Can anyone tell me how the oil life monitor in our cars work? Revolutions, miles? turbidity?

2nd question. How many miles do you usually go b4 changing the oil? Do you use the monitor to tell you? Or do you go a set number of miles?

Thanks
Myron

 

Good question! I would like to know too!

I just went to the dealership a few weeks ago when the oil % hit 20 (which I think was appox 4200miles). I'm not sure if there was a "reset" or the RL onboard computer after the oil change, but it went back to 100% right after. (Pretty hi-tech compare to my
2nd gen TL with the blinking "maintenances light").

 

My last oil change went almost 6k, changed it at 15% life. I believe that to reset the indicator you have to hold the center button on the steering wheel for 10 seconds

 

$45 to change oil at the dealer...I go by the indicator to bout 10%.

 

I would suggest 30% for regular oil it gets darkish by then.

 

The oil monitor is dynamic - I.E. it will be a different # of miles each time you reach a % because of the changes in conditions - towing, heat, speed, load etc.. Change the oil when the monitor says so - have you ever heard of an RL engine seizing because of old oil?

 

IMHO, that is very conservative. I don't think there is any reason not to take it all the way to 0%. Oil changes were always recommended at 7500 miles until all the jiffy lube places popped up. They have to make money somehow.

 

I second that ^.... I usually change my oil every 6k myself and I drive mostly city.

 

I remember a few years back where they caught a bunch of valolines charging people for oil changes when in fact they did nothing because silly people were going there for oil changes every 3k.

 

There was a detailed discussion about this on the Honda web site at one point a few years ago. Can't seem to find it now. If I can, I'll add to this thread.

 

i sure hope you guys don't think oil lasts 3000-6000 miles. if you want to take care of your car early is better than too late

 

I change mine when the car tells me. Usually at 10%. I cant STAND that orange service / oil light glaring at me everytime I start my car.

 

So you subscribe to the "make Jiffylube rich" theory? I ask again, when is the last time you heard of an engine problem because of changing oil at 7500 instead of 3K?

 

i change it every 3000 religiously cause in my opinion its better for the car but i hear people usually go 4500-5000

 

I thought the new BMWs do not have any recommended service including oil change until 15,000 miles. If it is such a risk to go beyond 3,000 miles on oil, doubt that car manufacturer with warranty liability would take that risk

 

I'm the same way. I have a 44 mile round trip commute to work and home. It's it's almost complete highway with a speed limit of 70mph. Hardly ever any stop and go.

I typically get down to 15% at between 6K to 7K miles.

 

Acura suggests 5,000 mi changes, so they MUST know something. If anything, car companies would be in bed with oil companies suggesting 3,000 mi changes.

Not so. You are just giving oil companies and oil change co.s your $$$$ + think of the planet when it comes to waste



Now, when your ride gets older, she may need 3,000 mi changes. Thats a different story. It all about the warranty.

 

I don't think it matters if you go over a bit, either. Sometimes I get it changed earlier and other times I go negative. -5 percent or 10..I pay 45-60 in sf bay area...Acura uses partial synthic, so htey have told me.. I like a reminder, but I don't agree with the reminder taking precedence on my screen flashing and being really annoying..

 

It actually goes to a Neg? Shit. Wonder if Acura can tell it went neg, so they can use it against you if you have a "oil related" breakdown.

Cant imagine though, with it being a manual reset switch. Guess its best to keep records.

 

Syn oil is good for 15K... hence the BMW cycle and my buddy's dissertation at Rensselaer.

But the best check is the old fashion way... pull the dipstick to check the level and color. Of course the SHAWD diff fluid doesn't lend itself to a visible inspection and the MID has to be crap. Mine indicated a change a 15K and has yet to come on again at 85K.

 

has anybody sent a sample to an analysis company such as Blackstone? I will be doing so within the next few weeks, but I have never gotten oil analyzed before.

 

“Negative” percentage in oil life? I’m sorry, but I could never neglect my RL like that!

 

I don't think it is neglectful to go below the "recommended" oil change. I mean you cannot always get to a dealer for an oil change and just because you go -100 or -200 miles it doesn't mean you are neglecting your car. Especailly since the oil change is based on conditions and is not a specified number of miles.. I have never had a problem, but I guess if you blew your engine, for some reason, they could probably pull the data from the car's computer. But there is no reason your car, under warranty, should be burning oil.. I disagree that it is neglectful.. neglectful is having a dirty car, stains and dirt inside, etc... but changing your oil just because Honda wants you to is arbitrary and cannot be deemed neglect; there has to be a margin / buffer zone..not chaning your oil ever might be deemed neglectful, but I don't do all of the other services. I do oil changes and tire rotations but what about all the other minor and major services. i don't do those. I do the ones that count like differential fluid, etc.. but why do I need them to inspect my car; most of the minor/major services involve inspection of x, y & z.. which I never do...

 

And still nobody has mentioned an oil related problem. I never did change it in my old XJS - I replaced a quart every other day so I figured that the oil change was a permanent feature. (it was a dry sump 12 qt system)