how accurate is the oil life % in the DIC - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jenner · 11-07-2013, 03:47 PM

The sticker they put on your windshield with next recommended oil change says I should have done it today or at 10800 miles. Currently I'm at 11500 and DIC says I have 42% oil life left. This would be my 3rd oil change, past 2 times I had car serviced at dealership with the semi-synthetic. Should I change oil now or wait??

upflying · 11-07-2013, 03:52 PM

The sticker reminder is a profit item.
You should trust your DIC.

motorhead · 11-07-2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upflying

The sticker reminder is a profit item.
You should trust your DIC.

myold88 · 11-07-2013, 03:57 PM

I change my oil twice a year with Mobil-1 regardless of what that sticker
or my computer says. About every 6-8,000 miles.

motorhead · 11-07-2013, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myold88

I change my oil twice a year with Mobil-1 regardless of what that sticker
or my computer says. About every 6-8,000 miles.

For some people that may be okay for others not, depending on how much and how are they drive. The car is smarter than we are these days. That's why I go with the DIC.

Austin45 · 11-07-2013, 04:07 PM

Some engineers slaved over a complex algorithm to determine your oil life. I trust that over the sticker.

2xSSRS · 11-07-2013, 04:12 PM

I have 32k on mine and am only on my 3rd oil change. Follow what it tells you and save some money.

Jenner · 11-07-2013, 04:12 PM

Ok looks like the DIC is my best bet. Thanks guys and another Q. How low of a % do you let it get to? 20%?

2xSSRS · 11-07-2013, 04:16 PM

I do it around the 5 to 6%. Get as many miles as I can out of it. It's expensive to change, as you know.

DVader · 11-07-2013, 04:28 PM

I change mine around the 10% mark. Just did the third change in 30,000 miles.

3rdgen3 · 11-07-2013, 04:34 PM

If the DIC is good enough for GM, it should be good enough for all of you as well!

As long as you're using a Dexos approved oil, trust your DIC.

BTW, anyone else LOL at all this "DIC" talk?

skibik · 11-07-2013, 05:22 PM

I am at 9% when I checked the other day and around the 6k mark on this oil. I only have 14k on car and only changed twice so far. Dealer service department recommended 3k on first change and I used the DIC for the second and changed at 2% or 3% and had something like 5500 on that change. I use Mobil 1 and will changed it myself when it tells me to, 7500 miles or 12 months whichever comes first. I drive it daily for work through rain, sleet and snow. I only put on roughly 10k to 12k per year on a vehicle.

Dean.

Caddyroger · 11-07-2013, 05:28 PM

I am different I change my oil every 5000 miles no matter what the did reads. I am not that trusting of electronic devices.

joeybsyc · 11-07-2013, 06:13 PM

A lot of people change it way more often than needed, if that makes them feel better then I say go for it...it doesn't hurt anything but your wallet to change it more often, but it also doesn't hurt anything to follow the DIC monitor either... that's why it's there. If you follow it for oil changes you won't have any problems.

11-07-2013, 03:47 PM	#1
Jenner Drives: 2012 SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Placentia, CA Posts: 2,130	how accurate is the oil life % in the DIC The sticker they put on your windshield with next recommended oil change says I should have done it today or at 10800 miles. Currently I'm at 11500 and DIC says I have 42% oil life left. This would be my 3rd oil change, past 2 times I had car serviced at dealership with the semi-synthetic. Should I change oil now or wait??

11-07-2013, 03:57 PM	#4
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Posts: 8,112 View My Garage	I change my oil twice a year with Mobil-1 regardless of what that sticker or my computer says. About every 6-8,000 miles. __________________

11-07-2013, 04:07 PM	#6
Austin45 The Logistician Drives: 2012 LFX 45th Anniversary Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 864 View My Garage	Some engineers slaved over a complex algorithm to determine your oil life. I trust that over the sticker. __________________

11-07-2013, 04:12 PM	#7
2xSSRS Drives: 2017 SS Black on Black A8 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 974	I have 32k on mine and am only on my 3rd oil change. Follow what it tells you and save some money. __________________

11-07-2013, 04:16 PM	#9
2xSSRS Drives: 2017 SS Black on Black A8 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 974	I do it around the 5 to 6%. Get as many miles as I can out of it. It's expensive to change, as you know. __________________

11-07-2013, 03:52 PM	#2
upflying Drives: '86 Monte Carlo SS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,119	The sticker reminder is a profit item. You should trust your DIC.

11-07-2013, 04:28 PM	#10
DVader DVader Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Vert Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ramona, CA Posts: 622 View My Garage	I change mine around the 10% mark. Just did the third change in 30,000 miles. __________________

11-07-2013, 04:34 PM	#11
3rdgen3 10-bolt Destroyer Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - AGM, LS3/6M Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Canukistan Posts: 860	If the DIC is good enough for GM, it should be good enough for all of you as well! As long as you're using a Dexos approved oil, trust your DIC. BTW, anyone else LOL at all this "DIC" talk? __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - LS3/TR6060: Cam, Headers, Exhaust, Intake, Gears, Twin Disk, Suspension, Tuned - 475rwhp, 443rwtq

11-07-2013, 05:22 PM	#12
skibik Guest Drives: bbbbbb Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: bfe Posts: 713	I am at 9% when I checked the other day and around the 6k mark on this oil. I only have 14k on car and only changed twice so far. Dealer service department recommended 3k on first change and I used the DIC for the second and changed at 2% or 3% and had something like 5500 on that change. I use Mobil 1 and will changed it myself when it tells me to, 7500 miles or 12 months whichever comes first. I drive it daily for work through rain, sleet and snow. I only put on roughly 10k to 12k per year on a vehicle. Dean.

11-07-2013, 05:28 PM	#13
Caddyroger Drives: 2011 RJT Camaro LT2 RS auto shift Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,861	I am different I change my oil every 5000 miles no matter what the did reads. I am not that trusting of electronic devices. __________________ Caddy

11-07-2013, 06:13 PM	#14
joeybsyc Drives: 2010 Aqua Blue Metallic 2SS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: PA Posts: 2,010 View My Garage	A lot of people change it way more often than needed, if that makes them feel better then I say go for it...it doesn't hurt anything but your wallet to change it more often, but it also doesn't hurt anything to follow the DIC monitor either... that's why it's there. If you follow it for oil changes you won't have any problems. __________________