I would suspect they are calibrated for the type of oil that is recommended for the vehicle. Let's say you have a car that is spec'd for conventional oil and you decide to use synthetic. Obviously the OLM would tell you the oil is ready to be changed before it actually needed to be. Is there some sort of math people use to decide when to change the oil. Let's say for instance whatever miles the OLM says to change the oil add 50% more miles to the total. Was just curious.
Oil life monitors.
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I changed the Mobil 1 in my 2011 Cruze turbo yesterday at 6400 miles and 6.5 months and the OLM still read 37%.
I think the OLM is calibrated the same for the Cruze non-turbo which is much easier on oil than the turbo.
I have read (on Cruze forums) that GM has 're-calibrated' the turbo's OLM for 2013 to be less optimistic but GM isn't admitting it.
I think the OLM is calibrated the same for the Cruze non-turbo which is much easier on oil than the turbo.
I have read (on Cruze forums) that GM has 're-calibrated' the turbo's OLM for 2013 to be less optimistic but GM isn't admitting it.
Originally Posted By: 6lbsoft
Is there some sort of math people use to decide when to change the oil. Let's say for instance whatever miles the OLM says to change the oil add 50% more miles to the total. Was just curious.
I don't think there is a golden rule out there, considering different engine designs, different OLM designs, different operating conditions, different oil chemistries, etc. Probably best to do a used oil analysis to help you figure out what a safe OCI might be.
But speaking of OCI calculation formula, some BITOGers came up with this a while back:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjU6Zr6j5wE9dDllUGs2Q3Jwd2g2U0JwdGJPcVlwYmc#gid=0
Don't take it too seriously though.
Is there some sort of math people use to decide when to change the oil. Let's say for instance whatever miles the OLM says to change the oil add 50% more miles to the total. Was just curious.
I don't think there is a golden rule out there, considering different engine designs, different OLM designs, different operating conditions, different oil chemistries, etc. Probably best to do a used oil analysis to help you figure out what a safe OCI might be.
But speaking of OCI calculation formula, some BITOGers came up with this a while back:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjU6Zr6j5wE9dDllUGs2Q3Jwd2g2U0JwdGJPcVlwYmc#gid=0
Don't take it too seriously though.
Yes, that is true, that OLM's are calibrated for conventional if that is what's recommended.
Older GM cars (pre-2011), other than Corvettes and Cadillacs, were calibrated for the cheapest API-rated dino possible. The really old ones were even designed to be able to do twice the OLM's suggestion on said cheap dino.
Pre-2011 Corvettes and Cadillacs are calibrated for synthetic.
All 2011+ GM cars are calibrated for synthetic blend, since they are all designed to use dexos1
Honda's OLM's are calibrated for dino as well, even the S2000.
Most people here will just use the OLM's suggestion even for synthetic. I do this myself whenever I change the oil in a car with an OLM.
Older GM cars (pre-2011), other than Corvettes and Cadillacs, were calibrated for the cheapest API-rated dino possible. The really old ones were even designed to be able to do twice the OLM's suggestion on said cheap dino.
Pre-2011 Corvettes and Cadillacs are calibrated for synthetic.
All 2011+ GM cars are calibrated for synthetic blend, since they are all designed to use dexos1
Honda's OLM's are calibrated for dino as well, even the S2000.
Most people here will just use the OLM's suggestion even for synthetic. I do this myself whenever I change the oil in a car with an OLM.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: 6lbsoft
Is there some sort of math people use to decide when to change the oil. Let's say for instance whatever miles the OLM says to change the oil add 50% more miles to the total. Was just curious.
I don't think there is a golden rule out there, considering different engine designs, different OLM designs, different operating conditions, different oil chemistries, etc. Probably best to do a used oil analysis to help you figure out what a safe OCI might be.
But speaking of OCI calculation formula, some BITOGers came up with this a while back:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjU6Zr6j5wE9dDllUGs2Q3Jwd2g2U0JwdGJPcVlwYmc#gid=0
Don't take it too seriously though.
That was fun creating that formula
Originally Posted By: 6lbsoft
Is there some sort of math people use to decide when to change the oil. Let's say for instance whatever miles the OLM says to change the oil add 50% more miles to the total. Was just curious.
I don't think there is a golden rule out there, considering different engine designs, different OLM designs, different operating conditions, different oil chemistries, etc. Probably best to do a used oil analysis to help you figure out what a safe OCI might be.
But speaking of OCI calculation formula, some BITOGers came up with this a while back:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjU6Zr6j5wE9dDllUGs2Q3Jwd2g2U0JwdGJPcVlwYmc#gid=0
Don't take it too seriously though.
That was fun creating that formula
Originally Posted By: randomhero439
That was fun creating that formula
That was fun creating that formula
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I use a vibration hour meter to gauge when to change the oil.
200 hours synthetic, or 60 hours conventional oil, change oil and filter...
