Should I use the oil life indicator on a HM engine

[Spewn]

250k km's on my 4.0L Northstar engine, currently I'm using 10w30 Castrol GTX and consume ~.5quart every 1000miles(Which, from what I've read about Northstars, is on the low end of oil consumption).

I'm at about 3600km into my oil, and the oil life indicator is sitting at 58%. Almost all of my driving is stop&go city driving. At this rate, the oil life indicator wouldn't reach 0% until >8500km, or ~5300miles.

To me, that seems like a long OCI. I'm thinking of changing at 5000km and taking a sample for a used oil analysis, and going from there. Sound good?

 

[Gary Allan]

That should confirm or discount your feelings about the OLM as a guide for your OCI. Just grab a % number and test it. Others that have done this to the 0% have found it pretty spot on (IIRC). Most then set their cutoff point at any number that they pull out of their behind for the all too persistently nagging "peace of mind".

You have a plan.

 

[Merkava_4]

My last OCI was 4 months and 23 days with 1793 miles on the oil. OLM registered 60%. I couldn't wait any longer; the oil was getting dark and I usually don't go past 4 months. I don't change my oil according to the OLM; I just look at it out of curiosity. I like to go by time and colour; I can get a basic idea of the condition of the oil by swiping it on a white paper towel. I know that may sound absurd to some of you, but I feel comfortable doing it that way.

I suppose I could do used oil analysis to find out how far I can push the oil, but for myself, I don't see the need given the current price of oil. I buy the oil from Wal-Mart at fairly cheap prices; so I don't feel the need to squeeze every last penny out of an OCI. JMO.

I do all my own oil changes, so the only cost to me is the oil and the filter. I think the main thing is to keep the oil clean; if you've got your engine buttoned up real good and are using good quality filters for your oil and air filtration, you should be able to run it for at least 4 months under most conditions. For those of you who like to change it out at 3 months; that's okay by me too.