Oil Change Question

[Mike Todd]

I have noticed that I have just gone 3,000 miles since my last oil change however, my OBC is telling me I still have 50% left remaining. Does my OBC take in consideration how I drive? Which is correct, 3,000 miles or the OBC? I assume every 3,000 miles. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I currently have 85K on the speedometer.

Mike

 

[Pac-man]

The computer is supposed to sense how you are driving. Just check the oil, if it looks dirty change it. I doubt it will. I think every 3k is foolhardy myself, but I'm not making $ on oil changes.

 

[vettenuts]

The oil is presumably a synthetic and likely Mobil-1. Changing at 3K is a waste of $$$. I would run the DIC down further and then change, or at 1 year if that comes first per the manual.

 

[Mike Todd]

I had my first oil change a few months ago from the Chevy Dealer who placed a sticker on my windshield showing I need to change in 3,000 miles or 3 months. I guess at $60 a pop I would want you in more often as well. My book says change between 3K to 10K miles or 1 year. Thats alot of miles between changes. Mobil 1 must be some awsome stuff...At the pace I am on, I would reach 10K miles before the DIC recommends changing. I guess, for know, I will change about 5K miles or when the DIC says it is ready, whichever comes first. I wasn't sure how accurate the DIC is.

Thanks for your posts,

Mike

 

[warren s]

The computers on the C5 tracks certain variables such as engine run time and average engine RPM. It does not actually measure the condition of the oil. That's why it will only be accurate if you reset it at every change.



Mobil 1 is vastly superior oil when compared to conventional oil. Not only will Mobil One stay "oil" under a much wider range of operating temperatures, it will not change viscosity.



Another advantage of Mobil One is its ability to hold dirt produced by combustion in "suspension" or in the oil and away from the engine parts. While changing synthetic oil like Mobil One after only 3000 miles may seem like a waste because the oil is still fine for many 1000s of miles more, you are at least getting some of the dirt out. I also would not go to 10K but 3K is premature. The advances in oil have exceeded the advances in filters, so your filter can loose the ability to properly filter the oil long before the oil itself needs changing.



I change my oil and filter (Mobil One and Delco PF52) every 5000 miles. Oil and filter comes to about 27 bucks from Wal-mart on sale.

 

[Blade]

I change when the DIC ask me to.

Mobil One Synthetic

 

[redvett]

I have noticed that I have just gone 3,000 miles since my last oil change however, my OBC is telling me I still have 50% left remaining. Does my OBC take in consideration how I drive? Which is correct, 3,000 miles or the OBC? I assume every 3,000 miles. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I currently have 85K on the speedometer.

Mike

Here is the info on the oil life system.
GM OIL LIFE SYSTEM...HOW DOES IT REALLY WORK
This is taken from the May 2003 GM Techlink publication
How often should engine oil be changed? 3,000 miles, 5,000 miles, 7,500 miles, 10,000 miles? Actually, all of these are correct, depending on operating conditions. Oil life is affected by many factors other than just miles driven. The type of driving, temperature, and engine load all play a part.
That’s why GM has developed the GM Oil Life System, an electronic watchdog that keeps track of all these variables and notifies the driver when it’s time to change oil. This system has become standard equipment on nearly all GM products since 2000.
Briefly, the Oil Life System is programmed with a certain number of engine revolutions. As the engine runs, this number is reduced until it reaches zero, and the Oil Life light or message comes on. But there’s more. Operating the engine under low or high temperatures, and under high load conditions subtracts (penalizes) extra revolutions, so the light comes on sooner. Changing engine oil according to actual need rather than an inflexible schedule provides several benefits.
First is simplified determination about when to change oil. No more decisions about normal conditions vs. severe conditions. Second is reduced operating costs for GM’s customers, who now have to change oil only when it’s needed. Third is minimizing the amount of used oil that must be disposed of. And fourth, engines will always be running with sufficiently fresh oil, for long life.
Traditionally, the vehicle maintenance schedule has been based on miles or time, while the oil change interval is now based on the GM Oil Life System.
When the change engine oil light or message comes on, it means that service is required on the vehicle. I should be serviced as soon as possible within the next 600 miles. It is possible that, under the best conditions, the engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle service is necessary for over a year. However, engine oil and filter must be changed at least once per year, and at this time the system must be reset.

 

[Vettefan87]

Your oil light is very accurate from what i have been told. It does take into consideration of how you drive it. The more you put your foot into it the more you will have to change your oil. I would check your oil from time to time, just to make sure.