My car has no OLM or OCI...
http://www.alliedelec.com/search/searchresults.aspx?dsNav=Ntk
rimary%7CVibration+hour+meter%7C3%7C,Ny:True,Ro:0&dsDimensionSearch=D:Vibration+hour+meter,Dxm:All,Dxp:3&SearchType=0&Term=Vibration+hour+meter
200 hours synthetic, or 60 hours conventional oil, change oil and filter...
My car has no OLM or OCI...
http://www.alliedelec.com/search/searchresults.aspx?dsNav=Ntk
rimary%7CVibration+hour+meter%7C3%7C,Ny:True,Ro:0&dsDimensionSearch=D:Vibration+hour+meter,Dxm:All,Dxp:3&SearchType=0&Term=Vibration+hour+meterOriginally Posted By: mattwithcats
I use a vibration hour meter to gauge when to change the oil.
200 hours synthetic, or 60 hours conventional oil, change oil and filter...
My car has no OLM or OCI...
http://www.alliedelec.com/search/searchresults.aspx?dsNav=Ntkrimary%7CVibration+hour+meter%7C3%7C,Ny:True,Ro:0&dsDimensionSearch=D:Vibration+hour+meter,Dxm:All,Dxp:3&SearchType=0&Term=Vibration+hour+meter
60 hours conventional? You must not be stuck in N Va -DC traffic much - you'd be changing the oil every month. I wonder how long taxis go in NYC with constant idling?
I use a vibration hour meter to gauge when to change the oil.
200 hours synthetic, or 60 hours conventional oil, change oil and filter...
My car has no OLM or OCI...
http://www.alliedelec.com/search/searchresults.aspx?dsNav=Ntk
rimary%7CVibration+hour+meter%7C3%7C,Ny:True,Ro:0&dsDimensionSearch=D:Vibration+hour+meter,Dxm:All,Dxp:3&SearchType=0&Term=Vibration+hour+meter60 hours conventional? You must not be stuck in N Va -DC traffic much - you'd be changing the oil every month. I wonder how long taxis go in NYC with constant idling?
In older gm setups you should be able to reset the olm and run it twice on a synthetic and a good filter.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: 6lbsoft
Is there some sort of math people use to decide when to change the oil. Let's say for instance whatever miles the OLM says to change the oil add 50% more miles to the total. Was just curious.
I don't think there is a golden rule out there, considering different engine designs, different OLM designs, different operating conditions, different oil chemistries, etc. Probably best to do a used oil analysis to help you figure out what a safe OCI might be.
But speaking of OCI calculation formula, some BITOGers came up with this a while back:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjU6Zr6j5wE9dDllUGs2Q3Jwd2g2U0JwdGJPcVlwYmc#gid=0
Don't take it too seriously though.
your making a great point but it brings up another question: At what point and price is doing used oil analysis not cost effective ? matter of fact i think this particular question deserves its own thread..
will post my thoughts..
Thanks Pete.
Originally Posted By: 6lbsoft
Is there some sort of math people use to decide when to change the oil. Let's say for instance whatever miles the OLM says to change the oil add 50% more miles to the total. Was just curious.
I don't think there is a golden rule out there, considering different engine designs, different OLM designs, different operating conditions, different oil chemistries, etc. Probably best to do a used oil analysis to help you figure out what a safe OCI might be.
But speaking of OCI calculation formula, some BITOGers came up with this a while back:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjU6Zr6j5wE9dDllUGs2Q3Jwd2g2U0JwdGJPcVlwYmc#gid=0
Don't take it too seriously though.
your making a great point but it brings up another question: At what point and price is doing used oil analysis not cost effective ? matter of fact i think this particular question deserves its own thread..
will post my thoughts..
Thanks Pete.
Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
At what point and price is doing used oil analysis not cost effective ?
I did not mean for him to do a used oil analysis at every OCI. Do it once or twice to figure out a safe OCI. From that point on, you no longer need to do it.
At what point and price is doing used oil analysis not cost effective ?
I did not mean for him to do a used oil analysis at every OCI. Do it once or twice to figure out a safe OCI. From that point on, you no longer need to do it.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
At what point and price is doing used oil analysis not cost effective ?
I did not mean for him to do a used oil analysis at every OCI. Do it once or twice to figure out a safe OCI. From that point on, you no longer need to do it.
I didnt take it that way, but it did make me think and spawned my question.
Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
At what point and price is doing used oil analysis not cost effective ?
I did not mean for him to do a used oil analysis at every OCI. Do it once or twice to figure out a safe OCI. From that point on, you no longer need to do it.
I didnt take it that way, but it did make me think and spawned my question.
I don't see myself going 10K on conventional oil in the V. Even at six months the OLM is at 30% 9-10K miles.
Originally Posted By: 6lbsoft
Is there some sort of math people use to decide when to change the oil.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html
Is there some sort of math people use to decide when to change the oil.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html
Originally Posted By: ARB1977
I don't see myself going 10K on conventional oil in the V. Even at six months the OLM is at 30% 9-10K miles.
