GM Oil Life Monitor

Redbug · Nov 23, 2007

My pickup truck is a GMC with the oil life monitor. I have always just ignored it and changed my oil about every 4000 miles or so, and reset the monitor. I don't use it.

One question...How do you know what percentage of oil use is left using the OLM? I did not know it would put out any other information other than, "it's time to service your engine". Is there a menu or combo of buttons to press to get that info? I have a 2006 GMC 2500HD.

Doc_Bob · Nov 23, 2007

Redbug said:
One question...How do you know what percentage of oil use is left using the OLM? I did not know it would put out any other information other than, "it's time to service your engine". Is there a menu or combo of buttons to press to get that info? I have a 2006 GMC 2500HD.

My OLM monitor says 78%. I assume it means I have 78% of my oil life left (assuming driving conditions stay the same). My driving is 50 miles each way on the freeway at 75 mph.
Bob

Z71 · Nov 23, 2007

Yes, the % is whats remaining...

The newer trucks give a percentage if you have the driver information center which is standard on the SLT (GMC) and LT (Chevy) models. The less equipped models don't have that feature. With my 2004 it would go nearly a year before the change oil light would flash. If it was not due for its annual change, I would just reset mine. On the Cadi, I have never seen it. The Cadillac CTS came from GM with Mobil 1 in it and synthetic oil is the only oil that can be used.

Here is a snippet I saved from a article in National Oil & Lube News, March 1999
This is all the oil change market is interested in, making sure the public continues the 3000 mile oil change. Funny no one goes after them for oil conservation? Can you imagine the oil that is wasted by the greedy oil change industry and the public with needless oil changing?

"Oil should be changed every three thousand miles, even if it's synthetic."
I suppose it does me little good to quote experts who think otherwise. Recent tests at Mobil have demonstrated synthetic motor oils with a three year, 25,000 mile life span. AMSOIL has had 25,000 mile drain intervals for 25 years, only recently introducing a motor oil inside a somewhat "normal" range, that is, 7500 miles.... which some insist is still too long.
Some "experts" are saying, for example, that quick lubes will lose money if drain intervals are extended. I beg to differ. Extending drain intervals may provide an opportunity to make more money. Quick lube operators can begin to charge a premium for a high end synthetic motor oil and a lower price for conventional petroleum products.

I forget where this came from but it sure fits.

Recreational Oil changing

The term "recreational oil changer" was coined to define people that change their oil far more than necessary because they actually enjoy doing it. It's easy to understand the psychology behind the recreational oil changing. It's the visceral feel of the tools, the victory when that old oil filter breaks free, the hot dirty oil pouring out, the joy of oiling of the gasket on the new filter, that new copper or fiber gasket on the drain plug, the clean clear oil going in, and the sense of accomplishment when you start the car, the oil light comes on for a moment, then goes out. For $8-10 in oil and parts, it's pretty cheap entertainment, but if people would be content to do it only when it provides some benefit to the vehicle, it would be better.

Redbug · Nov 23, 2007

Thank You Mike,

I do not have the DIC option on my GMC. That explains it. I have the SLE option package. I realize the Driver Info Center offers programming options that cannot be done if you don't have it installed. Next truck...I may get it with the package options.

Z71 · Nov 24, 2007

fyi

The new body style 2007 up is hard wired to be able add the option if its not already on the vehicle. They thought ahead, you just buy a replacement dash panel which has the 4 extra function keys from GM accessories and change it out, simple task I am told.

This has been discussed over here. dic install is a snap..literally!!

Doc_Bob · Nov 24, 2007

Z71 said:
Yes, the % is whats remaining...

Recreational Oil changing

The term "recreational oil changer" was coined to define people that change their oil far more than necessary because they actually enjoy doing it.

You nailed me! I am a recovering "recreational oil changer". The first step was to admit I had a problem.

Bob

DieselPower · Nov 25, 2007

GM spent quite a bit of time and money researching the OLM that they use. Here's a breif overview of the GM OLM system. http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/_res/pdf/OLS1.pdf It uses reference data like fuel consumption, acceleration ramp rates, cycle times and so on to calculate the oil change interval. Drive mainly on the highway for long times and your change intervals will be long, do a lot of short trip driving in a city enviroment and your change interval will be much shorter. The system actually appears to work rather well from what I have seen. One common misconception is that it test the oil, it doesn't. It uses a computer program to calculate change intervals, there are no "magic" oil sensors.

Redbug · Nov 25, 2007

Thanks Mike...I read your link on installing the DIC option. I need to research it a little more...since mine is an 06 year. If I my truck has the wiring hookups, I will order the kit. The DIC offers a lot of other programming abilities and is a good upgrade. I really appreciate the information you shared.

KICK · Nov 25, 2007

Doc_Bob said:
You nailed me! I am a recovering "recreational oil changer". The first step was to admit I had a problem.

Bob

not being a " save the planet type", I cant see how someone being a recreational oil changer hurts anything, unless they strip the drain pan threads.

its one of many compulsions people have.

Doc_Bob · Nov 25, 2007

KICK said:
not being a " save the planet type", I canç¨š see how someone being a recreational oil changer hurts anything, unless they strip the drain pan threads.

KICK said:
its one of many compulsions people have.

You are right. Recycle the oil and all is well. I am now of the "save my wallet" type .

I used to change my oil every 3 months/3 K miles. I am now at "OLM guy". With my driving style (freeway, light throttle foot) my OLM indicates I should go 10-12k before changing my oil. 20 dollars for oil and filter every 10 K versus 80 dollars every 3months (using the 3mo/3k rule).

Now, I am going to do it at around 30% (or 7-8k miles). I really like saving the time with fewer oil changes. Now, I add some insurance by using synthetic oil. In the Midwest, it can get very very cold (Brrrrrrrrrrrr). Synthetic flows much better at zero degrees Fahrenheit than conventional oil (dino oil). I got some nice 5-30W Quaker State Synthetic at Menards for $1.20 quart (they had an in store rebate) so it was about half price.

Bob