Sorry if this has been covered earlier, I did do a quick search and didn't find anything.


I have an 07 TL, and when I first got the car, I use to change every 3000 no matter what the sensor says, which typically said ~50% life remaining, until the dealer told me I was wasting $$$ changing my oil with life still remaining.


After that, I now follow the oil sensor percentage indicator to let me know when to change the oil.

Question is the oil sensor percent life indicator tripped my pure straight milage OR does it actully sense your oil is getting weak and losing life and displays remain life accordingly?

And do most folks here change their oil just when the sensor mentions to or earlier?


Thanks

 

Dealer is correct.

It's not a sensor. It's a calculation that takes into account time, temp, mileage, RPM's, revs and who knows what else.


Most people here change when the MID gets down to ~10% or less. There are of course exceptions.

Personally, I wouldn't run much more than 5k miles without an oil change, but my MID usually gets below 10% at ~4500 miles.

 

That's what my dealer said to me as well^^

 

@ bearcat, maybe you have some insight on this.

i bought mine w/ 35k on the odo, at 100% oil life.

over the past few months, i now have very close to 40k, but my oil life is only at 40%. so it's been 5k miles and i am changing it this wednesday regardless of the MID.

does this sound normal?

 

I don't know. I suppose it could be normal for the conditions you drive in.

But on average, I'd guess no. I'd guess most people are getting 4,000 - 6,000 by the MID.


Keep in mind that the 2G, which is also 3.2L J-series, the recommended interval is 7,500 miles on regular oil.

One way to figure what's good for you is to sample your used oil and get it analyzed. Blackstone Labs is the name that comes up most. It can help "dial in" the best change interval (assuming your driving conditions don't change much).


IHC is really the guy to ask about oil and oil life.