Wow. What exactly do you know that the oem doesn't to necessitate not following instructions.
As far as syn vs conventional unless the engine has a turbo or something specific that makes it hard on oil or its rings are well worn causing excessive blow-by any API conventional can do a 5000 mile interval,and it better be able to do at least that or its junk and move on. Special circumstances excluded.
Now as far as synthetic goes if the oil cannot do a 10000 mile interval or more then its not cost effective to use it over a conventional unless bought at a reduced rate.
Its all about money. If syn costs double you gotta run it twice as long or your wasting money. In regular service I have yet to see absolute proof that a syn protects better and will lead to longer engine life vs a conventional changed at proper intervals.
Syns last longer in service,they do offer advantages that most engines will never require,so using a syn and changing it at 5000 miles is retarded(special circumstances excluded). There is absolutely no gain.
I'll bet a jug of your favorite oil that if you got 2 used oil analysis,both at a 5000 mile interval the wear metals would be so close they would be indistinguishable from each other and you wouldn't be able to tell which oil was which.
Now with that said I use syns because I do the math. If syn on sale is within a few dollars as the conventionals regular price then its a smart buy because the value,and mileage increases double for the same price vs using conventional for less miles.
And just to put it out there. Dnewton is running 10000 mile oil change intervals using conventional super tech oil and his used oil analysis' are showing average wear numbers per mile driven when compared to the data he has collected,so even a 5000 mile oil change interval is conservative and not likely pushing the limits of an API certified conventional(special circumstances excluded)
Its all about value. Return per dollar spent,or dollar not spent to achieve a given set of parameters.
Early oil changes are actually shown to increase wear metals at the beginning of the change interval because the new oil strips the anti-wear layer off the parts which increases wear metals until the new oil applies it own anti-wear layer,then wear metals trend downwards.
So in reality the longer you can leave the oil in,without depleting tbn is the ideal time to change oil. That's where used oil analysis are a valuable tool. Use the same oil and have it tested for 3 runs and follow the labs instructions. Then you are getting the most from the oil without running any risk of tbn exhaustion. Then you also decrease the anti-wear layer stripping and re-application thereby reducing wear metals per mile driven.
K. Novel ended.
I don't see myself going 10K on conventional oil in the V. Even at six months the OLM is at 30% 9-10K miles.
Wow. What exactly do you know that the oem doesn't to necessitate not following instructions.
As far as syn vs conventional unless the engine has a turbo or something specific that makes it hard on oil or its rings are well worn causing excessive blow-by any API conventional can do a 5000 mile interval,and it better be able to do at least that or its junk and move on. Special circumstances excluded.
Now as far as synthetic goes if the oil cannot do a 10000 mile interval or more then its not cost effective to use it over a conventional unless bought at a reduced rate.
Its all about money. If syn costs double you gotta run it twice as long or your wasting money. In regular service I have yet to see absolute proof that a syn protects better and will lead to longer engine life vs a conventional changed at proper intervals.
Syns last longer in service,they do offer advantages that most engines will never require,so using a syn and changing it at 5000 miles is retarded(special circumstances excluded). There is absolutely no gain.
I'll bet a jug of your favorite oil that if you got 2 used oil analysis,both at a 5000 mile interval the wear metals would be so close they would be indistinguishable from each other and you wouldn't be able to tell which oil was which.
Now with that said I use syns because I do the math. If syn on sale is within a few dollars as the conventionals regular price then its a smart buy because the value,and mileage increases double for the same price vs using conventional for less miles.
And just to put it out there. Dnewton is running 10000 mile oil change intervals using conventional super tech oil and his used oil analysis' are showing average wear numbers per mile driven when compared to the data he has collected,so even a 5000 mile oil change interval is conservative and not likely pushing the limits of an API certified conventional(special circumstances excluded)
Its all about value. Return per dollar spent,or dollar not spent to achieve a given set of parameters.
Early oil changes are actually shown to increase wear metals at the beginning of the change interval because the new oil strips the anti-wear layer off the parts which increases wear metals until the new oil applies it own anti-wear layer,then wear metals trend downwards.
So in reality the longer you can leave the oil in,without depleting tbn is the ideal time to change oil. That's where used oil analysis are a valuable tool. Use the same oil and have it tested for 3 runs and follow the labs instructions. Then you are getting the most from the oil without running any risk of tbn exhaustion. Then you also decrease the anti-wear layer stripping and re-application thereby reducing wear metals per mile driven.
K. Novel ended.
Originally Posted By: Malo83
Never use the OLM, 5K is my routine
Never use the OLM, 5K is my routine
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Please direct me to a cheap source of used oil analysis kits. No way will I pay $25 for a used oil analysis when the oil/filter is nearly free with the sale/rebate section of this site. I pick a reasonable OCI (about 4k) and sleep well.
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