My oil life indicator says 30% and I am at approx. 4K miles. I understand that the MID comes on at 15%. My question is, does it go directly from 30%-15%, or down to 20% then 15%?? I really would like to get my oil changed, but everyone says wait till the MID tells you to.

 

The mid goes down to <5%. Do it then. It will tell when U need the oil change. Whats the rush? Patience is a virtue.

 

If I remember correctly, I think the MID will show 30%, 20%, <20%, <10%, <5%

Had my first oil change when MID read <5% at approximately 8000 miles.

 

Did you have to add oil before your first change?

 

Then everytime you start the car it comes on (until you reset it).

 

i did my first oil change at < 20% around 7K miles and i didn't add any oil at all

 

Did the MID come on or did you just go and have the oil changed?

 

Nope did not have to add any oil prior to first change.

MID reminders started coming on at either the 20% or <20% life (don't remember which). I think it initially said A1 service due soon. When the MID got down below 10% or 5%, the MID message changed to A1 service due now.

 

Well, I would not go 8000 miles on ANY mineral oil. I studied tribology for years, and have seen many UOA's (used oil analyses) of all current mineral oils, including the best: Motorcraft's. By 5K, most of them have such a low TBN* that it would make me worry. I certainly would not go that long without using something like Motorcraft's superb synblend in 5w20 (also used in the Cobra). Perhaps Red Line's 5w20, although I have seen some worrisome copper readings of late in the RL UOA's.

*TBN stand for Total Base Number - an indicator of the oil's alkalinity reserve - it is also a good indicator of how much of the oil's add pack is left - the anti-wear (AW), anti-firction (AF), and detergents/buffers (usually calcium). Once they go, engine wear skyrockets, and acidification from the weak sulfurics (from fuel sulfur and water and heat of combustion) can etch the cylinder walls and the chromium on the rings - even pit the bearings.

 

Road Rage:

What do the copper readings in the Redline mean?