Changing motor oil per onboard computer reminder versus mileage

[PhoenixOrion]

Per acura recommendation the maintenance minder should come up when oil life is at 15%. It usually takes me 5000 to 6000 miles for the oil life to degrade to this level.

Should I go by the manufacturer computer or go more frequent and have it changed per 3000 miles, for example?

I've heard of the argument that I'll just be throwing money away for more frequent oil change but I have also heard that by frequent ( ie every 3000 miles) its better for my engine in the long run.

 

[krunchykrome]

I just had my first oil change in my 08 Honda at 8500 miles. Thats when my maintenance minder read 15%.

 

[woodie1]

My Acrua maintenance minder has been calling for oil changes at 7,500 miles. When I called the dealer to have it changed at the 1st 5,000 miles he insisted I wait until the maintenance minder told me to change it. I did. Now that I don't drive all that much I go by months instead of miles or else it would be 18 months between changes.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
Per acura recommendation the maintenance minder should come up when oil life is at 15%. It usually takes me 5000 to 6000 miles for the oil life to degrade to this level.

Should I go by the manufacturer computer or go more frequent and have it changed per 3000 miles, for example?

I've heard of the argument that I'll just be throwing money away for more frequent oil change but I have also heard that by frequent ( ie every 3000 miles) its better for my engine in the long run.

3k changes are a complete scam.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
Per acura recommendation the maintenance minder should come up when oil life is at 15%. It usually takes me 5000 to 6000 miles for the oil life to degrade to this level.

Should I go by the manufacturer computer or go more frequent and have it changed per 3000 miles, for example?

I've heard of the argument that I'll just be throwing money away for more frequent oil change but I have also heard that by frequent ( ie every 3000 miles) its better for my engine in the long run.

3k changes are a complete scam.

You shouldn't spread crap. The only way to truly know when your oil needs replacement is a oil analysis test, even then it will vary with every change.




OP please search on this topic, it is discussed routinely here with the same results.

 

[Arkaign]

Well, the worst case scenario with 3k miles oil changes is a pinch on the wallet and time, but the worst case scenario with extremely long-interval oil changes are obvious. I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to automotive maintenance, as the cost of operation changes very little when you consider $4/gallon fuel costs.

 

[1prophet]

The real reason manufacturers are putting in oil change reminder lights is to bring cars back to the dealer.

GM Oil Life Monitor System (OLMS) and Maintenance I and II

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Well, the worst case scenario with 3k miles oil changes is a pinch on the wallet and time, but the worst case scenario with extremely long-interval oil changes are obvious. I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to automotive maintenance, as the cost of operation changes very little when you consider $4/gallon fuel costs.

:thumbsup: Bingo.

ZV

 

[Xyclone]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Well, the worst case scenario with 3k miles oil changes is a pinch on the wallet and time, but the worst case scenario with extremely long-interval oil changes are obvious. I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to automotive maintenance, as the cost of operation changes very little when you consider $4/gallon fuel costs.

:thumbsup: Bingo.

ZV

Isn't it smarter to change your (non-synthetic) oil at 5,000 miles, instead of 3,000? I read that changing it at 3,000 does not let your oil break down, making the oil work as a detergent. I've actually read that it's harmful to change it as often as 3,000.

Edit: grammar.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Xyclone

Isn't it smarter to change your (non-synthetic) oil at 5,000 miles, instead of 3,000? I read that changing it at 3,000 does not let your oil break down, making the oil work as a detergent. I've actually read that it's harmful to change it as often as 3,000.

We must have links on this one...
Links... Give us Links! :laugh:

 

[Vette73]

Most oil and cars can do 5000 miles easy, if nto longer. And you can go longer with syn. The only time i would change that is for older cars that have problems and turbo/supercharged cars.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Xyclone

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Well, the worst case scenario with 3k miles oil changes is a pinch on the wallet and time, but the worst case scenario with extremely long-interval oil changes are obvious. I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to automotive maintenance, as the cost of operation changes very little when you consider $4/gallon fuel costs.

:thumbsup: Bingo.

ZV

Isn't it smarter to change your (non-synthetic) oil at 5,000 miles, instead of 3,000? I read that changing it at 3,000 does not let your oil break down, making the oil work as a detergent. I've actually read that it's harmful to change it as often as 3,000.

Edit: grammar.

I've read that the government has space aliens captured at Area 51 and that the moon landing was faked too. Just because you've read it doesn't make it right.

You don't want your oil to break down, that's a bad thing.

ZV

 

[Throckmorton]

I've read that synthetic performs best after a few thousand miles. If that's true, you should change it at a higher interval. No idea if it is true though...

 

[dirtboy]

Changing your oil every 3k miles is a joke... I don't need an analysis to prove that. Change your oil when the oil sensor says to.

 

[LS8]

'05 Lincoln LS8. I change the oil when the oil life reaches 10%. Currently @ 25k miles, changes seem to come every 6k miles or so. I use Royal Purple.

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: 1prophet
The real reason manufacturers are putting in oil change reminder lights is to bring cars back to the dealer.

GM Oil Life Monitor System (OLMS) and Maintenance I and II

I have the OLMS discussed in the video, it can be reset by the owner if he/she choses
to do their own oil changes..

 

[LS8]

It's the same on my car. There is a "reset" toggle in the digital menu system. After you change the oil you simply select "reset oil life" and the display goes back to 100%. The digital menu is operated by buttons on the dash above the sat-nav, you don't need any fancy tools (at least for my car).

 

[onza]

I drive an 06 Acura TL, I go by the MID, it's designed for conventional oil. That is all.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
I just had my first oil change in my 08 Honda at 8500 miles. Thats when my maintenance minder read 15%.

LOOOOOOOOOOOOL, mines went off at 2800 on my 06 Civic. I used to beat on that car though.

 

[1prophet]

Originally posted by: BUTCH1

Originally posted by: 1prophet
The real reason manufacturers are putting in oil change reminder lights is to bring cars back to the dealer.

GM Oil Life Monitor System (OLMS) and Maintenance I and II

I have the OLMS discussed in the video, it can be reset by the owner if he/she choses
to do their own oil changes..

It wasn't put there for those that do their own oil changes but to hit those that come in with the extra services in the maintenance schedules that correspond to the oil change.

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: BUTCH1

Originally posted by: 1prophet
The real reason manufacturers are putting in oil change reminder lights is to bring cars back to the dealer.

GM Oil Life Monitor System (OLMS) and Maintenance I and II

I have the OLMS discussed in the video, it can be reset by the owner if he/she choses
to do their own oil changes..

It wasn't put there for those that do their own oil changes but to hit those that come in with the extra services in the maintenance schedules that correspond to the oil change.

Hehe, ya they are always trying to sell me something, last OC it was a injector flush but I still like the dealer doing my OC's as it's only
$18 for a LOF and I have the receipts showing it was dealer serviced if I ever want to sell/trade it. GM pushrod engines are generally
low maintenance beasts for the most part..