[Johnfin]

I changed my oil on my V6 at 3000 miles and I believe I reset the oil life indicator yet its going off at 4400 now and saying I only have 7% left. Now the recommended oil change is at 7500 so if I forget to reset the indicator it should still not be going off at 4400. Any thoughts.

[i007spectre]

It calculates not only miles but time. After a year it would hit 0 even if you hardly drove it.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by i007spectre

It calculates not only miles but time. After a year it would hit 0 even if you hardly drove it.

yep. I drive about 100 mi/wk and my indicator drops 2% each week like clockwork.

[ZED SLED]

I put about 700-800 miles on mine every year and get the oil changed every October. It's usually below 10% by then.

[Rogueleader_92]

7500 mile service isn't necessarily the oil change interval, just when you should have it done by, there are a few other milage based checks to do at that point also hence why a service at that mile stone.

Your oil life monitor bases the % on not just miles but as others have said time, it also takes temperature and rpm into account to calculate the deterioration of the oil, if you drive a manual and ran around at 4k all the time your going to need an oil change earlier milage wise then someone who keeps the rpm down to 2k. Same thing can happen with heat, if you only drive 15 min to work and barley get it to temp you'll need to change more often then someone who drives 30-60 min. Also break in on a new motor can require an oil change earlier then expected (some do it at 500 miles, I'd recommend getting to the 1500 mile mark myself as many manufacturers use specific oil for break in)

Odds are you DID forget to reset the life indicator, if you did it less then a tank of gas ago I'd say just reset it and change around 30%, otherwise reset it to clear the annoyance code and get it done at the next 3k mark then reset it again and follow it from there on.

[olrocker]

Change your oil every 5,000 miles or once a year. Whichever comes first. Throw the oil life monitor out with the trash.

It’s the best invention ever for mechanics, engine builders, and machinists.

Worst invention ever for everyone else on the planet.

[tecboy]

i change mine in oct before it goes in to storage for winter...when i get it out in spring...i reset the oil monitor to 100% so i am not bothered with constant oil change % warnings by sept based off 11 months....oil changed again in oct...once a year..but i only drive about 3000 miles a year anyway

[CalgaryZL1]

Originally Posted by tecboy

i change mine in oct before it goes in to storage for winter...when i get it out in spring...i reset the oil monitor to 100% so i am not bothered with constant oil change % warnings by sept based off 11 months....oil changed again in oct...once a year..but i only drive about 3000 miles a year anyway

I do the same

[Johnfin]

I had planned on changing the oil every 3000 miles instead
Of 7500. How often do you guys change your oil?

[CalgaryZL1]

3-5k gives me peace of mind.

[olrocker]

Originally Posted by Johnfin

I had planned on changing the oil every 3000 moles instead
Of 7500. How often do you guys change your oil?

See my post above

[dpevans]

If you doubt the oil life algorithm engineers have designed when your monitor hits 10% change the oil and have some sent to Blackstone for analysis. I have had monitors say change at high as 10k miles and as low as 4k. I change when it hits 10% or the days prior to a track day and limit two track days per oil cycle.

[Gen6cyl]

4-5k on my v6. Do about 20k a year.

[MT-SS1LE]

Originally Posted by olrocker

Change your oil every 5,000 miles or once a year. Whichever comes first. Throw the oil life monitor out with the trash.

It’s the best invention ever for mechanics, engine builders, and machinists.

Worst invention ever for everyone else on the planet.

Totally agree. I've ignored the OLM in every vehicle I've ever owned. Those systems are designed for environmental reasons (less oil to dispose of) and so consumers believe they dont have to worry about maintenance for a year, or 10k miles. I guarantee they are not designed so your engine lasts 200k+ miles. It's every 3k-5k miles for me, or once a year whichever comes first.