the website are synthetic but beats me...

I used to change my oil every 3k miles but I believe the engineers when they extend the service intervals.

 

being a old fart at 58,set in my ways,im changing the oil in all my toys every 3,000 miles,10w 30 synthetic valvoline.or every year, some dont get driven much. over kill,probably,but oil isnt that expensive yet so thats just my thinking on it.

 

I think it 5W-20 synthetic blend. I will do mine ever 7500 since its already paid for.

 

Funny you mention it - I had my 1st change at 2950 miles and the dealer forgot to reset the "oil life remaining" ... was very easy to do through the computer reset button. There has been a lot of debate over the Oil countdown monitors in many of the newer cars/trucks and I have never read anywhere that it is based on anything but mileage and/or time. My BMW's are all mileage/time based - even though many will try and tell you it's based on your actual operating conditions...I've seen no proof of this yet

 

Its all mileage i believe. It is in the owners manual where it tells you how to set it to a different percentage if you wish to change more often than 7500 = 100%

5000 = 67%

and so on.

 

I think it's based on time too, the owner's manual says this:
Oil life start value of 100% equals 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or six months.


Here's my current stats of my truck since I bought it:
time = 4 months exactly
miles = 1756 miles (short work commute)
Oil life = 44% remaining

 

I think it is a sad day when we have to have monitors TELL us when to change oil. I realize we lead busy lives but OMG!.

Recently a friend of mine did not check his oil in his 2003 Honda and guess what...he ran it out of oil and ruined the engine. I asked him when the last time he checked the oil in his Tundra. He said he could not remember. I told him if he could not remember that he should change it IMMEDIATELY and start checking it or he would be replacing THAT engine too.

Honestly I don't think he checked it OR changed it. After getting a 50K used engine put into his Honda...he didn't learn a damned thing. HE needs the monitor.

 

Guys, there is no reason to change oil at 3000 miles, even with standard oil. The 3000 miles intervals goes way back to when we were burning dirty, carbureted engines from the 40's-80's. Engines burn MUCH cleaner now and oil composition is far more advanced. My oil still looks clean at 3000 miles. Back in the day it was black by then, screaming for a change.

Here is a great web page called Motor Oil Myths and Facts.