GM Oil Life Monitor - learned something about it today

[bogeypro]

This oil life monitor is no joke. I read this thread on the subject. Why doesn't GM put this type of stuff in their commercials?

 

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=130050

[BlackZ71Silverado]

They probably don't advertise something like that because a lot of people would not understand it.

 

 

I don't trust the oil life monitor....My opinion of it is, if it was that "smart" and could truely read the oil properties, you would not have to reset it when you did an oil change. If it really did what is claimed, it would recognize it's new oil and reset itself.....Again, just my opinion. Kind of like the MPG calculations.

[vkjohnson]

great post

It makes sense to me that the OLM needs reset so it can re-start the algorithm from a known point. After all, it's just a massive math formula based on engine data. Different conditions will deteriorate oil at different rates, so harder use makes the algorithm decrease at a steeper rate. Quite the explanation in that link. I'm convinced.

[ChevyTech77]

If you're not believing the olm systems ability to correctly tell you when to change your oil I ask you this, next time you change your oil, send it out for testing and record with % the olm said was left on that oil to compare with the test center's results. $100 says that it will be really close to one another. My last two tests were within 10% of the olm's results.

[brainpause]

They probably don't advertise something like that because a lot of people would not understand it.

 

 

I don't trust the oil life monitor....My opinion of it is, if it was that "smart" and could truely read the oil properties, you would not have to reset it when you did an oil change. If it really did what is claimed, it would recognize it's new oil and reset itself.....Again, just my opinion. Kind of like the MPG calculations.

 

 

It doesn't actually test the oil. As was said, it is a complex math formula. I go strictly by the OLM. Although I only have 56k miles, I have had the oil tested, and it was fine.

 

 

[white07gmc]

I'm assuming this is base on Conventional Oil. How about a Synthetic Oil?

[slimjim2525]

They probably don't advertise something like that because a lot of people would not understand it.

 

 

I don't trust the oil life monitor....My opinion of it is, if it was that "smart" and could truely read the oil properties, you would not have to reset it when you did an oil change. If it really did what is claimed, it would recognize it's new oil and reset itself.....Again, just my opinion. Kind of like the MPG calculations.

 

You can't be for real. You expect the OLM to read the "properties" of the oil. It's based on engine revolutions, engine heat, tranny heat, RPM ranges, etc. Don't believe it and keep wasting your money. I trust it, and keep my money right next to my butt.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

They probably don't advertise something like that because a lot of people would not understand it.

 

 

I don't trust the oil life monitor....My opinion of it is, if it was that "smart" and could truely read the oil properties, you would not have to reset it when you did an oil change. If it really did what is claimed, it would recognize it's new oil and reset itself.....Again, just my opinion. Kind of like the MPG calculations.

 

You can't be for real. You expect the OLM to read the "properties" of the oil. It's based on engine revolutions, engine heat, tranny heat, RPM ranges, etc. Don't believe it and keep wasting your money. I trust it, and keep my money right next to my butt.

 

Don't know how you think i am wasting money but ok. Nothing wrong with going by the OLM, that's why it's there, I choose not to pay attention to it. When I am ready to change my oil I change it. Usually between 8-10,000 miles.

 

 

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[Wolfmanjohn]

People like me ignore the OLM because we are constrained by the one-year time limit for oil/filter changes. Yep, ~ 3-4k miles/year on each vehicle.

[MNDave]

I'm assuming this is base on Conventional Oil. How about a Synthetic Oil?

 

 

Good question. I assume so as well. It would be nice to select one or the other somehow.

[Gurrzt]

I'm assuming this is base on Conventional Oil. How about a Synthetic Oil?

 

 

This is an extreemly good point, the dealership uses a "synthetic blend oil" in comparision, I use "Mobil 1 extended performance oil", 15K before change. Even though I do not push this envelope, I do keep this oil in the crank case for 10k before changing it and the filter. I have used this oil and method very sucessfully on my 2001 Z28 (Sara) with no problems whatsoever.

 

There are also people who use straight dino oil, and I would not keep that in the crankcase for the recommended 7.5k, I look at the "oil life monitor" as a sofisticated (sp) idiot light, depending on the type of driving, the operator of the vehicle should know when it is time to change the oil and filter.

[kook]

I have been told that the OLM is based on synthetic oil. If you use conventional oil you should change it well before you reach 0%.

[tanked_darren]

I have been told that the OLM is based on synthetic oil. If you use conventional oil you should change it well before you reach 0%.

 

Who told you that? Because it's completely wrong.

[doropallo]

Strange, on my 2001 Sierra when I used conventional oil the light would come on around 2800 - 3000 miles. When I switched to Mobil 1 it now comes on between 5800 - 6000 miles.

[SouthCo]

I reset the OLM after each oil change and keep an eye on it but I usually change my oil between 5000-5500 miles. I use synthetic. The OLM still shows some life left but that's just what I do. I know I could get a few more miles per the OLM, but I gotta change the oil when I have time.