How Accurate Is Oil Life?

txab · December 31, 2010

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbth...true#Post130036

jrrod2004 · December 31, 2010

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbth...true#Post130036

Thanks Darral, I was looking for that as well

jro909 · December 31, 2010

Cant go wrong with 3k mile oil change intervals......

Yes, you can. It's called throwing money away.

1) To my knowledge there isn't a single automobile company that recommends 3K as the change interval, including GM. Most are 5-6K. The 3k number was invented by the Jiffy Lube's of the world to get you to spend more $$$$.

2) I've owned a lot of cars, and know a ton of car people via boards. I'd be willing to bet you can't find a single instance where an engine failed in less than 200K miles because the owner changed the oil every 5K instead of 3K.

I'm amazed the crooks at the lube places haven't started recommending to 1K!

according to my owner's manuel for 04...it states 3k oil changes...

johnnyz71 · December 31, 2010

Cant go wrong with 3k mile oil change intervals......

Yes, you can. It's called throwing money away.

1) To my knowledge there isn't a single automobile company that recommends 3K as the change interval, including GM. Most are 5-6K. The 3k number was invented by the Jiffy Lube's of the world to get you to spend more $$$$.

2) I've owned a lot of cars, and know a ton of car people via boards. I'd be willing to bet you can't find a single instance where an engine failed in less than 200K miles because the owner changed the oil every 5K instead of 3K.

I'm amazed the crooks at the lube places haven't started recommending to 1K!

according to my owner's manuel for 04...it states 3k oil changes...

That's funny, because I had a 2003 Silverado LT and that had an oil life meter on it. I would change the oil when it got down to 10% and that was around 5K-6K miles.

Todays engines are built so much better than the engines of the past, that you don't need oil changes every 3K miles. Hell, my fiance's old '04 Accord 4-cylinder said right in the owners manual, oil changes every 10K or if you are in a harsh enviroment (severe cold or severe heat)--every 5K.

I trust the oil life meter, everyone in my family has always had GM and everyone goes by the oil life meter since they have been on GM cars. Don't put synthentic in unless the engine requires it, that's another scam that people fall for. There have been numerous tests that show there is no engine damage if you use regular oil compared to synthetic. Sure synthetic might last a little longer, but weigh up the costs between the synthetic & regular and regular still wins. Here is a simple breakdown:

1. Trust the oil life meter

2. You don't need to change every 3K, if you still think you do, seek help for OCD.

3. Synthetic is for engines that require it or very old engines. Use the regular oil, it's cheaper and does just as good a job if you maintain your car.

4. Use 87 octane unless your engine requires it. Again, the vehicles performance was tested using this, you are wasting money if you buy higher octane, the engines computer makes sure everything is running as best as possible.

kmirts · December 31, 2010

Cant go wrong with 3k mile oil change intervals......

Yes, you can. It's called throwing money away.

1) To my knowledge there isn't a single automobile company that recommends 3K as the change interval, including GM. Most are 5-6K. The 3k number was invented by the Jiffy Lube's of the world to get you to spend more $$$$.

2) I've owned a lot of cars, and know a ton of car people via boards. I'd be willing to bet you can't find a single instance where an engine failed in less than 200K miles because the owner changed the oil every 5K instead of 3K.

I'm amazed the crooks at the lube places haven't started recommending to 1K!

according to my owner's manuel for 04...it states 3k oil changes...

That's funny, because I had a 2003 Silverado LT and that had an oil life meter on it. I would change the oil when it got down to 10% and that was around 5K-6K miles.

Todays engines are built so much better than the engines of the past, that you don't need oil changes every 3K miles. Hell, my fiance's old '04 Accord 4-cylinder said right in the owners manual, oil changes every 10K or if you are in a harsh enviroment (severe cold or severe heat)--every 5K.

I trust the oil life meter, everyone in my family has always had GM and everyone goes by the oil life meter since they have been on GM cars. Don't put synthentic in unless the engine requires it, that's another scam that people fall for. There have been numerous tests that show there is no engine damage if you use regular oil compared to synthetic. Sure synthetic might last a little longer, but weigh up the costs between the synthetic & regular and regular still wins. Here is a simple breakdown:

1. Trust the oil life meter

2. You don't need to change every 3K, if you still think you do, seek help for OCD.

3. Synthetic is for engines that require it or very old engines. Use the regular oil, it's cheaper and does just as good a job if you maintain your car.

4. Use 87 octane unless your engine requires it. Again, the vehicles performance was tested using this, you are wasting money if you buy higher octane, the engines computer makes sure everything is running as best as possible.

well 89 octane is cheaper and runs better, e 85 is even cheaper but gets worse mpg, i use 87 only on 5th or 6th tank after using super, and the cost per mile is actually cheaper for me to run 89,synthetic is actually alot better than conventional it runs cleaner and doesnt break down like conv does.

dlstewart01 · December 31, 2010

Cant go wrong with 3k mile oil change intervals......

