Does anybody trust the "oil life" indicator

E

ernman

Member
I purchased a used Honda Odyssey and it has an oil life setting. This is my first car w/ one of these. In the past, I usually changed it every three months. Should I trust the monitor?
 
So many times I've read articles indicating that we throw away a lot of good oil by changing way too soon. I change mine once a year in my Z06 and the oil life monitor is always over 90%.....I look at it as insurance...:bigups

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/
 
I dont change my oil. My car is so efficient that it consumes all the dirty old used oil and I just have to top it off with new stuff. :)
 
Yes trust it, oil has changed since the days of the 3k 3 month routine. My 2001 Acura TL and my Brother 2006 TSX gets a oil change once a year with Amsoil regardless of mile(unless we go over 15K). My 2001 TL has over 172k miles and engine is still butter smooth.

On my new Acura and my wifes Honda it does have the oil life system and I am following that till the powertrain warranty is over(currently using Amsoil XL). Then jump to Amsoil Signature oil.
 
I rely on my maintenance code to remind me. My car also shows a percentage of oil life. Once it hits 15% I change it.
 
CH.Detailing said:
I dont change my oil. My car is so efficient that it consumes all the dirty old used oil and I just have to top it off with new stuff. :)
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I had a car like that once :D

I trust the oil life indicator on my Honda. I compare the dipstick readings and the appearance of the oil and the "life %" indicator seems to be spot on. I change the oil when it says so and my civic runs like a champ.
 
My 2004 Monte Carlo had one but it seemed like it ran off of mileage and not the actual consistency of the oil. If I forgot to reset it the light would come on at around the 6000 to 7000 mile interval. I was always one to change at 2000 years ago then went to the recommended 3000. On the Monte I went close to 5000 on conventional oil. I have a 2012 Camaro that has the oil life indicated in percentage. I changed it at the recommended 3000 after break in but it requires the new Dexose synthetic blend but went full synthetic using Mobile 1, cost was about the same. I have always wrote down the mileage when I change and this car will be no different but will keep an eye on the oil life but plan on a 7500+ mile oil change interval.

If the owners manual is still with the vehicle just see what oil change interval is for the conditions you drive in if you feel it to be too long then change. These days it is not the oil so much as it is the quality of filter you use.

Hope this helps,
Dean.
 
You can get your oil tested from a place like Blackstone Labs. Takes the guesswork out of it, but it costs $25 per test ($19 if you buy 6 or more).

If you change your oil 4 times a year, and the analysis allows you to reduce it to 3, you pay for the cost of the test in a year or so, and it's savings every year after that.

When you consider the specialty chemical analysis equipment they use to analyze the oil at these labs, it's doubtful some built-in oil life indicator (probably a $2 gadget at best) is going to be an accurate gauge of oil life.
 
My truck and my TA both have the light but I don't use it. On the TA I don't know what it uses as a determining factor but I know it's not the oil because I've changed it and the light came on a few days later.

On the truck I've only had it come on once since I've owned it
 
Your supposed to reset it when you chane oil on all cars. I believe it factors in driving style mostly and that determines when it comes on.
 
If it's a newer car, I would trust it... the software in these cars is crazy nowadays. On the Camaro5.com forums, I read a thread about how advanced their oil monitor software is. Pretty cool stuff!

On an older car, I would stick to the 3 month / 3000 miles regimen :)
 
I just change it per the required schedule but then none of my cars have an oil condition indicator. I change it myself and the oil stays fairly clean compared to just say 10 years ago.
 
ihaveacamaro said:
If it's a newer car, I would trust it... the software in these cars is crazy nowadays. On the Camaro5.com forums, I read a thread about how advanced their oil monitor software is. Pretty cool stuff!

On an older car, I would stick to the 3 month / 3000 miles regimen :)
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Questions on your Camaro. I assume by looking at past pictures posted you also have the V6. I was wondering if you were going to use the indicator on your car or stick to certain mileage/time frame? What oil filters are you using? And did you go full synthetic or did you stick with the synthetic blend? I am just curious to know what other Camaro owners are doing. I went full synthetic, Mobil 1. Using K&N filters although I was disappointed to find out they discontinued the HP series for the Camaro but according to a call to them the pro series will have no problem lasting 10k miles as I was concerned about filter degradation. As far as how long between changes I was thinking about sticking to 7500 miles and keep an eye on the monitor.

Thanks,
Dean. :bigups
 
Bunky said:
I just change it per the required schedule but then none of my cars have an oil condition indicator. I change it myself and the oil stays fairly clean compared to just say 10 years ago.
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I change my own oil too. I changed the oil on my TA and it was almost as clean as when it went in.
 

I don't have one of those special devices. But I do change my own oil every 10,000 miles. I am using Valvoline SynPower Full Synthetic.
 
skibik said:
Questions on your Camaro. I assume by looking at past pictures posted you also have the V6. I was wondering if you were going to use the indicator on your car or stick to certain mileage/time frame? What oil filters are you using? And did you go full synthetic or did you stick with the synthetic blend? I am just curious to know what other Camaro owners are doing. I went full synthetic, Mobil 1. Using K&N filters although I was disappointed to find out they discontinued the HP series for the Camaro but according to a call to them the pro series will have no problem lasting 10k miles as I was concerned about filter degradation. As far as how long between changes I was thinking about sticking to 7500 miles and keep an eye on the monitor.

Thanks,
Dean. :bigups
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I have nearly 50K on my Camaro already. Still running great with no issues. All I do is go to the Chevy dealership when it's time to get an oil and filter change (ie when my car tells me it's time).

I don't use synthetic, because of how much it costs. Honestly though, I think that if you use non-synthetic and just stay to a maintenance program you're fine. My camaro seems to be by all means.

My maintenance program:
Oil change whenever car tells me to.
Already did the 15K, 30K service
50K service coming up soon.
 
ihaveacamaro said:
If it's a newer car, I would trust it... the software in these cars is crazy nowadays. On the Camaro5.com forums, I read a thread about how advanced their oil monitor software is. Pretty cool stuff!

On an older car, I would stick to the 3 month / 3000 miles regimen :)
Click to expand...

Dont waste good cash, regular conventional oil is good for 7500 depending on driving condition. If you do alot of short trips and dont let the engine warm up I would go 5k/6month.

Blackstone Labs analyzes oil and many members on Bobtheoilguy.com have posted results.

Also the GM engines are really gentle on oil:rockon
 
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