Gorecki, that would make sense but is not true as 1500 VHO linked. The computer has a lot of sensors that it is using, but you are right, it does ...

Gorecki, that would make sense but is not true as 1500 VHO linked. The computer has a lot of sensors that it is using, but you are right, it does not know the true state of the oil. I do not go off of it as like I said, I'm at 5500 and still have 47 percent left.

Gorecki wrote:
I'd like to believe and open to it but simply have not seen any evidence that is true.

Your own example and knowing these things round up, 47% of 10,000 is 4,700 + 5,200 = 9,900 (and assuming it's rounding up) ~10,000. Little too consistent to be irony.

Hi Gorecki...

Would you believe Edmonds??

Link: Edmonds

Interesting read. They also state (within the article) that one of the editors drives a Honda. When he drove all city type driving the warning came on at 5,000 miles. When he had mostly highway miles, the warning light came on at 7,500 miles. They had the oil tested, and found that it had about 2,000 miles left. So it's not a hard and fast rule, but car companies are going this route to help lower maintenance costs on their vehicles... Seems fair enough to me...

It's also interesting to me, from other reads on the web, that GM had a large hand in this OLS system, and other manufacturers are going to it, or using something like it... Again, in the name of lowering cost of ownership.

BTW - I did find the link to the "new" Calif program to Bust the 3000 mile myth. Within this letter is a link to the Calif site... All of this is based on GM' OLS system...

Link: Lube Report

WOW thanks I think i got the answer i was looking for .What a site...

Hi Joe,

Glad we could help!!

I'm with Centurion, I use synthetic and change it every 5,000 miles. I rotate my tires at the same time. I do keep an eye on the OCI. In my 2004 Tahoe I went strictly by the OCI and had absolutely no problems. Sold it at 140,000 miles, still running great.

Hi Alan,

I think you guys are on the right path. GM's protection offers the same thing...

Link: GM Plan

I wish I had bought my truck new... But I wouldn't trade it in for the world!

i think it depends allot on what kind of driving you do for one, for two, using a good oil is key but MORE importantlly is filtration and using a good quality oil filter in my opinion! In my 06 impala, its a road machine and i put right around 900 miles a week on it i use conventional oil with a Wix filter and i go 5000 miles and my oil life moniter says i have 39 percent left usually. Now on my truck im about to get an oil change here within this week, im at 3000 miles almost but doing that cause its the first oil change on it. But on the truck ill problly switch to synthetic and go 5000 even though i don't put as many miles on.

From Edmunds: Why have a normal category at all? Oil life monitoring systems put an end to the debate by reacting to how you actually drive.

I think this is where the OLM really comes into play. My mother-in-law refuses to believe she drives her cars harder than I do towing a camper. She hasn't realized and doesn't want to listed that the frequent short (measured in blocks) trips she does are far harder on her car. She keeps asking why she always needs a new exhaust system but never listens.

BuxCamper wrote:

From Edmunds: Why have a normal category at all? Oil life monitoring systems put an end to the debate by reacting to how you actually drive.

I think this is where the OLM really comes into play. My mother-in-law refuses to believe she drives her cars harder than I do towing a camper. She hasn't realized and doesn't want to listed that the frequent short (measured in blocks) trips she does are far harder on her car. She keeps asking why she always needs a new exhaust system but never listens.

BuxCamper,

You are absolutely correct!!! During the spring, summer, and fall I changed the oil and filter at 3,000 miles. Each time the OLM stated the oil was at 48-50% oil life. Now during the cold winter months, and very short trips over the past month. My OLM says that I've used 13% of my OLM after only 500 miles. If you do the math, the OLM will show only about 22% (maybe less) of oil life left after only 3,000 miles!!!

I never realized just how bad, just short trips, cold starts, and cold weather effected the oil life... All I can say is WOW!!!