i run rp oil and a wix filter, should i go by the light if i run synth oil? I dont beat on it a lot and its all road miles.
Derek

 

I thought it was a combination of miles and engine run hours that turned the light on. As mentioned above, it will not reset itself by changing the oil, it has to be manually reset. On mine (99), I turn the key on (don't start it), and press the gas pedal about 5 times very quickly (it's supposed to be 3 or 5 times in 8 seconds or something like that...can't remember exactly, so I just press it on and off very quickly for about 5 sec)

 

i heard its a combo of engine hrs, driving habit, and engine temp. dosent matter to me. its a dummy light IMO. most of us are using better oil than that computer thinks were using. i change every 3k for the hell of it and the oil usually looks like its straight from the bottle.

 

Ya know now that I think about it, Mine hasn't come on in a while...I change mine every 3000, and beat on it every day i drive, like 3 times a week. I've also swapped the PCM a couple times in the last month or so.

 

The oil change lights in GM vehicles is controlled by an algorithm that uses things like engine speed, miles, engine temp, avg miles per trip, and other things that are detrimental to oil life. The GM oil lights have been found to be VERY useful when determining oil life. On average GM has found them to swich on between 6000 and 12000 miles as determined by the algorithm.

 

 

This was pulled from an old issue of GM's Techlink articles.......
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GM Oil Life System Revisited
How often should engine oil be changed?

- 3,000 miles (5000 km)
- 5,000 miles (8000 km)
- 7,500 miles (12000 km)
- 10,000 miles (16000 km)

Actually, all of these are correct, depending on operating conditions. Oil life is affected by many factors other than just miles driven. The type of driving, temperature, and engine load all play a part.

That’s why GM has developed the GM Oil Life System, an electronic watchdog that keeps track of all these variables and notifies the driver when it’s time to change oil. (fig. 1) We first told you about the GM Oil Life System in the March 2000 TechLink. Since then, the system has become standard equipment on nearly all GM products.

Briefly, the Oil Life System is programmed with a certain number of engine revolutions. As the engine runs, this number is reduced until it reaches zero, and the Oil Life light or message comes on. But there’s more. Operating the engine under low or high temperatures, and under high load conditions subtracts (penalizes) extra revolutions, so the light comes on sooner.

Changing engine oil according to actual need rather than an inflexible schedule provides several benefits.

First is simpified determination about when to change oil. No more decisions about “normal” conditions vs. “severe” conditions. Second is reduced operating costs for GM’s customers, who now have to change oil only when it’s needed. Third is minimizing the amount of used oil that must be disposed of. And fourth, engines will always be running with sufficiently fresh oil, for long life.

These benefits will be realized only if engine oil is actually changed as indicated by the GM Oil Life System.

Some customers “get it” when it’s explained to them. Others may be reluctant to deviate from traditional oil change interval charts. So, part of the responsibility falls on retail service people to help get the message out.

TIP: To help you do this, an IDL broadcast is being prepared. Consult the GM Training Program Guide and Schedule for “Understanding the GM Oil Life System” (PPS03.P1D).

There’s More
Traditionally, the vehicle maintenance schedule has been based on miles or time, while the oil change interval is now based on the GM Oil Life System. This could result in customers having to bring their vehicles in for an oil change when the light comes on, only to find that the vehicle is due in a month for scheduled maintenance.

That’s all changing. In the accompanying article “Simplified Maintenance Schedules”, you’ll learn how maintenance intervals are now being tied into the oil change intervals indicated by the Oil Life System.

 

I think its a Goverment conspiracy and not the US! Got to you I just heard ropes drop on my roof!

 

Mine comes on every 7K+ miles but I change it more often then that. I consider the color of the oil as well. I did the first change at just over 3K to M1 and a Wix filter.

This is one of those topics of endless discussion.

Like someone said,reset OLM buy putting key on (just before start) and floor the gas pedal 3 times in 5 seconds. It should say "oil life monitor reset".