Change oil light still on

ozzie2k · May 7, 2004

I'm new to this so please bear with me.

I purchased my Aunt's Silverado K1500 4.8L V8 last September and I decided to change the oil so that I would have a record of it. I had done several oil changes on my old 1991 Chevy Silverado and I felt everything went smoothly this time too. However, after changing the oil and starting the engine, the change oil light comes on for about 5-10 seconds and then turns off. I've changed the oil twice since September and this problem of mine hasn't gone away. Any suggestions? Is this normal or am I not doing something? I use a Napa gold oil filter and 6 qts. of 5W-30 synthetic oil.

Another useful bit of information is that I installed a K-N Gen II air filter system in November. Could this have anything to do with that? Could it be the oxygen sensor?

Being that this is a newer vehicle, is there some sort of reset button that I'm not aware of? I'd rather change my own oil than take it in.

I'd appreciate any pointers.

likeaninja · May 7, 2004

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it has to do with the truck's computer...it's set so that the change oil light will come on at a certain interval (I'm not sure if the factory set it to 3000 miles or not). I've had this happen to me a couple of times. All you need to do is reset the computer. Just turn the ignition to the on position (make sure you don't start the truck) and press the accelerator to the floor 3 times. That should do the trick.

rkn2903 · May 8, 2004

Is the change oil light on the 99 GMC Seirral 5.3l xlt.

RyanZ71 · May 8, 2004

should have the procedure outlined in the owners manual on how to reset the change oil light. It is computer controlled to come on at a certain time period.

MI 99XPL · May 9, 2004

The manual should have it listed as to how to reset the computer. Mine is turn on key to on position and floor it 3 times before 5 seconds. Some time it takes me a few tries.

The computer calculates when to change the oil based a a lot of conditions. I think some of them are engine load, rpms, distance drove, etc. So one time it might come on at 4500 miles, the next time it might come on at 9900 miles. they went to this to conserve oil.

RyanZ71 · May 9, 2004

I noted that when I resetted my light, after pressing the pedal 3 times, it took about 10-20 seconds before i saw it do the reset.

redvett · May 9, 2004

Here is how the oil life system works.

GM OIL LIFE SYSTEM...HOW DOES IT REALLY WORK

This is taken from the May 2003 GM Techlink publication

How often should engine oil be changed? 3,000 miles, 5,000 miles, 7,500 miles, 10,000 miles? Actually, all of these are correct, depending on operating conditions. Oil life is affected by many factors other than just miles driven. The type of driving, temperature, and engine load all play a part.

That’s why GM has developed the GM Oil Life System, an electronic watchdog that keeps track of all these variables and notifies the driver when it’s time to change oil. This system has become standard equipment on nearly all GM products since 2000.

Briefly, the Oil Life System is programmed with a certain number of engine revolutions. As the engine runs, this number is reduced until it reaches zero, and the Oil Life light or message comes on. But there’s more. Operating the engine under low or high temperatures, and under high load conditions subtracts (penalizes) extra revolutions, so the light comes on sooner. Changing engine oil according to actual need rather than an inflexible schedule provides several benefits.

First is simplified determination about when to change oil. No more decisions about normal conditions vs. severe conditions. Second is reduced operating costs for GM’s customers, who now have to change oil only when it’s needed. Third is minimizing the amount of used oil that must be disposed of. And fourth, engines will always be running with sufficiently fresh oil, for long life.

Traditionally, the vehicle maintenance schedule has been based on miles or time, while the oil change interval is now based on the GM Oil Life System.

When the change engine oil light or message comes on, it means that service is required on the vehicle. I should be serviced as soon as possible within the next 600 miles. It is possible that, under the best conditions, the engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle service is necessary for over a year. However, engine oil and filter must be changed at least once per year, and at this time the system must be reset.