2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee OLM

[Brady_SS]

Hello, I bought a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee back in early September and am curious about how Chrysler products' OLM systems work.

I'm familiar with GM's system, as I have owned many of their vehicles that included it and presently have a 2010 Camaro SS and my wife drives a 2010 Cadillac SRX. Both of these vehicles appear to be calibrated for the Mobil 1 that comes factory filled in each. Typically, we get between 7500 and 9000 miles to an oil change for the Cadillac which is driven daily around 70 miles round trip, 60/40 highway/city.

Previously, I drove a GMC Yukon daily, around 40 miles round trip, mixed highway and stop and go. On this vehicle, which I don't think was calibrated for synthetic oil, I would get around 6000 miles between changes.

Now for my question...The OLM came on this weekend on the Jeep after only 3700 miles, driven the same as the previously mentioned Yukon. I was a little surprised, but figured it was in a range of what I would call normal, so I drained the oil and filled the Hemi with 7 quarts of PP and used a Pure One filter left over from an F150 I got rid of a few years ago (lucked out and still had some in my stash). Will the Jeep's OLM be able to tell synthetic was used? Should I push the limit and change on my own interval? I guess I don't see the point of using a good quality synthetic oil if I am going to be changing it out every 3700 miles.

Sorry for the long winded post, and as always opinions are appreciated.

 

[deven]

OLM cant tell what kind of oil is used. It has no bias. Don't push the limit since you need to follow the OLM for warranty reasons. You are right, no need to use synthetics if you are changing every 3700 miles.

 

[Donald]

I have a 2001 Jeep GC Laredo and thought in 2001 that it was close to top of the heap. I recently looked at the 2011 or 2012 Jeep website and the GC Laredo is now the basic one and they go up to $50K. Glad I love my 2001 (with a newish engine) so it will last a long time I hope.

 

[Merkava_4]

Oil life monitors take into account - mileage, engine RPM, and coolant temperature
(for each trip) to determine oil life. If I'm wrong, y'all are welcome to correct me.

 

[OldCowboy]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Oil life monitors take into account - mileage, engine RPM, and coolant temperature
(for each trip) to determine oil life. If I'm wrong, y'all are welcome to correct me.


Intelligent Oil Life Monitors do this. Not all OLM are intelligent. Some are simply mileage based.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: OldCowboy


Intelligent Oil Life Monitors do this. Not all OLM are intelligent. Some are simply mileage based.


How about the OLM in my 2000 Buick LeSabre, is it intelligent?

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: Brady_SS
Hello, I bought a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee back in early September and am curious about how Chrysler products' OLM systems work.

I'm familiar with GM's system, as I have owned many of their vehicles that included it and presently have a 2010 Camaro SS and my wife drives a 2010 Cadillac SRX. Both of these vehicles appear to be calibrated for the Mobil 1 that comes factory filled in each. Typically, we get between 7500 and 9000 miles to an oil change for the Cadillac which is driven daily around 70 miles round trip, 60/40 highway/city.

Previously, I drove a GMC Yukon daily, around 40 miles round trip, mixed highway and stop and go. On this vehicle, which I don't think was calibrated for synthetic oil, I would get around 6000 miles between changes.

Now for my question...The OLM came on this weekend on the Jeep after only 3700 miles, driven the same as the previously mentioned Yukon. I was a little surprised, but figured it was in a range of what I would call normal, so I drained the oil and filled the Hemi with 7 quarts of PP and used a Pure One filter left over from an F150 I got rid of a few years ago (lucked out and still had some in my stash). Will the Jeep's OLM be able to tell synthetic was used? Should I push the limit and change on my own interval? I guess I don't see the point of using a good quality synthetic oil if I am going to be changing it out every 3700 miles.

Sorry for the long winded post, and as always opinions are appreciated.



The OLM in new Chrysler's seem to kick on early at 1st( 2500-3500 or so )on most models since they started using one. Almost as if they are programmed that way to ensure a few early OC's during break in. I would wager that down the road a bit( no pun intended )you will see the OLM go longer and longer between trips.

FWIW I had a 2008 Ram 1500 w/ the 5.7L that had an OLM. It tripped right at 2500 like most said it would but after that it never tripped on me again doing 5K OCI's. I now have a 2011 Jeep Patriot. Everyone says it will trip the 1st time at 3500. I am almost there. No trip yet though? Chrysler does seem to have the OLM trip the 1st time( or 2 )early. They do seem to lengthen out as you get more miles on. I believe this is by design but ?

As was said above by another member however OLM's do not know what type of oil is in there. Not Chrylser's and not GM's either btw. You could put Crisco in and any OLM system you pick from any regular car mfg wouldn't know. The OLM does not actually monitor/test the oil. They work off formulas that are programmed into the computer that use things such as temps, idle time, RPM's, and so on to determine when the oil "should" be done. NO actual testing/analysing of the oil is done by the OLM.

Now, part of that programming is also based on the FF/recommended type of oil which in your Jeep's case, assuming a standard 5.7L HEMI and not the 6.4L SRT model, is a conventional 5W20 that meets Chrysler MS6395 and has the API Starburst( API SN ). So they base how fast the OLM ticks down due to how you use it, using the programming talked about above, based on a conventional 5W20. If you were to run 5W20 synthetic oil meeting/exceeding those same spec's it certainly would not degrade as fast in the same use, in a healthy engine, as conventional oil would BUT the OLM does not know that. It will still tick down and trip the same on Amsoil, Redline, RP, Pennzoil Ultra, Mobil 1, etc... 5W20 as it would regular old Pennzoil or Valvoline conventional 5W20.

So, if you are going to go by the OLM and it is going to trip around 3500-4000 I wouldn't bother with synthetic if you don't feel there are any benefits to using it over conventional other than longer service life( if like me you do feel it is better to use it period then do so if the $$$ is not a factor for you ). However, keep in mind you are not tied to the OLM only. You are allowed a max OCI of 6 months or 8000 miles, whichever comes 1st, by Chrysler in the owner's manual( page 588 ). You can run out that far and your warranty is still perfectly fine. So if you want to run synthetic and do longer OCI's within that time frame you can. Just reset the OLM if it trips early. Just don't exceed the 6 months or the 8000 miles.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: OldCowboy
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Oil life monitors take into account - mileage, engine RPM, and coolant temperature
(for each trip) to determine oil life. If I'm wrong, y'all are welcome to correct me.


Intelligent Oil Life Monitors do this. Not all OLM are intelligent. Some are simply mileage based.



So some of us have (mentally challenged) oil life monitors huh? wow that stinks.

 

[steve20]

"""So, if you are going to go by the OLM and it is going to trip around 3500-4000 I wouldn't bother with synthetic if you don't feel there are any benefits to using it over conventional other than longer service life( if like me you do feel it is better to use it period then do so if the $$$ is not a factor for you ). However, keep in mind you are not tied to the OLM only. You are allowed a max OCI of 6 months or 8000 miles, whichever comes 1st, by Chrysler in the owner's manual( page 588 ). """

This may be 100% true as stated, but it fails the logic test big time. Why go through the expense of having an OLM if you are going to go by 6/8000?

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: steve20

This may be 100% true as stated, but it fails the logic test big time. Why go through the expense of having an OLM if you are going to go by 6/8000?


Not sure if you mean Chrysler or the OP?

If the OP - the OLM comes standard equipment so it is no additional expense to him like an option would be.

If Chrysler - 6/8000 is the longest they want the oil in service. It is possible based on driving style not to trip the OLM in that time frame. So they tell you to use the OLM but not to exceed 6/8000 if it doesn't trip. Almost all mfg's with OLM's I know of do this.