onboard OCI computers

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berge

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this is for the folks with cars/trucks with the onboard oil life monitors, or whatever else they're called these days.
what is the lowest mileage drain interval the computer has allowed, and what were the driving conditions during that timeframe.

I'm curious because, from what I understand, the MB oil life monitor has a base program of 10000miles and it only goes up. They're confident that with the oil's they've approved there are no issues in at least 10000miles no matter the driving conditions.
 
2000 Chev Venture van - mostly all city driving with average trip of 10Km.
- during winter conditions flashed the change oil indicator at just over 5000Km.
- Same driving habits under summer conditions and it flashed at 7500Km.
It is very consistent from season to season as is our driving habits: 7500Km summer and 5000Km winters.
We change oil twice a year on these intervals whilst using Mobil 1 5W-30 and AC P52 filters.
 
In a 3-series BMWs produced after 6/2000 oil change indicator works by measuring the amount of fuel burned by the engine. Depending on the model it takes from 600 to 670 gallons of fuel to call for an oil change.
Even if my average fuel mileage dropped to 20 MPG (it's around 25 now) my car won't call for an oil change till 12K miles has passed
shocked.gif
 
My 1997 Monte Carlo was the first year for the oil life monitors in the model, and I never go by it, but I let it run until the light comes on out of curiosity sometimes. It seems to come on around 3500-4500 miles, but I always change at 3,000 or less.

Supposedly the algorithm is based on engine running time, engine speed (RPM) and oil temperature. With that said its not uncommon for me to run the engine at 3K-ish for highway driving (I drive pretty fast, usually around 85-90) with some aggressive passing here and there. So it might run longer for someone without such a heavy foot.
 
On my MB it is sticking to the 10k OCI. It gets driven CA freeways and clogged city stop and go. Car has no dipstick. It electronicaly monitors the oil level.

Gotta remember it takes holds about a case of oil so that's a lot to use over time, also which may contribute to the OCI of 10k or so.

Kinda sad but I haven't even looked ot see where the oil filter is on the thing. Used to be one of the first things I'd look for on a car that I had. Was always checking to see how difficult it was to get to the filter and R&R it. The easiest oil change was an old BMW and an '82 RX7.
 
spitman-how cold are the winters there, I'm assuming you're in canada.

RRWilson-mild weather, what about city/hwy %.

F1Crazy-two friends with new BMW's, both have the 3.0L six. One got 22000Km/s on OCI, the other got 24000Km/s.

mstrjon32-so, about 4000miles average the light comes on? do you drive mostly highway?

brat57-I thought 10000miles was the minimum. And you're in California, no cold weather. That's some stop and go driving.
 
I have a 2000 GMC Sierra with Vortec 5.3. It has both an OCI monitor and also keeps track of total hours of operation. I usually go beyond the scrolling CHANGE ENGINE OIL message.

The message will turn on around 5,400km (130 engine hours)in winter and will turn on around 10,000km (200 engine hours) in summer.

I think that's ok if you use a good synthetic. I sure would'nt try following the programmed OCI using No Name "Starburst" oil.

Jerry
 
I have an 01 Chevy 2500HD with the 8.1. The OCI comes on around 3500-4000 miles. The time of year makes no difference. I drive mostly short trips in town 1-10 miles ea. during the week. The weekend finds me towing my boat or travel trailer.
 
cool.gif
My wife's Grand Am it comes on between 5-6k usually. I change the oil every 5k anyway. Mom's Caddy shows you % of oil life left, I change it every 6 months regardless, about 6k, and it's usually down to 30%. Also it holds 7.5 quarts. Dad's BMW 740 it goes off about every 15k but it holds about 12 quarts, maybe more, of BMW's synthetic. Looks too complicated and expensive, I don't screw with it.
 
Yeah, 4,000 is about right. I drive a mix of city and highway driving, but most of my city driving I wouldn't call city driving, its more stop and go highway driving. Drive 6 or 7 miles doing 60, make a left turn, 4 miles doing 45, traffic light, 10 miles doing 55, etc.

I should also mention that alot of my "highway" driving isn't interstate but is more on the New York State parkways, largely the taconic, which is quite hilly, so the motor gets revved up often to climb much steeper grades than you'd find on a typical interstate.

I guess I don't really fit into the conventional models.
grin.gif
 
I guess I did'nt completley answer your question.
The shortest drain intervel was 5052 miles at 125 hours. Shortest hours 120. My drive to work every day is 32 miles one way consisting of about 60% fwy, 40% surface streets in the San Fernando Valley. Winter nights at home dip into the high teens ocasionaly. Summers up to 115F

BW
 
Our 2003 Audi is supposed to have a 10K OCI but the first OCI came at 8,800 miles after one year of mountain driving. Oil temps routinely in the 250F range on the long uphill grades. 6 speed manual, many high rpm shifts.

DEWFPO
 
Our 2003 Audi is supposed to have a 10K OCI but the first OCI came at 8,800 miles after one year of mountain driving. Oil temps routinely in the 250F range on the long uphill grades. 6 speed manual, many high rpm shifts.

DEWFPO
 
03' Saab 9-3 2.0l turbo.

Light came on at 14,800 miles. Manual says service light will come on between 8,000 and 18,000 miles. That's running the special GM long life spec oil.
 
Now you all have me interested. I'll probably start playing with my GM oil life monitor just to see what it does.

I always just reset it and forget it when I do my scheduled oci.

My owners manual makes it very clear that it cannot take into account dust and other contaminants, but I think it is helpful to have.

The monitors have saved some engines I bet.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CosmicFlash:
03' Saab 9-3 2.0l turbo.

Light came on at 14,800 miles. Manual says service light will come on between 8,000 and 18,000 miles. That's running the special GM long life spec oil.
Click to expand...
What driving conditons? what oil is this?
 
On my 03 Monte Carlo ss the oci is set for 14500 miles or one year.I changed the Mobil1 at 7400 miles and never seen the light come on in that time.This time i have Amsoil in and will run it longer.Maybe to 10000 miles.Keep in mind that the oci on this car is set for dino oil.I cant see runing this car for 14500 miles on dino oil but im sure some people will.The manual states to only change the oil when the light comes on.
 
On my '96 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2, I can set it as low as 2000 miles. You can go up from there in 500 mile incriments. Of course mine is set at 3000 miles. It's nice, no more stickers on the windshield. I've had this jeep for about 7 months now. My prior jeep was a '93 cherokee base model...laredo-ized with a 6" lift.
 
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