Yes, you can. It's called throwing money away.

1) To my knowledge there isn't a single automobile company that recommends 3K as the change interval, including GM. Most are 5-6K. The 3k number was invented by the Jiffy Lube's of the world to get you to spend more $$$$.

2) I've owned a lot of cars, and know a ton of car people via boards. I'd be willing to bet you can't find a single instance where an engine failed in less than 200K miles because the owner changed the oil every 5K instead of 3K.

I'm amazed the crooks at the lube places haven't started recommending to 1K!

according to my owner's manuel for 04...it states 3k oil changes...

Well lets see, I just happen to have an 04 manual. The only thing it mentions about 3000 miles..is if you ACCIDENTLY reset the OLM and don't know where you are at on miles, change it at 3000 miles then follow the OLM.

From the 2004 manual..

johnnyz71 · December 31, 2010

Cant go wrong with 3k mile oil change intervals......

Yes, you can. It's called throwing money away.

1) To my knowledge there isn't a single automobile company that recommends 3K as the change interval, including GM. Most are 5-6K. The 3k number was invented by the Jiffy Lube's of the world to get you to spend more $$$$.

2) I've owned a lot of cars, and know a ton of car people via boards. I'd be willing to bet you can't find a single instance where an engine failed in less than 200K miles because the owner changed the oil every 5K instead of 3K.

I'm amazed the crooks at the lube places haven't started recommending to 1K!

according to my owner's manuel for 04...it states 3k oil changes...

Well lets see, I just happen to have an 04 manual. The only thing it mentions about 3000 miles..is if you ACCIDENTLY reset the OLM and don't know where you are at on miles, change it at 3000 miles then follow the OLM.

From the 2004 manual..

I trust the oil life meter. If you feel that changing every 3K makes you feel better, than go ahead. All you have to do is google and you will find numerous articles that state on a V-8 engine, you can go 5K every oil change under NORMAL driving conditions. If you are towing every day, in extreme heat or cold, then you should change every 3K.

Diesail · December 31, 2010

txab · December 31, 2010

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbth...true#Post130036

Thanks Darral, I was looking for that as well

00_Extended · December 31, 2010

I don't think 3k is a bad idea if your running an older small block or big block that is carbed and has a cam. The overlap, possible carb adjustments not being optimal (rich or lean) and older ignition systems not adjusted correctly can cause oil contamination.

If you have an older truck running these items and know how to keep it tuned I would do ever 5K with out a problem. If you don't know how to keep it tuned then every 3K or less but then I think the oil is the last thing you will be worried about.

ohiohunter2 · December 31, 2010

Thanks for all the great info guys. Thats why I love this site. Thanks again!

uchi · December 31, 2010

i drive my truck pretty easily and the dealer had put dino oil into it when i bought it, changed it at jsut under 3000 miles and the oil life meter was at about 48%. from what i can tell it seems to be working at the same rate with the now synthetic in it as it did with the dino oil in it. dealer tried telling me the truck has sensors that read the oil and determine its life based on something or other. they seemed to have confused themselves while talking to me and started to babble a little like they had no idea what they were talking about.

Bailey28 · January 1, 2011

Last week I bought an '08 Sierra regular cab with the 4.8 engine. The truck had 9000 very easy miles on it and never towed anything. The OLM said there was 60% oil life remaining.

I checked under the truck while I was inspecting it and the black grease pencil mark was still there going across the oil pan and drain bolt together. This bolt has not been loosened since it was tightened at GM. The oil filter, an AC Delco PF48 still had the factory adhesive sticker on it and a yellow grease pencil mark on it.

No one changed the oil on this truck. I pulled the dipstick and the oil was black and glistening and stunk like fuel. I'm guessing this was still the factory fill oil. But why the 60% oil life left? Is it because the little old man never went over 2,000 rpm?

Anyhow, I dumped it and installed a new PF48 and Castrol 5w-30 GTX. The truck runs great, just the same as it did before. I never reset the OLM but now I have 55% oil life left.

I heard that GM will require "dexos" in the future; something to do with the additives in dexos that help the OLM calculate oil life.

Stevens03 · January 1, 2011

I've always ran Synthetic oils and good filters on my trucks and ever since the OLM has been standard, I've been following that without fail and without issue.

mudeater · January 2, 2011

I've always ran Synthetic oils and good filters on my trucks and ever since the OLM has been standard, I've been following that without fail and without issue.

Same here, I change it when the truck tells me to. Royal purple and wix filters on my last 3 vehicles. I have been kicking around the idea of going back to Mobil 1.